Maddy's Book Blog

  Christman Ever After by Jaimie Admans I love Jaimie Admans’ books, I love a Christmas book, and I love an ‘enemies to lovers’ book – How excited was I to get this book which has all 3!! This is one of a series of books about ‘Ever After Street’ but can be happily read as a stand-alone book.   Franca is an ex-ballet dancer who runs a nutcracker stall on Ever After Street where it’s Christmas all year long. It would be perfect if it wasn’t for Raf, who runs the snow globe shop nearby. Raf has taken over the shop from his grandfather, and Franca blames him for her parent’s divorce and her horrible childhood. Things get to such a bad place between the two owners that the owners say that the two shops have to prove themselves and one will be leaving. That suits Franca until Raf inadvertently causes an accident which breaks some of her fingers – effectively stopping her working.   I love the characters of Franca and Raf. Both have different things from their child...

  The Pact by Lisa Darcy I was drawn to the book by the striking cover – and who doesn’t love a tennis novel in the summer? I really felt like I was getting a little insight into the tennis circuit. Even better than I expected.   Samantha and Annie Callahan are at the top of their career. They have won Wimbledon and are the Australian – and the world’s darlings. However, when Annie’s boyfriend of 2 weeks announces their engagement on live TV – a surprise to Annie herself - the golden partnership falls apart. I loved Samantha, and was rooting for her all the way through this novel – and not just the tennis! This reminds you that family is all important, and friends are essential. In the words of the sisters – “Be warriors not worriers”.     The characterisations were amazing. The behind the scenes look at the tennis circuit was fabulous. I couldn’t put it down.   https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6687118562  

  Enemies to Lovers by Laura Jane Williams I hadn’t heard of this author, but who doesn’t like an ‘enemies to lovers’ novel? I am glad I took the chance. It was charming, witty, and with just enough twists to keep you guessing.   Florence Greenberg has grown up with 2 wonderful big brothers and amazing parents, and she realises how lucky she is having a close-knit family. They get together for Christmas, holidays and whenever they can, with her oldest brother’s wife too. However, since last Christmas Flo has been avoiding them all as she can’t bear to be in the same place as her brother’s best friend Jamie. Since Jamie’s parents passed away, he had been considered another member of the family and joined them whenever possible, however Jamie had led her on and then broke up with her in the worst way, and then disappeared. Flo hated him, and he didn’t seem to keen on her either – but on a small family holiday it’s quite hard to keep away.   This is definitely a ...

  Eddie Winston is looking for Love by Marianne Cronin I loved ‘The One Hundred Years of Leni and Margot ‘so when I was offered this book, I was really looking forward to reading it. The copy I read would have benefited from some further editing, hence the 4 stars not 5, but the intrinsic story is wonderful. Eddie is 90 and after a career in academia he is now volunteering in a charity shop. There he meets Bella who at 24 has lost the love of her life and is grieving. When Bella brings some of Jake’s belongings to the charity shop and unlikely friendship grows and blossoms and they are both soon involved in healing each other’s lives. Bella to get over Jake and start grieving properly and living again – and Eddie who has searched for love his whole life after his heart was broken as a young man by Bridie Bennet, and who has never been kissed. Eddie Winston is a warm hug in a book, and you won’t want to stop during the final quarter as you will be heavily invested in Eddie and...

  Textbook Romance by Kristen Bailey   Having not heard of Kristen Bailey, I chose this book based on the blurb – and on the fact that   I work in a school like the main characters. I am certainly glad I did. There is more to this story than meets the eye, and I was very invested in the characters and willing things to work out for them.   When Zoe finds out that her husband has been cheating on her for a year – with a friend of hers – at a friend’s wedding her life seems to implode. Luckily the lovely Jack – a friend of the groom is there to pick up the pieces and get her home in one piece. When Jack gets a temporary job at the school where Zoe teaches it seems like it’s meant to be – however Zoe is in her early 40s with teenage children and a scumbag ex husband, and Jack is 14 years younger (29) with no children or any ties, and hasn’t mapped out his career yet. Whilst Zoe and Jack’s friends are trying to matchmake and the couple have an undeniable chemistr...

Meet Me at Rainbow Corner by Celia Imrie I picked this book on spec based on the author, and because I do enjoy historical fiction, and I am so glad I did. Informative, though provoking, very authentic   and the story stayed with me long after I finished it.   The story follows Dot and Lilly, who meet when sharing digs and become firm friends. Dot is a nurse, whose work takes her from the UK to working abroad under traumatic conditions. Lilly works in Rainbow Corner in an office as she cannot drive due to an injury. Both of them volunteer as hostesses at Rainbow Corner, an American club in the UK which is a little bit of America for the American soldiers. It’s the only place in London where there is no rationing, and there are doughnuts aplenty, and their job is to keep the GIs entertained. However, it soon becomes apparent that someone is selling secrets to the Nazis, and Dot and Lilly and their friends are trying to find out who. Throw in various good looking young men...