Maddy's Book Blog

  A Vintage Vacation by Maddie Please This was a ‘Prime Reading’ so it came free to borrow with Amazon Prime and I have been waiting for a chance to read it. It was a lovely story, and the main character was slightly older than usual which made a refreshing change. Clover is over 60 and a corporate dynamo, and well respected in her company – so when she is made redundant, she is beyond shocked. When her partner, Jack, then decides he wants to go on a golfing holiday, leaving her alone at this time, she decides on a trip of her own to the Italian lakes to visit her cousin Zoe who she has been promising to visit for ages. What she doesn’t count on is her mother also coming for a visit, and meeting an extremely handsome and charming local. A lovely story with very believable characters. Lots of family relationships, relationships between older people, gorgeous settings, and life after work. I highly recommend it. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7089289843

  The Christmas Book Hunt by Jenny Colgan This is a short story, and perfect for the time of year. You can easily fit it in between cooking! I don’t think I have read any of Jenny Colgan’s other books, but I will certainly look out for them. Mirren’s Great Aunt Violet has one dying wish – to be reunited with a very special book that she remembered fondly from her childhood, and she asks Mirren to find it for her. In fact the book is so rare, and valuable, that Mirren isn’t the only one looking for this fabled book. Mirren meets up with Theo, who appears both handsome and helpful, who helps her on her quest – but does he have any ulterior motives? Nice little freebie story for the season. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7086114116

  Snow is Falling by Sarah Bennett   This was a perfect story for the time of year. A beautiful hotel in the country, falling snow, family and friends, and romance. What’s not to love? I hadn’t heard of Sarah Bennett before but I will be looking out for her books in future. I think this book can be read as part of a series, but it works perfectly well as a stand alone story.   When Sadie’s marriage crumbles, her grown up children treat her to a hotel and spa retreat in the countryside for Christmas. When divorced Dylan asks his children what they would like to do for Christmas they say that they would like to travel to England and meet his estranged family. They had been living in America for years, but with the pleas of his children, he feels like he has to take them to the UK to meet his estranged family. When Sadie and Dylan meet they both realise that there is something between them  and how much they have in common, but with only a short time left togeth...

One Christmas Eve by Shari Low A solid 4.5 stars from me.   I hadn’t read any of this Author’s books before but I will certainly be looking for more. This one was FREE on Amazon Prime and I loved the premise, it was well written, and lived up to my expectations. The book is told in 3 timelines, but a daughter, a mother, and a grandmother – but each take place on Christmas Eve. Eve’s story takes place in 2023, her mother Helena’s is in 1993, and her mother Cathy is in 1968. By switching between the timelines, we slowly find out the reasons for the relationship between the 3 women in the current day. When Eve receives some shattering news, we circle around the timelines to find out what happened one Christmas eve – to both her mother and Grandmother. Cleverly written, and full of Christmas spirit and love. I didn’t want it to end. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7058786115

  Bombshell by Alison Hammond   I do love Alison Hammond. She is warm and witty so I knew her book would be the same. Her characters are extremely true to life, and I suspect they are based on people that she knows. It’s a fun book about friendships, family, heartbreak, and heart-make.   Madison thinks she has the perfect life. A TV heartthrob, handsome husband, 2 gorgeous children, a bunch of close-knit friends and a wonderful house – and as an interior designer it is just as she wants it. The only thing that isn’t perfect is a job that she hates. When her husband suddenly tells her that he needs some space, and moves out to stay with a cousin, Madison’s world is turned upside down. Can Madison discover her own worth, and change her life for the better or will she fold under the pressure? Sometimes new friends can come into your life at the right time and improve your life for the better.   I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, and I polished ...

  The Favourites by Layne Fargo   This book immediately made me think of Daisy Jones and The Six. It was written in a semi journalistic style, although this book is about an ice dancing pair rather than a band.   I really enjoyed it, and I thought it gave a good insight into the world of ice dancing and the Olympics.   Katarina Shaw has always wanted to be a gold medal winning Olympic skater. Heath Rocha has always wanted to be with Katarina, and so partners her in the ice skating. They both had a very hard childhood and were drawn together – their relationship was a turbulent as it is passionate. They become ice dance champions, and have their sights firmly set on the Olympic Gold. However, the course of true love, and ice dance, never runs smoothly - and jealousies, rumours, and even sabotage abound. The story is told from the beginning by Kat herself, and a number of other key players in the sport who take turns in filling in the narrative.   This...