These past couple of months, life has been quite busy, so I haven't had the time to read as much as I would have liked, and even less review the books I did read. But today I really wanted to share with you some special stories that I really enjoyed and I would highly recommend for a cosy afternoon by the fire with a hot drink in your hand:
Notting Hill in the Snow by Jules Wake - October 11th 2019 (One More Chapter)
What it is about: A Notting Hill nativity… what could go wrong?
Viola Smith plays the viola in an orchestra (yes really!) but this year she's been asked to stretch her musical talents to organising Notting Hill's local nativity.
Nate Williams isn't looking forward to Christmas but as his small daughter, Grace, has the starring role in the show, he's forced to stop being a Grinch and volunteer with Viola.
With the sparks between them hotter than the chestnuts roasting in Portobello market, Nate and Viola can't deny their feelings. And as the snow starts to fall over London, they find themselves trapped together in more ways than one…
Why I loved it: A couple of years ago, I read Covent Garden in the Snow by this author and I really enjoyed it, so I decided to pick Notting Hill in the Snow a few weeks ago to get into the festive spirit. It was definitely the perfect choice, as I enjoyed this magical christmassy story even more than the first one. Just so you know, this is not a sequel, it just has the cameo from some of the previous characters and some of the scenes are also set in the opera house in Covent Garden, where our main character plays de viola.
I really enjoyed catching up with the old characters but the new ones, Viola, Nate and his daughter really stole the show. You could feel the connection between Viola and Nate since their first scene together and the sparks were really flying between them. I loved how they didn't rush into anything though and took their time getting to know each other and their families. It was a very heartwarming story that had many special and fun moments. I was left with a big smile on my face and I definitely had a great time reading about the nativity and everything else going on in this gorgeous story!
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.
We Met in December by Rosie Curtis - September 5th 2019 (Avon)
What it is about: This December, unlucky-in-love Jess is following her dream and moving to Notting Hill. On the first night in her new house-share she meets Alex, the guy in the room next door. They don’t kiss under the mistletoe, but there’s still a spark that leaves Jess imagining how they might spend the year together — never mind the house rule against dating…
But when Jess returns from her Christmas holiday, she finds Alex has started seeing Emma, who lives on the floor above them. Now Jess faces a year of bumping into the man of her dreams — and, apparently, the woman of his.
Jess is determined to move on and spend the year falling in love with London, not Alex — but what if her heart has other ideas?
Why I loved it: Although the main characters, Jess and Alex meet in December, their story spans over a whole year. And although you can see that there might be something really special between them since that first meeting, it takes them a while to get there, which at the beginning had me a bit frustrated but as the story progressed and we got to know more about them, their backgrounds, their motivations and their dreams, I became really engrossed in their story and I enjoyed the story a lot. I was 100% rooting for them and I loved rediscovering London, one of my favorite cities in the world, through their eyes.
This story really warmed my heart, not only because it had a love story as its core, but also because it talked about finding your place in the world, accepting who you are and how hard it is to be an adult!
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.
A Million Dreams by Dani Atkins - November 14th 2019 (Head of Zeus)
What it is about: Beth Brandon always dreamed of owning a florist, but today the bouquets of peonies and bright spring flowers are failing to calm her nerves. Because today, Beth has a life-changing decision to share with her husband.
Izzy Vaughan thought she and her husband would stay together forever, but sometime last year, their love began to fade. They both find such joy in their young son Noah – but is he enough to keep them together?
Eight years ago, something happened to these two women. Something that is about to bring them together in a way no-one thought possible...
Why I loved it: A Million Dreams is absolutely gorgeous. The story is narrated by two women: Beth and Izzy and at the beginning it is not clear how their stories are going to relate to each other. Thanks to this dual narrative, I got to really know these two characters and I felt really connected to them, I understood what they were going through and how it affected them. So when I discovered how they were linked, it shocked me to the core. Their story really brought up so many emotions!
I think the plot for this story was really original and surprising. It made me wonder a lot what I would do in their situations and question what is right and what is wrong. Definitely a very thought-provoking story. I really didn't know how the story was going to unfold but I think the author made a magnificent job with it. I closed the last page with tears in my eyes but a huge smile in my face. A highly recommended read from me.
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.
The Wish List of Albie Young by Ruby Hummingbird - November 12th 2019 (Bookouture)
What it is about: Maria Birch is seventy years old and, for her, every week is the same.
On Monday, she does her weekly shop. On Tuesday, she goes for a blow-dry. On Wednesday, she visits the laundrette. But Thursday is her favourite day of all – everything hurts less on a Thursday.
Every Thursday Maria walks to her local café. Waiting for her at one of the red gingham-topped tables is Albie Young, a charming man with a twinkle in his eye and an impressive collection of tweed flat caps. Every week, the pair share a slice of marble cake and a pot of tea.
Except, one week, Albie doesn’t turn up.
When Maria finds out what has happened, her perfectly ordered life is ripped apart at the seams. Suddenly, she is very lonely. Without her Thursday friend – her only friend – she no longer has the energy to circle the weekly TV listings, she has no reason to leave her apartment, no reason to laugh.
Then she discovers that Albie isn’t who she thought he was, and she’s left wondering if she knew her friend at all. But Albie has left behind a legacy – a handwritten list of wishes he never got the chance to complete.
Maria is resigned to facing the rest of her days heartbroken and alone. But fulfilling Albie’s wishes could hold the key to her happiness – if only she’s able to look past his secret…
Why I loved it: The Wish List of Albie Young has a very unique main character, and no, it is not Albie Young, but his close friend, Maria Birch. Maria, who is in her seventies, has a very closed off life and Albie is her one and only friend. So when one week he doesn't come to their weekly tea and cake date, her whole life crumbles.
But "thanks" to Albie's death, we follow Maria in an amazing journey of self discovery and of kindness to strangers. We soon realize that Albie was a very special and giving man, so Maria, following his footsteps (quite reluctantly), enters a whole new world, in which she surprises even herself. This is a very touching and uplifting story that reminds you to appreciate your own life more and especially, it reminds you how a small act of kindness can change someone's whole life.
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.
