Maddy's Book Blog

  The Best Thing That Ever Happened by Sarah Bennett The Best Thing That Ever Happened is another warm, uplifting delight from Sarah Bennett, and returning to Halfmoon Quay feels like stepping back into a room full of old friends, where every character is so vividly drawn you can’t help but love them. Bennett’s gift for creating a cosy, emotionally rich world shines through, and while this story stands perfectly well on its own, it’s even more rewarding if you’ve journeyed through the earlier books and can savour the little callbacks and deepened relationships that make this series such a joy. Kat’s life hits a breaking point when living with her parents becomes unbearable and even her best friend’s flat stops feeling like the sanctuary it once was when she find a serious boyfriend and Kat feels like the third wheel, so when Harry Penrose casually offers her his spare room, she jumps at the chance—only for both of them to realise, almost immediately, that there’s a spark neithe...

  The Three Witches by Elena Collins   I didn’t know the author but was intrigued by the blurb, and the references to the Scottish play, and I was very glad I did. Here is a book that immaculately blends fact and fiction, past and present seamlessly in a very enjoyable novel.   The story is told across two timelines. In 1050 AD, in a small Scottish village, three sisters live with their mother, who serves the community as a midwife and healer, using herbs and local plants to make her remedies. When she dies, the girls step into her role, with the youngest, Isobel, showing a particular gift — she can read the future in the flames. But when a run of misfortune strikes the village, suspicion turns on her, and Isobel is branded a witch with all the consequences that follow. In the present day, Ruthie is content with her life. She lives on a houseboat, works in a café, and has a supportive boss who lets her attend auditions for the acting work she loves. When she’s off...

  Six Little Words by Sally Page   I loved the premise of this book, and having enjoyed several of Sally Page’s previous novels, I was really excited to dive in. Unfortunately, I struggled with the first 30% — it felt slow, turgid, and surprisingly hard to push through. But once it finally found its rhythm, the story picked up and I did start to enjoy it. The frustrating part is that the central idea is genuinely clever, and with a tighter edit this could have been a much stronger, more engaging read overall. When Kate spots an orange card in a café window with the words “to be or not to be,” she’s instantly intrigued. A trail of similarly cryptic messages leads her to a creative group preparing entries for a competition. Kate joins with the hope of making new friends and rekindling her long‑neglected love of painting — even if she has no intention of submitting anything herself. Bardy, an ex‑English teacher wrestling with the collapse of his marriage and a stubborn case...

  This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum   This was a new author for me, but the blurb instantly hooked me — the premise sounded so clever, and what unfolded was an absolutely fabulous story I couldn’t put down. It has everything: romance, murder, intrigue, and more than a few curveballs. The characters are brilliantly drawn, the settings are vivid and atmospheric, and the whole thing comes together as a wonderfully gripping read. Benny and Jo have been best friends forever, and together they run a hugely popular podcast about survival and near‑death experiences. Jo lives with narcolepsy, so her days have to be carefully structured, and her husband Xander acts as their business manager, with his sister also part of the team. Even Benny’s ex‑wife is involved, having been their lawyer. But when Jo attracts a stalker, things take a dark turn, leaving her too frightened to even leave the house. Then, one night, Jo and Xander vanish — and suddenly the whole world is se...

  The Time of My Life by Samantha Tonge   I hadn’t read Samantha Tonge’s books before, but the premise of this one instantly grabbed me — the idea of buying someone else’s life is such an intriguing hook. What surprised me, though, was just how much more the novel delivered. It’s full of twists and turns, emotional depth, and clever surprises, and I found myself so absorbed that it even made me late for work. Carrie is a young woman juggling a rental flat, two jobs just to make ends meet, and the company of her gorgeous cat, Boo. She’s fallen out with her two best friends, money is tight, and life feels overwhelming. So, when she spots an advert for a life for sale, it seems like the perfect solution. She decides to sell her own life and use the money to finally fulfil her dream of going to Greece. Eliza is the winning bidder, and she steps straight into Carrie’s world: her rented home, her evening job, her friends, most of her wardrobe — and even beloved Boo. But Eliza is...

  The Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach by Rebecca Raisin I love Rebecca Raisin’s books, and this one had me hooked from page one. She delivers another story filled with fabulous settings and wonderfully drawn characters — the kind you instantly want to spend time with. Reading it felt like sinking into a warm bath: comforting, escapist, and utterly enjoyable. I already can’t wait for the next one. Harper is utterly book‑mad. Not only does she work in a bookshop, she also runs a hugely successful book‑review podcast — the dream combination. But the first rule of podcasting should always be: make sure you’ve actually switched off the mic. When she finishes a book she’s convinced is AI‑generated, she says so out loud, believing the recording has ended. It hasn’t. The fallout is instant and brutal: she’s cancelled, fired from her day job, and her location is leaked online. A quick escape becomes essential. So, when she spots a job in a beachside bookshop — complete with a giant resid...

  The Old Girls' Island Getaway by Kate Galley This is my first Kate Galley book, but I’m really hoping it won’t be my last. It’s a fun, sun‑soaked romp set on the beautiful island of Corfu, full of humour, friendship, and escapism. Although it appears to be part of a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and I had no trouble diving straight in and enjoying the adventure. Dorothy is nearly ninety and employs Gina, at seventy‑one, as her carer — though their relationship quickly blossoms into a genuine, heart‑warming friendship. When Dorothy’s old friend Rupert invites them to stay at his beautiful villa in Corfu, they accept with delight. At the last minute, Dorothy’s teenage granddaughter joins them too, and in true teenage fashion proves to be quite a handful. Meanwhile, when film star Florence suddenly breaks up with her MP husband and a scandal looms, her manager — another of Rupert’s old friends — arranges for her to hide away at the villa as well. What follows ...