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

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella - February 8th

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

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

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

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

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

Order it now!

Sunflowers in February by Phyllida Shrimpton - February 8th

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

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

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

But what is she supposed do now? 

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

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

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

Order it now!

Best Practice by Penny Parkes - February 22nd

THE BRAND NEW BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF OUT OF PRACTICE

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

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

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

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

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

Order it now!

Villa of Secrets by Patricia Wilson - February 22nd

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

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

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

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

Order it now!

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson - February 22nd

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

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

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

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

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

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

Order it now!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Order it now!

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

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.

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. 

Title: My Not So Perfect Life

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Published: February 9th 2017 by Batham Press

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Caz Brenner is living the dream – she has a flat in London, a job in creative branding, and her Instagram feed is full of all the amazing things London has to offer: delicious food and beautiful sights and lots of fun. Ok, so the crappy truth is that she rents a tiny room in Catford with no space for a wardrobe, spends most of her days engaged in tedious admin on the other side of the city, and posts photos of food she could never ever afford to eat. But it’s all just about worth it.

Until her bright and shiny life comes crashing down: her demanding boss Demeter gives her sack, and with no means to live in London any more, Caz has to move home to Somerset. Now she’s plain old Katie Brenner again, helping out her dad and her stepmum as they attempt to launch a glamping business on their farm. (They think she’s on sabbatical from her job, and she can’t quite bear to tell them the truth…)

With Katie’s creative branding experience, the glamping is soon a big success. So much so that Demeter and her family book in on holiday - and Katie sees her chance to get revenge on the woman who ruined her dream. So long as Demeter doesn’t see beyond her disguise and give the game away to her parents, of course.

It’s time to see who’s the boss…

Review: I love Sophie Kinsella. She is probably the reason why I read so much these days. I discovered her books about ten years ago and since then, I have read everything she has ever written. Plus, the first book I ever reviewed was one of hers, so as you can imagine, every time she releases a new book, my expectations are always high. Especially when she releases a brand new story with new characters. Is it gonna be as good as the others? The answer is yes. 

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. Our main character, Caz, pretends to have the perfect life in London, a life she has always dreamed about and she makes sure to let everyone know how much fun she is having. The truth couldn't be more different though, her life is falling apart so when she gets fired, she ends up living back home with her dad and stepmum.

It's then when we get to know the real Caz and really fall in love with her. I loved following her new adventure, a glamping site at her dad's place, and discovering what she really was capable of and what a brave and smart girl she really was. But Caz is not the only surprise in the story, her boss is not that different from her. Demeter's own life is on the brick of falling apart too. I found the relationship between these two women really interesting, and when Caz was determined to get her revenge on her, it was just hilarious. 

Let's not forget about the love story, it doesn't take centre stage in the book but it complements it perfectly, adding the perfect sweet touches and letting us see yet another side of Caz. 

My Not So Perfect Life 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. A joy to read, nothing I didn't love about it!

Rating: 5 stars

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:

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

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.

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

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. With the year almost over, it's time to look the new title for next year. So many of my favourite authors have already announced new books! I'm really excited to read these ones: 

White Lies and Wishes by Cathy Bramley - January 2017

Cathy Bramley is one of my all time favourite authors and I have read and loved every single book she has published. So I'm really excited to read her latest one: With hidden issues, hidden talents, and hidden demons to overcome, new friends Jo, Carrie and Sarah must admit to what they really, really want, if they are ever to get their happy endings.

Pre-order now! 

New York Actually by Sarah Morgan - February 2017

The Queen of Romance is back with a brand new novel! I always know that Sarah Morgan is a safe bet. Her stories are always enjoyable and well crafted and this one sounds really intriguing: Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

Preórder now! 

A Song for Tomorrow by Alice Peterson - February 2017

Another favourite author alert! Alice Peterson's stories are so emotional and unique, but also up-lifting and full of life. Definitely one of my most anticipated books of the year, I cannot wait for this one: 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.

Pre-order now! 

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella - February 2017

Pre-order now! 

Before the Rains by Dinah Jefferies - February 2017

Dinah Jefferies writes really detailed and interesting Historical Fiction. I always learn a lot with her books and I cannot wait to discover India in the 1930s with her new book. A romantic, heart-wrenching tale of love against the odds from the Number One Sunday Times bestselling author. 

Pre-order now! 

The Escape by C-L. Taylor - March 2017

Pre-order now! 

The Little Breton Bistro by Nina George - March 2017

I completely fell in love with The Little Paris Bookshop last year, so I cannot wait to get my hands on Nina George's new book! Marianne Messman longs to escape her loveless marriage to an uncaring husband - an artillery sergeant major named Lothar. On a day trip to Paris, Marianne decides to leap off the Pont Neuf into the Seine, but she is saved from drowning by a homeless man. While recovering in hospital, Marianne comes across a painting of the tiny port town of Kerdruc in Brittany and decides to try her luck on the coast.

Pre-order now! 

This Love by Dani Atkins - March 2017

Another book I fell in love with this year is Our Song by Dani Atkins. That story really got to me and her new book sounds even better: Sophie Winter lives in a self-imposed cocoon - she's a single, thirty-one year old translator who works from home in her one bedroom flat. This isn’t really the life she dreamed of, but then Sophie stopped believing in happy endings a very long time ago, when she was fifteen years old and tragedy struck her family.

Pre-order now! 

Practice Makes Perfect by Penny Parkes - June 2017

Penny Parkes recently announced she is publishing next year the continuation to Out of Practice, which I thoroughly enjoyed this year. I'm already looking forward to seeing how the story continues: 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.

Pre-order now! 

The Once in a Blue Moon Guesthouse by Cressida McLaughlin 

Cressida McLaughlin is back with a serialised novel again. I always find her stories so cosy and relatable! I usually wait for the full paperback to come out so I can enjoy the full story at once but if you want to get started with it, the first part is out later this month! 

Pre-order now! 

And that's it! So many amazing books are coming our way in the new year, I really cannot wait! Now tell me, which books are you looking forward to?

Blurb: To Las Vegas . . . and beyond!

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is on a major rescue mission! Hollywood was full of surprises, and now she's on a road trip to Las Vegas to help her friends and family.

She's determined to get to the bottom of why her dad has mysteriously disappeared, help her best friend Suze and even bond with long-time enemy Alicia Bitch Long-legs (maybe...).

As Becky discovers just how much her friends and family need help, she comes up with her biggest, boldest, most brilliant plan yet! So can she save the day just when they need her most?

Becky is setting out to make things right in this laugh-out-loud, feel-good conclusion to her American adventure that began with SHOPAHOLIC TO THE STARS. 

Review: After the huge cliff hanger in Shopaholic to the Stars, I was dying to know what was going to happen next with Becky and the gang. I am sure that if you are reading the eighth book of the shopaholic series you already know how crazy Becky's world is. In her latest adventure she takes all her family and friends (and major enemy Alicia Bitch Long-Legs) on a road trip to Las Vegas and the heart of America to try to find her father and Suze's eccentric husband, Tarquin, who are supposedly on a "mission". 

I really had no idea what the mission was, and I certainly didn't expect everything that happened during the road trip. There were awkward situations, fights, a rodeo, blackmailing, pottery artists and spiritual readings... crazy right? But somehow Sophie Kinsella pulls it off, she might have gone a bit over the top with this book but I just loved every bit. I was grinning like a loon from cover to cover.

I have read some reviews that say that this series has run out of steam and the last books are not as good as the first ones. It's probably true that they are not as good, basically because the first ones were amazing. Becky was such a special and unique character that kept surprising us and maybe now that we know her, we can more or less expect how the story is going to go. But the truth is that I enjoyed this book as much as any other. Becky is still one of my favourite characters ever and she is still full of surprises. Plus, after several years with no new books, these last two books have been a real treat for me. Like going back home. So, shopaholic fans, don't miss Becky's latest adventure, it does not disappoint!

Rating: 

This summer, one of the Top Ten Tuesday topics was exactly this. Back then I didn’t do it but I have been wondering since then which authors I have read the most books from and if they were actually my favourite authors.

After checking Goodreads and my memory (as I only started using it a couple of years ago), I was quite surprised to see the authors that came up. Some of them are from before I started blogging. I guess that’s because thanks to the blog I have discovered so many new and fantastic authors that I no longer have the time to read all the back lists of an author I enjoy. This is something I used to do a lot. When I discovered a new author, then I would read all the books they had published until then straight away. But now with all the new releases I want to read I don’t have enough time to do that.

Anyway, here are the top ten authors I have read the most books from:

1) Sophie Kinsella (14 books). No surprise here. I have read all she has written so far except for her latest Shopaholic release (which is on my kindle and I’m planning to read asap. Actually, I have also read one of her Madeilene Wickham books (even if I didn’t enjoyed it that much) which makes the grand total 15 books.

2) Lindsey Kelk (13 books). Also one my all time favourite authors. When I first discovered her, she was on her 5th book so I read them all in a couple of weeks and completely fell in love with her witty style. 

3) Paige Toon (10 books). I first read her books when I started blogging as there were a lot of bloggers that were raving about her and her books and I absolutely loved her stories. In the last couple of years I have read all her books except for two (One Perfect Summer and I Knew You Were Trouble) but they are on my kindle ready for me.

4) JK Rowling (8 books). Obviously I have read all the Harry Potter books. Then I was a bit reticent to read The Vacant as the reviews were quite mixed. Last year I finally read her cosy crime novel The Cukoo’s Calling (written under her pseudonym Robert Galbraith) and really enjoyed it. I now have the other two books on the series and I am looking forward to starting them.

5) Holly Martin (8 books). An author I discovered thanks to blogging and who has become one of my all time favourites. Her stories are so fun and magical! The only books I haven’t read by her are her fantasy books. I have the first one on my kindle so I hope to get to it soon.

6) Marian Keyes (8 books). Another fantastic author. I have loved most of her stories and she is one of those authors I have on auto-buy. I still have one of her older books (The Mystery of Mercy Close) to read though!

7) Meg Cabot (8 books). Internationally known for her A Princess’ Diary Series, she has written tons of books. Although I have to admit I haven’t read any of her books for years!

8) Ken Follett (8 books). One of my mum’s favourite authors, we used to read his books together. I really enjoy his historical fiction novels.

9) Nicholas Sparks (8 books). I remember reading Message in a Bottle for the first time more than 15 years ago (also because my mum had loved it and passed it to me) and since them I have read and loved several of his novels. A bunch left to read still!

10) Aven Ellis (6 books). The fantastic and lovely Aven closes this list. I discovered her thanks to blogging too and I have read and loved all she has written so far. It’ll soon be 7 books as she’s just published a new story and I already have it on my kindle.

So here they are, some of my all time favourite authors are on the list. But I have discovered so many amazing ones lately that I hope to catch up with! But you know, so many books, so little time and all that…

Blurb: Prepare to be spellbound by Jim Kay's dazzling depiction of the wizarding world and much loved characters in this full-colour illustrated hardback edition of the nation's favourite children's book - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Brimming with rich detail and humour that perfectly complements J.K. Rowling's timeless classic, Jim Kay's glorious illustrations will captivate fans and new readers alike.

When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he's the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord's curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three-headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers, which could be valuable, dangerous - or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Why so excited: It's Harry Potter! Illustrated! I mean, aren't you excited? Already on pre-order. 

Dream a Little Christmas Dream by Giovanna Fletcher - October 10th

Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington - October 15th

Shopaholic to the Rescue by Sophie Kinsella - October 22nd

Blurb: Becky Bloomwood and a hilarious cast of beloved family and friends (plus one enemy!) set off in a van to find her missing father, last heard from in Las Vegas.

Becky’s father Graham and her best friend’s husband, Tarquin, have disappeared from Los Angeles saying simply they have “something to take care of.”

But Tarquin’s wife Suze who is Becky’s best friend, and Becky’s mother Jane, are convinced the two men are hiding something and are in danger—their imaginations run wild. They must track them down!

Hijinks ensue as husband Luke drives Becky, daughter Minnie, Jane, Suze and other favorite Kinsella characters across country from LA to Las Vegas in search of the missing men.

Becky feels deeply guilty about ignoring her father while he was in LA, in addition Becky feels her enemy Alicia is threatening her friendship with Suze.

Why so excited: Becky is back! One of my all time favourite characters is back to save the day (I hope), after the cliff hanger from the last book, I can't wait to find out what happens next.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Lisa Dickenson - October 22nd

Why so excited: The Twelve Dates of Christmas has all you can ask for in a Christmas book. It's absolutely fantastic and I am over the moon to that it's being published as a paperback this month. One not to miss!

Well, these are my top 5 but I wanted to add that the third Cormoran Strike's novel, Career of Evil, is out on the 20th. I've only read the first one of this series written by J K Rowling, writing as Roberts Galbraith, but I'm quite sure I'll myself a copy of this one. 

I spotted this tag on Sky's Book Corner and also on Jenny in Neverland and I couldn't resist joining in with the fun. I loved their answers and as a major Disney fan, I found the idea of matching Disney characters with books according to their treats and characters fantastic! 

One day, Rosie Potter wakes up with what might be the world's worst hangover, until she discovers that she's actually dead... But Rosie has no idea how to be a ghost. Is she supposed to haunt her killer? But who killed her? 

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson. 

Ivy Lane by Cathy Bramley.

This sweet story takes place in the allotment of Ivy Lane, where a lively and friendly community shares not only a place to grow their plants but also products, tips on how-to and friendship. With the lovely Tilly as the main character, we get to know all the members: from Charlie, the sexy fireman, the talkative Gemma and her persuasive mother, to the sweet old Alf, they all welcome her to their family. 

There are so many fantastic characters in this book and they all add their own spark to the story! 

4) Sleeping Beauty: A book that put you to sleep

One Thousand and One Nights
I remember that my mum got me this book in my teen years and said to me, this one is gonna take you a while to finish (it was huge). But I just couldn't get into the stories. Some I already knew and enjoyed but some where just too boring. It's one of the few books I have never finished and it's still sitting in my room at my parents'. Maybe one day I'll give it another try, now I'm older and wiser (ehem...).

It has been a while since a book had made such a strong impression on me. Girl at War is an extraordinary tale about war, loss and grief but also about love and hope and the need to find your place in the world. With two main story lines, Girl at War tells the story of Ana, a Croatian girl who survived a cruel and violent war but lost almost everything in it, even a part of herself. We follow a ten-year-old Ana in Zagreb, in the midst of the civil war, and a twenty-year-old Ana in New York, on her third year of university.

6) Beauty and the Beast: A beast of a book that you were intimidated by but found to be beautiful

I flew through the story in no time at all. It's such a well written story with so much heart in it, just like Belle!


7) Aladdin: A character that gets their wish granted, for better or for worse

With the imminent publication of I Knew You Were Trouble, the second book on the Jessie Jefferson Series, I have been thinking a lot about Jessie. She would be the perfect Aladdin, she wished with all her heart to know who her father was. Imagine her surprise when her father turned out to be a huge rock star! I cannot wait to see how her relationship with him develops in the second book. 

8) Mulan: A character who pretends to be someone or something they’re not

In this one not only one but two characters pretend to be someone they are not. Renée, the concierge, conforms to every stereotype of the concierge: fat, cantankerous, addicted to television. Yet, Renée is a cultured autodidact who adores art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture. 

Then there's Paloma, a twelve-year-old genius. She behaves as everyone expects her to behave: a mediocre pre-teen high on adolescent subculture, a good but not an outstanding student, an obedient if obstinate daughter.

Where's my letter? I'm still waiting for my letter...

Do I need to say anything else? 

10) Disney Descendants – your favourite villain or morally ambiguous character

Well, that was a lot of fun! If you want to do this tag yourself, feel free! I’d love to see more of these around, bring the magic of Disney to the blogosfera!