Review: Stilettos and Stubble by Amanda Egan

I have just reviewed Stilettos and Stubble by Amanda Egan over at Amazon and Goodreads

It has an Adult theme running through the novel so I will just add a link to the review from here.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/531902013

5 out of 5 for me! Loved it!

Review: Sophie's Run by Nicky Wells

• Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing (4 Feb 2013)
• ASIN: B00BBK38UM

The blurb

Who says that the road towards true love is straight and even? Sophie is certainly discovering that it is anything but.

So she has finally found the man of her dreams! Well…she knows who he is, even though she hasn’t actually quite met him yet. But she misses her opportunity, and then her life goes crazy. Rock star and ex-fiancé, Dan, keeps getting in the way of her new romance—even if he is just trying to be helpful. A fire, an impromptu mini-trip with Dan, and a dreaded wedding later, Sophie is still struggling to meet the love of her life. Then, just as she is getting it together with her perfect man, best friend Rachel commits an act of unspeakable betrayal.

Sophie has had enough. Confused and distraught, she decides that it is time for a radical change. Surprising herself and shocking her friends, she embarks on a secret journey and eventually gets her life back on track.


Sophie is rebuilding her life after turning down two marriage proposals.  She is looking for love and believes she has found it with Steve, an acquaintance from church choir who turns up the heat at the most inconvenient time.

Her ex-Fiance Tim is moving on. In fact he has invited her to his wedding.  

Ex-Fiance Dan is still in Sophie's life but as a good friend rather than her love interest. 

This exciting adventure includes an ex's wedding, medical emergencies, getaway holidays and many surprises to keep the reader's attention.

After reading Sophie's Turn I was expecting another page-turner from the author, Nicky Wells.  She has delivered that and much more. The author has developed these characters with great thought rather than just giving them another adventure.
In this novel, Sophie has matured and is taking responsibility for her actions.  I enjoyed seeing the change in Sophie and how this group of characters have moved on from the past.  I was routing for Sophie and wanted to see her get her happy ever after.  I am really looking forward to the third part of this trilogy which is due out later in the year.  

10 out of 10 for me!  Loved it!

Thank you to the author for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: You Had Me At Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

• Publisher: Avon (6 Dec 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 000748805X
• ISBN-13: 978-0007488056

Also on Kindle

The blurb

Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel.

It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. It's been a decade since they last spoke, but when Rachel bumps into Ben on rainy day, the years melt away.

They'd been partners in crime and the best of friends.  But it's clear that life has moved on. Ben is married. Rachel is not.

Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she's never been able to mend.

Oh my, this is one busy read.  

The main character Rachel has such a wonderful narrative in this story, in which she goes off on a tangent at the drop of a hat. It took my full attention to keep up with her daydreaming.

Rachel is just about to walk out on her long term relationship with no real idea why and which direction she will take next. She just knows it is not working.  To add to her confusion, which doesn't take much, Ben comes back into her life.

Rachel has a good network of friends around her and with their help she makes the transition from 'engaged to be married' to singledom.  Along the way she is introduced to Simon by Ben's matchmaking wife.

It is rather a long story and I do feel it could have been wrapped up a little sooner, but  it as it worth the rollercoaster ride.

Mhairi McFarlane has written a very funny and sharp novel with some great observations about complex relationships.

I look forward to seeing more from this author.

9 out of 10 for me! I loved it!

Thank you to Avon for a review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review: Don't Tell The Groom - Anna Bell

• Kindle Edition
• File Size: 575 KB
• ASIN: B00APO97IW

The blurb

Bride-to-be Penny discovers that she’s lost £10,000 of wedding savings playing online bingo. So that she doesn’t have to reveal her gambling secret, she convinces her fiancé Mark that they should have a Don’t Tell the Groom themed wedding. Penny then has to plan a wedding fit for a princess on a shoestring budget. But, by the time she discovers that the true meaning of marriage isn’t a Vera Wang wedding dress or Jimmy Choos, will she still have a groom to marry?

Penny and her boyfriend Mark on on different levels of their life plan, well Mark's life plan to be exact. Penny is at the 'getting married' stage, but Mark has yet to propose!

Whilst waiting for Mark to catch her up, Penny has been trying to add to their wedding savings but has taken her eye off the ball playing online bingo.  Mark proposes and Penny discovers the wedding pot does not look as healthy as she expected.

In an attempt to salvage any chance of a future wedding let alone a decent wedding, Penny decides to convince Mark to let her plan the wedding as a surprise, like the tv reality show.

In the process Penny learns not only the true cost of a wedding, and how to budget but also realises that this is not just about the wedding but her reasons for wanting to marry Mark and spend the rest of her life with him.

Will she be able to pull off a stylish wedding on her minimal budget? Will she make it to the altar?

I instantly warmed to Penny and her plight.  It is all too easy to let things slide and not realise how finances are changing.  I enjoyed being part of her journey to organise a wedding on a tiny budget, but still make her groom proud of her.  I could identify with her to some extent as I organised our wedding on a budget just last year. 

Fabulous rom-com with the feel good factor.

I loved it!  9 out of 10 for me!

Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy for my honest opinion.

Review: Somebody to Love - Sheryl Browne

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Safkhet Soul; 1 edition (24 Jun 2012)
• ASIN: B008EKT7XO

The blurb

After that idiot of a husband ran off with that broomstick of a girl, single-mom Donna thinks there's no sunshine in her future. What she needs now is a hunk of a guy who loves her and her three-legged dog with no complications.

Solution? Call the police.

Mark is a single dad with two big worries – protect and serve, and his autistic son Karl. Desperately he wants someone who'll love him and his son without question and with no complications. He's been hurt before and Karl needs stability – not short dates. So he'll do anything for his kid – even lie to protect him.

Can these two get it together and get together? Is Mark the hunk Donna needs? Is Donna the rock Mark can lean on? If they look hard enough, they'll find Somebody to Love.

Donna is a single working mum to Matt, Findus and Sadie,  but beneath that strong exterior is a woman that is still reeling from what her ex-husband did to her.

Mark, is a hard working police officer and single dad to Karl.  This is a dad who goes the extra mile both in his job and at home with his autistic son.  Add into the mix a father that is becoming more dependent, though trying to be fiercely independent.

This must be quite a small community as the two main character paths do cross quite often, even after their disastrous attempt at dating should see them go their separate ways.  Several misunderstandings and some explosive situations follow, making this novel a real page-turner.

The author has written into this on/off romance some very moving scences, not only for the main characters but those around them.  She explores the subjects of getting old and losing independence, and autism with empathy, making this not just a romance.

 This is one fiery read

9 out of 10 for me!

Thank you to the author for a review copy.  This did not influence my review.

Review: Married by Christmas by Scarlett Bailey

• Publisher: Ebury Press (Fiction) (25 Oct 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0091946968

The blurb

All she wants is perfect Christmas Eve wedding...

It's been on Anna's wish-list since she was a little girl, dreaming of a far happier family life than she'd ever experienced.

But now - only two weeks before her big day - her perfect husband-to-be drops a bombshell...

Only nothing's going to stop Anna's plans - not even the pesky inconvenience of discovering her groom already has a wife!

Anna and Tom are due to get married within weeks in Anna's dream Christmas Eve wedding.  Anna is obsessive about every detail of this wedding making the reader wonder if it is more about the wedding rather than the marriage.  

We get to find out why Anna is as obsessive and controlling as she is when we delve into her background.

Tom is ready to accept Anna, warts and all only there is the little matter in the fact that Tom is still married to another woman and forgot to tell Anna, until now.

Anna being so hell bent on her Christmas Eve wedding takes evasive action and jumps on a flight to New York to track down the 1st Mrs Collins in an attempt to get an annulment of their marriage.  Where is Tom? Still at home and confiding in Anna's best friend, Liv.  Liv has something she needs to share with Tom and Anna, too.

Meanwhile, Anna,  has picked up a travelling companion in the shape of Miles,  and lands in New York looking for a needle in a haystack, or a stripper in a nightclub to be exact.  Miles is not just any travelling companion but one that Anna has met before.

This story has all the elements of a festive movie, with some over the top scenes, reminiscent of those festive movies and I could see Jennifer Anniston (with an English accent) playing the part of Anna on the big screen. 

There are some very funny and sharp one liners from Scarlett Bailey. Have we got to wait until next year for another festive frolic from Scarlett?  I hope not!

A fun rom-com that is right up to date and just perfect for the festive season.

8/10 for me!  

Rom-com, love triangle, wedding, Christmas, New York

Thank you to Ebury for sending me a review copy. This did not influence my review.

Review - Song in the Wrong Key - Simon Lipson

It is the Eurovision Song Contest this week.  The final on Saturday.  This novel is very topical as the main character, Michael writes a song that producers believe to be a winner!

• Publisher: Lane & Hart Ltd (2 April 2012)
• ISBN-10: 0957098707
• ISBN-13: 978-0957098701
• Also available as KINDLE edition

The blurb
Twenty years ago, Michael Kenton harboured dreams of being a pop star until read life got in the way.  But he's content enough, married to the magnificent Lisa with two little girls and a steady if unspectacular career in IT.

But then it all goes wrong and everything he once took for granted is placed in jeopardy. Unemployable and desperate, Michael is thrown a musical lifeline.  It might not square with is precious artistic integrity, but it could be his last chance to put his life back together.

A laugh out loud comedy about love, family, friendship and the vagaries of sudden fame.

Michael's life is ticking along nicely.  Married to Lisa with 2 little girls and a career in IT.  
One day all that changes when he is made redundant at the age of 42.  He knows at his age it will not be easy to find another job.  He takes on the role of looking after the girls whilst job hunting.  As he sits at home all day searching the internet for that elusive dream job, his dreams of being a pop star resurface.  


Michael picks up his guitar and the old talent stirs.  He plays a few 'gigs' in a local bistro just to reignite the passion.  Just as Michael hits rock bottom in the unemployable stakes, one of his 'gigs' brings the opportunity to have one of his own songs entered into the Eurovision Song Contest.


Simon Lipson gives Michael a very honest, if sometimes a little 'too much info', narrative. Michael's highs and lows really do come through in the writing and I felt those moods. I laughed out loud at the very dry British humour and  I rolled my eyes at his 'bloke' behaviour.


This fly on the wall tale of domestic life and marriage is a real page turner that will have readers laughing out loud.


There is adult humour so if you are easily offended this may not be the book for you.


4.5 out of 5 for me!


Review copy.  This did not influence my review in any way.

Review - One Night Only - Sue Welfare

• Publisher: Avon (1 Mar 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1847561190
• Also available on Kindle

The blurb

Fame and fortune can't hide the secrets of her past....


When fading soal star Helen Redford is approached to go back to her home town for a TV series she is in two minds.  It could be just the boost she needs; her career has been on hold for the best part of a decade and she doesn't fancy eating bush tucker or advertising funeral insurance for her supper.  Except there are all kinds of ghosts in her past that she has spent years burying.

Pesky ex-boyfriends, friendships gone sour and secrets about Helen's family. It's time for Helen to get rid of the skeletons in her closet.

Helen Redford is in need a kick start to get her fading career back on track.  A reality tv show might just do the trick.  Surely this will be easy, after all she knows all the skeletons in her closet and there are no nasty surprises.  It might be quite healing to revisit her past. She may even find out the truth about why her mother left her as a child.  


Only, Helen does not realise that the TV producers are looking for a deep dark secret to give the viewers value for money.  They have a few surprises to spring on Helen.


The only little niggle I had was that I found the scenes from the Talent show, in the past, slow, but it was worth staying with it. 


Another entertaining read from Sue Welfare.  I really enjoyed it!


4 out of 5 for me!


Review copy

Review - Sometimes it Happens - Pauline Barclay

Kindle
ASIN: B0050K7NVE

Doreen Wilkinson has won the lottery.  Nothing like this has ever happened to Doreen or her teenage daughter, Trisha before.  
So, they leave the council estate they live on, to have a celebratory holiday in the sun, at Villa Bonitas.


Villa Bonitas, a select holiday village,  has never seen the likes of Doreen before.  Will this be the holiday of a lifetime?  Can Doreen keep up with the class of neighbours.


With a colourful cast of characters from different walks of life, I felt like I was actually sunning myself by the pool and watching the comedy/soap drama unfold around me.  


Pauline Barclay had added enough teasers to get the questions flowing and the slowly answered those questions to satisfy me. There are a few storylines running through the novel, with secrets and lies all coming to a satisfying conclusion. The pace and excitement was just right.


I would say this is a must for your Kindle for a beach read this summer.  


4.5 out of 5 for me!






Review copy

Review - Build a Man - Talli Roland

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Notting Hill Press (5 Nov 2011)
• ASIN: B00642BCX2

The blurb (from Amazon)

Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie -- the hang-dog man determined to be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between -- Serenity knows she's got a story no editor could resist.

With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and she's ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.




Serenity is in the wrong job and possibly the wrong relationship.  She longs to be a tabloid reporter, despite her parents aspirations for their daughter.   In the meantime she is a receptionist for her boyfriend, Peter,  Cosmetic Surgeon to the rich and vain.


Serenity sees an opportunity to break into the world of the tabloid press when she is offered a column, Build a Man, for one of London's top tabloid newspapers.


As Serenity wrestles with her conscience about cosmetic surgery and then reporting about the consequences when surgery goes wrong, she has to make decisions about her professional and personal life.


Serenity is a quick witted and strong character.  She has not lost her American use of language whilst living in the UK but has picked up a passion for Jaffa Cakes.  I did question why she was in the relationship with Peter and why she worked in the world of self-image, which she disagreed with, but as the story progressed I understood her reasons.  She is not a perfect character and has her flaws, that cannot be solved under the surgeon's knife. 


Cosmetic surgery as a beauty enhancement is not something I am interested in but I was curious to see where this story would lead and I am glad I had faith in Talli Roland that this would be a good read.  Talli explores the side of cosmetic surgery that is not often considered - when surgery goes wrong.  




A cracking story not to be missed.


4.5 out of 5 for me!




Review copy, thank you.

Review - Recipes for Disaster - Sheryl Browne

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Safkhet Soul; 1 edition (24 Jan 2012)
• ASIN: B0071PNTPU
• 
  

The blurb

She's a single. He's a widower. She wants him. He wants her. She wants to impress. So does he. There's just one catch – she can't cook. To get him, she needs to get past the big fish – his mother. Lucky her, she's got an Ace up her sleeve and all she's got to do is impress this one time. Bad luck, though, her new guy can't cook either, her dog Rambo is on the loose and now they've got to pull off the big lunch at the club. Will it be a match made in heaven? Will they be able to pull off a culinary miracle? Will their combined efforts result in love at first bite? Or is it simply a Recipe for Disaster?

Lisa has a new boyfriend, Adam, a police officer.  Adam comes with an over-protective mother who cannot remember Lisa's name. Well she cannot compare to Adam's late wife Melissa,  who was an excellant cook.


Adam and his mother believe Lisa is a great cook after a misunderstanding. Lisa believes she needs to keep up the charade to compare with Adam's great cooking skills and those of his late wife. Adam doesn't want Lisa to know he cannot cook to her standards.  A recipe for disaster!


Lisa agrees to cater for the Golf club function to impress Adam's mother or is that Adam?   Can she pull it off?  Maybe with the help of best friend, Becky, who seems to be distracted by a rather delicious photographer!


An unusual recipe book with a hot and steamy rom com in between the recipes.
All the recipes are clearly laid out with full instructions. Measurements are in cups, measuring cups can be bought in the shops.
I laughed out loud and had the family thinking I was losing the plot!


4.5 out of 5 for me.  I loved it! 

Review - Ros - Dee DeTarsio

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Just Publishing (6 Oct 2011)
• ASIN: B005TLFMGW

The blurb

When a plane crashed behind Micki Cramer's house, in San Diego, California, she kept waiting for the sirens and rescue team to show up. As the first responder, it was up to her to tug on the arm that was waving out of the broken wreckage. Holding her breath against the choking smoke, she managed to get the pilot out and carry him to safety into her backyard. He wasn't that heavy; he was about the size of her 10-year-old nephew, who did play a lot of video games and ate nothing but Flamin' Hot Cheetos, but still. As it turns out, he wasn't a guy after all.

Ros, the pilot, was on a mission to find her missing brother who had crash-landed at Roswell, New Mexico in 1947. Seems she was a bad driver, too, missing her target by nearly a thousand miles and more than half a century.

If Ros can teach Micki how to use eleven percent of her brain, how can Micki help Ros?

This story is ET meets chick lit.

A fun and alternative chick lit read.  If you are looking for something that is out of the ordinary, out of this world, this is a great read for you.

2.5 out of 5 for me, but please do try this if you are looking for a fun read that is different.

Review copy

DizzyC

Review - Reaching for the Stars - Janice Horton

Kindle edition

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Thornhill Print (4 Dec 2011)
• ASIN: B006ICFIZG

Celebrity chef Finn McDuff is on the verge of meltdown. He has just been dumped by his third wife. He has lost a wife for each of the 3 Golden stars he has achieved as a top chef. It all becomes to much for him when 2 rival journalists, Raine and Ross, begin delving into his private life and his past. Finn, heads for the peace and quiet of rural Scotland in the hope that no-one can find him and he can take stock of his life, but a celeb chef cannot just disappear without being noticed. So begins a very public "hunt the chef" campaign. Finn was an adorable, but flawed character. He was a gentleman to the end, but his record shows he is just rubbish at relationships. His 3 Golden Stars for being a great chef cost him 3 wives. I just had to feel sorry for him. He deserved another chance. Raine and Ross were the double act in the story. Raine was torn between the big scoop and doing the right thing. Ross was just after that big scoop. The storyline, set in Scotland, had me engaged right to the very end, with some very funny moments and some "I didn't see that coming" moments, too . All the characters were lovable, even Ross, in his own way. I loved it! 5 out of 5 for me!

Review - Postcards from the Heart - Ella Griffin

• Publisher: Orion (15 Sep 2011)
• 
  
• ISBN-13: 978-1409120698

The Blurb

Saffy has a dream job at a top Dublin ad agency. She's got her high-maintenance, purple-boot-wearing mother at a safe distance.  And she thinks her actor boyfriend Greg - the next Colin Farrell - is finally going to propose.

Conor worships the beautiful Jess. But after sever years and twins, she still won't marry him. He spends his days teaching terrifying teenagers and his nights writing the book he hopes will change everything - including her mind.

But happy endings are playing hard to get......

There are 3 stories unfolding in this delightful read.  


Saffy and Greg are the couple about town.  He is the soap hunk, with a funny problem with sayings,  and she has a successful career in advertising.  The novel begins on Valentine's night, when Saffy feels sure Greg is about to propose.  Disaster strikes at the restaurant.


Conor and Jess are comfortable with each other, having lived together for 7 years and having twins, Lizzie and Luke.  Jess is quite happy with the ways things are....or is she?


Saffy has a strained relationship with her mother and the reason for this is deep-rooted and is revealed in the novel.  Circumstances are about to change this relationship.  


The Postcards from the Heart actually came from a source that I had not guessed.  I would like to have seen more of this part of the story earlier in the novel, but it was a very moving part of the novel.


Ella Griffin has written a comman tale of relationships but given it more of a rollercoaster ride.  Her comic timing at some of the most poignant moments was fabulous.  I would just be feeling emotional and a laugh would come along.


4 out of 5 for me!


Review copy


DizzyC

Review - Confessions of a Karaoke Queen - Ella Kingsley

• 
  
• Publisher: Sphere (8 Dec 2011)
• ISBN-13: 978-0751545944

The blurb

Maddie Mulhern is suddenly in charge. 


Her parents - former 80s pop duo Pineapple Mist - have left for the summer on a nostalgia tour, entrusting her to manage their struggling karaoke bar, Sing It Back. Panicking over the dodgy finances, Maddie takes a gamble: she signs up for a fly-on-the-wall reality TV series. With her faithful staff (divalicious drag queen Ruby, shy barman Simon and wannabe actress Jasmine) she'll transform the bar into a huge success. Simple. Right? 


Executive Producer Evan Bergman knows that scandal sells. It's no coincidence that he hires cool, attractive Nick Craven as director. Evan wants drama on screen - and he'll do anything to get it. As the series builds to a live finale, will Maddie see the truth in a Careless Whisper? Will Nick be able to keep his Poker Face? 


One thing's for sure: we all do things at karaoke that we regret ...


With a fabulous cast of friends and work colleagues, Maddie and co entertained me with a nostalgic look back over the music of the 80's, even though some of them were seeing the music as retro 80's and had not been there themselves.  


I had to pause at the beginning of each new chapter as these were each titled after a famous track from my teen years, and I had to sing along, in my head.   On the downside, and this is only a little downside, was that I found the many references to music slowed the story down a little.


The characters, even those with dubious intentions, had their own part to play in the future of Pinapple Mist, the Karaoke Bar that needed reviving and bringing into this century.


My favourite characters were Ruby and Louise.  I have to say, I did not like Maddie at the beginning of the story.  She was a little too dizzy for me and I was not happy that she jumped into a contract so casually.
This would all change as I followed her story and I changed my view of her.


If you lived for 80's music or love the retro feel of the 80's you will enjoy this novel.






3.5 out of 5 for me!


Thank you to Sphere for a review copy

Review - The Magic of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

• Publisher: Avon (27 Oct 2011)
• 
  
• ISBN-13: 978-1847561169

The blurb (from Amazon)

In the pretty Lancashire village of Middlemoss, Lizzy is on the verge of leaving her cheating husband, Tom, when tragedy strikes. Luckily she has welcome distraction in the Christmas Pudding Circle, a group of friends swapping seasonal recipes – as well as a rivalry with local cookery writer Nick over who will win Best Mince Pie at the village show…

Meanwhile, the whole village is gearing up for the annual Boxing Day Mystery Play. But who will play Adam to Lizzy’s Eve? Could it be the handsome and charismatic soap actor Ritch, or could someone closer to home win her heart? Whatever happens, it promises to be a Christmas to remember!

Previously published as Sweet Nothings, Trisha has extensively reworked the original novel with fabulous new extra material

Like any great British drama, the village cast list is rich with characters including a new vicar, WI group, drama group (if only for Boxing Day), gamekeeper, and author, to name a few.   Although there are many characters, it was easy to get to know them as the author describes their colourful characters so well.


When most couples facing an empty nest are making plans about how they are going to spend their time together, Lizzy, our storyteller, is planning to leave her husband Tom once her son, Jasper, has flown the nest and moves to Uni.  Her plans are scrapped when Tom, shockingly leaves her!  This leaves Lizzy with mixed emotions.

Lizzy is surrounded by a network of friends and neighbours in the delightful village of Middlemoss, who can help her come to terms with it all.  Jasper is just about to go to Uni, her latest installment of The Perseverance Chronicles is due to go to print and there the preparations for Christmas to see to.
Best friend Annie is close by and there is also Tom's relatives, Unks, Mimi and of course, Nick.
The Magic of Christmas begins in August, when the Christmas Pudding Circle begin their meetings to plan and prepare for the festive season.  The Village Players are also beginning rehearsals for the Boxing Day Mystery play.  I loved the way Trisha described the preparations for the festive season, with all the lovely recipes.  I had to keep reminding myself that the story was actually taking place in the months leading up to December.

I was really looking forward to getting my hands on this festive read from Trisha Ashley after I had enjoyed Chocolate Wishes last year.   .    I was not disappointed by Trisha's latest offering. The author brings humour to the complicated state of affairs in her characters' lives and with a fast paced series of events, there is never a dull moment. 


A superb festive comedy drama.


This would appeal to chick-lit, rom-com fans and especially those of us older chick-lit fans.


This would be a great gift for mum for Christmas


5 out of 5 for me!

Review - Wrapped up in You - Carole Matthews

• Publisher: Sphere (27 Oct 2011)
• ISBN-13: 978-0751545098

The Blurb

A Christmas fling, or has Janie found the real thing? Thirty-something hairdresser Janie Johnson's single status is a constant source of gossip for her friends and clients. So after too many nights in with her cat, a blind date disaster and news that her ex is getting married, Janie realises it's time to do something dramatic with her life. It's time for an adventure! 


Leaving winter behind, Janie takes the plunge and books an exotic trip to Africa. Her friends think she's mad and Janie thinks they may very well be right ...but then she falls head over heels for her tour guide - and fully fledged Maasai Warrior - Dominic. But can Janie now face spending a snowy Christmas back home without him? 


Packed with unforgettable characters, romance and laughter, Wrapped Up In You is your very own perfect Christmas Carole!








Janie is just an ordinary girl,  and single for way too long.  So long that her friends and clients at the hairdressing salon are trying to fix up her love life.   She tries to convince even herself that she is happy being single.


Lovable Mike, is the divorcee from next door.  He is a good friend to Janie and she would be lost without him.  He is always there for Janie and wants to be more than just a good friend.


Lewis is Janie's  blind date, never to be repeated, who just doesn't get the message that Janie is not interested.  


One of Janie's regular customers suggests she goes on holiday to Africa.  Janie would never think of going to Africa on holiday alone!  But she does just that after blurting it out whilst trying to look for an excuse not to attend her ex-boyfriend's wedding!


Lovable Mike, takes Janie to the airport and tells Janie about his true feelings.   It is not what Janie wants right now.
Once Janie arrives in Africa she is still unsure how she managed to get into this situation.  How will she sleep at night with all those wild animals out there?  
That is where her Maasai Warrior guide, Dominic comes into the picture.  
Dominic is completely different to the last blind date, Lewis the creep.   Dominic is the perfect romantic and exotic hero without even trying.  


When Janie finishes her African holiday and returns home to England all she can think about is her holiday romance.  Was it just a holiday romance or can they have a future together when their lives are so different?


I really enjoyed a different take on boy meets girl in this storyline.  These two characters are so different and their lives are worlds apart.  It made for interesting reading, in amongst the love story, to discover the problems that these two characters would face trying to be together. The will it work, won't it work scenario had me gripped. 




I kicked off my festive seasonal reading with this review copy of Carole Matthews latest novel.  I would recommend this as a perfect festive read. Fellas - this would make a good stocking filler, too. 


It is like Shirley Valentine meets Out of Africa!


5 out of 5 for me!




Thank you to Sphere for sending me a review copy