They left four children safe upstairs.

They came back to three.

Today I am sharing my review for Candice Fox's new book, Gone by Midnight. This is the third book in her Crimson Lake series but it was published last week, in ebook and hardback. Here are my thoughts on it:

Title: Gone by Midnight (Crimson Lake #3)

Author: Candice Fox

Published: January 24th 2018 by Century

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: On the fifth floor of the White Caps Hotel, four young boys are left alone while their parents dine downstairs.

But when one of the parents checks on the children at midnight, they discover one of them is missing.

The boys swear they stayed in their room. CCTV confirms that none of them left the building. No trace of the child is found.

Now the hunt is on to find him, before it’s too late – and before the search for a boy becomes a search for a body... 

Review: this novel instantly captured my attention. Although it is the third book featuring main characters Ted Conkaffey and Amanda Pharrell, the story is completely independent and can be read as a stand alone, as I did. It gives you enough background on these two characters, for you to understand them pretty quickly. I am actually pretty curious now to know more about them, so I would like read the previous two books.

The story focuses on the disappearance of a boy. He was left, together with his 3 friends, in a hotel room while their parents had dinner in a restaurant close by. I was really curious to find out what had happened with the boy and I really enjoyed following the little hints that the detectives discovered. I have to say though that the author came up with several unexpected and shocking turns. There was definitely a lot going on and I was glued to the pages of the book for several hours, wanting to know more. 

I think this story combines really well a fast-paced and action filled narrative with a very human side and touching moments. Ted and Amanda are very interesting characters and it was very enjoyable getting to know them and their private life. 

Although this is my first book by Candice Fox, I can assure you that it won't be my last. I found her style very gripping and I am looking forward now uncovering more of her mysteries. 

Rating: 4 stars

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

The brand new novel from bestselling author Holly Hepburn, perfect for anyone who loves Jenny Colgan, Veronica Henry and Lucy Diamond. A Year at Castle Court is Holly Hepburn's four Castle Court e-novellas collected together as a novel for the first time. 

Title: A Yeat at Castle Court 

Author: Holly Hepburn

Published: December 27th 2019 by Simon & Schuster

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Blurb: Sadie is a single mum, nursing a broken heart. Her best friend from childhood, Cat, is burned out from working long hours as a chef in Paris. In need of a change, they decide to invest in their dream – running their own handmade biscuit shop in gorgeous Castle Court, a three-storey food court tucked away behind Chester's bustling streets.

They soon discover that Castle Court has its own community – a little haven of delight against the stresses of the outside world. But not everyone welcomes the new business; the patisserie owner is less than pleased by what she sees as direct competition and Greg, who runs the fancy bistro that dominates one end of the courtyard, doesn't think Sadie and Cat have the talent or business acumen to succeed. Luckily, there's support in the form of the delectable Jaren, who owns the Dutch waffle house opposite Smart Cookies, and Swiss chocolate-shop owner, Elin. And if all else fails, the friends can drown their sorrows in Seb's cocktail bar on the third floor!

Review: Holly Hepburn is back with a fun-filled story set in a gorgeous food court in Chester. The stars of the story are friends, and now business partners, Sadie and Cat. They have decided to join forces and have opened a biscuit shop in Castle Court. With Sadie's creativity and Cat's top cooking skills they are ready to make their new business a success. But things don't go as smoothly as they would have liked. Plus, not everyone welcomes them with open arms in the Castle Court family...

I really loved the setting in a food court with so many different food options! Some of them sounded delicious: Dutch waffles, Swiss chocolates or an authentic American dinner, I was salivating! Why isn't Castle Court a real place? But what made this place so special were all the business owners and the little community they had created. I really enjoyed getting to know them (some more than others) and seeing their business grow. 

The story was definitely packed with lots of drama and plenty of twists. As it was first published as a serialized enovel, it is divided in four parts and each one ends in a cliff-hanger. Which made me want to keep reading to find out what was next in store for these characters. Poor Sadie and Cat, as soon as they were out of trouble, something new happened! But they kept growing from strength to strengh. Their biscuits sounded delicious too, I would really like to try my own hand at icing! 

All in all, A Year at Castle Court is a light-hearted and highly entertaining read with lots going on. I loved how Holly Hepburn described everything so well, and I was able to picture all the shops and all the food in my mind perfectly. I always enjoy her fresh style and I am already looking forward to a new story by her.

Rating: 4 Stars

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

For fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Keeper of Lost Things, The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by debut author Anstey Harris is the story of a woman who has her heart broken, but then puts it back together again in the most uplifting and exquisite way.

Title: The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton

Author: Anstey Harris

Published: January 10th 2019 by Simon & Schuster

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Blurb: Grace Atherton has fallen out of love... and into life

Between the simple melody of running her violin shop and the full-blown orchestra of her romantic interludes in Paris with David, her devoted partner of eight years, Grace Atherton has always set her life to music.

Her world revolves entirely around David, for Grace’s own secrets have kept everyone else at bay. Until, suddenly and shockingly, one act tips Grace’s life upside down, and the music seems to stop.

It takes a vivacious old man and a straight-talking teenager to kickstart a new chapter for Grace. In the process, she learns that she is not as alone in the world as she had once thought, that no mistake is insurmountable, and that the quiet moments in life can be something to shout about…

Review: I fell completely in love with this novel. The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton is a captivating story about love, disappointment, grief, friendship and above all, music, and how it can change lives. 

Grace is a very interesting and intriguing main character. When we meet her, she is a lonely luthier, whose life revolves around her (mostly unavailable) partner David. From the beginning you can sense that there is so much more to her though. And as you learn more and more about her past, her forgotten dreams and her secrets, you soon realize what a complex and nuanced character she is. 

One of my favourite parts of the story was reading about how Grace builds the instruments in her shop. I found the whole process fascinating and I could actually feel the love that goes into every single one of them. It definitely gave me a greater appreciation for these instruments.

A special mention too for side characters young Nadia and old Mr Williams. They helped Grace when she thought she was really alone in the world. Nadia's hard truths were exactly what Grace needed and Mr Williams' advice and wisdom definitely inspired both Grace and me. 

The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton is a multi-layered and very well crafted story with beautiful writing and characterization. Music is at its core and I definitely recommend listening to the pieces Grace listens to or plays while reading about them. It adds a very special touch to the story and it made me really connect with it. I might have listened to Libertango a few dozens times. This is definitely one of the books to watch out for this year. 

Rating: 5 Stars

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

Today I am sharing with you my review for A Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe by Debbie Johnson. Don’t miss out on the new Comfort Food Cafe novel and return to Budbury for a Christmas to remember.

Title: A Gift from the Comfort Food Café (Comfort Food Cafe #5)

Author: Debbie Johnson

Published: October 18th 2018 by HarperCollins

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Blurb: Christmas has never been Katie Seddon’s favourite time of year. Whilst everyone else shares memories of families coming together and festive number ones, the soundtrack to Katie’s childhood wasn’t quite so merry.

But since she moved to the village of Budbury on the gorgeous Dorset coast, Katie and her baby son have found a new family. A family who have been brought together by life’s unexpected roads and the healing magic of a slice of cake and a cupful of kindess at the Comfort Food Café.

This year, Katie’s new friends are determined to give her a Christmas to remember, and with a gorgeous newcomer in town, Katie’s Christmas wish for a happy home for her son might just come true.

Review: I love the Comfort Food Café. I've completely fallen in love with this series, its characters and of course, the cosy setting. Like the previous four stories in this series, this book can be perfectly read as a stand-alone as it has its own independent story, but I would highly recommend reading all the books, as each one of them is a real treat. And the big cast of characters can be a bit overwhelming for new readers. 

This time, the focus falls on Katie. She has appeared a bit in previous books, but we just know that she is a single mum to a very active toddler and that she spends some afternoons in the Café. With this story though, we immediately discover Katie's past: coming from a very disrupted family, all her life she has been trying to escape, but she has never been sure of where to escape to.

Now she has something that she has never had before: people to rely on. Budbury's residents are a big family and they are determined to welcome Katie and her son with open arms. Something that might not have the desired effect on Katie herself... 

As usual, author Debbie Johnson balanced the sadder and harder parts in Katie's story with the more humorous scenes perfectly. It's a story that can made you cry in one page and then make you laugh out loud in the following one. And of course, for fans of the series, it's a real treat to catch up with our favourite characters. 

The only thing I didn't enjoy as much as in the previous books was actually the main character. Katie is a difficult character to like, especially at the beginning, as I couldn't understand some of her actions. But as the story unfolded, I also saw her change and evolve, which was very enjoyable. 

But all in all, this turned out to be a magical story and the setting around Christmas was perfect to put me on the a festive mood. Definitely a story to enjoy on the run up to the holidays with a hot chocolate and some Christmas treats!

Rating: 4 stars

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

One Day in December, Josie Silver's debut novel, is vert special love story about what happens after you meet, or rather, don't meet the one. A story that completely captivated me, and here is why:

Title: One Day in December 

Author: Josie Silver

Published: October 18th 2018 by Penguin

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn't exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there's a moment of pure magic...and then her bus drives away.

Certain they're fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him. But she doesn't find him, not when it matters anyway. Instead they "reunite" at a Christmas party, when her best friend Sarah giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie. It's Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

What follows for Laurie, Sarah and Jack is ten years of friendship, heartbreak, missed opportunities, roads not taken, and destinies reconsidered. One Day in December is a joyous, heartwarming and immensely moving love story to escape into and a reminder that fate takes inexplicable turns along the route to happiness. 

Review: One Day in December is the kind of story I absolutely love. It's warm and hopeful but also hard and complex, just as real life. It spans over ten years and it follows the lives of two very close friends, Laurie and Sarah. When we meet them, they are roommates, both fresh out of university and looking for that special person that might or might not be the one. 

The story is told from Laurie's point of view and it starts with her falling in love at first sight with a stranger one day in December. It's almost a year later when she finally meets him, Jack, and he becomes a huge part of both hers and Sarah's lives, just not as Laurie had hoped. Since that first scene, I felt a huge connection to Laurie and I was completely invested in their story and with every scene and every passing year, I really had no idea where the story was going to take us.

What I enjoyed the most is seeing these friends grow up. I think Josie Silver made a fantastic job with these characters. They evolved, made mistakes, got stuck, fought for what mattered, challenged themselves, made some really bad decisions and some really good ones... just as any of us has done in the last ten years, and by the end of the book, I really felt like they were really close friends of mine. 

I have no doubt that One Day in December will resonate with many readers and its story will steal your hearts, as it did with me. I will definitely be going back to it for a re-read, to enjoy every detail again, very soon. It is one of the books that have touched me the most this past year. 

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.