Pretending to Dance- Diane Chamberlain

A new Diane Chamberlain book is always a treat- and this one was a great read.

Molly and Aiden want to adopt a baby but he doesn't know the full details of her childhood. Molly has distanced herself from all of her relations- but just what is she hiding from him. They are sent details of a young girl hoping to place her baby and have to put a profile together to get her to pick them!

I loved all the characters- we get the insight into why she has distanced herself from her past.

You can imagine Morrison's Ridge and all the people who live there.

With many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this wonderful book.

Four Weddings and a White Christmas

his was a lovely festive return to Cherry Pie Island. Although this is part of a series, it could be enjoyed as a great Christmassy stand alone read.

Hannah is designing wedding dresses for some of the local brides and you get caught up in the family atmosphere getting the dress ready for the first brides big day. She also meets Harry, who is a chef working in America. Their first meeting doesn't go that well- but there is a spark between them and it's great to see a relationship possibility running through the book.

The characters are like old friends and the setting , especially when the snow falls, makes you truly believe that you are there with them all. We also return to the Dandelion cafe which sounds such a wonderful place.

The cover really would pull you towards it on the bookstand and I'd love a paper copy for my favourites shelf at home. It's one of those series I can't wait to read.

With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

The Things we do for love- Alice Peterson

I always really enjoy Alice Peterson books and this one was no exception. She draws such wonderful characters and touches subjects sensitively. She always carries out extensive research which shows. She has a wonderful writing style.

January looks after her young daughter, who has cerebal palsy, on her own. She grew up with loving grandparents. The book switches easily from the past to the present. January lost her own parents when she was a baby.

There is also a wonderful dog character in the book- which I’ve come to expect to see in one of Alice’s books! I love canine characters in books.

A lovely account of family relationships full of love and romance which draws you in and makes you relax into the armchair with a lovely cuppa and the knowledge that you are reading a wonderful story.

With many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this beautiful book

The Misadventures of a Playground mother- Christie Barlow

I loved this book about life in a country village and having to endure the mums at the school gate every day.

The scenes made me smile along and wonder just what else could happen!

Rachel is ambushed by Penelope and finds her planned holiday to her villa in Spain turned into a joint trip, without her even having being asked. I was so indignant for her I found myself telling my husband what Penelope was up to next..

New friendships are formed and seemingly in the unlikeliest of places at times. I loved the holiday descriptions- even though it had me bristling on their behalf!

I found I missed the first book in this series- so I will be buying that for my kindle and I’m keen to catch up on their future plans mentioned at the end of this book.

With many thanks to Bookoutre (one of my favourite publishers) and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Another 5* read for me.

Stirred with Love- Marcie Steele

This was such a wonderful read- for a fairly short book it packs a lot of heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes.

Chloe and Kate answer an advert for staff for a coffee shop after wanting to make a change in their own lives. Chloe sees it as a chance to spread her wings before Uni and Kate needs to escape her life and make changes.

Lily the owner wants to renew the coffee shop and enlists their help to make an adorable sounding Coffee Stop. You get to know the builders, Lily's friends and the new customers. Will there be a spark of romance anywhere?

I loved the scenes between Lily and the 'girls'- she sees them as the daughters she never had. You could just feel the coffee shop providing everyone with the chance to regroup and enjoy the camaraderie and friendship and heal.

I was so sorry to come to the end- maybe there is a chance to return to the Coffee Stop at some point?!

With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this wonderful book.

Raincoats and Retrievers- Cressida McLaughlin

Another lovely book in the Primrose Terrace Series. Cat can't help getting involved in the lives of the people she dog walks for. She just wants to make everyone's lives better. She manages to meet up with Mark - but is Joe holding a secret torch for her too? She gets involved in another local cause and it's lovely to see the residents come together again.

I can't wait for the last part of this story set at Christmas.

With many thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book

The Sea between us- Emylia Hall

This book has everything that would draw me to choose a book. It has a gorgeous atmospheric cover, it’s set in Cornwall and has a beautiful writing style. I enjoyed her previous book, too.

Robyn is saved from drowning by one of her neighbours- Jago. It links their lives forever from that point. They follow different paths in life- but will fate bring them back together at some point in the future? The characters are really well drawn and have you rooting them.

I was drawn in from the start and completely lost myself within the pages and the beautiful Cornish scenery. Another book that I wish could have gone on forever!

With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.

 Another 5* read for me.