TAKING A LONG BLOG BREAK

So, I've decided to take a blog break.

Currently I'm not sure as to whether this will be a permanent thing or just for a few months, but recently it's come to my attention that there is way too much going on in my life right now in terms of work, my own writing and other hobbies for me too keep it up, and that something has to go.

I've been book blogging for quite some time now - the best part of a decade actually - and I've loved it. It's been a great outlet, a great place to share my love of books with others, read ARCs of upcoming releases, and meet some fantastic people, such as authors, publishers and fellow book lovers. I've always been a big reader and so being able to blog about one of my biggest passions has been amazing.

That said, it does take up a lot of time, and currently, it's time I don't have much of. I have a full-time job, and I'm also a writer. I'm going to be starting a new novel soon. Promoting a novel takes up a lot of time too. Add to that other interests, such as exercise and reading (and being a book blogger, there is always a huge TBR pile), and it doesn't leave me with much time to wind down after a busy week. Book blogging can often feel like an additional job. Sometimes, I'm exhausted.

After recently taking up another sport-related hobby I have decided that if I want to do it, then I will need to give up something else. And sadly, it seems as though book blogging will have to be The One.

I've been blogging about books for a long time now, and I would much rather give it up than run a blog that's practically inactive. I have spent a long time reading and sharing and being part of a fantastic community but for now, I'm going to have to take a step back.

Thank you for reading, and goodbye for now!

Elle x

PICKS: Five Upcoming Thrillers

It might only be the start of the year, but there are so many fantastic-looking books coming up in the next few months, including some great thrillers. If you're looking for an edge-of-your-seat psychological read then here's a selection of five thrillers to watch out for!

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll (released May 15th)
Brett and Kelly Courtney are the shining jewels in a New York-based reality TV show called Goal Diggers. One of the most popular shows on American national television, its fiercely competitive cast of five self-made women are defined by their success, beauty and ruthless drive to reach the top by whatever means necessary.

The Courtney sisters’ rivalry goes skin deep despite the blossoming business they have built together that helps disadvantaged women in Morocco. Harbouring bitter jealousies and dark secrets about their manufactured screen lives they’re joined by three other hyper-competitive women who all have their own agendas. And the latest season promises sparks to fly in the quest for even higher ratings.

Vicious backstabbing, scathing social media attacks and finely-tuned scripting draw in the viewing public every week, all orchestrated by the show’s omnipotent producers. But even they don’t know that season 4 will end in murder...

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (released February 8th)
When you read this book, you will make many assumptions.

It’s about a jealous wife, obsessed with her replacement.

It’s about a younger woman set to marry the man she loves.

The first wife seems like a disaster; her replacement is the perfect woman.

You will assume you know the motives, the history, the anatomy of the relationships.

You will be wrong.

The Babysitter by Sheryl Browne (released March 8th)
You trust her with your family. Would you trust her with your life?

Mark and Melissa Cain are thrilled to have found Jade, a babysitter who is brilliant with their young children. Having seen her own house burn to the ground, Jade needs them as much as they need her. Moving Jade into the family home can only be a good thing, can’t it?

As Mark works long hours as a police officer and Melissa struggles with running a business, the family become ever more reliant on their babysitter, who is only too happy to help. And as Melissa begins to slip into depression, it’s Jade who is left picking up the pieces.

But Mark soon notices things aren’t quite as they seem. Things at home feel wrong, and as Mark begins to investigate their seemingly perfect sitter, what he discovers shocks him to his core. He’s met Jade before. And now he suspects he might know what she wants …

Mark is in a race against time to protect his family. But what will he find as he goes back to his family home?

Under the Sun by Lottie Moggach (released July 13th)
Anna gave up everything she had in London - her flat, her job, her friends - to run away to Spain and live the dream with the handsome, complicated artist she had fallen in love with. They were building a life together, renovating a beautiful finca in the mountains - but then Michael left, with little more than a note to say goodbye, and Anna's future crashed around her ears. Now she runs a bar in the sleepy beach town of Marea, surrounded by British expats who moved out to find their own place in the sun and are secretly as homesick and stuck as Anna now feels. 

When a local man, Simon, offers to rent her house, Anna hopes it will pave the way for her escape. But Simon is not who he says he is, and it soon transpires that his tenants are a group of African migrants that Anna fears he may be exploiting. When a dead body washes up on the beach in mysterious circumstances, Anna realises she alone has the power to unravel the truth... Gripping, poignant, witty and brilliantly observed, Under the Sun is an unforgettable novel about heartbreak, identity, migration and finding a place to call home.

The Pact by S.E. Lynes (released February 27th)
You made a promise to your sister. It could destroy your daughter. 

The Daughter 
15-year-old Rosie lies in hospital fighting for her life. She’s trying to tell her mother what happened to her, and how she got there, but she can’t speak the words out loud. 

The Mother
Rosie’s mother Toni has a secret. She had a traumatic childhood, and she and her sister Bridget made each other a promise thirty years ago: that they could never speak the truth about what they went through as children, and that they would protect each other without asking for help from others, no matter what…

Rosie was Toni’s second chance to get things right: a happy, talented girl with her whole life ahead of her. Having lost her husband in a tragic accident, Toni has dedicated her life to keeping Rosie safe from harm. 

But Rosie has plans that her mother doesn’t know about. She has dreams and ambitions – of love, of a career, of a life beyond the sheltered existence that her mother has created for her. But the secrets Rosie has been keeping have now put her life in danger. 

The Pact
In order to save Rosie, Toni may have to break her lifelong promise to her sister… and open doors to her past she hoped would remain closed forever. 

PICKS: Five Women's Fiction releases for February

It's February; a brand new month, and with it comes some great new books. Here's the SH selection of five, including new reads from Tracy Bloom (author of the No One Ever series), and Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella.

Rosie Colored Glasses by Brianna Wolfson
Willow’s mother Rosie isn’t like the other mums. She wears every colour of the rainbow, has midnight feasts, and sends Willow to school covered in paint.

Meanwhile, Rex is the sort of father who checks Willow’s homework, has a rule for everything, and would never dream of playing in the dirt.

Now Rosie and Rex live in different places, Willow knows her mum needs her even more. But Rosie’s multi-coloured way of looking at the world can be overwhelming. These days, it feels like Rosie is spinning off her axis – and taking Willow with her. As if, one day, Rosie might disappear for good.

And what would happen to Willow then?

The Wildflowers by Harriet Evans
Tony and Althea Wilde. Glamorous, argumentative ... adulterous to the core.

They were my parents, actors known by everyone. They gave our lives love and colour in a house by the sea - the house that sheltered my orphaned father when he was a boy.

But the summer Mads arrived changed everything. She too had been abandoned and my father understood why. We Wildflowers took her in.

My father was my hero, he gave us a golden childhood, but the past was always going to catch up with him ... it comes for us all, sooner or later.

This is my story. I am Cordelia Wilde. A singer without a voice. A daughter without a father. Let me take you inside.

The Last Laugh by Tracy Bloom
‘I’ve googled it, how to die,’ Jenny says to Maureen. ‘It was full of climbing this mountain, swimming that sea, becoming a marathon runner and raising millions for charity.’

‘Sounds like bloody hard work. You can make it more fun than that surely?’

Jenny discovers her days are numbered at the same time she discovers her husband is having an affair… 

Frankly, her life was tough enough already. Two tricky teenagers, her mother’s constant complaints, friends who aren’t up to the job and a career which has been spiralling downwards since she won ‘Sunseeker Tour Rep of the Season’ twenty years ago. 

And now this: a cheating husband and a death sentence.

Enough is enough. Jenny vows to keep both catastrophes a secret. She takes her life – and death – into her own hands and decides to live as she did when she was happiest… in 1996. She plans a spectacular 1990’s themed party in place of a wake that she herself will attend. But will she be able to keep her secrets for long enough to have the party of a lifetime? 

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other's sentences. They have a happy marriage and believe they know everything there is to know about each other. Until it's casually mentioned to them that they could be together for another sixty-eight years... and panic sets in.

They quickly decide to create little surprises for each other, to keep their relationship fresh and fun. But in their pursuit of Project Surprise Me - anything from unexpected gifts to restaurant dates to photo shoots - mishaps arise with disastrous and comical results.

Gradually, the surprises turn to shocking discoveries. And when a scandal from the past is uncovered, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all...

Woman Last Seen in her Thirties by Camille Pagan
At fifty-three, Maggie Harris has a good marriage and two mostly happy children. Perpetually anxious, she’s also accumulated a list of semi-reasonable fears: falling air conditioners, the IRS, identity theft, skydiving, and airbag recalls. But never once did Maggie worry that her husband of nearly thirty years would leave her.

On the day Adam walks out the door, everything that makes Maggie secure goes with him. Only then does she realize that while she’s been busy caring for everyone else, she’s become invisible to the world—and to herself.

Maggie cautiously begins to rebuild her life with a trip to Rome, a new career, and even a rebound romance. But when a fresh crisis strikes and an uncertain future looms, she must decide: How much will she risk to remain the woman she’s just become?

BOOK REVIEW: When My Ship Comes In by Sue Wilsher

I’m not a huge reader of historical fiction, however I do have a fondness for wartime fiction, and stories set in the 1950s, which has seen me gain quite a collection and to seek out books from new authors. It’s especially interesting to delve into the lives of women; women who worked, women who raised families, women who would strive to keep themselves and their families together during times of much poverty and sorrow.

When My Ship Comes In is the debut novel from Sue Wilsher. It had been on my to-read pile for some time, mainly because I was waiting for a weekend to devote to it. Once I had finished it, I wish I’d read it much sooner, because it’s such a brilliant book.

It’s 1959, and Flo Blundell is scarcely managing to make ends meet. Living in a cramped tenement flat near Tilbury Docks with her short-tempered husband Fred, young son Mikey and twin teenage daughters Babs and Jeanie, Flo earns money cleaning the upmarket cruise liners, as she struggles to keep the family fed and clean. After all, her mother always told her about the importance of keeping a family together. Yet Flo holds a secret dream of taking the children and escaping on one of the huge liners, to travel to Australia and begin a new life away from Fred’s violent hand.

But her dream is shattered when Fred’s drinking, and his short fuse, result in him losing his job at the Tilbury docks – and with it the flat in the Dwellings. However, the family is saved from inevitable poverty when Fred manages to land a job at the nearby leather factory, Monday’s.

Working at Monday’s seems like a dream in itself – the workers are trained well with opportunities for promotion and college, there are dinners and dances and social clubs, and the family find themselves in a new house full of modern gadgets that Flo had never imagined she’d own. There’s also the Young Wives Club, run by boss’s wife Maggie, who seems to take a liking to Flo.

Things are looking up for the Blundells – that is, providing that Fred puts an end to his drunken, violent ways. Any more trouble and the family will be out for good…

Meanwhile, Babs and Jeanie are adhering differently to their new lives at Monday’s. Babs is in awe at the attention from boys, and her talent at sewing. Jeanie on the other hand is quiet and studious, and jumps at the chance to get an education. Living in the shadow of her confident sister has never really bothered Jeanie that much, until a boy comes into her life and changes everything…

This is a wonderful novel about women with dreams, held back by those around them and society’s ideals. The book opens with a powerful scene, and immediately we get an insight into Flo’s situation. The reality of her coping, living day to day in a tiny bedsit with a family to take care of. She hadn’t intended to get pregnant so early, but it’s what life dealt her and she has worked hard. And when the opportunity arises for Flo to be a career woman and better herself, it seems the world is against her. A situation which a lot of women faced in the 1950s. Flo is a strong woman, willing to go against the odds to keep her family safe and cared for. Even when certain obstacles threaten to hold her back.

When My Ship Comes In is so hard to put down. It’s an emotional, gripping journey, a fantastic debut, and I loved every page. I’m looking forward to more from Sue Wilsher in the future.

Rating: 5/5

SERIES NEWS: Laura Lake returns in Last of the Summer Moet by Wendy Holden

Laura Lake, heroine of Wendy Holden’s brilliantly funny 2017 novel Three Weddings and a Scandal (previously published as Laura Lake and the Hipster Weddings – personally I prefer the original!) returns in August for the next instalment in the series.

In Last of the Summer Moet, Laura’s back, and standing in as the editor of a glossy society mag. This time she’s dealing with her somewhat crazy BFF whose new country life isn’t going to plan...

Laura Lake, deputy editor of glossy mag Society, has been promoted to the hot seat while her boss recovers from 'exhaustion' in rehab. Finally she's in charge, but who can she share the free jollies with?

Not her international glamourpuss BFF Lulu, who's left Knightsbridge for Britain's poshest village. Lulu's busy living the good life at her new pile Riffs, a ex-rock star's ex-country mansion.

But not everything in her guitar-shaped garden is lovely; Lulu's attempts to join the hunt, act in the panto and grow the biggest marrow are blocked by the snobbish locals.

Who does she call on for help? Journo extraordinaire, Laura Lake...

BOOK REVIEW: Mummy With Benefits by Marilyn Bennett

I came across Marilyn Bennett’s novel Mummy With Benefits – The Fall From Grace on Netgalley, and was intrigued by the synopsis. It seemed like a fun, somewhat quirky tale of a journey into new motherhood. Main character Grace is about to become a mum, and she still isn’t completely sure which of her two friends is the baby’s father. Sure, Grace’s current setup isn’t exactly the perfect family life she imagined – but does it have to be?

Let me just state before I begin that this is going to be a bit of a strange review. The main reason? I just couldn’t finish this novel. And I absolutely hate giving up on books. Before I go on, I need to point out that I didn’t give up on it because it’s a bad book – not at all.

The blurb sounded great. The opening instantly hooked me. Marilyn Bennett has a great writing style that I fell for straight away; witty, real, with added humour. However, at the beginning of Mummy With Benefits I found myself confused as to what was going on. Characters appeared who, it seemed, had already been established; events were referenced that had not yet happened, mentioned as though I should have known about them already. I checked my Kindle, wondering if, in my haste to board my train home, I’d accidentally skipped a chunk of the novel. I hadn’t, but after a quick look on Goodreads and Amazon, it became clear what the issue was.

Mummy With Benefits is not a standalone novel. It is, in fact, a sequel to Marilyn’s previous book, Granny With Benefits.

Sadly, I hadn’t read Granny With Benefits, and wouldn’t have requested the sequel had I known what it was, simply because I hadn’t read the first. And judging by other reviews, I wasn’t the only one left confused by this book (although I did get to nearly 20% before giving up entirely). I just couldn’t finish it, and not because I didn’t like it – I WANTED to like it. I enjoyed the beginning, so much so that I now want to read the first book as well as this one. But there was just so little context that there was no point in carrying on.

I have read a few books which have been part of a series, in which previous events and characters are briefly explained so that you can pick them up without having to read the previous ones. Mummy With Benefits is not one of these books. Which isn’t at all a problem, IF readers are made aware from the start that this is a sequel. In this case, that fact is not made clear on the cover or book information, causing some readers to dive in and become quickly baffled.

That said, Mummy With Benefits is a fast-paced and fun book up to a point, and I know I would have enjoyed it had I read book one. Which I am now planning on doing, as like I said, I enjoy Marilyn Bennett’s writing style and I don’t want to miss out on what might be an excellent series. Until then, I’m going to give this book 2.5 stars, only because having not read the book entirely, it’d be unfair to give it a higher rating at this time. It’s definitely one to revisit though!

Rating: 2.5/5

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

NEW YEAR, NEW READS: Five January women's fiction releases

It's a brand new month - the first of a brand new year! Now that the Christmas festivities have passed, it's time for the fresh, new feeling of a new chapter (or two! Or, y'know, thirty). I'm talking books as well as resolutions here...

Kicking off 2018 with the first selection of the new year, here are five upcoming releases to look out for this month.

This Love Story Will Self Destruct by Leslie Cohen
This is the classic tale of boy meets girl: Girl…goes home with someone else.

Meet Eve. She’s a dreamer, a feeler, a careening well of sensitivities who can’t quite keep her feet on the ground, or steer clear of trouble. She’s a laugher, a crier, a quirky and quick-witted bleeding-heart-worrier.

Meet Ben. He’s an engineer, an expert at leveling floors who likes order, structure, and straight lines. He doesn’t opine, he doesn’t ruminate, he doesn’t simmer until he boils over.

So naturally, when the two first cross paths, sparks don’t exactly fly. But then they meet again. And again. And then, finally, they find themselves with a deep yet fragile connection that will change the course of their relationship—possibly forever.

Follow Eve and Ben as they navigate their twenties on a winding journey through first jobs, first dates, and first breakups; through first reunions, first betrayals and, maybe, first love. This is When Harry Met Sally reimagined; a charming tale told from two unapologetically original points of view. With an acerbic edge and heartwarming humor, debut novelist Leslie Cohen takes us on a tour of what life looks like when it doesn’t go according to plan, and explores the complexity, chaos, and comedy in finding a relationship built to last.

Faking Friends by Jane Fallon
Best friend, soulmate, confidante . . . backstabber.

Amy thought she knew everything there was to know about her best friend Melissa. Then again, Amy also thought she was on the verge of the wedding of her dreams to her long-distance fiancé.

Until she pays a surprise trip home to London. Jack is out, but it's clear another woman has been making herself at home in their flat.

There's something about her stuff that feels oddly familiar . . . and then it hits Amy. The Other Woman is Melissa.

Amy has lost her home, her fiancé and her best friend in one disastrous weekend - but instead of falling apart, she's determined to get her own back.

Piecing her life back together won't be half as fun as dismantling theirs, after all.

Still Me by Jojo Moyes
Lou Clark knows too many things . . .

She knows how many miles lie between her new home in New York and her new boyfriend Sam in London.

She knows her employer is a good man and she knows his wife is keeping a secret from him.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to meet someone who's going to turn her whole life upside down.

Because Josh will remind her so much of a man she used to know that it'll hurt.

Lou won't know what to do next, but she knows that whatever she chooses is going to change everything.

Million Love Songs by Carole Matthews
After splitting up with her cheating ex, Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She's single again for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is a serious relationship.

Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he's charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun, and yet Ruby can't help feel that something is missing. Joe on the other hand is kind and attentive, but he comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.

And though Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, is it what she needs to be truly happy? It's about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.

Between Me and You by Alison Winn Scotch
When their paths first cross, Ben Livingston is a fledgling screenwriter on the brink of success; Tatum Connelly is a struggling actress tending bar in a New York City dive. They fall in love, they marry, they become parents, and they think only of the future. But as the years go by, Tatum’s stardom rises while Ben’s fades. In a marriage that bears the fallout of ambition and fame, Ben and Tatum are at a crossroads. Now all they can do is think back…

A life of passion, joy, tragedy, and loss—once shared—becomes one as shifting and unpredictable as a memory. As the pieces of their past come together, as they explore the ways love can bend and break, Ben and Tatum come to see how it all went wrong—and wonder what they can do now to make it all right.

Happy New Year!

2017 is drawing to a close and I'd just like to wish a massive HAPPY NEW YEAR to all the readers, writers and fellow bloggers out there! It really has been a fantastic year filled with so many new books and authors, and 2018 is already looking set to be a good one!

Hope everyone has a wonderful night - see you next year!

DEBUT ALERT: Trying by Emily Phillips

Trying is the upcoming novel by Emily Phillips, features director at Grazia magazine. The debut novel focuses on a couple whose dreams of having a family are not going to plan.

Trying will be out in January.

Olivia and Felix are trying for a baby. They even moved to the suburbs in anticipation of their future family. But despite approaching her cycle and their sex life with military precision, there's still no sign of what felt like the sure next step, whilst friends' broods seem to be growing by the week. Meanwhile, vying for a promotion at work under the (very attentive) watch of a new boss sends Olivia down a dangerous road of risking it all. Does a happy ever after, she starts to question, even have to include a baby?

BOOK REVIEW: The Christmas Holiday by Maxine Morrey

With Christmas just around the corner, it's the perfect time for a festive read or two (check out the SH Christmas selections here and here!) I fell for the cover of Maxine Morrey's new novel The Christmas Holiday as soon as I saw it, so it was instantly on my to-read list.

Journalist Mia Walker is stuck covering the weddings section, but she dreams of becoming a travel writer, jetting off to sunny locations around the world. However, every writer at her publication dreams of landing the coveted travel spot! But when her boss asks her to cover an assignment - a round-the-world trip to cover his daughter's lavish wedding - Mia jumps at the opportunity.

But there's a downside. The photographer is sent to accompany her on the trip is none other than super-successful adventurer Hunter Scott, who's also incredibly attractive. Oh, and he's also Mia's ex.

Even though Mia called off the engagement years previously, seeing Hunter again is no doubt going to be awkward. Especially as they're going to be working closely together on the wedding story. Soon Mia's questioning her previous decisions. Writing a good article may result in her winning the job of her dreams, so she'll have to stay professional, despite the mixture of feelings for Hunter. Can she put her feelings aside as she travels from country to country with her ex-boyfriend?

The Christmas Holiday is a light, fun, romantic read. It's different from a lot of current Christmas releases as it's less of a cosy fireside read and focuses on a round-the-world adventure, which I enjoyed. But there's definitely some Christmas magic.

Granted, it was a bit predictable, and I did find Mia quite hard to like at first, mainly due to the constant arguing with Hunter at the beginning. It just felt quite forced, and a little confusing as it wasn't specified why Mia had broken up with Hunter until later on in the novel. That said, it's still a fab read for Christmas, wherever you might be spending it!

As well as The Christmas Holiday, Maxine is also the author of The Christmas Project, Winter's Fairytale and The Best Little Christmas Shop, so do check out her other novels if you're looking for a romantic festive fix!

Rating: 4/5

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

PICKS: Five more festive reads!

The countdown for Christmas has already begun, and with only a week until the festivities, it's the perfect time to relax after the shopping and preparations with a good Christmassy read!

If you haven't seen part one of the Christmas Picks already, check it out for a selection of five novels to get you in the festive spirit. And here are five more, from authors including Carole Matthews and Holly Martin. Grab a mulled wine, get cosy, and curl up with one of these winter tales.

Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights by Carole Matthews
Fay and Danny are madly in love and it's all Fay's ever dreamed of. But she left everything - including the delightful cake shop she used to run - to be with Danny on his cosy canal boat The Dreamcatcher. And as she soon finds out, making delicious cakes on the water isn't always smooth sailing!

Then Fay gets a call from her friends, a call that sends her back to her friends and the Cake Shop in the Garden. It will be hard being away from Danny but their relationship is strong enough to survive...isn't it?

Fay soon falls happily back in love with her passion for baking - especially now she's on dry land again! - and starts to wonder if she ever should have left. With Christmas around the corner, Fay is determined that her friends will have a very merry time, but does that mean even more time away from Danny?

Christmas at the Log-Fire Cabin by Catherine Ferguson
When Poppy’s boyfriend Harrison proposes the week before Christmas and gives her twelve days to decide, she doesn’t know what to do. With the festive season in full swing, it’s make or break time for the couple and the clock is ticking…

Meanwhile, Poppy’s best friend Erin is desperate for the pair of them to fulfil their dream of setting up a dinner party catering company – and when an opportunity arises at a luxury log fire cabin, the girls take their chance to impress. But they hadn’t bargained on the owner of the cabin being quite so attractive – or having quite such a sexy voice.

As the twelve days tick on, will Poppy realise that Harrison is the one for her? Or will it be love in the lodge when the new year comes?

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin
Christmas has arrived at Hope Island, promising snowflakes, surprises and plenty of seasonal joy. So snuggle up and fall in love at Mistletoe Cove...

Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea.

When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…

This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?

Covent Garden in the Snow by Jules Wake
Tilly Hunter has fabulous friends, her dream job as a make-up artist with a prestigious opera company and Felix, her kind and caring husband to be. It looks set to be the most perfect Christmas yet!

But when a monumental blunder forces her to work closely with new IT director Marcus Walker, it's not only the roast chestnut stalls on the cobbles of her beloved Covent Garden that cause sparks to fly…

Super serious and brooding, Marcus hasn’t got a creative bone in his sharp-suited body. For technophobe Tilly, it's a match made in hell.

And yet, when Tilly discovers her fiancé isn’t at all what he seems, it's Marcus who's there for her with a hot chocolate and a surprisingly strong shoulder to cry on … He might just be the best Christmas present she’s ever had.

We'll Always Have Christmas by Jenny Hale
Christmas has always been a special time for Noelle Parker. Winter evenings spent with family and friends, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies at her family’s cozy bakery have shaped her love for all things festive. But this year everything is changing…

The beloved bakery is facing closure and Noelle needs a miracle to save Christmas.

Determined to raise funds for the family business, Noelle sets about revamping the bakery while juggling a surprise new job, caring for the elderly and cantankerous William Harrington in his luxurious, sprawling mansion.

As Noelle melts the frostiness of the house with cake baking, snowball fights and glittering decorations, she helps William to reconnect with a romance that has spanned decades and unexpectedly finds herself falling for his grandson - the gorgeous but mysterious Alexander Harrington…

In the countdown to Christmas, can Noelle save the bakery, reunite a family and create some magical memories of her own along the way?

BOOK REVIEW: Did I Mention I Won the Lottery? by Julie Butterfield

I came across Did I Mention I Won the Lottery? by Julie Butterfield on Amazon. The title intrigued me; lottery stories often do. It's a question we've all asked ourselves at some point, isn't it? If you won the lottery, what would you do? What would you spend it on? Where would you go?

And just who would you tell?

For Rebecca Miles, her normal life is about to be changed forever when she scoops 15.7 million pounds on the lottery. 15.7 million pounds! It's a dream come true - all that money, and it's all hers. It's enough to change her life, and that of her husband Daniel. That is, once she tells him...

Despite living comfortably in terms of wealth, Rebecca's life hasn't exactly been dreamy. Even though she enjoys working part-time at the deli with her two great friends, each night she returns home to grumpy rants from Daniel; a condescending, over-confident salesman who acts as though the world owes him a favour. After years of clearing up after him, Rebecca has seemingly settled into a routine of servitude, a far cry from one half of the happy couple they were years before, when their children were younger.

Just days after scooping her big win, Rebecca has already treated herself to a gorgeous new house in her home city, luxury hotel stays, a new car and a brand new wardrobe. The problem? She still hasn't told Daniel. Continuously telling herself she'll do it soon, she finds herself putting it off day after day. Soon she's leading a secret double life - as Daniel's downtrodden wife half the week, and escaping to her other existence as a designer-clad millionaire in her mansion as soon as her husband leaves for his golf trips.

And as time passes, Rebecca finds it harder and harder to break the news to Daniel. Especially when a possible new venture comes her way, one that could help both Rebecca and her mother. But it's only a matter of time before the secret's out...

I really enjoyed this book, and I liked Rebecca. At first, she seemed very weak, giving in to Daniel's every whim, having given up on arguing years before. But she also reveals herself as strong, sensible and extremely kind-hearted, and this journey was one of the elements I loved best about this novel. I would love to go into more detail here, and admittedly I did write a more lengthy review until I realised I'd be giving a lot of the ending away. So I'm going to stop right here.

One thing I love about lottery stories is that there are so many possibilities. The story can go in many, many directions. Money can change a person, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, and I always love finding out how the author has explored these ideas. Julie Butterfield has done this wonderfully, and I'm looking forward to reading her second book.

Rating: 5/5

BLOG TOUR: The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister (REVIEW)

The Magician's Lie is the debut novel by Greer Macallister, a book that has become a USA Today and MIBA Indie Bestseller, and has even been reviewed by Oprah Winfrey. The novel focuses on a famous illusionist who is accused of her husband's murder.

The Amazing Arden is the most famous female illusionist of her day, renowned for her notorious trick of sawing a man in half on stage. But one night she swaps her trademark saw for an axe.

When Arden's husband is found dead later that night, the answer seems clear, most of all to young policeman Virgil Holt.

Captured and taken into custody, all seems set for Arden's swift confession. But she has a different story to tell. Even handcuffed and alone, Arden is far from powerless, and what she reveals is as unbelievable as it is spellbinding.

A magical and mysterious historical thriller, perfect for fans of The Night Circus and Water for Elephants.

I wanted to read this book the minute I heard about it. Granted, I haven't read Water for Elephants or The Night Circus (although that is on my TBR list), but the premise of The Magician's Lie sounded utterly fantastic.

And it was. In 1905 in Iowa, famous illusionist The Amazing Arden finds herself accused of her husband's murder. Given that Arden is the prime suspect, she's faced with the task of convincing policeman Virgil Holt that she's innocent. But with her reputation for clever trickery behind her, and her attempt at fleeing, it's a difficult task indeed, though soon Arden begins to reveal more about herself that makes Virgil once again question whether to let her go.

The Magician's Lie is utterly captivating. It's described as a historical thriller, but I found it to be less thriller, more mystery with drama and a lot of intrigue. Perhaps a thriller in some ways, but not typically so; there's no big unexpected twist found in typical thrillers, and it focuses more on the character. However, I loved that. It's such a beautifully written tale that kept me hooked from the very first page. The novel revels a lot about the world of illusionists back in that time, and that alone made me keep reading. When Arden reveals all about her life, from her childhood to her life as a renowned performer, I was swept away in the intrigue.

The Magician's Lie is a fast-paced, beautiful debut, and I can't wait to read more from Greer Macallister in future.

Rating: 5/5

PICKS: Five new novels to get you in the Christmas spirit!

It's October already, and just as you might be wondering 'where the heck has this year GONE?!' then just to remind you, it's Christmas in two months. Yep, two months.

Still, one of the most fun things about the run-up to Christmas (besides pretty Christmas markets and Advocaat) is the selection of festive novels being released. If you're looking for some Christmassy tales to get cosy with on a cold evening, then there are plenty to choose from, with books from both new and well-known authors. Here's part one of the Super Heroines Christmas selection.

One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill by Mandy Baggott
Imagine the perfect Christmas Kiss…

His strong arms around her waist, her hands on his face, the snow slowly starts to fall…

It’s enough to make Isla Winters cringe! While her sister can’t get enough of this – increasingly common – sight on the streets of London, Isla’s too busy trying to stop Hannah’s wheelchair from slipping on the ice, and making sure she’s not too late to her dream job at Breekers International. 

But everything changes with the arrival of Chase Bryan, fresh from the New York office. He’s eager to learn everything about Isla’s beloved Notting Hill, but as the nights get colder, will cosying up to him come at a price?

The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft
Alexia Kennedy – interior decorator extraordinaire – has been tasked with giving the little village of Middledip the community café it’s always dreamed of.

After months of fundraising, the villagers can’t wait to see work get started – but disaster strikes when every last penny is stolen. With Middledip up in arms at how this could have happened, Alexia feels ready to admit defeat.

But help comes in an unlikely form when woodsman, Ben Hardaker and his rescue owl Barney, arrive on the scene. Another lost soul who’s hit rock bottom, Ben and Alexia make an unlikely partnership.

However, they soon realise that a little sprinkling of Christmas magic might just help to bring this village – and their lives – together again…

No-One Ever Has Sex on Christmas Day by Tracy Bloom
A dream family Christmas or a total nightmare? Katy and Ben are about to find out...

Katy’s been stuck in the office away from her family so she wants it all: snow (fake or real), the Michael Bublé Christmas album, whatever it takes. 

There’s only one thing missing as far as her husband Ben is concerned: another baby to complete their family. But Katy isn’t so sure she's ready yet…

Ben may be playing the role of Master Elf in the pre-school nativity but he is struggling to master his own family life. With romantically-challenged friends, an ex who refuses to go away and Katy's mum's 64-year-old toy boy thrown into the mix, Christmas looks like it could be going off the rails… 

Never mind family planning, can Katy and Ben even plan to make it to the end of Christmas Day? 

The Christmas Holiday by Maxine Morrey
As winter comes to London, journalist Mia Walker is desperately hoping for her big break as a travel writer, dreaming of exotic locations and sun-soaked beaches. When she’s invited to write a romantic travel piece that ends in a huge winter wedding in London, she jumps at the chance. The only trouble is, the photographer is renowned adventure-junkie Hunter Scott, who Mia last saw five years ago when she ended their engagement.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and Mia knows she’d be mad to say no – even if it does mean spending weeks travelling round the world with the one man she never wanted to see again! But as the wedding approaches, and the magic of Christmas begins to take hold, Mia can’t help looking out for mistletoe – and wishing she hadn’t cancelled her own engagement after all…

Christmas in London by Anita Hughes
It’s a week before Christmas and Louisa Graham is working twelve hour shifts at a bakery on Manhattan's Lower East Side. When a young cooking show assistant comes in from the rain and begs to buy all the cinnamon rolls on her tray, she doesn’t know what to do. Louisa is just the baker, and they aren't hers to sell. But the show burned the rolls they were supposed to film that day; so she agrees.

The next morning, Louisa finds out that her cinnamon rolls were a hit, but the star of the show was allergic, and the whole crew is supposed to leave for London that afternoon. They want Louisa to step in for their annual Christmas Eve Dinner TV special at Claridge's. It’s a great opportunity, and Digby Bunting, Louisa’s famous baking idol, will be there. Even if he does seem more interested in her than her food.

And then there’s Kate, the show's beautiful producer. On their first day in London she runs into the skinny boy she jilted at St. Andrew's in Scotland ten years ago. Now he’s a handsome, brilliant mathematician, and newly divorced. Their familiar spark is still there, but so is the scar of how they left things. Kate and Louisa are busy preparing for the show, but old and new flames are complicating their work.

Welcome to my new blog - SUPER HEROINES!

For me, September has always been a pretty decent time to make changes. Most people might see the new year as the perfect opportunity to start anew, leaping excitedly into January with a fresh set of goals and the warm feeling of starting a new chapter (and perhaps, a bit too much champagne).

Personally, though? It's all about September. Maybe it has something to do with the shifting of the seasons; darker evenings, colder weather, cosy nights in with a good book. It could be that the back-to-school nostalgia has been invoked, reminiscent of a time when a new term would begin, new stationery would be bought and a fresh feeling would hang in the chilly air.

So it's only natural that I'd choose this time decide to give my blog an entire new look. And name. Yes, it's time for a big change - hence, welcome to Super Heroines!

In case you're wondering, I re-launched my blog on September 12th. It's something I've been thinking of doing for a while, and finally decided to just go for it, for a few reasons:

One - I felt as though the site needed updating - I'd been running Uncovered for three years, and although I loved the design, felt it was getting a bit old-fashioned. I wanted to give it a complete overhaul, so it could not have been a better time to work on something fresh.

Two - I fell in love with the name. I'm a huge comic-book fan, so it's no surprise where that name came from, but more specifically, I feel as though it sums up what I want in a book blog. One of the best aspects of book blogging is finding books with amazing, kick-ass leading ladies. And their awesome authors too!

When I started reviewing books many years ago, I focused mainly on 'chick-lit'. It's fun, it makes me happy, and even though I read absolutely anything I can get my hands on, chick-lit has been my go-to genre. However, I've been wanting to blog about other books I read, such as thrillers, mystery, crime and sometimes YA, and not have a particular emphasis on one specific genre.

My older posts will still remain, but from this point on, Super Heroines will take over. This blog is dedicated to the super ladies of literature - writers and characters alike!

Elle x

BOOK NEWS: It Started With a Tweet by Anna Bell

Anna Bell recently revealed the cover of her new novel, and ISN'T IT LOVELY?! Anna is the author of romantic comedies including the Don't Tell series, The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart and The Good Girlfriend's Guide to Getting Even. It Started With a Tweet is out in December, and follows social media-obsessed Daisy who's about to face some life changes after a huge mistake at work...

Daisy Hobson lives her whole life online. A marketing manager by day, she tweets her friends, instagrams every meal and arranges (frankly, appalling) dates on Tinder. But when her social media obsession causes her to make a catastrophic mistake at work, Daisy finds her life going into free-fall...

Her sister Rosie thinks she has the answer to all of Daisy's problems - a digital detox in a remote cottage in Cumbria, that she just happens to need help doing up. Soon, too, Daisy finds herself with two welcome distractions: sexy French exchange-help Alexis, and Jack, the brusque and rugged man-next-door, who keeps accidentally rescuing her.

But can Daisy, a London girl, ever really settle into life in a tiny, isolated village? And, more importantly, can she survive without her phone? 

NEW RELEASES: You, Me and Everything in Between by Helen J Rolfe

You, Me and Everything in Between is the new novel from Helen J Rolfe, author of Handle Me With Care and In a Manhattan Minute. Lydia's life is changed completely, leaving her wondering whether she should finally move on...

Can you ever rewrite the past?

Lydia and Theo face the unthinkable when a knock at the door changes everything. 

As Theo lies unconscious, Lydia begins to pick up the pieces, but not every part of the puzzle fits together as neatly as it did before. And when Lydia begins to move on, what happens when Theo wakes up and realises she didn’t wait for him?

Theo and Lydia have a history together, but do they still have a future? Or has too much happened to be able to forgive and forget? 

BOOK REVIEW: My Sister's Wedding by Vicky Pattison

When I was sent the ARC of My Sister's Wedding by Vicky Pattison, I wasn't sure what to expect - I'm not usually a fan of overly-romantic stories, which is what the cover makes it out to be (it's a little sugary for my tastes!). However, the blurb looked fun. Two very different sisters, one big wedding. I decided to give it a try. As it turned out, this book was brilliant.

First off, I have to say that I had no idea who Vicky Pattison was before reading this. I hardly watch TV, let alone reality TV, and I've never seen an episode of Geordie Shore in my life. On receiving this book I learned Vicky is a celebrity with two more novels available (All That Glitters and The Christmas Kiss) along with some non-fiction titles.

Lizzie and Becky Ashworth are sisters, but so very different. Becky is sensible, focused, and preparing to get married to her fiance, the lovely Daniel Balfour. Meanwhile, Lizzie is a bit more wild, unable to keep a job for very long, and lacking the security and drive that her sister has.

Becky and Daniel are truly in love, and the wedding is set to be a lavish affair, especially seeing as Daniel hails from the uber-rich Balfour family, a big difference from the Ashworths' working-class roots. Becky has always felt that the Balfours do not approve of their son's decision to marry her instead of a wealthy socialite, which is causing tensions to run high in preparation for the big day.

Meanwhile, Daniel's sister isn't happy with the marriage, especially seeing as her friend has eyes for Daniel, and so the pair come up with a plot to try and split up the happy couple for good.

As Becky is planning to move into the next chapter of her life, Lizzie feels as though she's lagging behind, that her sister won't need her anymore. But as it happens, the sisters might just need each other more than they think.

My Sister's Wedding was very funny and quite hard to put down. The book is narrated by both sisters during the wedding preparations, and it's hard not to like both of the girls; even Lizzie, who may come across as fiery and less sensible than her sister, but has a heart of gold - especially when it comes to family! There are some great characters too, along with some rivalry and revenge. Admittedly I did feel that this book was for a slightly younger audience (maybe late teens/early twenties), but it's a great story. It's light, funny and feel-good, and I really enjoyed it.

Rating: 5/5

NEW RELEASES: Hello Sunshine by Laura Dave

Sunshine is a vlogger who appears to have it all in life - that is, until her true identity is revealed. In Hello Sunshine, the newly-released novel by Laura Dave, author of The First Husband and Eight Hundred Grapes, Sunshine has to navigate life in the downfall of the identity she has built up online.

Sunshine Mackenzie truly is living the dream. A lifestyle guru for the modern age, Sunshine is beloved by millions of people who tune into her YouTube cooking show, and millions more scour her website for recipes, wisdom, and her enticing suggestions for how to curate a perfect life. She boasts a series of #1 New York Times bestselling cookbooks, a devoted architect husband, and a reputation for sincerity and kindness--Sunshine seems to have it all. But she's hiding who she really is. And when her secret is revealed, her fall from grace is catastrophic. What Sunshine does in the ashes of destruction will save her in more ways than she can imagine. 

In our modern world, where celebrity is a careful construct, Laura Dave's compelling, enticing novel explores the devastating effect of the secrets we keep in public...and in private. Hello, Sunshine is a fresh, provocative look at a woman teetering between a scrupulously assembled life and the redemptive power of revealing the truth.

BLOG TOUR: Half a Sixpence by Evie Grace

Half a Sixpence is the new book by Evie Grace. This historical novel, set in Kent in the 1800s, focuses on Catherine, a woman who is forced to keep her family together in a time of tragedy.

Catherine Rook takes her peaceful life for granted. Her days are spent at the village school and lending a hand on her family’s farm. Life is run by the seasons, and there’s little time for worry. 

But rural unrest begins sweeping through Kent, and when Pa Rook buys a threshing machine it brings turbulence and tragedy to Wanstall Farm. With the Rooks’ fortunes forever changed, Catherine must struggle to hold her family together. 

She turns to her childhood companion, Matty Carter, for comfort, and finds more than friendship in his loving arms. But Matty has his own family to protect, and almost as quickly as their love blossomed their future begins to unravel. 

With the threat of destitution nipping at her heels, Catherine must forge a way out of ruin...

As part of the Half a Sixpence blog tour, Evie Grace has shared with us a character profile. Read on to find out more about Catherine Rook!

Half a Sixpence will be released tomorrow.

Character Profile: Catherine Rook

Thank you very much for hosting today’s stop on my blog tour with Half a Sixpence, the first book in a new series, a Victorian family saga set in East Kent. Half a Sixpence is the story of Catherine Rook, a country girl born in Overshill, East Kent in 1817, and I’d love to tell you a little more about her.

I took inspiration for Catherine’s character and way of life from my family tree, anecdotes passed down from my grandparents and great grandparents, and my experiences of the countryside. I was born in Kent and one of my earliest memories is of picking cherries with my grandfather in an orchard near Selling. He was a farm manager, and Wanstall Farm, Catherine’s home in Half a Sixpence has echoes of the place where he worked.

Catherine lives with Ma and Pa Rook and her brother, John. Her older siblings have already left home. She enjoys feeding the hens, collecting their eggs and looking after the pigs, especially when they give birth to their piglets. Pa is a great believer in the value of education, sending her to the village school where she learns the three R’s with her best friend, Emily. She aspires to marry for love one day, in spite of Ma’s rather embarrassing conviction that she should marry up.  

Catherine’s life follows the seasons that come and go the same, year after year, punctuated by the regular sowing, harvesting and threshing of the corn, followed by rowdy harvest suppers and the hop picking. When Catherine needs new clothes, Pa Rook says she can have them ‘after ‘op-picking’, a saying that has been passed down through my family. My mum remembers her mother taking her, her brother and sister hop picking every summer to bring in desperately needed cash. My grandmother also went fruit-picking, taking a pram with a false bottom under which she hid apples to take home.

Catherine helps the Rooks’ maid in the kitchen, pickling and preserving the produce from the land, and learning to make the perfect pastry for plum pies. Living on the farm is hard, but in many ways Catherine leads an idyllic way of life that comes under threat when her father decides to invest in a threshing machine.

The fresh challenges facing the farm and her family serve to strengthen Catherine’s resourceful character, a recurring feature of my Victorian ancestors. One of my great-grandmothers had a reputation for being a particularly determined lady who brought up seven happy children in a tiny house on very little money with the help of her husband who grew and sold fresh vegetables from the garden to make ends meet. However, her background was tainted by rumours of illegitimacy, the consequences of which I have introduced into Half a Sixpence.

Catherine is resourceful, loyal and caring, and even at her lowest ebb, she finds the strength to carry on.

I hope you enjoy reading her story.

x Evie