Tag: 5*

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

Join me today for my review for Summer Nights at The Starfish Cafe by Jessica Redland

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

I absolutely love a book by the amazing Jessica Redland and what an emotional read this was.

This story pulled at the heart strings from start to finish as Hollie and Jake prepare to get married and we get to spend more time with Kerry and her wonderful children.

Throughout this story there are many highs and lows for the wonderful staff of Starfish Cafe, that make you feel emotionally connected. Once again I’ve laughed and I’ve cried as the story has explored many aspects of life and how we all experience the wonderful highs and the heartbreaking lows.

A story rich in wonderful characters and strong storylines and I loved it from beginning to end. I am so sad this was the last one as I just love the characters and beautiful location for these books.

Book Blurb

Welcome back to The Starfish Café for a glorious summer, but with a few dark clouds on the horizon…

A new beginning…

As her summer wedding to Jake approaches, Hollie is excited for their new beginning as a family. But when some unexpected news threatens the future she and Jake had hoped for, Hollie will need to find the strength to overcome heartache once more.

A fragile heart….

Single mum, Kerry, loves her job at The Starfish Café, but behind the brave smiles and laughter with customers there is a sadness deep within. So when someone from her past re-appears in her life, Kerry can either hide away or face her demons and try to finally move on from her heartbreak.

A summer to remember…

For Hollie and Kerry it promises to be an emotional rollercoaster of a summer, but the community at The Starfish Café will always be there to help them through – after all, with courage nothing is impossible…

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

Social Media Links 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004465368404 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland 

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/ 

Many Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the blog tour. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x

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Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

Who loves a 5* beach read? Check out my latest review for the wonderful Island in the Sun by Kate Frost

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

Wowser what a read! I love books by Kate Frost and jumped at the chance to read this one when it popped up in my emails.

Tabitha is a character I could instantly connect to with her love of animals and music she reminded me of my teenage daughter. It was really easy to get a feel for Tabitha, although we only find out why she is country bouncing constantly as the story starts to develop. I loved the inspiration behind this story and from the first chapter was keen to keep reading and shut out the rest of the world.

When Raff unexpectedly enters Tabitha’s world you aren’t sure which direction the story will take, with them both being as shocked as the other and trying to sum eachother up. Brimming with real life scenarios, compassionate people and beautiful furry companions I was totally invested in seeing if Tabitha could use the time in Madeira to put her demons to rest.

A story rich in beautiful descriptions, sunny skies and loyal friends. If you haven’t already grabbed yourself a copy, don’t waste any time as between the sunny skies and wonderful storyline, you’ll just want to keep reading and it’ll help keep the winter blues at bay.

Book Blurb

Running away is what Tabitha Callahan does best until saying goodbye becomes too hard…

When successful songwriter Tabitha Callahan swaps a summer of sadness for pet sitting around the world, she intends to use the time to heal her broken heart.

Tabitha can’t believe her luck when she picks up a housesit on the rugged and beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira.

The villa is luxurious, the views breath-taking and her charges, a gorgeous but aloof cat and two cute and friendly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are perfect companions while she works on some new material and attempts to reconcile her past.

However, her peace is shattered when an unexpected house guest puts paid to her much-needed time alone, forcing her to confront not only her feelings but what she actually wants from life.

New friends and old dominate her time on the island, along with deep-rooted regret and unspoken sorrow.

Will a year of running away be enough to put the past to rest and allow someone new to inch into her heart?

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Kate Frost is the author of several bestselling romantic escape novels including The Greek Heart, and The Love Island Bookshop. She lives in Bristol and is the Director of  Storytale Festival, a book festival for children and teens she co-founded in 2019.

Social Media Links

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/katefrostauthor 

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/katefrostauthor 

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/katefrostauthor/ 

Newsletter Sign Up:https://bit.ly/KateFrostNewsletter 

Many Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the blog tour. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x

Posted in 5*, Blog Tour, Young Readers 5-9, Younger Readers

Today I am excited to be joining a slightly different tour as we think about what to get the kids for Christmas. Check out our review for Hound on a Scrounge by Maria Bucci

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

Meet Buddy as he kicks off this interactive story that will have the kids wanting to mimic what he is doing, whilst also learning about the history behind an Afternoon Tea. I can just imagine kids pretending to sit under the table whilst waiting for the next page to be be read and see what their next instruction involves.

With fun images throughout the story, the writing is a great size and is clear to understand making it easy for both adults to read to children at night or for kids to attempt to read themselves. Plus it is a total bargain, making it an absolute steal to add to their Christmas presents this year.

We loved reading this one and have read it a few times and enjoyed it with and without using the illustrations to add extra context and laughter to the story. This story will be great even for the more reluctant readers due to the quirkiness and style in which it has been written and illustrated.

Book Blurb

“Sniff, Snuffle, Sniff!”

“Can you smell the delicious aroma coming from this book?

It’s time for afternoon Tea…Slurrrp!”

Meet Buddy.  He loves food, food and more food.  But he’s not just a hound on a scrounge – Buddy has a wonderful true story about afternoon tea that he would love to share with you.

“I hope you can join me…ooh, but hurry! They’re bringing out the food…Woofety Woof! 

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

I have always loved children’s books and, after studying various picture book courses, I decided to take the plunge and write my own. Hoping to educate and entertain, as well as involve the young reader, my debut also includes a bit of history. When I’m not writing, I enjoy taking the real Buddy hound on long walks and spending time with my family. I also love to bake, sing and paint but sadly, I have not mastered doing all three at the same time!

Social Media Links 

https://www.instagram.com/Mariabucci_author/

Hound on a Scrounge
Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

Today I am delighted to be sharing my review for the Final Book in the series Happy Endings at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

I was super excited to hear this book was being released as I absolutely love reading books by this wonderful author and I have loved this series.

Over this series we have spent time with Laurie, Ivy and Nerissa and gotten to know these wonderful ladies and their families. In this story it is picked up with Aurora who was in the beginning of the series and now working in America whilst Nick is moving on with his life after completing the warehouse conversion.

I quickly found myself immersed in the story as I remembered these wonderful characters and where we had last left the story. I always find that with books by this author, I just want to keep reading. They always have such a feel good factor about them whilst having the ability to make you laugh and occasionally cry throughout.

I am so sad to have reached the end of this series, but I absolutely loved revisiting Mermaids Point and watching Nerissa marrying the lovely Tom and seeing who would also find their happily ever afters.

Book Blurb

Music sensation Aurora Storm finally has her career back on track, but then she’s caught up in a media storm. Desperate to distract from the story, she enlists the one man she trusts to pretend to be her boyfriend. 

Meanwhile, in the small seaside village of Mermaids Point, Nick Morgan never expected to see Aurora again. When she calls out of the blue needing his help, he agrees at once. It feels like she’s back in his life for a reason, and he’s determined to make the most of it.

Aurora joins Nick and the rest of his family for their festive celebrations and, as the snow falls, Aurora finds herself caught up in the romance of Christmas. But having tasted worldwide fame, can she ever be content with village life? 

Two weeks is all Nick has to prove to Aurora that there’s a happy ending for them both in Mermaids Point.

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.

Social Media Links

Facebook: Sarah Bennett Author | Facebook 

Twitter: Sarah Bennett (@Sarahlou_writes) / Twitter 

Instagram: Sarah Bennett (@sarahlbennettauthor) • Instagram photos and videos 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SarahBennettnews 

Bookbub profile: Sarah Bennett Books – BookBub 

Many Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the blog tour. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

I am delighted to joining the blog tour for the latest release Confetti at the Hummingbird Hotel by Daisy James

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

Oh wow what a story! I have been loving this series and once again it’s a book full of laughter, love and some averted disasters.

Daisy James has a wonderful way with words and this story is written in such a way you can visualise the characters and the scenery as the story unfolds in front of you. Abbie & Nikos are wonderful leading characters and they have such an amazing support system

I found this story emotional as they experience the lead up the wedding with lots going on and some big decisions to be made. I couldn’t decide on which way I thought their decision should away and what the knock on impacts would be to all of their wonderful family and friends.

Once again a superb story that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy and with a lump in your throat.

Book Blurb

Welcome back to the Hummingbird Hotel!

When Abbie Coleman is asked to organise a Dance & Desserts retreat for a group of exhausted schoolteachers, she decides to pull out all the stops. With line dancing, flamenco and the Charleston on the agenda, along with a whole host of delicious themed desserts, it’s her chance to prove to everyone that she has – at last – gained the skills needed to be an accomplished hotelier. This time she’s determined there will be no “unfortunate incidents” that make the Hummingbird Hotel look like Corfu’s Comedy Central.

With her big fat Greek wedding to the gorgeous Nikos Angelopoulos only three weeks away, will she finally be able to deliver a retreat without the habitual chaos and calamity the hotel has become famous for? Can she turn a clunky chicken dance into a classy Charleston and a boogie-woogie into a beautiful ballet? Or will she be boot scootin’ it back to London and life as a floundering florist?

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations – the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence – so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks, or on Instagram @daisyjamesstories.

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009889775019

Twitter: https://twitter.com/daisyjamesbooks 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisyjamesstories/ 

Website: https://daisyjames.co.uk/ 

Many Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the blog tour. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction

Let’s end the day with our review for the wonderful An Italian Dream by Kate Frost

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

What a wonderful story set in a gorgeous destination, full of sunshine, cocktails and food with the added addition of wonderful friendships both old and new.

I loved meeting Stella & Fern and learning about their friendship and looking back over the past 20 years as they both head towards their 40th birthdays. Fern fell pregnant with her twins at just 18 years old and so her life took a very unexpected turn, whilst her best friend although she fell pregnant young has lived a very different life.

I love books by Kate Frost, she always takes us to beautiful destinations that make you feel as if you are really there and soaking in the atmosphere alongside the wonderful characters that she creates.

A truly wonderful summer read, that is perfect for a lazy day in the sun to make you want to reach for your cocktail glass and soak up the summer rays.

Book Blurb

Follow your heart and then your dreams…

Best friends since childhood, Fern Chambers and Stella Shaw have been through everything together and are at a crossroads in their lives.

Carefree Stella has a monumental secret and put upon Fern’s happy life is not all it seems.

With their 40th birthdays approaching, a luxury holiday to the island of Capri is a chance for them to reconnect, let their hair down and celebrate in style. But untold truths and frustration bubble beneath the surface, turning what should be a holiday of a lifetime into an opportunity to make life-changing decisions.

Far from home, where anything feels possible, secrets are revealed, heartache is shared, love discovered and new friendships forged.

Will their Italian dream turn into a nightmare or lead to newfound happiness?

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Kate Frost is the author of several bestselling romantic escape novels including The Greek Heart, and The Love Island Bookshop. She lives in Bristol and is the Director of  Storytale Festival, a book festival for children and teens she co-founded in 2019. 

Social Media Links

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/katefrostauthor 

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/katefrostauthor 

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/katefrostauthor/ 

Newsletter Sign Up:https://bit.ly/KateFrostNewsletter 

Many Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the blog tour. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

Today I am delighted to join the blog tour for Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

I have loved Sarah Morgan books for many years and this story took us on a wonderful journey as life changes for Joanna for a final time as she welcomes Ashley into her life.

A story rich in love and loyalty as we get to know Joanna as an angst teenager, who makes a snap decision that influences the next 2 decades of her life.

As she decides to return home to Silver Point she needs to decide if this is a flying visit or something more permanent. A wonderful story, with lovely characters and friendships that help reconnect Joanna to her past and help to carve a new path for both herself and Ashley.

A story and characters that I’ve absolutely loved and am disappointed to have reached the end of.

Book Blurb

A marriage in the spotlight
Joanna Whitman’s high-profile marriage held more secrets than she cares to remember, so when her ex-husband dies, she doesn’t know what to feel. But when she discovers that he’s left behind a pregnant young woman, Joanna is forced to act. She knows exactly how brutal the spotlight on them both will be…unless she can find a way for them to disappear.

A beach house hideaway
Ashley Blake is amazed when Joanna suggests they lie low at her beach house in her sleepy Californian hometown. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But alone and pregnant, Ashley needs all the support she can find.

A summer of new beginnings
Joanna’s only goal for the summer is privacy. All Ashley wants is space to plan for her and her baby’s future. But when an old flame reappears, and secrets spill out under the hot summer sun, this unlikely friendship is put to the test…

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of romance and women’s fiction. She has sold over 21 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe.

Sarah lives near London, England and when she isn’t writing or reading, she likes to spend time outdoors hiking or riding her mountain bike.

Join Sarah’s mailing list at http://www.sarahmorgan.com for all book news.

For more insight into her writing life follow her on Facebook at www.facebook/AuthorSarahMorgan and on Instagram at @sarahmorganwrites Contact Sarah at sarah@sarahmorgan.com

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit

Today I am delighted to be joining the blog tour for The Girls by Bella Osborne

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

What a story! I loved the last book by Bella Osborne and this one had me hooked!

I loved meeting the Girls, in a book that will make you laugh and cringe throughout. As Zara pulls back together the girls she house shared with before she was famous, we get a glimpse into all of their lives and what has led them to be at the point in their lives where they all uproot to go and live with Zara.

A story that had me hooked from the moment I picked it up, I loved reading about the funny anecdotes and the wonderfully varied personalities of the girls and how they manage to slot together to muddle along.

Grab a copy of this wonderful book as you won’t be disappointed!

Book Blurb

Four old friends. Thrown back together after forty years apart. What could possibly go wrong?

In the 1970s, The Girls were best friends sharing a house and good times: Zara the famous diva actor, Val the uptight solicitor, Jackie the wild child and Pauline the quirky introvert. Now they’re in their twilight years, and Zara suggests that they live with her to support each other through old age.

Initially, being housemates again is just as much fun as in their heyday. But then Zara reveals the real reason she asked them to move in with her, and suddenly things take a sinister turn.

As the women confront their demons they come under the spotlight of the press, the police and an angry parrot. With their lives spiralling out of control can they save their friendships and each other?

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

Bella Osborne has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. In 2016, her debut novel, It Started At Sunset Cottage, was shortlisted for the Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year and RNA Joan Hessayon New Writers Award. Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories. Bella believes that writing your own story really is the best fun ever, closely followed by talking, eating chocolate, drinking fizz and planning holidays. She lives in the Midlands, UK with her lovely husband and wonderful daughter, who thankfully, both accept her as she is (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).

Social Media Links

Twitter: @osborne_bella

Facebook: @BellaOsborneAuthor

Instagram: @bellaosborneauthor

Many thanks for the invitation to read and review your latest release.

Massive thanks to everyone who has stopped by to visit my blog, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love far and wide!

Have a great day

Daisy, Jacks & Kel x

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Contemporary Fiction

Today I am delighted to be sharing my 5* review for With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

Today I am so excited to be sharing my review for this superb story, I picked it up whilst on holiday to read and was instantly transported into the world of the wonderful Lorelai. I loved this book so much that I preordered a copy for my best friend and she is currently reading it and absolutely loving it as well.

When you first meet Lorelai you don’t think much of the fact that she is quite content working at the cinema and living with her best friend. However as you get to know her, you learn about how she learnt about her secret and the impact this has then had on her life.

I found this a refreshing read and totally different to anything else that I have read this year, making it really memorable. Lorelai was a complex character that avoided all relationships and affection in the hope of not revealing her secret to anyone.

This was my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be my last as I was totally absorbed and just loved getting to know these wonderful characters.

Book Blurb

If you knew how your love story ends, would you dare to begin?

From the outside, Lorelai is an ordinary young woman with a normal life. She loves reading, she works at the local cinema and she adores living with her best friend. But she carries a painful burden, something she’s kept hidden for years; whenever she kisses someone on the lips, she sees how they are going to die.

Lorelai has never known if she’s seeing what was always meant to be, or if her kiss is the thing that decides their destiny. And so, she hasn’t kissed anyone since she was eighteen.

Then she meets Grayson. Sweet, clever, funny Grayson. And for the first time in years she yearns for a man’s kiss. But she can’t…or can she? And if she does, should she try to intervene and change what she sees?

Spellbinding, magical and utterly original, With This Kiss is one love story you will never forget.

Available to purchase here

Many thanks for the invitation to read and review your latest release.

Massive thanks to everyone who has stopped by to visit my blog, please remember to like and share to help spread the book love far and wide!

Have a great day

Daisy, Jacks & Kel x

Posted in 5*, Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, Chick Lit, Publication Day

Happy Publication Day to one of my favourite authors T.A Williams who today releases – An Escape to Remember

Posted on by LovetheSmellofaBook

My Review

Another superb read by the wonderfully talented T.A Williams, I am a massive fan of his books and always jump at the chance to read his new release.

Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Italy, this story is rich in both landscape and romance. We meet Louise as she discovers her love life isn’t at all where she thought it was and accepts a new assignment in Italy renovating a gorgeous old hotel.

Louise is a wonderful leading lady who is full of warmth and compassion and not what you would have expected for someone completing the job she had been sent to the hotel to complete. She was far from the stereotypical trouble shooter and a pleasure to get to know during this story.

Brimming with wonderful views, sunny walks and unrequited love, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the atmosphere that is created within the story. As always it’s a pleasure to visit a gorgeous location and read all of the wonderful descriptions that make you feel like you are right there alongside them. I can’t wait to recommend this one as it’s the perfect way to kick off the warmer weather.

Book Blurb

She needed a getaway. What she found was a home.

When Louise surprises her boyfriend by returning early from a work trip, safe to say she wasn’t expecting to see him in flagrante delicto with another woman. Heart-torn and vowing to stay away from men, when Louise’s next project involves restoring an ageing hotel in Italy, she leaps at the chance to get away.

Managed by a crew of sextagenarians, the Grand Hotel del Monferrato needs all the love and care Louise can give it. But it’s hard to stay focused on the job when her thoughts keep straying to Vito, the reclusive and mysterious neighbour.

With his tragic past and her no-romance policy, Louise knows they can’t have a future. Yet something keeps pulling the two together…

A beautiful romance set in the hills of Turin

Available to purchase here

Meet the Author

I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.

The fact that I am now writing escapist romance is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations, even if travel to them is currently difficult.

Social Media Links

Website: www.tawilliamsbooks.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tawilliamsbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks/

Many Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the blog tour. Please remember to like and share to help spread the book love

Thanks for visiting Love the Smell of a Book today and I hope you have a great day!

Daisy & Kel x