A mother always knows best. Doesn’t she? With her latest novel, Keep You Safe, Melissa Hill explores a really controversial topic. After having her on the blog last week for a guest post, today I am sharing my thoughts on this addictive and thought-provoking novel:

Title: Keep You Safe

Author: Melissa Hill

Published: September 21st 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: For readers who love issue-driven fiction, Melissa Hill has written a breakout novel exploring the "to vaccinate or not" debate and the tragic consequences of one mother's decision on another.

Single mom Kate O'Donnell is living her worst nightmare. Her young daughter, Clara, who has a medical condition that doesn't allow her to be vaccinated, becomes critically ill when one of her classmates, Lauren-whose family chose not to vaccinate-contracts and spreads the virus. While Lauren has no trouble recovering from the disease, Clara's condition worsens. With time spent by her daughter's bedside, Kate loses her job and slides deeper into medical debt. But when another school parent points the blame at Lauren's mother, Lucy, and the media begins an attack, we see two very different views on parenting and how badly things can spin out of control when all either of these two women wanted was to keep their daughters safe.

Review: Keep You Safe certainly delivers what it promises, this a thought provoking and addictive story that will leave no one indifferent. The core of the novel is the "to vaccinate or not" debate but the story is so much more. I didn't expect to become so attached to these characters and their lives. Melissa Hill really gave us a unbiased and open window to this debate. We got to know two families, with really different views and methods but you were never sure who to side with.

Not only that, but the tension was constant during the whole book. I never knew where the story was going to head next and it never lost this personal touch that made you relate so well to what was going on. Plus, I do love a good courtroom battle and Melissa Hill made this part fit into the whole story seamlessly. 

Keep You Safe really is an eye opener, not only with the vaccinate issue, but with society nowadays: how the media builds this persona that we are supposed to hate or this other one that we should feel sorry for and how public opinion, especially with the anonymity that Internet offers, can completely destroy and viciously attack someone. Really, food for thought.

I had read a few books by this author before and I must admit, I really liked this new directions she is taking. This book had me glued to its pages for hours, managed to surprise me several times and made me care for its characters. 

Rating: 5 stars

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

New book review today for the heartbreaking new novel from award-winning author Hayley Long, a powerfully told story of the love between two brothers in the aftermath of a family tragedy.

Title: The Nearest Faraway Place

Author: Hayley Long

Published: July 13th 2017 by Hot Key Books

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Griff and Dylan are driving into Manhattan with their parents when the worst happens. There is a terrible car accident and Dylan and Griff's parents are killed.

The boys are suddenly orphans with nowhere to go, until a kind aunt and uncle give them a new home in Wales. Now Dylan and Griff have everything they need ­ love, a happy home and a future. But Dylan is worried about Griff: whether he is OK, whether he is coping with his grief. He doesn¹t seem to want to speak about it or really acknowledge the loss of their parents.

But Dylan needs to be even braver than Griff, because there is something very important he needs to face up to before he can move on. 

Review: This is my first book by Hayley Long and I really enjoyed her descriptive writing and her unique storyline. The story is all about two brothers, Dylan and Griff, and the it starts with their parents dying. Thanks to multiple flashbacks during the story though, we really get to know them as a family.

While reading about their lives before and after the accident, I had tears on my eyes more than once. I can't even begin to imagine what these boys were going through but the author really made a great job of writing about grief. And she combined very well these really sad scenes with brighter memories but also with shining characters that were there to help these boys. 

I found all the music references really interesting and I listened to a few of the mentioned songs while reading this book and it really made me connect with the story even more. 

I also really liked the ending of the book, I'm sure Hayley Long will surprise many readers with this story. It actually made me want to reread it as soon as I finished, and that's always a very good sign. Very touching, clever and unique story.

Rating: 4 stars

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

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

Title: Christmas at Mistletoe Cove (Hope Island #3)

Author: Holly Martin

Published: September 22nd 2017 by Bookouture

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: 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?

Review: If you have read the previous two books set in Hope Island, you know by now, who Eden and Dougie are, as they were secondary characters in those stories. If you haven't though, don't worry, Holly Martin tells their story from the beginning in this book, so it can easily be read as a stand alone. 

What I have always loved about Holly Martin's stories is the magic that surrounds them and in Christmas at Mistletoe, there's definitely a lot of magic. There's this legend that if you throw a paper with three wishes into a magic well in Mistletoe Cove, you'll get what you wished for. And obviously, our main characters try that for themselves... with really interesting results.

I really liked this magical touch, especially as it is a story set around Christmas, the most magical time of the year... I do think that September is a bit too soon to get into the Christmas spirit but the author definitely made me feel cosy and warm inside. 

The star in this story for me is Dougie, as he was so much fun! He really had the craziest ideas and he surprised me so many times! I didn't warm up to Eden that much though... but I have to admit that they made for a really interesting to read couple. 

By now, I know what I am getting with a Holly Martin book: a heartwarming romance with a good dash of craziness and this one delivered exactly that. Perfect book to pick up on a rainy weekend and enjoy with a hot chocolate and some fairy dust!

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.

Today I am delighted to welcome Melissa Hill on the blog for the Blog Tour for her new novel, Keep You Safe, which was published yesterday. All yours, Melissa:

Expecting the Unexpected

by Melissa Hill

My husband realised that something was up when I’d gone off Mexican food. Rarely a week goes by when we don’t tuck into something spicy and for him this was a major red flag. 

Nah, I thought, quickly dismissing the thought. Surely if I was pregnant I would know? I hadn’t gained weight, been sick, hormonal or experienced any of the usual giveaways. To say nothing of missing a period. 

Had I? 

I’d just delivered a new novel to my publishers, and the lead-up to this time is always hugely frenetic with the weeks tending to run into each other. I couldn’t remember when (or if) I’d had my last period. 

So while I was still convinced that there was simply no way I could be pregnant and not know it, I bit the bullet and took a test - just in case. 

The result immediately came up positive; in fact, the little white stick practically exploded in my hand.

My GP suggested I book a dating scan since I couldn’t be sure of my dates, but given that I hadn’t experienced any symptoms I figured I really couldn’t be more than a few weeks along. 

Imagine my disbelief when during that first ultrasound - unlike the little seahorse I’d been expecting - a ginormous baby exploded onscreen, while the obstetrician cheerily informed me that I was in my twentieth week. 

Besides being in complete shock (and berating myself for being an utter disgrace to womanhood), I felt incredibly guilty and began worrying about those cocktails I’d had on a recent sun holiday, the precarious ducking through traffic during a weekend in New York, those hot-tub soaks on a spa break… not to mention all the so-called ‘danger’ foods I’d been polishing off in the meantime. 

But the doc was quick to reassure that baby seemed perfect and was doing fine. My recent aversion to all things chilli was the only hint of her existence and luckily for us, my other half paid attention – if it were up to me I may well have ended up in the labour ward before I figured it out.

But as it happened, there was another surprise in store. 

Almost two weeks before my due date, we booked a weekend away in a hotel to celebrate my birthday, and mark what could well be our last time away as a twosome. How right we were – on the first night of the stay our daughter decided to announce her premature arrival and I went into labour at the hotel.

Luckily, we made it back to the hospital in time for her to be born safely, but I guess the entire experience set the tone for my parenting philosophy from thereon: expect the unexpected…

Melissa Hill, 2017.

About the book:

Title: Keep You Safe

Author: Melissa Hill

Published: September 21st 2017 by HQ

Amazon | Amazon UK

Lindsey Kelk fans, stop everything you are doing! Angela Clark is Back! Yes, I might be a little bit too excited about this! I'll now stop using exclamation marks, and get reviewing:

Title: I Heart Forever 

Author: Lindsey Kelk

Published: September 7th 2017 by HarperCollins

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: 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 arguing with your boss 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.

Review: I hadn't realised how much I had missed Angela, Jenny and the gang until I was back with them. I was contemplating a re-reading marathon of the I Heart series before reading this one but curiosity won and I just started with this one as soon as I got my hands on it. And OMG I absolutely loved it. I'm still planning a marathon though, because I am already missing these characters immensely again.

In this new I Heart book, I laughed like never before. But I also marveled at how these characters have evolved since the first book. Take Angela for example, she still might think that running away from problems is the best solution but she now faces them (reluctantly and waiting until the last minute, but you get it, at least she doesn't move to another continent), she really has become a strong and wise(ish) woman and I admire her. She is hard-working, passionate and cares a lot about her loved ones. I have to say that she has been role model for me for many years. 

Let's not forget about La Jenny Lopez though, she gets her own spotlight in this story and she does not disappoint. So many years with Angela have mellowed her a bit, and I couldn't love her more. Every time I read about her, I wish I had my own Jenny cheerleader. Nobody can threaten disappearing husbands like her. 

Talking about disappearing husbands, rockstar Alex is not as present in this story as I would have liked... And I'll leave it here, so you can find for yourself why that is!

I Heart Forever is a real treat for I Heart fans, it's we were wishing for: laughs, tears, love, weddings, fights, mistakes, challenges and so much more. I really hope we get something more (maybe a Jenny Lopez spin-off?) but if we don't, this is the perfect ending to a fantastic series. So thank you Lindsey Kelk for all the wonderful moments!

Rating: 5 stars