Alba in bookland: Rowan Coleman

Today I am reviewing The Girl at the Window, a hauntingly beautiful story of love and hope, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book and The Summer of Impossible Things, Rowan Coleman.

Title: The Girl at the Window

Author: Rowan Coleman

Published: August 22nd 2019 by Ebury Press

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A house full of history is bound to have secrets...

'Spine-tinglingly beautiful. Prepare to lose your heart' Lisa Jewell

Ponden Hall is a centuries-old house on the Yorkshire moors, a magical place full of stories. It's also where Trudy Heaton grew up. And where she ran away from...

Now, after the devastating loss of her husband, she is returning home with her young son, Will, who refuses to believe his father is dead.

While Trudy tries to do her best for her son, she must also attempt to build bridges with her eccentric mother. And then there is the Hall itself: fallen into disrepair but generations of lives and loves still echo in its shadows, sometimes even reaching out to the present...

Review: The Girl at the Window is very different from the other books I've read by Rowan Coleman. To start with, although the main story is set in present day, it has historical, paranormal, gothic and mystery elements intertwined in it. At first I was not sure it was going to pick my curiosity as I was bit confused but once I started finding out more about the characters and their story, especially the historical parts and how they related to the present one, I was hooked.

The atmosphere of the whole book was very eerie and even gave me goosebumps in some parts. I felt like the house of Ponden Hall was one more character, with its own feelings and secrets. I especially enjoyed how Rowan Coleman combined real historical facts with her fiction and with a bit of magic. The plot line definitely surprised me more than once and I had to stay up late a couple nights to find out how the story unfolded.

The multiple narratives worked very well, as we got the chance to get to know all the characters and their eras better. I cared and rooted for them. Although I didn't know much about Emily Brontë's life, since reading this story, I have been reading a lot more about the Brontë family and I am now looking forward to reading Rowan Coleman's new book, The Vanishing Bride (written under the name Bella Ellis), in which the Brontë sisters solve crimes together.

Rating: 4 stars

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

For the last couple of years, I've shared the perfect books to travel the world from your own couch (check out my other Top Holidays Reads here) so today I am bringing you a brand new list with 10 stories set all around the world. Get ready to discover some amazing new places!

If you also love travelling through books, don't miss our route. There's a book for everyone:

Somewhere Beyond the Sea: St Ives, Cornwall (UK).

Miranda Dickinson's latest book is a gorgeous story about love, family and hope. But it is also a love letter to St Ives and its beautiful beaches. This story really reminded me how to appreciate the little things and the joy they bring and let me discover a part of the UK that I haven't had the pleasure of visiting yet (stress on the YET).

Read my 5 stars review here | Get it now!

Five Years From Now: Cornwall (UK) & Australia.

Another absolutely stunning story by Paige Toon, we meet Nell and Van when they are only 5 and living in Cornwall. After a few years, Van moves to Australia and we then follow their lives by checking on them every five years. Thanks to their beautiful story, we get to discover some really cool places both in the UK and down under.

Read my 5 stars review here | Get it now!

The Temptation of Gracie: Tuscany, Italy.

Santa Montefiore's new book is set in a stunning castle in Tuscany. With its dual time line, you get to discover this magical place both nowadays and the sixties and it is impossible not to fall in love with it. The descriptions of the stunning scenery and delicious food are generous and detailed and you can easily picture the castle and the village next to it in your mind perfectly.

Read my 4 stars review here | Get it now!

You Me Everything: the South of France.

This story by Catherine Isaac is one of my favorite books of the year so far. I loved the plot, I loved the characters and I loved the setting. Well, I loved everything. The story is about single mum Jess and her ten-year-old son William and their summer in France, where William's father has renovated a castle as a holiday resort. It's easy get lost in the stunning scenery of Château de Roussignol. A beautiful story about love, about family, about friendship, about life...

Read my 5 stars review here | Get it now!

The Hideaway: Valencia, Spain.

In her latest book, Sheila O'Flanagan takes us to Spain. Main character, Juno, is grieving the loss of a very important person for her so she decides to take some time off and stay at the family villa of a friend in Valencia. Villa Naranja is not in the coast but a bit inland and has its own swimming pool and orange grove. The highlight of this story was the setting for me. Juno got to discover the local festivities and enjoy the Spanish way of live.

Get it now!

One Thousand Stars and You: Sri Lanka.

I couldn't do a holiday reads list without including one of Isabelle Broom's amazing stories. In her latest book, she takes us on a stunning tour of Sri Lanka. Full of magical moments, heart-melting romance and intense emotions, One Thousand Stars and You is unmissable. I felt completely in love with this story and its characters and I am now 100 % obsessed with Sri Lanka and its food.

Read my 5 stars review here | Get it now!

Chasing the Sun: Great Ocean Road & Sydney, Australia

This is the fourth book in The Lonely Hearts Travel Club Series and after loving Georgia's adventures all around the globe, I was really looking forwards to joining her in her new trip down under. From the worst hostel ever and a certain big Willy in her road trip to the crazy wedding in Sydney, Georgia is definitely in for the adventure of a life time.

Get it now!

The Summer of Impossible Things: New York

Rowan Coleman makes us believe that the impossible is possible and takes us in a journey like no other. We follow Luna and her sister to Brooklyn after their mother's death. For some inexplicable reason, Luna discovers that she is able to travel to 1977, the year that changed their mother's life forever. I loved discovering the seventies through her eyes. I could easily picture a disco obsessed Brooklyn getting ready for the release of Saturday Night Fever. A truly magical novel.

Read my 5 stars review here | Get it now!

Still Me: New York

And if you enjoyed discovering Brooklyn with The Summer of Impossible Things, then you will love discovering Manhattan with Jojo Moyes' latest addition to the Me Before You Series. Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, thanks to her job with a superrich family, she begins to mix in New York high society. I loved discovering this more glamorous part of the city and the story was full of heart. Louisa is always there to remind us to live boldly.

Get it now!

The Wonder of Us: Eurotrip

If you don't have time to read all the books above to do some couch-traveling, then I highly recommend you pick Kim Culbertson's new book. Riya and Abby travel all around Europe to discover its hidden wonder. With stops at Milan, Zurich, Berlin, Edinburgh, Reykjavik and London, The Wonder of Us is a fun coming of age tale that will make you want to pack your suitcases and join these two in their euroadventures.

Get it now!

I recently read several YA books I have had on my tbr pile for a while, so I decided to share short reviews of them. Mainly because I loved them and I wanted to shout a bit about them, even if I am really late to the party.

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (April 2015)

Blurb: Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Review: with the movie just around the corner, I finally picked this book. My first thought is: why didn't I pick it before? It's cute, it's fun, it's fresh, it's original and it's important. I enjoyed it immensely and I cannot wait now for the movie to come out. Plus, the sequel Leah on the Offbeat is out next month. 5 stars.

Amazon | Amazon UK

Am I Normal Yet? (The Spinsters Club #1) by Holly Bourne (August 2015)

Blurb: All Evie wants is to be normal. She’s almost off her meds and at a new college where no one knows her as the girl-who-went-crazy. She’s even going to parties and making friends. There’s only one thing left to tick off her list…

But relationships are messy – especially relationships with teenage guys. They can make any girl feel like they’re going mad. And if Evie can’t even tell her new friends Amber and Lottie the truth about herself, how will she cope when she falls in love?

Review: I had heard all kind of amazing things about Holly Bourne and I had been following her on social media for a couple years, so I was expecting to be blown away by this story, I mean, I remember all the hype about this one when it first came up. And I was indeed blown away. Holly Bourne paints a really clear picture of what suffering a mental illness feels like (for the person suffering and for the people around them) and the way she added feminism to the story was so clever. I enjoyed every single thing about this book. A very important read that I wish I could have read when I was a teen myself. 5 stars.

Amazon | Amazon UK

How Hard Can Love Be? (The Spinsters Club #2) by Holly Bourne (August 2015)

Blurb: Amber, Evie and Lottie: three girls facing down tough issues with the combined powers of friendship, feminism and cheesy snacks. Both hilarious and heart-rending, this is Amber’s story of how painful – and exhilarating – love can be, following on from Evie’s story in Am I Normal Yet?

All Amber wants is a little bit of love. Her mum has never been the caring type, even before she moved to California, got remarried and had a personality transplant. But Amber's hoping that spending the summer with her can change all that.

And then there's prom king Kyle, the guy all the girls want. Can he really be interested in anti-cheerleader Amber? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie's advice, there's no escaping the fact: love is hard.

Review: As soon as I finish Evie's story, I jumped into Amber's. Although it is quite different from the first book in the series, How Hard Can Love Be is equally amazing. The three friends are still going strong with her Spinsters club and I love all her feminism discussions, but in this one Amber spends her summer in an American camp, trying to reconnect with her mother and also trying to figure out love. A very fun, cute and clever read. I now need to get the last one in the trilogy. I cannot wait for Lottie's story. 5 stars.

Amazon | Amazon UK

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys #1) by Jenny Han (April 2014)

Blurb: What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Review: when I first joined Instagram, this book was everywhere but since then, two more books of the series have been released, so it was time for me to catch up. And I am so glad that I did. I loved main character Lara Jean, she was like a ray of sunshine and I loved that she preferred her crafts and baking over going out and getting drunk (I could see a bit of myself here). Plus, all the talking about cake was mouth-watering. I had to bake cookies myself and eat them while reading. A very cute contemporary YA that stole my heart a little bit. 5 stars.

Amazon | Amazon UK

P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys #2) by Jenny Han (May 2015)

Blurb: Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

Review: After finishing To All the Boys I've Loved Before, I really wanted to see how Lara Jean and Peter's story would continue. I have to say that it did not enjoy this book as much as the first but it was still a very entertaining and cute read. It's true that I think Lara Jean didn't make the best choices, but she is a teen after all, I probably would have done the same at that age. On another note, you can really see a development in her character and the cake mentions are everywhere again. So all in all, I had a great time reading it. I am now really curious about the third book but afraid at the same time that it is not going to go the way I want it to go. But planning on reading it really soon. 4 stars.

Amazon | Amazon UK

Mirror, Mirror by Cara Delevigne and Rowan Coleman (October 2017)

Blurb: Friend. Lover. Victim. Traitor.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Sixteen-year-old friends Red, Leo, Rose, and Naomi are misfits; still figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Life isn't perfect, but music brings them together, and they are excited about what the future holds for their band, Mirror, Mirror. That is until Naomi vanishes before being pulled unconscious out of the river.

She's left fighting for her life in a coma. The police claim it was a failed suicide attempt, but her friends aren't convinced. Will Naomi ever wake up? What - or perhaps who - led her to that hospital bed? And how did Red, the self-styled protector of the group, fail to spot the warning signs?

While Rose turns to wild partying and Leo is shrouded by black moods, Red sets out to uncover the truth. It's a journey that will cause Red's world to crack, exposing the group's darkest secrets. Nothing will ever be the same again, because once a mirror is shattered, it can't be fixed.

Review: I definitely did not enjoy this one as much I thought I would. I am actually a huge fan of Rowan Coleman so I picked this book for this reason, as I don't know Cara Delevigne that much. Also, the premise sounded very intriguing and I couldn't resist a signed copy when I was in Edinburgh last year. The story is interesting enough and it had me intrigued with the mystery/thriller plot but I am not sure I liked the characters and a couple of the plot twists. It was also a bit slow in the middle, although the last few chapters picked up the pace considerably. 3 stars.

Amazon | Amazon UK

Can you believe that half of 2017 is gone already? I know we are all saying this but I had to acknowledge it. I have been very busy with work these past few months so I have read less books so far this year than last year. But I wanted to take a minute to have a look at the books I've read and see which ones have stood up. From the 44 books I've read, my top picks would be:

Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland: I have just finished reading this book and I couldn't not include it here. It really is a book lover's dream, with endless references to all our favorite books, charming and really interesting characters and the perfect setting, a bookshop full of rarities, surprises and secrets.

The Last Piece of My Heart by Paige Toon: when I first discovered Paige Toon a few years ago, I was completely captivated by her love stories and she soon became one of my favorite authors. But in her last few books she has reached a new level, her stories are always something special, full of heart, with incredible settings and complex characters that feel absolutely real. And The Last Piece of My Heart is the perfect example of this.

The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman: what a well crafted and magical story this is. It left me completely in awe, as it's like nothing I had read before. Rowan Coleman makes you believe that the impossible is possible and takes you in a journey like no other.

Then. Now. Always. by Isabelle Broom: Isabelle Broom is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is a truly special and magical story that will bring lots of sunshine to your life, with a stunning setting, really interesting characters and lots of surprises in store for them and us.

The Escape by CL Taylor: This is C. L. Taylor's latest clever and absorbing psychological thriller. For me, she is one of the best authors in this genre and she did not disappoint at all with The Escape. It made me scared, it surprised me, it completely captured me.

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella: My Not So Perfect Life is such a fun, warm and entertaining read with everything I love in a story, relatable and lovable characters, a bit of love and lots of laughs. It has the same fresh and fun touch that Sophie Kinsella has us accustomed to but it also a heart-lifting and inspiring story about believing in yourself and fighting for what you deserve.

The Hate you Give by Angie Thomas: what a book, what a story, what a main character! Unbelievably good and definitely a firm contender to book of the year, if not the decade. A fantastic book with a well-thought plot and with complex and engaging characters that handles an important and current topic.

The Year of Saying Yes by Hannah Doyle: this serialized enovel was such a great surprise. It's a story that will put a smile in your face (more than once) and will inspire you to be bolder, stronger and more confident. With a really fresh and fun style, I felt like I really connected with it.

Margot & Me by Juno Dawson: a story about coming out of age in two very different times but that reminds us about all the good and important things in life. A beautiful novel that will move many hearts.

The Song of Tomorrow by Alice Peterson: since discovering Alice Peterson a few years ago, I've fallen in love with every single book she has written. Her stories always make me cry but somehow, she always manages to make feel better about life. And A Song for Tomorrow is no different in this sense, an unforgettable heart-breaking and uplifting story. But it's also so much more. I'd might even say that A Song for Tomorrow is Alice Peterson at her best.

Today I'm reviewing Rowan Coleman's latest book, The Summer of Impossible Things. This beautiful and magical story is out later this month and it's unmissable. Read my thoughts here:

Title: The Summer of Impossible Things

Author: Rowan Coleman

Published: June 29th 2017 by Ebury Press

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: If you could change the past, would you?

Thirty years ago, something terrible happened to Luna’s mother. Something she’s only prepared to reveal after her death.

Now Luna and her sister have a chance to go back to their mother’s birthplace and settle her affairs. But in Brooklyn they find more questions than answers, until something impossible – magical – happens to Luna, and she meets her mother as a young woman back in the summer of 1977.

At first Luna’s thinks she’s going crazy, but if she can truly travel back in time, she can change things. But in doing anything – everything – to save her mother’s life, will she have to sacrifice her own?

Review: Let me start saying what a well crafted and magical story this is. It left me completely in awe, as it's like nothing I had read before. Rowan Coleman makes you believe that the impossible is possible and takes you in a journey like no other.

In the book, we follow Luna and her sister to Brooklyn after their mother's death, where they hope they will be able to understand her and her decisions better. And they are not wrong, as soon as they arrive, their connection to her intensifies, especially for Luna. For some inexplicable reason, she discovers that she is able to travel to 1977, the year that changed their mother's life forever. As you can imagine, Luna feels that she needs to change the past. But what consequences would it have in the present?

I had a great time following Luna in her adventures. She was a really easy character to love, full of heart and determination. And I loved discovering the seventies through her eyes. I could easily picture a disco obsessed Brooklyn getting ready for the release of Saturday Night Fever, the movie that would put them on the map. Luna's mother back then was also a force to be reckoned with, with a bright future in front of here. So I couldn't stop wondering, just as Luna, what had happened to her.

This is definitely a story that I want to read again, to enjoy every little detail. Actually, I finished reading it a few weeks ago already and it's still in my head. I suspect this story will stay with me for a long time and I have no doubt it will be one of my books of the year. Seamless writing, engaging characters and an original plot make this story unmissable. So do not hesitate to get a copy this summer.

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.

This weekend, I'm going on holidays for a couple of weeks, so this time I'm sharing my new releases post a bit earlier. I'm taking a few of these books to read during my holidays so I'll let you know what I think after I come back but they all sound amazing, don't you think?

Phanton Limbs by Paula Garner - June 1st

In this YA contemporary romance, a sixteen-year-old boy must learn to swim against an undercurrent of grief - or be swept away by it.

Otis and Meg were inseparable until her family abruptly moved away after the terrible accident that left Otis's little brother dead and both of their families changed for ever. Since then, it's been three years of radio silence, during which time Otis has become the unlikely protégé of eighteen-year-old Dara - part drill sergeant, part friend - who's hell-bent on transforming Otis into the Olympic swimmer she can no longer be. But when Otis learns that Meg is coming back to town, he must face some difficult truths about the girl he's never forgotten and the brother he's never stopped grieving. As it becomes achingly clear that he and Meg are not the same people they were, Otis must decide what to hold on to and what to leave behind. Quietly affecting, this compulsively readable debut novel captures all the confusion, heartbreak, and fragile hope of three teens struggling to accept profound absences in their lives.

Why so excited: I received this book a few weeks ago and it immediately caught my attention, the story sounds like a very special one. I've been saving it for when I have time to finally just sit and enjoy it, so I'm taking it on holiday with me.

Order now!

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch - June 1st

The dying wish of 16-year-old Lina's mother was for her daughter to live in Tuscany and get to know her father, whom Lina has never met. "Howard is the best man I've ever known," her mother says, "he'll keep you safe." Why did her mother wait so long to tell her about him? Lina has a happy life in Seattle and doesn't want to leave. Shortly after she arrives at Howard's home, Lina meets Sonya, who gives Lina a diary that belonged to Lina's mother, the one she had kept while she was a photography student in Florence. While Lina is living her life and exploring Tuscany with her handsome neighbour, Ren, she follows in the footsteps of her mother and gets to know her as never before. She also finds out the truth about her father. Mostly she finds out about herself.

Why so excited: The first thing that I noticed with this novel was the beautiful cover and when I read the blurb I was really curious about it. Who wouldn't go on a self-discovery journey in Tuscany? I'm sure it has many surprises for us in store.

Order now!

Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan - June 15th

The perfect summer escape…?

'An absolute delight.’ - Veronica Henry

Professional dog-walker Felicity Knight loves everything about New York…until her ex-husband starts working at her local vet clinic. She hasn’t seen Seth Carlyle in ten years, but one glimpse of him – too gorgeous, and still too good for her – and Fliss’s heart hurts like their whirlwind marriage ended yesterday. So when her grandmother in The Hamptons needs help for the summer, it seems the perfect way to escape her past…

Their relationship might only have lasted a few scorching months, but vet Seth knows Fliss – if she’s run away to The Hamptons, it’s because she still feels their connection and it terrifies her. He let her go once before, when he didn’t know any better, but not this summer! With the help of his adorable dog Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see that he’s never stopped loving her…

Why so excited: this is the 5th book in her latest series of books set in New York and I have read and loved them all. She isn't called the queen of romance for nothing, I cannot wait to discover her latest love story!

Order now!

Practice Makes Perfect by Penny Parkes - June 29th

The Practice at Larkford has suddenly been thrust under the spotlight – and its nomination as a ‘NHS Model Surgery’ is causing the team major headaches. Dr Holly Graham should be basking in the glow of her new romance with fellow doctor, Taffy – but she is worried that the team is prioritising plaudits over patients, and her favourite resident, the irreverent and entertaining Elsie, is facing a difficult diagnosis. Add to that the chaos of family life and the strain is starting to show.

Dr Dishy Dan Carter’s obsession with work is masking unhappiness elsewhere – he can’t persuade girlfriend Julia to settle down. It’s only as Julia’s mother comes to stay that he realizes what she has been hiding for so long. Alice Walker joins the team like a breath of fresh air and her assistance dog Coco quickly wins everyone round – which is just as well, because Coco and Alice will soon need some help of their own. Can they pull together and become the Dream Team that the NHS obviously thinks they are?

Out of Practice won the Romantic Comedy of the Year category of the RNA Awards.

Why so excited: I absolutely loved Penny Parkes' first book, Out of Practice, so I cannot wait to see how the story continues in this sequel. Such lovable characters! I hope they are doing great.

Order now!

The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman - June 29th

If you could change the past, would you?

It is only after her mother’s death that Luna begins to discover her secrets.

While in New York to settle the estate, something impossible happens to Luna. She finds herself in 1977, face to face with her mother as a young woman, in the week that changed her life forever.

If time can be turned back, can it also be rewritten? Luna becomes convinced she can save her mother from the moment that will eventually drive her to suicide.

But in doing anything – everything – to save her mother’s life, will Luna have to sacrifice her own?

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book, this is a beautiful lush novel about love, courage and sacrifice, The Time Traveller’s Wife for a new readership.

Why so excited: I have had the pleasure of reading this one already and what an amazing story. Wow! It left me completely in awe, I highly recommend it. It's like nothing I had read before.

Order now!

Summer at Buttercup Beach by Holly Martin - June 30th

Pull up a deck chair and bask in the beautiful sunshine on Buttercup Beach. The sand is warm, the sea is sparkling blue and romance is sizzling in the air…

For two years Freya Greene has hidden the fact that she’s totally and utterly in love with her best friend Rome Lancaster. It’s not been easy – they work together in his glasswork business, she lives above his workshop and, he’s completely gorgeous. But Rome has never shown any sign of returning those feelings. Until now…

Lately they’ve shared affectionate touches and words heavy with meaning. Yet Freya knows Rome has a damaged heart. After losing his fiancé in a tragic accident, he’s not allowed himself to fall in love.

Freya has already had her heart broken by a man who couldn’t let go of a past love. Can she risk it happening again? Rome and Freya have a friendship that could blossom into something more. Are they both brave enough to take that chance?

Why so excited: well, it's Holly Martin, who wouldn't be excited? After meeting Freya and Rome in Spring at Blueberry Bay, I can't wait to discover their story. Definitely a read with feel-good romance guaranteed.

Order now!

Can you believe it's November already? This year is flying by... but! New month means new books, so today I'm sharing the new releases I am most excited about this November. I'm so happy to see such beautiful and christmassy covers together. Have a look yourself:

Christmas at the Star and Sixpence by Holly Hepburn - November 1st

A perfect Christmas novella for all fans of Cathy Bramley and Scarlett Bailey and the final part of the Star and Sixpence series.

As snow falls over Little Monkham, and carols echo around the green, with the village choir preparing for their biggest event of the year, it's time to return to the Star and Sixpence for a suitably festive drink.

Nessie and Sam are racking up success after success at the Star and Sixpence pub, but their personal lives leave something to be desired. Sam's gorgeous actor boyfriend is far away filming, and Nessie has an unwanted neighbour arrive in the form of Owen's ex-mother-in-law.

With several spanners in the works, can Nessie and Sam pull off a Christmas miracle and get their happy-ever-after…?

Why so excited: it's the final installment of the Star and Sixpence Series, which I have loved so far! And it's already out, so get ordering :)

Order it now!

The Last Night by Cesca Major - November 3rd

In a quiet coastal village, Irina spends her days restoring furniture, passing the time in peace and hiding away from the world. A family secret, long held and never discussed, casts a dark shadow and Irina chooses to withdraw into her work. When an antique bureau is sent to her workshop, the owner anonymous, Irina senses a history to the object that makes her uneasy. As Irina begins to investigate the origins of the piece, she unearths the secrets it holds within...

Decades earlier in the 1950s, another young woman kept secrets. Her name was Abigail. Over the course of one summer, she fell in love, and dreamed of the future. But Abigail could not know that a catastrophe loomed, and this event would change the course of many lives for ever...

Why so excited: I've already read this one and I cannot recommend it enough. Amazing story, so intriguing and well crafted. Definitely a candidate to book of the year for me.

Order it now!

A Year and a Day by Isabelle Broom - November 17th

Welcome to a city where wishes are everywhere

For Megan, a winter escape to Prague with her friend Ollie is a chance to find some inspiration for her upcoming photography exhibition. But she's determined to keep their friendship from becoming anything more. Because if Megan lets Ollie find out about her past, she risks losing everything - and she won't let that happen again . . .

For Hope, the trip is a surprise treat from Charlie, her new partner. But she's struggling to enjoy the beauty of the city when she knows how angry her daughter is back home. And that it's all her fault . . .

For Sophie, the city has always been a magical place. This time she can't stop counting down the moments until her boyfriend Robin joins her. But in historic Prague you can never escape the past . . .

Three different women.

Three intertwining love stories.

One unforgettable, timeless city.

Why so excited: I adored Isabelle Broom's debut earlier this year so I was over the moon to get a review copy, which I'm planning to read this weekend. It looks and sounds amazing!

Order it now!

Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain - November 17th

Christmas has arrived in the town of Wynbridge and it promises mince pies, mistletoe and a whole host of seasonal joy.

Ruby has finished with university and is heading home for the holidays to save up for her trip around the world in January. Against her father’s wishes, she takes on a stall at the local market, and sets about making it the best Christmas market stall ever. There’ll be bunting and mistletoe and maybe even a bit of mulled wine.

But with a new retail park just opened on their doorstep, the market is under threat. So together with all the other stallholders, Ruby devises a plan to make sure that Wynbridge is the first port of call for everyone’s Christmas shopping needs.

The only thing standing in her way is Ruby’s ex, Steve. It’s pretty hard to concentrate on saving the world when he works on the stall opposite, especially when she realises that her feelings for him are still there…

This Christmas make time for some winter sparkle – and see who might be under the mistletoe this year…

Why so excited: First, doesn't this looks stunning? And second, I love Heidi Swain's style and her cosines so I'm sure this story will be the perfect Christmas treat.

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The Other Sister by Rowan Coleman - November 17th

Every family has its secrets...

Willow and Holly are identical twins, as close as two sisters can be. But while Holly has gone through life being the ‘good twin’, Willow has always been the less than perfect one. Holly is happily married, Willow is divorced and almost twice her twin’s size. And while she puts on a brave face to the world, Willow knows she’s been hiding her unhappiness for far too long.

So when the past catches up with her, Willow realises it’s finally time for her to face her fears, and – with her sister’s help – finally deal with the secrets of their childhood before it’s too late.

Why so excited: I love Rowan Coleman's stories. I have read only a few of her books but the ones I've read by her have stolen my heart completely so I can't wait to enjoy more of her writing.

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And an extra one (I already talked about this one last month but the paperback is out this month and I'm REALLY excited):

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

'A perfect Christmas treat' Miranda Dickinson

A sparklingly festive and romantic story set in New York at Christmastime, Mistletoe on 34th Street is readers' favourite Lisa Dickenson at her side-splitting, funniest best! Perfect for fans of Giovanna Fletcher and Claudia Carroll.

Olivia has never experienced a snow-covered, 'traditional' Christmas before. Having grown up in a family that chose winter sun over decking the halls, she's not sure what all the fuss is about. So when she and her colleagues are stranded in New York after a work trip, Olivia is perfectly happy spending the holiday season in the Big Apple.

Jon, Olivia's friend, on the other hand is desperate to get home in time for his big family get-together. Nevertheless, determined to make the best out of the situation, he sets out to show Olivia how enchanting Christmas in New York can be. And when handsome New Yorker Elijah is added to the mix, could the magic of the season finally be working its charm on Olivia? As 25 December draws closer, Olivia suddenly finds herself with a decision to make: who does she really want to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?

Full of romance and festive magic, Mistletoe on 34th Street is the funniest and most charming love story you will read this Christmas!

Why so excited: Lisa Dickenson has a new book out! How couldn't I be excited? I absolutely love her books and I can't wait to be back in her world. The ebook was out in October 3rd and the paperback on November 4th.

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