Maddy's Book Blog

  Summer Nights in Pine Harbor by Tammy Robinson Tammy Robinson is one of my favourite authors, and this novel shows exactly why. Beautifully written, filled with characters you instantly fall in love with, set against gorgeous, atmospheric backdrops, it delivers that rare feeling of wanting the story to go on and on. If you’re new to Tammy Robinson, go back and read them all — you truly have a treat waiting for you. Taylor Calderwood returns to Pine Harbour to look after her cantankerous uncle while her mother goes on holiday — a real labour of love, as she has no desire to visit either her uncle or the town that holds such painful memories. Jack Garrity is running a local restaurant because of a promise he made to his late best friend, and he happens to be staying in a property owned by Taylor’s mother. When the two of them cross paths and end up taking a late‑night swim in a secluded rock pool, the spark between them is instant and electric. They can barely see each other, y...

  Tomorrow Starts Today by   Jessica Redland I have read and enjoyed previous Jessica Redland books, including others in the series, so I was excited to dive into this one. I recognised a few ‘old friends’ along the way, but there were plenty of new characters too, and this novel works equally well as a stand‑alone story. Jessica once again proves herself to be the master of the romantic feel‑good tale, delivering warmth, charm, and heart in abundance. When he passes away, she is left devastated and lonely. Attempts to reconnect with her sister don’t work, so she joins a local crafting club, bringing along her patchwork quilts. There she finds a group of like‑minded people who soon become friends for life. Yet, as wonderful as her new friends are, Yvonne can’t help but think about an old flame — the one that got away. Jessica Redland weaves this story with her trademark warmth and emotional insight. It’s a tale of grief, resilience, friendship, and the possibility of sec...

  The Garden of Shared Stories by Clare Swatman Having read and enjoyed other books by Clare Swatman, I was thrilled to discover she had written a timeslip novel. The premise instantly appealed to me, and it did not disappoint. This was one of those rare books that completely drew me in — the kind you can’t put down, the kind that sends you sneaking away in the afternoon just to finish.   Emma’s husband has passed away, leaving her childless, alone, and deeply depressed. Seeking solace, she sits in the bandstand at the park where she and her late husband once spent time together. There she meets Nick, whose wife has also died, leaving him equally lost and grieving. The connection between Emma and Nick is instant and almost magical — but there’s a catch. Emma lives in 2019, while Nick is in 1999. Their bond spans two decades, raising the question of whether love can truly bridge time itself. This was one of those rare books that completely drew me in — the kind you can’t ...

  The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage I was fascinated by the premise of this book. It’s clever, very unique, and kept me intrigued throughout. Considering that this appears to be Rebecca Armitage’s debut novel, I was genuinely impressed by the quality of the storytelling and the originality of the idea. It left me wanting more, and I would definitely read more of her books in the future. Imagine being the younger twin — and a girl at that. Your father is heir to the throne, and your grandmother is the Queen of England. Then tragedy strikes: your twin brother and father are killed in an accident. Having escaped the royal spotlight to build a new life as a doctor in Australia, you suddenly find yourself first in line to the crown. This is Lexi’s story, and she faces enormous decisions. On one hand, she has her career, her independence, and a burgeoning love in Australia. On the other, if she turns her back on the crown, there is no going back — and her vile uncle is waiting ea...

  You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees I had never heard of either of the authors before, but I am a sucker for a time travel book, so I was intrigued. Whilst I enjoyed the story, I felt it could do with some more editing. There were a few errors, including one sentence being repeated, and a handful of places where things didn’t feel quite right. That said, overall, I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I picked it up. Adam and Jules have been married for nearly twenty‑five years, but their relationship is strained. Both are bored, resentful, and struggling to remember why they fell in love, with their grown children no longer holding them together. Adam retreats to his shed, where he discovers the old mix tapes, they once made for each other. When he plays one, he is transported back to the exact moment the tape was exchanged—half the time before and half after. In these time‑slips, Adam and Jules can either relive events as passengers in their...

  Starlight Over Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy Starlight Over Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy was my first book by this author. I haven’t read the earlier titles in the series, but this one worked perfectly as a stand‑alone. I enjoyed it enough that I’d be happy to pick up more of her books.   The beautiful island of Jersey is the setting for this book and it just makes you want to visit. A hit TV series, with an extremely obnoxious star, Riley Sharp, arrives at Hollyhock Farm to film. His extremely hardworking and very hard‑done‑by PA, Tasha, accompanies him and does her best to keep the filming on track, despite Riley causing a two‑week delay. Jersey radio presenter Callum, who is friends with the farm’s owner, meets Riley and Tasha. He is immediately attracted to Tasha and persuades Riley to be interviewed on his show. As Callum and Tasha’s relationship develops, Tasha and Riley’s strained working relationship finally comes to a head, and Riley ends up causing major ...

  Mending Lost Dreams at the Highland Repair Shop by Kiley Dunbar I haven’t read any of Kiley Dunbar’s previous books, but I probably should! I really enjoyed this one. It’s got not one, but two love stories, some lovely characters, and beautiful descriptions of the Scottish Highlands that made me want to pack my bags. There’s a comforting charm to the whole story—gentle romance, emotional healing, and even a couple of recipes tucked in, which was a nice surprise. It’s the kind of book that wraps around you like a warm blanket. I genuinely enjoyed it from start to finish. Newly qualified doctor, Alice, moves to a small village in the Scottish Highlands after breaking up with her boyfriend—but she’s hiding a big secret about her own health. In the same village, Murray returns home after splitting from his boss, hoping to mend his broken heart while helping with the family business. Then there’s Finley, a mountain ranger who lives far from people and doesn’t quite understand them...