Alba in bookland: Rosie Blake

Bring the sparkle and fizz back into your life with the help of The Gin O'Clock Club, Rosie Blake's latest book.

'Touching and hilarious' Jilly Cooper

Title: The Gin O'Clock Club

Author: Rosie Blake

Published: August 20th 2020 by Sphere

Blurb: Lottie is always in a hurry, rushing through her days ticking tasks off her to-do lists. Teddy is worried about his granddaughter - and he knows that his late wife, Lily, would have known exactly what to say to make things better. Now that Lily has gone, it's up to Teddy to talk some sense into Lottie.

With the help of Arjun, Geoffrey and Howard, the elderly reprobates who make up his Gin O'Clock Club, Teddy makes a plan to help Lottie find her way back to the things that really matter - family, friendship and love. But as Lottie balances a high-powered job with her reluctant attendance at whist drives, ballroom dances and bingo, Teddy wonders if she's really ready to open up her heart to the possibility of true happiness...

Laugh, cry and fall in love with this colourful cast of characters in THE feel-good novel of the year.

Review: I love Rosie Blake's stories (I have laughed so much reading them) and The Gin O'Clock Club was not exception at all. I absolutely adored it. Blake always creates the most interesting, fun and colourful cast of characters and with this story she completely surpassed herself. In this book, we've got Lottie as the main character. She is a workaholic barrister that has forgotten to have a personal life. And then, we've got the stars of the book, her grandfather and his three friends, who are determined to remind her that life shouldn't be all work, work, work.

First, let me say that I really liked Lottie as a character. I could see a bit of myself in her. Although I am not obsessed with work, I do tend to get angry with my closer ones when something doesn't go the way I expected/wanted and like her, I know it's not their fault but I just can't stop myself. So for me, she felt like a very real person, with many layers and I loved following her journey through the story.

And as I said, the older characters were such a joy to read. I loved their energy, their banter and their hunger for life. There were many touching scenes with them that stole a bit of my heart and reminded me that we tend to forget a bit about the older generations, and we shouldn't, they have so many things to say and things to do yet!

As you can see, I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a feel-good story with lots of heart. My advice, be patient with Lottie, she will surprise you!

Rating: 5 stars

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

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?

I haven't done a Top Ten Tuesday for a while but I think this week’s topic is really interesting. So I wanted to join again. Do you ever read a book and wish you could step in and enjoy a coffee in the café from the book? I do all the time! So I've picked the ten fictional places or business I would love to step in the most!

The Comfort Food Café - Comfort Food Café Series by Debbie Johnson

I fell completely in love with this cafe and its lively community with the first book and with every new addition to the series, my love for this place only grows. Its lovely if not a bit crazy owner has created a heaven for all its regulars and they all have their own specials. A real sense of community.

The Palace Cinema - The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn

Polwhipple is this small village in Cornall, where everyone knows about everything going on but also where everybody is ready to help. I had lost a bit of its sparkle, until Gina arrived and revived the old cinema house, The Palace. She organises the most amazing and fun screening, in which people dress up and there are cocktail and ice-creams specially created for the movies showing. Wouldn't you want to go there?

The Practice at Larkford - Out of Practice and Practice Makes Perfect by Penny Parkes

I usually associate going to the doctor with bad news but I think that if I could go to the practice in Larkford, it would definitely make my doctor visits way more interesting. With sexy doctors, lovely pets, a local celebrity and a TV crew, this practice is the best place to socialise! Plus, the doctors are so caring and you can tell that they love their jobs.

Moonlight Hotel - Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

The Moonlight Hotel sits on the shore of England’s best-loved lake, Windermere, exuding vintage glamour. How amazing sounds this? I loved the setting for this lovely story and I would definitely love to stay in this hotel. I would also love to learn some Salsa.

Glamping Site - My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

In this heart-lifting and inspiring story, main character Caz leaves a not so perfect life in London behind to help her dad open a glamping site. The ideas she comes up with are amazing and I would love to be able to disconnect there for a few days and enjoy nature. But maybe not join the courses she creates for her old boss...

Juniper Island - A Town Called Christmas Series by Holly Martin

This series has the perfect setting. I think I had never wished a fictional place was real so much (except for Hogwarts). Juniper island sounds just magical and I want to move there indefinitely. It's supposed to be part of the Shetland Islands and the northernmost point of the British Isles. It is also a prime location to spot the northern lights or merrie dancers, as the locals call them. And Gabe Whitaker has built an amazing winter resort with cabins, glass igloos and even a glass palace. Oh and reindeer! How cool is that?

Culinary School - The Plumberry School of Comfort Food by Cathy Bramley

I've read quite a lot of foody novels in which the story is set in a bakery or a tea shop and even if I usually enjoy these settings, sometimes I feel like I am reading the same story again and again. So I was greatly surprised to discover a very original setting for this one: a culinary school, with lots of fun course I'd love to attend, competitions and events.

The Canal Boat Café by Cressida McLaughlin

I loved the setting for this story: a canal boat. I've always been fascinated by these boats and every time I've seen one you can visit (on a tour or because it's a café or a shop) I haven't been able to resist having a look inside. So reading about The Canal Boat Café was a real treat. Especially seeing it flourishing as Summer started taking it more seriously.

Alden toy shop - The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake

Alden toy shop is about to close when Clara Kristensen arrives to save the day. Her creative and detailed ideas make the shop a great success and her window displays sound amazing. I really wish I could go there to see them and then buy a few Christmas presents.

Book shop - Lost For Words by Stephanie Butland

Who doesn't love a good book shop? But what makes this one so special are its characters. On one had we have owner Archie, he is a people person, easily chatting to everyone and with a certain eccentricity that far from making him arrogant and unapproachable made him endearing and generous. He would be a friend that we would all love to have. In the other hand we have the very special Lovejoy, who has worked in the shop for ten years and who definitely prefers books to people. I would love to just go there and have a bookish chat with them.

Today's review is for Rosie Blake's new book, The Hygge Holiday. I have loved all her previous novels and I have heart quite a lot recently about having a more hygge life, so I was really excited to pick this book. Here are my thoughts:

Title: The Hygge Holiday

Author: Rosie Blake

Published: September 21st 2017 by Sphere

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: It's autumn in Yulethorpe and everyone is gloomy. It's cold, drizzly and the skies are permagrey. The last shop on the high street - an adorable little toy shop - has just shut its doors. Everything is going wrong for Yulethorpe this autumn. Until Clara Kristensen arrives.

Clara is on holiday but she can see the potential in the pretty town, so she rolls up her sleeves and sets to work. Things are looking up until Joe comes to Yulethorpe to find out exactly what is going on with his mother's shop. Joe is Very Busy and Important in the City and very sure that Clara is up to no good. Surely no one would work this hard just for the fun of it?

Can a man who answers emails at 3 a. m. learn to appreciate the slower, happier, hygge things in life - naps, candles, good friends and maybe even falling in love?

Review: The Hygge Holiday is such a cosy, feel-good and lovely read. I'm sure by now, everyone has heart of the concept of hygge but if not, definitely pick this book to find out more about the Danish secret for being happier. I loved how this story in itself already manages to bring hygge to your home. While reading it, I couldn't resist lighting a few candles and curling up in the sofa with a nice and warm blanket and a hot chocolate. *sighs in happiness*

The story is about Clara Kristensen who has mysteriously arrived at Yulethorpe, a sad town where all the business are closing. A bit by chance, Clara ends up house-sitting and managing the toy shop of a local who has gone on a long holiday. And as she starts leaving her hygge mark everywhere in Yulethorpe, we get to know a bit more about her. I really liked her as a character, she has this peaceful and calm aura but she also has a few secrets she is not willing to share, which made her very interesting.

The other main character in the story is Joe, a workaholic from the city that definitely needs a bit of hygge in his life. I really enjoyed how their stories intertwined and the wintery setting of Yulethorpe was perfect for it. Another thing I also found fascinating was the toy shop and all the new ideas that Clara brought with her. I wish I could go there to get my nieces a few presents this Christmas!

But this wouldn't be a Rosie Blake novel without her hilarious humour and The Hygge Holiday is no exception. With a very sensitive parrot that only talks with TV quotes and a pub owner that cheats on Words With Friends and has a "dark" secret, this story made me laugh so much!

If you are planning a quiet, cosy evening by the fire, then this novel is your perfect companion. Let's all hygge a bit more this new year!

Rating: 5 stars

It's September already and you know what that means, right? It's time to share the new releases I am most looking forward this month!

I Heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk - September 7th

Winter in Manhattan…and someone’s keeping a secret.

The day her husband Alex picks up a backpack and goes travelling, Angela Clark promises to stay out of trouble and keep both Louboutins on the ground. So when her best friend’s boyfriend confides in her, it can’t hurt to help him pick out a ring at Tiffany’s surely? And when her fashion magazine announces major changes, being terminally late and winking at your new boss in the lift isn’t that bad, is it? Then suddenly there’s another big secret Angela’s got to keep – and the man she loves is still thousands of miles away. As the wedding of the year looms, and Manhattan switches on its Christmas lights, Angela is going to need her friends by her side as her old life looks set to change forever.

Why so excited: Since Lindsey Kelk announced she was writing a new I Heart stories, I've been counting the days until its release. I absolutely love Angela Clark, Jenny Lopez and the gang.

Order it now!

The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor - September 7th

The New York Times bestselling author turns the clock back to a time when two young girls convinced the world that fairies really did exist…

1917: When two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright from Cottingley, England, announce they have photographed fairies at the bottom of the garden, their parents are astonished. But when the great novelist, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, endorses the photographs’ authenticity, the girls become a sensation; their discovery offering something to believe in amid a world ravaged by war.

One hundred years later… When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old manuscript and a photograph in her late grandfather’s bookshop she becomes fascinated by the story of the two young girls who mystified the world. As Olivia is drawn into events a century ago, she becomes aware of the past and the present intertwining, blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, will Olivia find a way to believe in herself?

Why so excited: Hazel Gaynor's stories are always something special and this one sounds even more so. I cannot wait to discover this story inspired by the fairies of Cottingley. It is out in ebook in the UK and in paperback in Ireland.

Order it now!

The Break by Marian Keyes - September 7th

Amy's husband Hugh has run away to 'find himself'. But will he ever come back?

'Myself and Hugh . . . We're taking a break.'

'A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?'

If only.

Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her.

He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in South East Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it.

Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet...

However, for Amy it's enough to send her - along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers - teetering over the edge.

For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns, if he returns, will he be the same man she married? Will Amy be the same woman?

Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then so is she...

The Break is a story about the choices we make and how those choices help to make us. It is Marian Keyes at her funniest, wisest and brilliant best.

Why so excited: I've read everything Marian Keyes has written, so how could I not be excited for her new book? And the first reviews have been really good!

Order it now!

The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake - September 21st

The perfect recipe for hygge this autumn: make a hot chocolate, draw the curtains, snuggle under a blanket and read your way to happiness!

It's autumn in Yulethorpe and everyone is gloomy. It's cold, drizzly and the skies are permagrey. The last shop on the high street - an adorable little toy shop - has just shut its doors. Everything is going wrong for Yulethorpe this autumn. Until Clara Kristensen arrives.

Can a man who answers emails at 3 a. m. learn to appreciate the slower, happier, hygge things in life - naps, candles, good friends and maybe even falling in love?

Why so excited: Rosie Blake has quickly become one of my favourite authors, her novels are always so much fun and The Hygge Holiday looks beautiful and sounds amazing. Let's get they hygge on!

Order it now!

Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill - September 21st

What if your choice for your child could harm someone else’s?

Every mother faces impossible choices. Vaccination is one of the hardest. For single mum Kate O’Hara, there was no decision to make. Her daughter Rosie is one of a small percentage of Irish children who can’t be vaccinated against measles. All Kate can do is hope that her little girl is safe.

For mummy blogger Madeleine Cooper, it was a leap of faith she wasn't prepared to take when she and her husband declined controversial measles jabs for their daughter Clara. All she can do is pray that it’s the right decision.

But when classmates Clara and Rosie both become sick will Kate pay for Madeleine’s choice?

A stunning and addictive new book club read from beloved bestselling Irish author Melissa Hill that explores every mother’s worst fear.

Why so excited: This is the only book in the list that I have already read and I can tell you it is a very interesting and addictive read. I really enjoyed this new direction that Melissa Hill took with her writing.

Order it now!

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin - September 22nd

Christmas has arrived at Hope Island, promising snowflakes, surprises and plenty of seasonal joy. So snuggle up and fall in love at Mistletoe Cove…

Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea.

When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…

This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?

Why so excited: I know it's only the beginning of September and we shouldn't mention the C word yet, but come on, it's Holly Martin! Who is better at christmassy cosy love stories? And I'm really curious about Eden and Dougie's story after meeting them in the previous book.

Order it now!

February is gonna be an amazing bookish month. So many amazing books out this month! It was really difficult to pick my top five new releases this time so I went for a top seven and a little extra treat:

How to Get a (Love) Life by Rosie Blake - February 2nd

Nicola Brown doesn't like to lose control. Her flat is always meticulously tidy and her weekly meals carefully planned; Nicola keeps her life in order. When her carefree colleague Caroline challenges Nicola to find a date for Valentine's Day, it's a surprise to them both when Nicola agrees.

As Nicola's search for a man begins, she is thrown in at the deep end - sometimes quite literally - of the dating scene. From men more likely to sell their mother than open their wallet, to those who are determined to find a girlfriend who shares their passion for extreme sports, Nicola has to run the full gamut of dodgy dates. But as the deadline looms closer, Nicola realises it isn't so bad to lose control. It turns out that trying to get a love life can be rather a lot of fun...

Why so excited: I have loved all three books by Rosie Blake, so I'm really happy that her debut is finally being published in paperback. I enjoyed this story immensely when it was first published a couple of years ago in ebook format. I hope that many new readers will discover this fun story.

Pre-order now!

The Little Teashop of Broken Hearts by Jennifer Joyce - February 8th

From fairy cakes to first dates!

Maddie Lamington’s dreams are crumbling around her. If she doesn’t come up with a plan to save her little teashop on Sweet Street soon, it might be too late…

So when she sees how the perfect apple crumble brings together her lonely father and faithful customer Birdie, inspiration strikes: she’ll set up a dating night involving all her sweetest bakes.

Luckily, seriously gorgeous Caleb is on hand to help sprinkle a little magic – and a lot of sugar! Could one night of scrumptious first dates fix Maddie’s heartbreak and save her beloved teashop, too?

Why so excited: Jennifer Joyce's stories are always filled with lol moments, sweet treats and the perfect touch of drama, so I cannot wait to discover a new one. Plus, how cute is the title and the cover for this one?

Pre-order now!

A Song for Tomorrow by Alice Peterson - February 9th

Tom fell in love with Alice the moment he saw her. He realises that being with her will not be easy, but she is a force of nature, a burst of sunlight in his otherwise ordinary world.

Some people might look at Alice and think she has everything, but Alice knows she is not like other women. Her life is complicated, unpredictable, difficult. Alice does not like pity. All she wants to do, has ever wanted to do, is sing.

Alice has been told not to follow her dreams. So has Tom. But when fate has already dealt a tough hand, it’s time to stop listening to everyone else and only follow their own hearts.

Why so excited: I got an early review copy of this amazing story and wow! If you only get one book this month, be sure to pick this one. Read my full review here.

Pre-order now!

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella - February 9th

Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.

Ok, so the real truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.

But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?

Until her not-so perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.

Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams? Or try to get her job back? Does Demeter – the woman with everything – have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.

And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?

Why so excited: Two words, Sophie and Kinsella. Definitely one of my top and auto-buy authors, every new release from her is a highly anticipated one. Let's see how this new story is! I certainly cannot wait to discover it.

Pre-order now!

The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simsion - February 9th

The heart warming new novel from Graeme Simsion, the international bestselling author of The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect

Can you define your life by a single song?

Adam Sharp - former pianist in a hip Melbourne bar, now a respectable IT consultant in Norwich - can. And it's 'You're Going to Lose that Girl' . . .

On the cusp of fifty and a happy introvert, Adam is content. He's the music expert at his local pub-quiz and he and his partner Claire rumble along. Life may not be rock n' roll, but neither is it easy listening. Yet something has always felt off-key.

And that's his nostalgia for what might have been, his blazing affair - more than twenty years ago, on the other side of the world - with Angelina Brown, a smart and sexy, strong-willed actress who taught him for the first time, as he played piano and she sang, what it meant to find - and then lose - love. How different might his life be if he hadn't let her walk away?

Then, out of nowhere, Angelina gets in touch. Adam has sung about second chances, but does he have the courage to believe in them?

Why so excited: I absolutely loved The Rosie Project and its sequel The Rosie Effect. Graeme Simsion created such interesting and enjoyable characters, so I'm really looking forward to discover a new story by him.

Pre-order now!

Girl 99 by Andy Jones - February 14th

When Tom’s girlfriend walks out on him the day before Christmas, he feels humiliated but not necessarily heartbroken. Sadie wasn’t, after all, The One. If we’re being precise, she was number eighty-five.

And so, for reasons that are only mostly wrong, Tom embarks on a mission to bring his number of encounters up to a nice neat one hundred.

Over the course of his quest he sleeps with a colleague, a colleague of a friend, a friend of a friend, a friend of a friend’s wife, the estate agent selling his flat and several more besides.

Everything is going, if not well, then at least according to plan…and then Tom meets Verity. Whether she’s The One remains to be seen, but she’s certainly more than just another number.

Why so excited: St Valentine's Day brings us a real treat, a new story by Andy Jones. It's actually his debut, which has been revised and republished. I haven't read it yet but it's on top of my tbr pile already.

Pre-order now!

Before the Rains by Dinah Jefferies - February 23rd

1930, Rajputana, India. Since her husband's death, 28-year-old photojournalist Eliza's only companion has been her camera. When the British Government send her to an Indian princely state to photograph the royal family, she's determined to make a name for herself.

But when Eliza arrives at the palace she meets Jay, the Prince's handsome, brooding brother. While Eliza awakens Jay to the poverty of his people, he awakens her to the injustices of British rule. Soon Jay and Eliza find they have more in common than they think. But their families - and society - think otherwise. Eventually they will have to make a choice between doing what's expected, or following their hearts.

Why so excited: I've already read this one and absolutely loved it. A mesmerising and beautiful tale that takes us to India in the twenties. Historical Fiction at its best. Read my full review here.

Pre-order now!

And a special treat for you all: Penny Parkes, author of the fantastic Out of Practice, publishes a free short story on February 9th that will take us back to the charming Larkford:

Pre-order now!

Welcome to Bookish Recipes, a feature on the blog where I cook or bake a recipe from a book I have loved and share the result with you. This time the recipe is inspired by the book How to Find Your (First) Husband by Rosie Blake. This story is completely bonkers and I couldn't have loved it more. It is everything a summer read should be and more. With an amazing setting, lovable character, an hilarious plot and turtles thrown into the mix, this is the book you cannot miss this summer. Laughs and good vibes guaranteed!

In the story, Isobel travels to Tioman Island, in Malaysia, following her first crush and there, she has quite a lot of adventures. She also enjoys the local cuisine, especially Egg Foo Young, similar to an omelette with lots of tasty things inside. So I decided to transport myself to Malaysia and try my hand at making Egg Foo Young. I followed more or less this recipe and the result was pretty good:

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

6 eggs

Half a chicken breast (cooked and shredded)

2 mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced

1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts

1/2 cup shredded baby bok choy

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on an angle

1 small red pepper, very thinly sliced

One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 large clove garlic, grated or made into a paste

Salt and freshly ground pepper

For the sauce:

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1 thin slice of ginger

1) Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the chicken, mushrooms, bean sprouts, bok choy, carrots, scallions, pepper, grated ginger and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

2) Drop about 1/2 cup of the mixture onto the griddle for each "pancake". Cook until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

3) Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with a splash of chicken stock to dissolve. Combine the remaining stock, the cornstarch mixture, soy sauce, hot sauce and sliced ginger in a small saucepan. Boil until it thickens a bit, about 3 minutes. Discard the sliced ginger.

4) Put 2 pancakes on each plate, top with the gravy and enjoy!

About the book:

Title: How To Find Your (First) Husband

Author: Rosie Blake

Published: June 2nd by Corvus

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: It's a beautiful day in 1994 and the turn-out in the school playground is fantastic. Isobel is eight years old and marrying Andrew Parker, the boy of her dreams. Life is perfect. Then the ceremony is over, and a week later so is the marriage. Twenty years on and Isobel is dressed as a prawn handing out promotional fliers outside an L.A. fish market. Her career is going nowhere and her love life leaves a lot to be desired. Nothing Isobel hoped for has gone to plan. Then, she catches sight of Andrew, her first husband, in the background of a TV news item and wonders: if she can track down Andrew, will she recapture the happiness that she felt all those years ago? Isobel travels the globe to find her first husband, via Cornwall, Devon and a remote Malaysian island, but is he really what she is looking for?

Read my book review here

A couple of years ago, I shared the perfect books to travel the world from your own couch (check out my Top Holidays Reads of 2014 here) and because it's August again and we're not travelling anywhere exotic this year, I've decided to share with 10 more books that will take to some of the hottest spots of the planet. Let's have a look at our route:

1) Summer at the Comfort Food Café: the Jurassic Coast, UK

We start our route in the UK. I've chosen this book because it's set in a part of the UK I didn't know about and after reading about those stunning landscapes I can't wait to discover it! The brand new book from best-selling author Debbie Johnson will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you raid the pantry in the middle of the night…

Read my 5 stars review of Summer at the Comfort Food Café here.
Get it now.

Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

2) Catch Me If You Cannes: Cannes, France

On our second stop, Lisa Dickenson takes us to beautiful Cannes with two lovely and a bit crazy friends. This story is a total summer hit: laughs, beach, cocktails, sunshine and Cannes (oh! and Nutella!). What a perfect combination for a lazy afternoon by the pool. Even better if combined with a cocktail or a glass of bubbly! Also, highly recommended, Lisa's You Had Me at Merlot, set in beautiful Tuscany!

Read my 5 stars review of Catch Me If You Cannes here.
Get it now.

View from the Hotel Radisson Bleu

3) The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop: Sorrento, Italy

This story takes us to Sorrento and I could so easily picture the stunning Italian scenery! Abby Clements has a way of transporting you far far away from home, and make you enjoy the most delicious treats too. Her descriptions of ice cream and other delicious sweet creations were so detailed and scrumptious that left me with no other choice than consume great quantities of ice cream while enjoying this summery read.

Read my 5 stars review of The Heavenly Italian Ice Cream Shop here.
Get it now.

View of Sorrento - The Lonely Planet

4) My Map of You: Zante, Greece

Through Holly's (the main character in Isabelle Broom's debut novel) eyes we soon discover that we have landed in paradise. Seriously, I've always wanted to visit Greece and its islands but now I need to visit them, especially Zakynthos. This place held more secrets than both Holly and I were expecting, and Isabelle Broon managed to surprise me with unexpected twits and truths that held me glued to the pages of My Map of You for hours.

Read my 5 stars review of My Map of You here.
Get it now.

Check out my Interview with Isabelle Broom for more pics and secrets about this story and its setting

5) Destination Thailand: Thailand.

On our 5th stop, we join Georgia on her tour around Thailand. She follows a bucket list, with things like riding an elephant or make something wild, but as soon as Georgia lands in Thailand, we discover that backpacking alone around such a different country is not going to be that easy... A fantastic debut novel by Katy Colins, inspired by her own adventures.

Read my 5 stars review of Destination Thailand here.
Get it now.

Check out Katy Colins' blog Not Dear or Wed and follow her adventures

6) Destination India: India.

After Thailand, Georgia's adventures are not over and on the second book on the The Lonely Hearts Travel Club, she takes us to India. I enjoyed this one as much as the first and I had such a great time following her around and discovering this new country through her eyes. As usual, Katy Colins makes a great job of describing the atmosphere of the place and I found myself wishing, more than once, that I could also be in India discovering this beautiful country.

Read my 5 stars review of Destination India here.
Get it now.

Check out Katy Colins' blog Not Dear or Wed and follow her adventures

7) How to Find Your (First) Husband: Tioman Island, Malaysia.

Next, we are flying to Malaysia to discover the stunning Tioman Island with Rosie Blake's latest story. For me, this is everything a summer read should be and more. With an amazing setting, lovable character, an hilarious plot and turtles thrown into the mix, this is the book you cannot miss this summer. Laughs and good vibes guaranteed!

Read my 5 stars review of How to Find Your (First) Husband here.
Get it now.

Visit Rosie Blake's page to know about her and her books

8) The Blue: The Philippines.

In this story, Kitty and Lana travel to the Philippines where they discover a beautiful yacht, the Blue. For a while they travel on the yacht and explore every bit of this paradise but after a while things start to feel wrong. The Blue by Lucy Clarke is a darker story than the ones I've talked about so far but equally compelling and stunning.
Get it now.

Experience Philippines

9) The Girl From Everywhere: Hawaii, USA.

I love books set in Hawaii because it's a place I'm dying to visit. Some of my favourites are Moloka'i by Alan Brennert and About a Girl by Lindsey Kelk. So I was very happy when I saw that The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig was set in Hawaii too. The story is a mixture of fantasy, history, time-travelling and romance (there's even a pirate ship and a dragon!). With a diverse and multicultural cast and plenty of adventures.

Read my 4 stars review of The Girl From Everywhere here.

Get it now.

Aloha Hawaii

10) Sleepless in Manhattan: New York, USA.

And we end our tour around the world in New York, where else? Sarah Morgan's latest trilogy is set in New York and you know what? I love New York, I've been there twice and I'm already looking forward to going back. With this story I could totally picture myself there, from cool and trendy Brooklyn to posh and lively Manhattan. The life and shine of the city really got through the story and it felt like it was one more character in the story.

Read my 4 stars review of Sleepless in Manhattan here.
Get it now.

The first time I went up The Top of the Rock, I fell a bit in love with this city.

I hope you had fun on my route around the world with books! What books have you read lately that have taken you to other places? Tell me, I love travelling with books!

*All image sources are linked.

Today's review is for How to Find Your (First) Husband, Rosie Blake's third book. I enjoyed Rosie's debut and loved her second book so I had high expectations for this one, especially after she announced is was set in Malaysia. Read my final thoughts here:

Title: How To Find Your (First) Husband

Author: Rosie Blake

Published: June 2nd by Corvus

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: It's a beautiful day in 1994 and the turn-out in the school playground is fantastic. Isobel is eight years old and marrying Andrew Parker, the boy of her dreams. Life is perfect. Then the ceremony is over, and a week later so is the marriage. Twenty years on and Isobel is dressed as a prawn handing out promotional fliers outside an L.A. fish market. Her career is going nowhere and her love life leaves a lot to be desired. Nothing Isobel hoped for has gone to plan. Then, she catches sight of Andrew, her first husband, in the background of a TV news item and wonders: if she can track down Andrew, will she recapture the happiness that she felt all those years ago? Isobel travels the globe to find her first husband, via Cornwall, Devon and a remote Malaysian island, but is he really what she is looking for?

*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've read and love Rosie Blake's previous books so when I picked her latest one, I knew I was in for a treat and I was not wrong at all. I found the premise for this story fantastic. I mean, who didn't have a crush in school with the golden boy of the class? And who hasn't wondered how life would be with him? Well Rosie Blake takes it one step further: Isobel, the star of the story, needs a change in her life so when she spots Andrew, her first crush and husband (there was a ceremony in the playground) on TV, she decides to go for it and chase him to the other end of the world.

As you can imagine, this story is completely bonkers and I couldn't have loved it more. Isobel is such a great character, she had me in stitches more than once and her ideas to seduce Andrew were just hilarious. I had such great fun following her around the world and I fell a bit in love with Tioman Island, in Malaysia, where great part of the story took place. Rosie Blake described it so well and the attention to detail was amazing. If I closed my eyes, I could easily picture myself there, spying Isobel's shenanigans with a cocktail on my hand.

Apart from Isobel and Andrew, there were a few more characters key to the story, like Isobel's best friend or a photographer we meet in Malaysia. I was a big fan of all of them, they were really supportive of Isobel and her crazy ideas and made the story even more interesting with their own little stories.

How To Find Your (First) Husband is everything a summer read should be and more. With an amazing setting, lovable character, an hilarious plot and turtles thrown into the mix, this is the book you cannot miss this summer. Laughs and good vibes guaranteed!

Rating: 5 stars

New month, new books. With the summer around the corner, we are being spoiled with colourful and lively covers full with cute and fun stories. This month it was very difficult to narrow it down to only 5 books. Have a look here:

Summer at Skylark Farm by Heidi Swain - June 2nd

For everyone dreaming of escaping to the country, fall in love this summer at Skylark Farm...

Amber is a city girl at heart. So when her boyfriend Jake Somerville suggests they move to the countryside to help out at his family farm, she doesn't quite know how to react. But work has been hectic and she needs a break so she decides to grasp the opportunity and make the best of it.

Dreaming of organic orchards, paddling in streams and frolicking in fields, Amber packs up her things and moves to Skylark Farm. But life is not quite how she imagined - it's cold and dirty and the farm buildings are dilapidated and crumbling.

But Amber is determined to make the best of it and throws herself into farm life. But can she really fit in here? And can she and Jake stay together when they are so different?

A story of love in the countryside from the author of the bestselling The Cherry Tree Café. Perfect for Escape to the Countrydreamers, Cath Kidston fans and Country Living addicts!

Why so excited: I loved Heidi's debut, The Cherry Tree Cafe, last year and I have been patiently waiting for her second book. It looks just like my kind of read, cute and quirky.

Destination India by Katy Colins - June 2nd

Let yourself go…

Georgia Green is about to board a plane to India, alone – again. Things were supposed to be different this time, but Georgia backpacked solo to Thailand and survived, what could possibly go wrong?

Only she is about to find out that when in India the country calls the shots – not you.

The new favourite series for fans of The Curvy Girls Club, theShopaholic series and Eat, Pray, Love.

Join Georgia Green for her next big adventure in Bollywood!

Why so excited: I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Destination Thailand, so I am over the moon that the second book is out this month already. New author Katy Colins has such a fun and fresh style, I can't wait to discover India with her.

How to Find Your (First) Husband by Rosie Blake - June 2nd

It's a beautiful day in 1994 and the turn-out in the school playground is fantastic. Isobel is eight years old and marrying Andrew Parker, the boy of her dreams. Life is perfect. Then the ceremony is over, and a week later so is the marriage. Twenty years on and Isobel is dressed as a prawn handing out promotional fliers outside an L.A. fish market. Her career is going nowhere and her love life leaves a lot to be desired. Nothing Isobel hoped for has gone to plan. Then, she catches sight of Andrew, her first husband, in the background of a TV news item and wonders: if she can track down Andrew, will she recapture the happiness that she felt all those years ago? Isobel travels the globe to find her first husband, via Cornwall, Devon and a remote Malaysian island, but is he really what she is looking for?

Why so excited: I received an advance copy of this one and let me tell you, it's fantastic! I laughed out loud all the way through and loved every page. Highly recommended summer read.

You Had Me at Merlot by Lisa Dickenson - June 16th

Elle and Laurie are the last ones standing: they're single, they're not having babies any time soon and their weekends aren't filled with joyful meetings about mortgages. For Elle, this is fine. She likes her independent life, but Laurie wants love and she wants it now.

So when Laurie begs Elle to come with her on a singles holiday to a beautiful vineyard in Tuscany, Elle is reluctant. She has no intention of swapping her perfectly lovely life for someone else's idea of her Mr Perfect, but ten days under the Italian sun with her best friend and lashings of wine? How bad could that be?

Why so excited: I love Lisa Dickenson. I first read this one when it came out as a serialised enovel and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now it's out as a beautiful and shiny paperback and I'm re-reading it right now and it's even better than the first time. Must read for this summer!

The Plumberry School of Confort Food by Cathy Bramley - June 30th

The Plumberry School of Comfort Food was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

Verity Bloom hasn't been interested in cooking anything more complicated than the perfect fish finger sandwich, ever since she lost her best friend and baking companion two years ago.

But an opportunity to help a friend lands her right back in the heart of the kitchen. The Plumberry School of Comfort Food is due to open in a few weeks' time and needs the kind of great ideas that only Verity could cook up. And with new friendships bubbling and a sprinkling of romance in the mix, Verity finally begins to feel like she's home.

But when tragedy strikes at the very heart of the cookery school, can Verity find the magic ingredient for Plumberry while still writing her own recipe for happiness?

Why so excited: The complete paperback of The Plumberry School is out this month and I couldn't be more excited. I always wait for the paperback because once I start a Cathy Bramley book, I can't stop. This one looks and sounds amazing.