Welcome to my blog, Kirsty’s Book Buying Addiction. It was hard to come up with a name for this blog but with a friend’s help this is it! I seem to have the problem of buying and downloading books and not a lot of time to read them. I also love discovering new and upcoming authors so please any recommendations throw them my way! 😊
The main aim of my blog is to just spread the love of reading. For me reading is my escape I love going into a different world and I need that in my life to be able to deal with my health. I’ve always been an avid reader as far as I can remember, going to the library a lot as a child especially.
Please send any review requests to me through my twitter account via DM @KirstyOughton26 😊📚
No man can be as good as the one in your imagination…
Librarian Liv Thomas has always dreamed of writing a romance novel. But she’s stuck when it comes to creating a romantic hero – sadly – lacking anyone in real life to base him on.
When her brother suggests his best friend stay in their shared flat for a few weeks, she can’t believe her bad luck. Aiden Rivers is irritating and pushes all her buttons. Worst of all, he’s gorgeous, has a sexy accent and reminds her of her all-time favourite character Mr Darcy.
Liv finds herself unexpectedly inspired and the leading man in her novel begins to bear an uncanny resemblance to Aiden. He can never find out though: she’d never live it down. Because Aiden can only ever be her love interest in the pages of her book – and definitely not in real life… right?!
My Review
“I just want you to be happy. You deserve that love that people write stories about”
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met”
“If there’s someone special in your life, make sure you tell them you love them”
After loving Victoria Walters’ ‘Glendale Hall’ series I couldn’t wait to read her latest book ‘The Love Interest’
Olivia loves to hate her brother’s best friend Aiden, however there is a lot more than meets the eye with these two, in this wonderful enemies to lovers story.
I loved Liv and the fact she works in the university’s library and that she’s a mega bookworm. I haven’t watched the classic Pride and Prejudice but I do know ‘that lake scene’
I thoroughly enjoyed this and couldn’t wait to pick it back up and become very invested in Liv and Aiden’s journey. I also loved her relationship with her brother. The cover may look sweet, but don’t let that deceive you because there is a few spicy scenes to boot!
I can’t wait to see what Victoria comes up with next as she’s one of my go to authors. This story is full of friendship, family and love 🥰💖
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Author Bio
Victoria Walters is a full-time author living in Surrey. Victoria writes the bestselling uplifting and romantic series GLENDALE HALL and the cosy crime series THE DEDLEY END MYSTERIES. She has been chosen for WHSmith Fresh Talent and shortlisted for two RNA awards. Victoria was also picked as an Amazon Rising Star. Her new sweet and spicy rom com THE LOVE INTEREST is available now.
Find out more about Victoria by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on Twitter at @Vicky_Walters or on Facebook at Victoria Walters author.
When no-nonsense, down-to-earth Maddie Wilcox is offered the chance to work on a luxury yacht for the summer, she can’t say no. Yes she’ll be waiting on the posh guests… But island-hopping around the Adriatic sea will more than make up for it – especially when Nick, her best friend Nina’s brother, is one of them.
Sparks fly when they meet on board and Maddie can’t believe self-entitled jerk Nick is really related to Nina. But in a secret, picture-perfect cove, away from the real world, Maddie and Nick discover they might have more in common than they realise…
My Review
“Where to?” “Wherever you want to go, as long as it’s with me”
I am enjoying this series by Julie Caplin so much I just had to read book five which was ‘A Secret Cove in Croatia’
We finally get to Maddie’s story, we first met Maddie back in book 2 in Paris. Maddie is asked to work on a luxury yacht in Croatia. Then she realises one of the party coming onto the yacht is non other than Nick who is Maddie’s best friend Nina’s brother.
I loved being transported to Croatia it sounds like an amazing idyllic place. The yacht also sounded incredible. I’d have taken Maddie’s chance too if I could. Everything about this was great the description of the places the quaint towns and of course the food.
I was totally invested in Maddie’s story I just wanted her to do well. Nick has a right time of it with the other snobby guests. I also enjoyed witnessing the character development with both Maddie and Nina.
I will definitely carry on with the romanctic escapes series straight away. I highly recommend this one for a lovely summer escape read for yourself 💖
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author Bio
Formerly a PR director, for many years Julie Caplin swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various European cities. It was a tough job but someone had to do it.
These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the best selling Romantic Escapes Series which began with The Little Café in Copenhagen, which was nominated for a Romantic Novel of the Year award. Since then she has set books in countries including Iceland, Japan and Paris. The series has been published in 20 territories from Brazil to Sweden and have become bestsellers in the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy.
The next book in the series A Villa With a View will be published on February 29, 2024 and is set on the glamorous Amalfi Coast. Final edits have just been submitted to the publisher and the gorgeous front cover has just gone up on Amazon.
Julie also writes best selling novels as Jules Wake, which include Covent Garden in the Snow, Notting Hill in the Snow, The Saturday Morning Park Run, From Italy with Love and The Spark.
Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.
Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…
As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?
My Review
“I’m the charity case here. It’s me. You’re the one bringing me back from extinction”
“That pales in comparison to what you’ve already done for me, Josephine. You make anything feel possible. You woke me up again”
I own a lot of Tessa Bailey books but most are yet to be read but I wanted to read ‘Fangirl Down’ asap and I’m so glad I did.
Josephine is a massive fan of Wells who is a pro golf player, in fact Josephine is Wells’ number one fan. When he gives up she goes back home to her family’s pro shop which has been damaged due to extreme weather. Then Wells hires her to caddie for him so that’s a way to get money to fix her shop.
The banter between Josephine and Wells is on fire from the very beginning of the story. Her loyalty to him is admirable. I am obsessed with sports romance but golf is a first for me. But who knew golf could be so fun!
This was such a great, funny and cute read with Tessa’s signature spice on top. Not sure why I haven’t read many of Tessa Bailey books so far but that’s definitely going to change in the near future.
If you want a read full of witty banter, makes you laugh out loud and is full of character chemistry and spice then this is the book for you!
I can’t wait to read more of this authors books in future 🥰
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author Bio
New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
With a shattered heart and her career completely in tatters, Lucy needs to get away from her life in the UK. But, when she takes a job as hotel manager of the Northern Lights Lodge, she doesn’t quite expect to find herself in a land of bubbling hot springs and snowflake-dusted glaciers – and in the company of gorgeous Scottish barman, Alex.
Determined to turn her life around, Lucy sets about making the lodge the number one romantic destination in Iceland – even though romance is the last thing she wants. However, as Alex and Lucy grow closer under the dancing lights of the aurora, Lucy might just learn how to fall in love again…
My Review
I just had to get back to reading Julie Caplin’s ‘Romantic Escapes’ series as I’ve got them all on my Kindle. I’ve just finished book four which is ‘The Northern Lights Lodge’
In this story we meet Lucy Smart who is a bit down on her luck employment wise, so when an opportunity to manage a lodge in Iceland comes up she grabs it with both hands. Alex then works there undercover to see if it’s a viable business to invest in for his boss. Can Lucy prove something to others and more importantly to herself?
So, I loved that Alex who was a side character in book 3 is now a main character in book four. I enjoyed getting to know him more. My favourite character though has to be Lucy, hands down she is certainly determined.
The series is certainly living up to its name in giving you the perfect romantic escape. I enjoyed imagining what it’s like in Iceland. One day I’d also love to witness the northern lights (sometimes we can from where I live in the UK but I’ve never seen them)
So, you guessed it I’m straight onto the next instalment of the series which is ‘The Secret Cove in Croatia’
Once again Julie Caplin has given me the perfect escapism and enjoyment in her book 🥰
After five husbands and five broken hearts,Lydia feels like she’s always been chasing something. But now she’s found her purpose, and having moved to Driftwood Bay to spend more time with her daughter Meredith, she’s happier than ever.
But there’s still life in these old bones yet! With her newfound sense of identity, she’s keen to re-explore the things that made her happy as a younger person. Lydia’s passion wasdancing – she used to compete in her younger years, and there’s no place she’s more at home than on the dancefloor.
So when widower and antiquesrestorerMartintells her about a big dance competition, she’s ready and raring to bring more joy into her life.But while making memories with Martin, the more she realises that both of their hearts need restoring too…
My Review
I am a massive fan of Kim Nash’s books, especially her ‘Cornish Cove’ series which can be read as standalones too. I have just finished the third book ‘Making Memories at the Cornish Cove’
In this story we meet Meredith’s mother, Lydia. Meredith moved to Driftwood Bay a few years before and Lydia has moved to be closer to her. Lydia is also making connections of her own with Martin who is Meredith’s partner’s dad. Can Lydia make amends in Driftwood Bay?
I absolutely loved reading a book where the female main character is older, Lydia is 71 and is full of life experiences. I also loved being back to reading a familiar setting in Driftwood Bay. It sounds like an amazing place to live.
Although there is some romance in this book, what I enjoyed more was witnessing the relationship between Lydia and her daughter. I flew through this story and it was just such a tonic. A huge warm hug in a book and I for one loved it.
I honestly can’t wait to read more by Kim as she has a way of transporting you to a different world. This story is full of family, friendship and a bit of love to boot 💖
Thank you to Boldwood books for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author Bio
Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction and has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. The Cornish Cove series is set in the fictional seaside village of Driftwood Bay in Cornwall and is published by Boldwood Books. Book 3 in the series, Making Memories at the Cornish Cove will be published on 17th April 2024.
She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and is a book blogger.
When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading, binge-watching box sets on the TV, and dreaming of living by the sea! She’s also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events.
Esther Hamilton, is finally finding her feet after her split with her horrible ex, and is looking forward to her new single life. She has a job she loves in the busy Accident and Emergency department, a new home and for the first time ever, a chance to just have fun with her good friends. Love is very much off the cards…
An old friend…
Until the arrival of Joe Carter – the brother of Esther’s best friend, Danni. Joe is also newly single and still as gorgeous as ever, but Esther can’t lose her heart to Joe. If it all went wrong, she’d lose two of her best friends.
A second chance at love?
But working together over a troubled patient, the connection between them is undeniable. And when Esther’s parents’ marriage hits trouble, Joe is there for her, offering her support, and Esther knows she’s fallen hard.
Are they brave enough to take a risk on love, or are they destined to remain friends forever?
My Review
It’s my stop on the blog tour for the second instalment of this wonderful series which is ‘Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital’ Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to take part.
As soon as this book was available to download I couldn’t get it onto my kindle quick enough and started reading it that day!
This story focuses on Esther who is best friend to Danni who we met in the first book of the series. Esther is a nurse in the A+E department of St Piran’s hospital. We also get to know a lot more about Esther’s parents story too so I loved that there was backstories for more than one character. Though it wasn’t confusing at all.
Also can I have my own Joe please!? Danni’s brother turns up from Australia and there’s a lot of chemistry going on but with who?
I always adore Jo’s narrative it just pulls you in from the very first word and you are always sad when you finish her books. It only took me a few days to read it because I didn’t want to put it down. It’s another hit and Jo has once again knocked it out of the park.
I really hope there’s a lot more to come from St Piran’s hospital and all the characters there because I’m so not ready to say goodbye to them just yet! I highly recommend you grab a copy of this stunning book set in a beautiful location. It’s full of friendship, family, and most of all love 💖
Once I finished this book I seen I was mentioned in the acknowledgments and I cried! This made my day 🥹
Thank you to Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author Bio
Jo Bartlett was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and still lives near the sea in Kent, with her family, so close to the South Eastern edge of England that they’re very nearly French. It’s probably why so many of her books are set near the sea too. Jo has made up stories for as long as she can remember, but never really took it any further, until a catalyst called cancer gave her the impetus to follow her dreams.
Since having her debut novel published in 2015, Jo has seen her books sold in stores all over the country, had numerous bestsellers in the UK, Australia and Canada, including a UK Top 10. Jo writes contemporary women’s fiction, with stories that focus on love, friendship, family and community. Since joining Boldwood Books in 2021, Jo has had a further eight bestselling novels in The Cornish Midwife series. With over 500,000 sales of her Boldwoood novels, and a further 500,000 thousands sales through other publishers, in 2023 Jo celebrated one million sales worldwide and, after twenty-five years in teaching, now writes full time.
Jo’s latest book, her 26th novel, Welcome to the Cornish Country Hospital, is out now and is the start of a brand new series from Boldwood Books. You can follow Jo on Twitter, Instagram, her author page on Facebook, or sign up to her newsletter – the details of which can be found on any of her social media accounts.
When Sophie Bennings arrives in New York, love is the last thing on her mind. Still reeling from a painful break up, she throws herself into her work as a food editor on a top-notch magazine.
Columnist Todd McLennan is everything that Sophie wishes she didn’t want. Like the gorgeous bakery below her Brooklyn apartment, he’s as tempting as the delicious cupcakes on display. Surely a little of what you fancy can do you good?
As Sophie and Todd get to know one another, a love of food isn’t the only passion they share. In the city that never sleeps, has Sophie finally met the man of her dreams…?
My Review
“I’m not built for flings. Im an all-or-nothing girl”
“You’re not…… not like anyone I’ve ever met”
I’ve had this series on my kindle for a long while and I read the first book ages ago and enjoyed it too so I am glad to read the second book ‘The Little Brooklyn Bakery’
Sophie sets her sights on six months in New York for her job due to some life changes. She meets playboy Todd and they become friends. She also has some things she’d rather keep under wraps in New York.
I really loved this story. The bakery that Sophie lives above sounds amazing and the cakes that her and Bella make sound so delicious. I am a fan of romance stories set in New York, it’s a place that I really would love to go to one day. I loved that there’s more than meets the eye for Todd, he’s an interesting character, put it that way!
I have to move straight into book three of the series as I enjoyed this one so much. I’m so glad there’s so many book to the romantic escapes series 🥰
If you want to escape to a different place with firm friends and lots of laughs then this story is for you 💖
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author Bio
Formerly a PR director, for many years Julie Caplin swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various European cities. It was a tough job but someone had to do it.
These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the best selling Romantic Escapes Series which began with The Little Café in Copenhagen, which was nominated for a Romantic Novel of the Year award. Since then she has set books in countries including Iceland, Japan and Paris. The series has been published in 20 territories from Brazil to Sweden and have become bestsellers in the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy.
The next book in the series A Villa With a View will be published on February 29, 2024 and is set on the glamorous Amalfi Coast. Final edits have just been submitted to the publisher and the gorgeous front cover has just gone up on Amazon.
Julie also writes best selling novels as Jules Wake, which include Covent Garden in the Snow, Notting Hill in the Snow, The Saturday Morning Park Run, From Italy with Love and The Spark.
Two epic love stories. One impossible choice. The stunning new novel from Paige Toon.
Six summers ago
Liv and Finn meet working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family – so they make a promise. Finn will return every year, and if they are single they will spend the summer together.
This summer
Liv crosses paths with Tom – a mysterious new arrival in her hometown. As the wildflowers and heather come into bloom, they find themselves falling for one another. For the first time Liv can imagine a world where her heart isn’t broken every year.
Now Liv must make an impossible choice. And when she discovers the shocking reason that Tom has left home, she’ll need to trust her heart even more . . .
My Review
I was absolutely over the moon to have a copy of Paige Toon’s latest creation in my actual hands before publication, so of course I couldn’t delay reading it.
Liv lives and works in Cornwall and when she meets Finn she’s a goner. However Finn doesn’t live in Cornwall, he lives in LA. So they make a pact that they will be together each summer if they are both single. But eventually Liv meets Tom, so she’s got a bit of a dilemma on her hands.
I really should learn by now that when I read a Paige Toon book I should have tissues within reach! This book had me in tears on more than one occasion, but I couldn’t put it down.
Paige just has this way of writing such emotional stories but always finds a way to put the pieces of your heart back together again by the time you turn the last page.
I loved the setting, the friendships that Liv has and the relationship she also has with her brother Michael. Just writing this review I’m finding it hard to find the words, it’s that brilliant! (Also I don’t want to give too much away…)
Seven Summers is a story full of difficult pasts, trauma but then hope and love. Honestly I loved it so much it’s definitely going to be one of my top books of the year ❤️
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 + More!
Author Bio
I write emotional love stories featuring flawed characters who sometimes find themselves in impossible situations. If you pick up one of my novels, I hope that you will experience every emotion along with my characters, from love, passion and grief, to heartache, happiness and hope. I certainly feel it all when I’m writing. I can’t wait for you to discover my heart-breaking new novel, Only Love Can Hurt Like This, when it’s released, but in the meantime, please check out my other books, and if you enjoy them and would like to drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram @PaigeToonAuthor. You can also sign up to my newsletter The Hidden Paige via paigetoon.com.
When Joe and Roisin join their group of friends for a weekend away, it’s a triple celebration – a birthday, an engagement and the launch of Joe’s new crime drama on TV.
But when Roisin sees secrets she shared with Joe play out on the TV screen, she knows that between us means nothing at all.
Roisin finds herself searching for clues to the truth – about her life, their history, and the man she thought she loved. And it’s then that Roisin finds the most unexpected plot twist of them all. Among those same old friends, there’s a surprising potential for new beginnings . . .
My Review
I just had to pick up ‘Between Us’ and I’m glad I got to reading it!
We meet Roisin and her gang of friends including her boyfriend Joe. This story takes you on a journey of Roisin’s life and subsequent break up but there’s a lot I won’t say because it would give most of the story away.
I usually absolutely love Mhairi’s writing but this one it took me a while to get into it, although by the end I really did enjoy it. This won’t stop me from reading future books by this author.
I really enjoyed the friendship between the women of the group, Mhairi uses text messages in the story too. I have to say Roisin and Matt were my favourite characters.
If you can look up the TWs for this story then that would be good.
I’ll definitely be reading more of this authors backlist and future books too. ‘Between Us’ is a story about different types of relationships and their dynamics.
What is love? Is it something spiritual or wholly physical? Can our feelings be explained and quantified? Or are we all actually two halves of a whole?
Ask Alice and Luke and you’d receive vastly different answers.
Despite her world having been recently dismantled by a messy break-up, Alice would tell you that love is the most important – albeit ineffable – human experiences. But when she once again crosses paths with her old school nemesis, Luke, he challenges this. Luke is a scientist and he’s certain love can be measured and explained – just like everything else.
So the two decide to make a bet: they’ll each venture back into dating and if one of them falls in love, Alice wins, if not, then Luke does.
But can anyone win when you’re playing with emotions?
My Review
“Love isn’t all fancy words and high concept feelings. It’s pure terror. Plain and simple”
“People fall in love with who they’re meant to, but no one can quite explain how or why”
Rebecca Ryan’s first book was amazing so I couldn’t wait to read her second novel ‘The Philosophy of Love’ it just had to be read asap.
Alice ends up moving back in with her parents due to a relationship breakdown, she bumps into someone she went to school with; Luke who has a very different outlook on love so they make a bet.
Omg I absolutely loved the fact that this story was set in North East England, where I live I loved places mentioned like Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and where Alice lives which is Easington which I actually used to drive through every week day for a job for a year! There needs to be more set in this part of the country because it’s beautiful.
I flew through this story due to Rebecca’s free flowing narrative which had me gripped from the beginning as I discovered a lot about Alice’s life. I loved Luke’s character too due to the way he is. He may have a different outlook on life but he still sounds amazing as a person, respectful and just all around lovely.
I can’t wait to read more and more of Rebecca’s stories so I hope she continues to write them. I highly recommend you grab a copy that’s filled with banter, friendship, family and some love to boot! 💖
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Author Bio
Rebecca Ryan lives in Bradford with her husband and three young children. Although she always loved writing, it hadn’t really occurred to her that she could do it professionally. She currently splits her time between writing and working as a history teacher at a large comprehensive school. She enjoys walking in the countryside and takeaways (if that counts as a hobby), which it probably doesn’t.
Kirsty's Book Buying Addiction 