Maddy's Book Blog

  The Last Page Café by Kate Storey This is my third Kate Storey book, and each one has centred around a library or book club — a theme I absolutely adore. I love any story about books, book clubs, or libraries, so this was right up my street. Kate’s writing always has such depth and her characterisation is wonderfully sharp, capturing people with all their quirks and flaws. I’ve really enjoyed every one of her novels, and I can’t wait for the next. When Erin inherited The Bookmark Café from her mother, she believed she was set for life in a job she adored. It provided enough for her and her son, Jack, and allowed her to employ Riley — a young girl who sees Erin as more of a mother than her own ever was. After the breakdown of her marriage, Erin has become wary of relationships, and the book club she runs at the café has a unique rule: they read the last page of every book first, a small ritual that helps Erin feel she’s protecting her heart. But when her landlord suddenly rais...

  My Mother's Lie by Anna E. Collins   I hadn’t read Anna E. Collins before, but the premise of My Mother’s Lie immediately caught my attention. While there are moments you might see coming, there are plenty you absolutely won’t — and that unpredictability makes the story all the more gripping. It’s a cleverly crafted tale, filled with believable, well‑drawn characters, and it’s left me eager to explore more of Collins’ work in the future. Frankie Lavigne has always believed she and her mother, Estelle, were inseparable. They lived on the same property, worked side by side at the Starview Academy, and shared a bond Frankie thought was unbreakable. Estelle had even built a brief burst of fame on a one‑hit wonder inspired by Frankie’s childhood abduction — a story the whole town knew and rallied around. When Estelle dies, hundreds turn out to mourn her, leaving Frankie overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. But among the sympathy cards is one message that shakes her to the ...

  A Cottage in the Country by Katie Fforde I was so excited to get my hands on another Katie Fforde book. Whenever I pick one up, I know I’m in for a feel‑good story filled with believable characters, gentle humour, and wonderfully down‑to‑earth plotlines. This one was no exception — it had that comforting, uplifting charm I’ve come to expect from her writing. Hattie has her dream job — finding the perfect homes for other people and matching them with the places they’ve always longed for. The only snag is that her own dream cottage is currently lived in by a close friend. Thankfully, Luke, her oldest and most loyal companion, is always there to lend a hand and look out for her. But when Hattie’s sister suddenly leaves her teenage son in her care, and Hattie is forced to move out of her rental, life becomes far more complicated than she ever expected. Add in Hattie’s uncanny visions, and you’ve got a charming, feel‑good story that’s impossible to put down. What makes this sto...

  The Barbecue at No. 9 (Kindle Edition) by Jennie Godfrey I hadn’t read anything by Jennie Godfrey before, but when this book landed in my hands the premise immediately caught my attention. I wasn’t entirely sure at first, yet as the story unfolded, I found myself increasingly drawn in. Before I knew it, I was completely absorbed and raced through it far quicker than I expected. In 1985, the Gordon family decide to host a barbecue to celebrate Live Aid, inviting everyone from Delmont Close along with a scattering of relatives and friends. But behind the cheerful gathering, each household on the close is carrying its own secrets — and secrets have a way of surfacing at the worst possible moment. As the day unfolds, every revelation ripples through the community, intertwining the neighbours’ lives in unexpected ways and building into a compelling, surprise‑filled story. What truly elevates the novel is the way Jennie Godfrey brings each character to life with such clarity...

  Life as Planned by Amanda Prowse Amanda Prowse’s Life as Planned gently draws you into the world of identical twins Ashleigh and Remy, following them through the big and small moments, across the decades,   that shape their lives. With her signature warmth and deep understanding of family bonds, Prowse adds a tender thread of “what if” that makes their journey feel both intimate and deeply relatable.   Up to the age of eleven, Ashleigh and Remy’s lives run side by side, identical in almost every way — until one moment changes everything. An act born out of love sets off consequences no one could have predicted, sending their paths spiralling apart. The real question is whether this fracture will define them forever, or if the bond between the twins is strong enough to find its way back. What makes the story linger long after the final page is the way Amanda Prowse brings every character to life with such honesty and depth. Ashleigh, Remy, and the people who orbit...

  Take Me Home to Kelsea Sands by Sharon Booth Having read a couple of Sharon Booth’s Rowan Vale books, I was intrigued to read this one. I loved the sound of the story from the blurb, and I wasn’t disappointed — the promise of a heartfelt, coastal escape drew me in straight away, and Booth delivered exactly the kind of comforting, character‑driven read I was hoping for.   Alison was widowed and barely had time to blink before life closed in around her. Between working, checking in on her elderly parents, and almost constantly babysitting her daughter’s children, she was utterly exhausted. Things finally came to a head when she realised her daughter was taking advantage of her kindness, and she resolved to reclaim some time for herself. At the same moment, Alison discovered she was diabetic and was given three months to reverse it. So began Project Alison : moving in with her cousin Rosie in her static caravan back in their home town, where Rosie could keep an eye on her a...

  The Sweet Life Café by Helen Rolfe   I had never heard of Helen Rolfe before picking up this book, but I read it on the recommendation of another author — and I’m so glad I did. The story was every bit as good as the blurb promised, full of charm and heart, and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of Helen’s books in the future.   Addie and Susannah were brought up by their aunt on the beautiful Anchor Island off the south coast of England. Susannah couldn’t wait to leave, and Addie felt she had to follow her sister after a promise they made as children. Both sisters have avoided going back — until they receive an invitation to Aunt Gayle’s funeral. They arrive feeling sad and more than a little guilty, but nothing prepares them for the shock of discovering Aunt Gayle is very much alive, the funeral the result of a printing error. Agreeing to stay for her “living funeral” sets in motion a series of events that changes all their lives. This was such a heartfelt ...