Maddy's Book Blog

  The Life Rules of Hilda Pride by Claudia Carroll   I loved this book. It reminded me a bit of ‘Eudora Honeysett is quite well thank you’ and   ‘A man called Ove’. It was so much fun. You start off finding Hilda, or should I say Miss Pride, just annoying, but she soon grows on you. I haven’t read any of Claudia Carroll’s books before, but I will be looking out for more. Miss Pride is an old‑school secondary teacher in Scotland who doesn’t take any nonsense — from pupils or staff. When she goes a bit too far telling off a student, she finds herself suspended, and the thought of sitting alone in her flat drives her mad. So when a woman turns up to tell her she’s inherited a manor house in Ireland, it feels like exactly the fresh start she needs. She arrives with all her usual curmudgeonly ways, but soon realises she can’t restore the house alone — and that letting people in brings rewards she never expected. I really enjoyed this story. Miss Pride might come across...

  Hopes and Dreams at The Chocolate Pot Café by Jessica Redland Another gorgeous, comforting read from Jessica Redland — full of heart, community spirit and characters you can’t help but care about. It’s exactly the kind of story you sink into and don’t want to leave. A real treat for Jessica Redland fans.   Tara Porter has worked hard to rebuild her life, moving from a difficult foster‑care past to running the much‑loved Chocolate Pot Café on Castle Street, with a cosy flat above it. She’s reconnected with her foster parents and finally opened her heart to Jed, the talented artist still adjusting to the upheaval caused when the little boy he once believed was his son was taken abroad. But when Tara’s sister — and Jed’s ex‑wife — suddenly reappear, old tensions resurface and the steady happiness they’ve built is put to the test. Overall, it’s another heartfelt, comforting visit to Whitsborough Bay, full of warmth, community and characters you genuinely care about. Jessic...

  The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom A gentle, engaging read with just the right blend of mystery and romance, it’s a lovely dual‑timeline story and a great introduction to Izzy Broom’s work. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more. Skye needs a fresh start, and when she spots a one‑euro lottery for a derelict cottage on a remote Greek island, it feels like the perfect escape. Winning it brings not just a crumbling home to restore but a whole new circle of friends and a community she didn’t know she needed. When she uncovers a bundle of wartime letters hidden in the cottage — and the discovery of long‑buried skeletons shakes the island — Skye is drawn into uncovering the truth, piecing together a story that’s been hidden for decades. Overall, it’s an engaging, atmospheric read with a lovely mix of mystery, history and new beginnings. The setting is gorgeous, the story unfolds beautifully, and it’s easy to get swept up in Skye’s journey. A really enjoyable esca...

  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...