Book Review: I Should Be So Lucky by Judy Astley

Reviewer: Tammy

At the age of 39- poor Viola has already had her fair share of bad turns with life.  From two wrong marriages, to now having to have her and her daughter, Rachel, live with her mum, Viola feels like her life is stuck in a pit.  After a party with friends and an unwanted meeting with her siblings, Viola realizes it’s time to take charge of her own life.  Time for her and Rachel to move out on their own, and even better, for a new man to step in.  Cue up Greg Fabian…  a stranger she meets in the night, who’s carrying shovels in the middle of nowhere.  With a little unexpected help from her outgoing mum, to her gay ex-husband and his sister, begins the journey of finding the life she was always supposed to live.

This is my first time reading a book by Judy Astley… someone I am definitely going to check out more of.  (Having almost 20 more books, I think I have some good reading ahead of me.)  I was timid at first about this book, as it was a little slow to start.  But after only a few chapters, I found myself caught up in not only a wonderful love story, but mini-adventures with some of the minor characters.  I especially loved Rachel and her trials of just trying to grow up.  Some may say that parts of the story are a little predictable, but to me, that’s what made it so comfortable.  It was fun and real at the same time.  Sometimes knowing the outcome makes life a little easier to go through.

3 stars

Book Review: Don’t Tell the Groom by Anna Bell

I received a copy of Don’t Tell the Groom by Anna Bell in exchange for an honest review. Since my wedding is only six months away, I haven’t been able to say no to a book revolving around weddings as of late. Fortunately for me, I seem to be loving them all! In Don’t Tell the Groom, our blushing bride-to-be is Penny, who finds herself in a bit of a sticky situation. Penny and fiancé Mark have been building up their wedding fund so they could afford a fab shindig. Penny took up online bingo to help pad the account – only she lost more than she won, and now the account has been cut it half. Penny doesn’t want to admit her mistake and risk losing Mark, so she now needs to figure out how to have their lavish affair on a tight budget…and make sure Mark doesn’t find out!

What a hoot of a book! I was able to relate to Penny from the get-go, and I thought the spin on her gambling addiction was unique and really interesting. Poor Penny wasn’t trying to harm anyone by her bingo ways, she really, well naively, thought she was helping. I thought it was admirable that she got help, and what I really liked is that she wouldn’t accept help from others in order to get by. She realized she made the mistake and she really owned up to it. Of course if she would have told Mark that would have been the best for everyone, but then we wouldn’t have had a fun novel to read, right? I recommend this one!

4.5 stars

Book Review: The School Gates by Nicola May

I received a copy of The School Gates by Nicola May in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

At 3.10pm every weekday, parents gather at Featherstone Primary in Denbury to collect their children.

For a special few, the friendships forged at the school gates will see them through lives filled with drama, secrets and sorrows. When Yummy Mummy Alana reveals the identity of her love-child’s father, she doesn’t expect the consequences to be quite so extreme. Ex Czech au-pair Earth Mummy Dana finds happiness in her secret sideline, but really all she longs for is another child. Slummy Mummy Mo’s wife-beating husband leads her down a path she never thought possible, and Supper Mummy Joan has to cope when life deals her a devastating blow.

And what of Gay Daddy Gordon? Will he be able to juggle parenthood and cope with his broken heart at the same time?

Four very different mothers. One adorable dad. And the intertwining trials and tribulations that a year at the primary school gates brings.

My Review:

Oh, this book had me laughing out loud at times! There are so many families and key players to this book, and the pages are filled with love, deceit, friendship and betrayal. They are all brought together because of their children, who attend Featherstone Primary. Some have true friendships. Some are frenemies. Some are sleeping together – even those who shouldn’t be.  The trials and tribulations of The School Gates kept me interested and happily reading, even though sometimes I had trouble keeping up with the plethora of characters we meet. A fun chick lit read!

3.5 stars

Book Review: A French Affair by Katie Fforde

I received a copy of A French Affair by Katie Fforde in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Gina and Sally Makepiece have inherited a stall in the French House – an antiques centre nestled in the heart of the English countryside.

Gina is determined to drag the French House and its grumpy owner into the twenty-first century. Bearing all the attributes of a modern-day Mr Rochester, Matthew Ballinger is less than happy with the whirlwind that has arrived on his doorstep.

The last thing either of them want is to fall in love.

But will a trip to France change their minds?

My Review:

I thought A French Affair was a cute read, but a bit predictable and sometimes on the dull side. I never quite got fully invested in the story, but it was able to keep my interest enough to finish reading. Gina and Sally make a great pair, and their antics gave me a few laughs along the way. The romance was the predictable part, but sometimes that just is how it is. I liked the parts about the French House and how they are trying to learn the antique business. That seemed fun and original, but sometimes a few of the plot points didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. In all it was a cute book, but not a favorite of mine.

3.5 stars

 

Book Review: Bella Summer Takes a Chance by Michele Gorman

I received a copy of Bella Summer Takes a Chance by Michele Gorman in exchange for an honest review. Gorman is one of my favorite chick lit writers and I enjoy her books. This one was no different, and it was a quick read that I laughed throughout. Bella, or B., is the main character, who breaks up with her long-time boyfriend after realizing she loves him but isn’t in love with him, and starts taking more chances in her life. She tries to revive her singer career and find her Mr. Right, all while juggling her social life and hilarious cast of friends.

Bella Summer Takes a Chance is a well-written novel that is highly entertaining from page one and throughout. I loved Bella as a heroine because she finally realizes that she needs to take chances in life and won’t let anyone or anything bring her down. Her story is empowering and I absolutely love that in my reads. This book is also big on comedy. I had a hoot with Bella’s ex, her pregnant friend, and especially the adorable Marjorie. Filled with quirky characters and a lovely wrap up at the end, this is one for chick lit fans to read!

 5 stars

Book Review: Sophie’s Run by Nicky Wells

I received a copy of Sophie’s Run in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Her famous star remains her rock while life takes her on a little detour…

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.

My Review:

I was so excited to catch up with Sophie once again. I highly enjoyed Sophie’s Turn, and was curious where life had taken her.  But things aren’t too grand in her life. A fire destroys her flat on her birthday, she meets the man that causes her to have a thunder and lightning moment but then can’t track him down, and an act of betrayal by her best friend is the final straw. Once again, I was invested in the story right off the bat, and felt like Sophie could be one of my best friends. I was enthralled by her love life and curious up until the end how everything would play out. I enjoyed the sub-plots as well, especially with her friend Rachel, and liked the sneak peek into the minds of some supporting characters about halfway through the book. I highly recommend both these novels from Nicky Wells!

4 stars

Sophie’s Run is now available in Kindle edition from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, and in Paperback edition from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. You can also get the paperback at Barnes & Noble.

Book Review: The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland

I received a copy of The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland in exchange for an honest review.

Ah, Talli Roland. Her books are always a treat to read, and she never fails to win me over with her sassy writing and loveable characters. Our heroine this time around is thirty-something Emma Beckett, who embodies a non-optimist life. She firmly believes in being realistic and not getting wrapped up in fantasy or hope. Her fiancé is a safe man, she works in insurance (everyone always needs that!) and she doesn’t trouble herself with silly time-wasters such as decorating her apartment. But when she gets fired and loses her fiancé back-to-back, Emma is shaken to say the least. When a friend challenges her to think like Pollyanna: glass half full, always seeing the upside, Emma takes it on. But will her decision turn out positively…or will Emma realize her old way of thinking was the best?

Emma literally cracked me up throughout this book. I was always laughing over her meticulous thought plans, her carefully constructed life. This book whizzed by for me, filled with snappy dialogue, a crew of some pretty fun characters, and a fab story-teller at the helm. I adored the skiddy romance between Emma and Will, and enjoyed the sub-plots that Rolland built in for her characters.  The ending was right-on, and this is another chick lit book you must add on your to-read list!

[Rating: 4.5]

 

Book Review: Horse Play by Jo Carnegie

I received a copy of Horse Play by Jo Carnegie in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Churchminster village – picturesque, quaint, sleepy – or not…A place where women know exactly what they want, and it’s not cream tea with the vicar. A place where anything can happen …so be careful what you wish for. And a place where the men had better behave …because the ladies won’t take it lying down (well, not unless they want to!).

Review:

I was a bit hesitant to start this book because the thickness scared me. I had a print copy, and I imagined it taking me weeks to be able to finish this lengthy book. I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to dive right into the plot and really enjoy the story, not having to worry about timing issues because I was engrossed in the character’s lives. There are a lot of characters that get their POV time in this novel, but I think I did a good job at keeping everyone separated and learning all their stories. There is a lot of drama, a lot of romance, and I was very entertained throughout.

[Rating: 4]

Book Review: Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend by Sarra Manning

I received a copy of Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend by Sarra Manning in exchange for an honest review.

 Summary:

Hope Delafield hasn’t always had an easy life. She has red hair and a temper to match, as her mother is constantly reminding her. She can’t wear heels, is terrified of heights and being a primary school teacher isn’t exactly the job she dreamed of doing, especially when her class are stuck on the two times table. At least Hope has Jack, and Jack is the God of boyfriends. He’s sweet, kind, funny, has a killer smile, a cool job on a fashion magazine and he’s pretty (but in a manly way). Hope knew that Jack was The One ever since their first kiss after the Youth Club Disco and thirteen years later, they’re still totally in love. Totally. They’re even officially pre-engaged. And then Hope catches Jack kissing her best friend Susie…Does true love forgive and forget? Or does it get mad …and get even?

Review:

I thought this book was going to be a slam dunk for me. When I first started reading, I was wrapped up in Hope’s world and the drama of what the heck is happening between Jack and Susie. But not even halfway through, things just started going downhill for me. The pace slowed down and everything just seemed very long and drawn-out, and I thought quite a few scenes really didn’t belong in the story. The ending didn’t save it for me either, so just a novel that fell flat for me unfortunately.

[Rating: 2]

Book Review: A Girl’s Guide to Fairy Tales by Laurey Buckland

I received a copy of A Girl’s Guide to Fairy Tales by Laurey Buckland in exchange for an honest review. I am sucker for all things fairy tales, I love Disney princesses, so even though the book wasn’t quite in that realm, the title and cover still sparked my appeal. The novel follows four friends – daydreamer Maddie, obsessive compulsive Clare, over dramatic Isobel, and happy-go-lucky Sophie. I know everyone thinks Sex and the City when you hear about four girlfriends, but I really didn’t think that for a second while reading. I thought the plot and the characters were very unique, as well as the author’s voice. I liked each individual character and that she got her own time in the spotlight. I found myself leaning on Sophie more because she had a lot of drama with her live-in boyfriend that I thought was really intriguing. I do wish there would have been some sort of heading when the POV’s changed, because it took me a while to get in the sync of things and that would have helped me out personally. But overall, a cute chick lit read from a new author that I very much enjoyed.

[Rating: 4]

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