Synopsis

After a window display goes disastrously viral – thanks to a malfunctioning animatronic Santa and an unfortunate encounter with Paddington Bear – Lula Haines finds herself without a job just weeks before Christmas. So she jumps at the chance to decorate Hollybrae Castle in Scotland for the holidays.

There’s just one complication: her handsome new boss, Oliver Bracewell, needs a fake wife for the festive season. To secure a promotion that could save his family’s castle, Ollie has been pretending to be a married father-of-two to impress the family-focused firm where he works. Now his bosses are coming to stay at Hollybrae over Christmas… expecting to meet his non-existent wife and children.

At first, playing along is easy as Lula is swept up in the magic of turning Hollybrae into the perfect festive escape with Ollie. But as Christmas draws nearer and she and Ollie grow closer, Lula begins to wonder if Hollybrae could become more than a temporary escape… and if the man she’s only pretending to love might actually be the one she’s been waiting for all along.

This festive season, can Lula and Ollie turn pretend love into the happy-ever-after they’ve both been waiting for? ❄️💕

My Review

I’m obsessed with Jaimie Admans’ books so when I had the opportunity to read her new festive book ‘Winter Magic at Hollybrae Castle’ I just had to read it asap! 

Lula works on Oxford Street in London as a window dresser, but one of her displays goes horribly wrong, she then gets fired. She needs a new job so she responds to an ad online for to decorate a castle for Christmas in a very rural area of Scotland. Both Lula and Oliver have their problems…

Once again Jaimie has knocked it out of the park! I consumed this book like my life depended on it and I didn’t care I was reading a Christmas book in August. If Jaimie wrote a shopping list I’d read it, that’s how much I love her books. 

I loved Lula and Oliver, I also loved how Jaimie made this a slow burn romance even though Lula was only there for a little while over the Christmas period 🩵 

I definitely felt the magic of Christmas reading this book, and I know that will be the same for anyone that reads it too 🥰 

I’m kind of gutted I’ve read it now because I’ve literally read everything that Jaimie has written, so I’ll be on countdown for the next one 🥹 

I highly recommend this magical festive fake dating story to get totally lost in ❄️

Thank you to Boldwood books for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Jaimie is a 39-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, eating chocolate, and drinking tea. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She will absolutely never have time to read all the books she wants to read and, honestly, she’s unlikely to ever fit into her skinny jeans again!

She loves romance and is the author of many warm and uplifting romantic comedies that are perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Heidi Swain, and Jessica Redland. The Ever After Street series is described as Disney meets Hallmark, full of charm, magical escapes, and quirky characters. She loves incorporating fairytales and nature into her stories. She currently writes the Ever After Street series for Boldwood Books, and has previously written ten books for HarperCollins including The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, The Little Bookshop of Love Stories, The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane, The Post Box at the North Pole, and The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove.

Synopsis

Are the stars aligned or is it case of star-crossed lovers?

Astronomer Beth Jones dreams of forever love but with every romance ending in heartbreak she’s sworn off men. Hiding out at Maple Tree Lodge after losing both her job and Jeremy, her boyfriend, can Beth discover a new way to keep her passion for stargazing alive whilst putting aside her hopes and dreams for a fairytale future?

Carpenter Noah Jackson doesn’t believe in love of any kind and refuses to trust anyone, even his own, estranged family. But when he arrives at Maple Tree Lodge to pick up a surprise inheritance, a winter storm forces him to stay when all he wants to do is flee.

When Jeremy turns up unexpectedly at the hotel in an attempt to win Beth back, Noah is catapulted into a fake romance in front of her ex. Beth knows that Noah isn’t looking for love and he’s the complete opposite of everything she’s been looking for, isn’t he?

As the starry nights begin to weave their magic, can Beth and Noah learn to open their hearts and start to trust each other? 
And perhaps trust the true feelings in their hearts as well…?

My Review

I adore the Maple Tree Lodge series and this is the third instalment. They can be read in any order. I just couldn’t possibly wait to go back there! 

Beth who is an astronomer, has lost her relationship and one of her jobs too, so she goes back to Maple Tree Lodge for some time to get back on her feet. The Jackson family are like family to Beth so she’s welcomed with open arms. Carpenter Noah is also staying at the hotel, but can he resist Beth with no belief in love? 

Oh this was a joy in a book! I loved being back and of course learning new things about astronomy to boot ✨ 

Both Beth and Noah haven’t had the easiest of childhoods, their backstory is tough, but it just makes their development more special. I was totally caught up in everything happening at the Lodge and I would totally go there if I could. 

Also going back to familiar characters is just super special. To know what the rest of the Jackson family were doing was great 🥰 

I highly recommend the whole series but especially this one! I will always read books by Alison Sherlock ❤️ 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨

Author Bio

Alison Sherlock writes feelgood and uplifting romantic fiction. Her most recent books are all based around the beautiful English Cotswolds, from riverside villages to an old railway station and a lakeside hotel.

Her debut novel The Desperate Bride’s Diet Club reached No 1 in the Italian book charts.

With multiple Top 100 Bestsellers in the UK Kindle charts, her completed series are Willow Tree Hall, Riverside Lane and Railway Lane. Every title within a series can be enjoyed as a standalone small town romance but each story is full of warmth, laughter, love, family and friendships.

Alison’s latest series Maple Tree Lodge Hotel is focussed on all those who live and work at Maple Tree Lodge, a rundown, family owned hotel with a lakeside setting in the Cotswolds.

The first book is called Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge. Interior designer Lily has a vision for a cosy country hotel makeover which is the complete opposite to the minimalistic, modern style that owner Ben has in mind. Fireworks ensue in this enemies to lovers story! Grab a hot chocolate and snuggle under a blanket to read this winter romance!

In the second book, Daydreaming at the Boathouse Cafe, Hannah tries to overcome her lack of confidence when she opens her own cafe at Maple Tree Lodge. Alex is at a crossroads after an accident scuppers his athletic career and is hoping to find himself a new path when he stays at his best friend’s hotel. Perhaps he can also finally admit to Hannah how he really feels about her…? Everything will change over one summer in this friends to lovers story!

Out now – Starry Skies Over Dragonfly Lake. Astronomer Beth is starry-eyed when it comes to dating and always chooses the wrong partners. Can a fake romance with cynical boatmaker Noah turn into something as magical as the night skies? Are the stars aligned or is it a case of star-crossed lovers in this cosy grumpy/sunshine romance? Find out this Autumn!

Coming soon – Summer Magic at Maple Tree Lodge. Over a magical summer, unexpected sparks fly between the most unlikely couple. Ella likes everything perfect. Jake keeps everyone at a distance. But with Maple Tree Lodge, their careers and their carefully guarded hearts at stake, can Ella and Jake turn their fake engagement into something real in this enemies to lovers romance?

You can follow Alison on Facebook and X.

Synopsis

‘It’s all about reframing things. No regrets. Just silver linings.’

Juliet believes in love stories. As a wedding planner, she’s helped create more than five hundred perfect days for other people, though her own path to happy-ever-after has been far from easy. Her first love always taught Juliet to look for the silver linings in life, and when she unexpectedly meets Christian Wynterson, it feels as though one might finally be shining through.

But not everyone is ready to accept Juliet and Christian’s new beginning. Family tensions, buried secrets and old wounds threaten to overshadow what should be a joyful new chapter.

Juliet has spent years believing in happy endings for everyone else. But can the people she and Christian love see that their relationship isn’t just a silver lining – it could be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

My Review

We are back in the Lake District with a festive masterpiece by the lovely Jessica Redland. 

Juliet is a wedding planner and events planner too. She’s had the opportunity to get married herself a few times but they never happened. She still wants her happy ending so when Christian helps her it’s love at first sight. But can both families accept them? 

Jessica Redland has once again knocked it out of the park. Her writing is heartwarming but also tackles some other issues too. Reading this story has put me in a more festive mood! ❄️

I loved Juliet, she’s determined not to give up and it certainly pays off for her. I was so happy for her as more than just Christian happened in her story. I loved them both together, I don’t read many age gap stories, but I do enjoy them, probably because there’s ten years between myself and my husband! 🥰 

I will read absolutely anything that Jessica writes. She can literally do no wrong in my eyes. This story is full of banter and found family and friendship, I just wanted to be everyone’s friend too especially Juliet’s 💜 

Thank you so much to Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Jessica is the multi-million copy selling author of stories that bring the sunshine after the rain – emotional but uplifting books about love, family, friendships and community. Born in Teesside to parents from County Durham and now living in North Yorkshire, she is passionate about the north and showcases some of her favourite areas in her writing.

Her Scarborough home blended with Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay inspired the creation of the fictional seaside town of Whitsborough Bay where several series and standalone books are set. The Hedgehog Hollow series and Bumblebee Barn Collection take readers to a gorgeous countryside setting on the Yorkshire Wolds. The Escape to the Lakes series is set around stunning Derwent Water in the Lake District and her brand new series, The Blue Skies Collection, is set across a farm and group of villages in north Northumberland.

Jessica loves animals. Pets appear in most books and farm animals and British wildlife provide a key focus in others. Jessica’s research has included feeding hoglets, walking alpacas and cuddling cows.

She lives with her husband, sprocker spaniel Ella and their daughter when she’s home from university. She has a serious stationery addiction with more notebooks and Legami pens than it’s possible for one author to use in a lifetime, and has a growing collection of Jellycats that have a direct relevance to her books. Any excuse!

Jessica’s past career was predominantly in HR specialising in recruitment, training and coaching, with a brief career break to set up and run a specialist teddy bear shop. She’s incredibly grateful to anyone who has bought or borrowed her books in whatever format, helping her fulfil a long-held dream of writing full-time. She still can’t believe she gets to spend every day chatting to her fictional friends and making stuff up.

Synopsis

When midwife Hope Masterson arrives in Cornwall to start her dream job by the sea, she’s ready for a fresh start and a chance to make a real difference to the lives of the women and babies she cares for.

Working between St Piran’s hospital and the community midwifery unit of Port Agnes, Hope quickly finds herself drawn into the lives of her patients and colleagues. From dramatic deliveries and joyous newborns to heartbreaking struggles with infertility, she is on hand to share in all the hopes, worries and incredible love that motherhood can bring.

But Hope is carrying a secret that could change everything – and she faces an impossible dilemma.

Should she reveal the truth and shatter the lives of those around her, or protect the fragile happiness of the family she’s only just found?

As friendships deepen, romance blooms and emotions run high, Hope must decide whether some secrets are better left untold… and what it truly means to belong.

My Review

“𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏; 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕.”

I’m always beyond excited when Jo Bartlett releases a new book, they always jump to the top of my TBR! 

We are back in the three Ports area of Cornwall with Hope who is a new midwife working between St Piran’s Hospital and in the community led midwife unit too. But she has her reasons for taking the job, which involves maybe getting to know her biological father…

I won’t go into the plot much more because it will give too many spoilers! Jo makes her books heartwarming but at the same time she touches on sensitive subjects, such as adoption and infertility too. She approaches these subjects with the most sincere sensitivity. 

Hope and her character growth was amazing to witness. She always thinks of others before herself. The story was more focused on family with a hint of romance too 💖 

It makes me want to cry happy tears when Jo mentions me in her acknowledgments, you can see how much she loves her readers. I’ll always read any book by Jo 🥰 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Jo Bartlett was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and still lives near the sea with her family, which is 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 it took a catalyst called cancer to give her the impetus to follow her dreams. In 2023, Jo taught her final class and now writes full time.

Her novels focus on love, friendship, family and community. Since joining Boldwood Books, Jo has written three bestselling series – the Cornish Midwife novels, the Cornish Country Hospital series and most recently the Cornish Bay Collection, novels which can be read as standalones, but which are linked by the beautiful fictional setting of Port Agnes on the Cornish Atlantic Coast. Jo’s books have been translated into French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Polish and very soon into Japanese.

In 2026, Jo celebrated one and a half million sales in the English language. The next book in the Cornish Bay Collection, From This Moment On, will be released in November. You can follow Jo on Instagram and Facebook, or sign up to her newsletter – the details of which can be found on any of her social media accounts.

Synopsis

A fresh start among old friends…

Florence May never expected to trade the high life of London for the cosy comfort of a beach hut in her Cornish hometown, but the moment she steps inside she knows it was the best choice she ever made. The fact that it comes with a requirement that she sets up a business on site? A minor setback that’s easily fixed by opening up a surfside outpost of her friend Clemmie’s Little Cornish Kitchen … where Floss finds herself unexpectedly flourishing.

And when the hotel owner next door sets out to buy the land out from under her? Floss calls on her loyal friends to help her save her little slice of heaven. Because if there’s one thing the community of St Aidan does well, it’s banding together to make the most of every second, whatever life throws at you.

My Review

I haven’t read a book by Jane Linfoot for a few years now, so I had to change that fact. 

Florence May goes back to her hometown of St Aiden in Cornwall. She buys a beach hut but then realises she needs to run a business from it.  She also has the hotel next door wanting to buy her land… 

I really enjoyed this story from Jane. I love that it can be read as a standalone too. I loved witnessing Florence do well for herself even with obstacles coming her way. Of course I loved her with her love interest who has a business next door to her beach hut. 

This one centres more on community, family and friendship. Any story that has a tight knit community and I’m there. I’m very much looking forward to reading more to this series soon 🥰 

If you need an easy going read then this one is certainly for you 💕 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines, and lots of heart. 

Writing is fab, because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I live in a cottage up a mountain road in Derbyshire, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos. Happily, we’re in walking distance of a supermarket. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things french. When I’m not on facebook, and can’t find an excuse for shopping, I’ll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

Synopsis

A wintry treat brimming with snowflakes, secrets and second chances!

When her beloved Aunt Colleen passes away, settling her affairs means doing the one thing Hannah Merryweather has spent years avoiding: returning to Micklewick Bay, the seaside town she fled years ago and has never quite found the courage to face again.

Coming home means facing the past too. Polly, her stepmother, and Darryl, her stepbrother, still loom large over the life she once knew, and the home she lost is never far from her thoughts.

Then, on her very first day back, she nearly collides with the one man she never expected to see again: Lachie, the kilted, green-eyed Scotsman who stole her heart last spring. His unexpected arrival in Micklewick Bay is the last complication Hannah needs
– especially as feelings she thought she’d locked away start to resurface.

As Hannah slowly uncovers just how far her aunt’s plans for her future stretch – including one life-changing surprise waiting at the end of the pier – can she find the courage to claim the life, and the love, Aunt Colleen always believed she deserved?

My Review

Today it’s my stop on the blog tour for ‘Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay’ Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to take part. 

I’m super excited to be back in Micklewick Bay. Hannah loses her aunt and she needs to return to Micklewick Bay, but she’s very reluctant to do so. The last person she expected to see was Lachie the sexy Scotsman…

I got totally immersed in Hannah’s story. I knew she was hiding things about her past but that just made me try to guess what that was. Hannah and Lachie had this whole will they won’t they slow burn going on but it was also my favourite trope which is second chance 🥰 

My favourite character is of course Hannah. She has a lot of layers to herself and the fact she wants to change the way she looks at some aspects of her life. I also loved her relationship with her aunt, so my heart also broke for Hannah. 

Eliza is one of my favourite authors. The way she creates a whole world and more importantly a whole community. I loved going back to Micklewick Bay with familiar characters too that feel like friends and getting to know new characters too 💕 

I will read anything that Eliza writes and it feels like such a pleasure to read her books early for the blog tours. I’ve read her books since early 2019! 😍 

I highly recommend you read ‘Snowflakes Over Micklewick Bay’ not just in the festive season it can be read anytime. 

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Eliza is proud to be a member of the RNA. She lives in North Yorkshire with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her Kindle or working in her garden, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

Eliza also enjoys bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop where she can indulge in another two of her favourite things: tea and cake.

Her biggest weakness is ginger biscuits dunked in tea.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. She enjoys exploring the dynamics of female friendship, with a key feature of her books being how women pull together and support one another when things get tough.

Eliza’s novels will always have happy endings.

Synopsis

Two Scrooges come together for a festive-free holiday season by the sea and find all their anti-Christmas plans going up in smoke when they decide to play Santa for a single mom and her child.

Eloise Garrett thinks Christmas is overpriced, overhyped, and overrated, and without any family to share it with, she feels sad, lonely and isolated. The “season for giving” is just a constant reminder that she’s single, sixty(ish), and staring down retirement. But not this Christmas. Determined to avoid the most magical time of the year, Eloise decides to spend Christmas in Honeycombe Bay. Surely a seaside village in the middle of winter won’t be too festive?

Ever since his wife passed away, Bartholomew Knott hasn’t felt up to welcoming visitors to his guest house. With the prospect of another long, lonely winter, and having become more Scrooge than Santa over the years, Bart is dreading Christmas. However, when he’s contacted by someone who dislikes decking the halls just as much as he does, Bart has the brilliant idea of opening the guest house to people who want to escape all things festive.

Christmas isn’t easy to ignore, though, not even in off-season Honeycombe Bay. So when fate forces Bart to give shelter to a single mother and child whose holiday has been devastated by a terrible fire, Eloise finds herself playing Mrs. Claus to Bart’s Santa-dragging the house’s other guest, a heartbroken teacher looking for a break during the holidays, into the action as well. But holiday cheer isn’t the only thing sparking under the mistletoe. Will the guests at Honeycombe Bay realize that, sometimes, the best way to escape Christmas is to let it into your heart?

My Review

I’m so so grateful to Lilac Mills for sending me an early proof copy of ‘Christmas at Honeycombe Bay’ which is out at the end of September. 

Eloise wants to escape all things Christmas, so she decides to go to Honeycombe Bay. She needs somewhere to stay so she contacts a guest house that’s she has visited before. Bart is alone, his guest house closed as he can’t bare to run it without his late wife. He takes a call from Elouise and decides to let her stay as he doesn’t want to celebrate the festive season either. 

Well, I became so invested in this story early on. Especially as Lilac introduces more characters as the story goes on, I loved that. The story wasn’t really focused on romance, it concentrated on helping others in times of need and being hopeful. It did have some romance elements though 🥰 

I read this book whilst in a heatwave and it was actually refreshing to read a festive story now! I couldn’t leave it on my tbr for a while. I loved the chemistry and friendship between Elouise and Bart. They are both older characters that just wanted a second chance deep down. 

There’s also a great element of community by the end of the story, I felt hope and happiness reading it. I highly recommend you read it too, it’s definitely the perfect festive read, even read in the summer time ❤️ 

I have so many of Lilac’s paperbacks now so I can’t wait to read more of her books soon. 

Thank you so much again Lilac for an advanced copy of this book. 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh mountain with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don’t get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually). She’s been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long, hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she’s usually writing or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-after always on her mind.

Lilac has published twenty-three books to date. Her latest book is CHRISTMAS AT HONEYCOMBE BAY, and the second in the series will be published in March 2027, with the first in a brand new series set in Scotland also out in March 2027.

She also writes feel good contemporary romance as Liz Davies and uplifting romantic novellas as Etti Summers.

Synopsis

One writer, one editor, one hot summer… A romance for the books?

Ciara Sheridan’s father has left her with three things: a sprawling and distinctly ramshackle estate on the Irish coast, the outline for the finale to his bestselling epic fantasy series that he wanted her to finish – and writer’s block.

Enter Sam Avery: Frank-Sheridan-fanboy and hotshot editor, sent from the New York publishing house direct to her doorstep – against Ciara’s wishes and red pen at the ready.

With the deadline looming, Ciara and Sam have just a few weeks to stop bickering, write this novel and secure Frank’s legacy.

But as the summer heats up, so too does the tension between them. Will their own love story be the plot twist neither of them sees coming?

My Review

“I love your voice and your words and your brain, and I love how all your friends and family love you too.”

“Sometimes, when you look at me, I feel like I can’t breathe.”

Even if I hadn’t of read a Catherine Walsh book before, I’d pick this one up just for the title alone! Also the cover is totally eye catching too. 

Ciara is grieving her father, her famous author father. She decides to try and finish his world famous fantasy series, but needs some help too. In comes Sam, her editor from New York. He’s here to make sure she finishes the book, but he doesn’t bank on falling in love with her. 

I love any book about books or even writing really so I knew I was in for a total treat with this one. It was fun and flirty and of course had me totally swooning too 🥰 

I adored the setting of rural Ireland. I’d absolutely love to go one day, it’s idyllic remote and very beautiful. I would have totally wanted to stay in Ciara’s house too. 

The banter and chemistry between the two main characters were just on point. I loved the pace and just wanted to read more and more. It’s full of heartwarming moments whilst showing what grief can do to a person too, the balance was perfect 💕 

I can’t wait to read more books by Catherine Walsh! She’s now on my auto buy author list. 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Synopsis

Florida show jumper Hallie Oakley was raised in the saddle. After dominating the junior leagues, she’s stepping into the spotlight as one of the sport’s most exciting new talents.

Now, with her sights set on making her mark at the highest level, Hallie must train at the most prestigious equestrian facility in the world.

Nestled in the English countryside, Golden Oaks might look like nothing more than a beautiful stables, but it has produced some of the sport’s greatest riders. . . including Hallie’s idol, Jasper Knighton.

The brooding oldest son in a show jumping dynasty, Jasper has recently inherited Golden Oaks and is determined to defend its legacy.

From the moment Jasper and Hallie meet, their attraction is instant and mutual.

But when a shocking event threatens to tear Golden Oaks apart, Jasper knows he’ll do whatever it takes to protect what matters most to him.

Because losing Golden Oaks would be devastating – but losing Hallie is something Jasper refuses to risk.

My Review

“You are my dream come true, Angel.”

I’m a mega fan of Tillie Cole! She’s great, I’ve met her and she’s a local author. I couldn’t wait to read Break Me, so I’m super grateful for an early copy. 

Hallie and Sage are new riders from the US for Golden Oaks Stud in the Cotswolds, UK. The boss of Golden Oaks and Knighton Equestrian is Jasper Knighton who is Hallie’s idol and the person who inspired her to do show jumping. Someone is after Jasper and his family…

Omg that was the biggest cliffhanger I’ve ever read. Tillie! How can you do this to us!? I love how I’m so hooked and just need to know what happens next. ‘Break Me’ is my first equestrian romance and I just ate it all up. 

The banter between Hallie and Jasper; not only between those two but also Sage and Jasper’s cousin Atticus. A lot of scenes were just sizzling hot 🔥 

I couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous horses too. I haven’t ridden a horse since I was a teen and now I really want to do it again 🐎. Please tell me it isn’t long until the next book in this series 🥰 

Please go and read ‘Break Me’ it’s a unique romance and you can just tell that Tillie knows a lot about the horse industry. I loved learning about it too. It’s full to the brim of love and friendship, with that element of suspense too ✨ 

Thank you so much to Penguin Michael Joseph for an early finished copy of this book 🫶🏻 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother — a farmer’s daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.

Being a scary blend of Scottish and English, Tillie embraces both cultures; her English heritage through her love of HP sauce and freshly made Yorkshire Puddings, and her Scottish which is mostly demonstrated by her frighteningly foul-mouthed episodes of pure rage and her much loved dirty jokes.

Having been born and raised as a Teesside Smoggie, Tillie, at age nineteen, moved forty miles north to the ‘Toon’, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where she attended Newcastle University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in Religious Studies. She returned two years later to complete a Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching High School Social Studies. Tillie, regards Newcastle to be a home from home and enjoyed the Newcastle Geordie way of life for seven ‘proper mint’ and ‘lush’ years.

One summers day, after finishing reading her thousandth book on her much loved and treasured Kindle, Tillie turned to her husband and declared, “D’you know, I have a great idea for a story. I could write a book.” Several months later, after repeating the same tired line at the close of another completed story, she was scolded by her husband to shut up talking about writing a novel and “just bloody do it!” For the first time in eleven years, Tillie actually took his advice (he is still trying to get over the shock) and immediately set off on a crazy journey, delving deep into her fertile imagination.

Tillie, ever since, has written from the heart. She combines her passion for anything camp and glittery with her love of humour and dark brooding men (most often muscled and tattooed – they’re her weakness!). She also has a serious side (believe it or not!) and loves to immerse herself in the complex study of World Religions, History and Cultural Studies and creates fantasy stories that enable her to thread serious issues and topics into her writing — yep, there’s more to this girl than profanity and sparkles!

After six years of teaching high school Social Studies and following her Professional Rugby Player husband around Europe, they have finally given up their nomadic way of life and settled in Calgary, Alberta where Tillie spends most of her days (and many a late night) lost in a writing euphoria or pursuing a dazzling career as a barrel-racing, tasselled-chap wearing, Stetson-sporting cowgirl… Ye-haw!

Synopsis

On the day Immy Berry finds out she’s pregnant and her life changes forever, an accidental fire in her gorgeous little sweet shop turns her dreams into ashes. But the very last person she expects to rush in and save her from the blaze is the man she’s tried to put behind her, the father of her baby, Xander Wild

Incredibly gorgeous and impossibly unattainable, Xander made Immy feel like a goddess on the nights they spent together only to go cold on her the next morning. The chemistry between them may be electric but Xander made it clear he doesn’t want anyone in his life other than his daughter, Etta. Which makes telling him she’s now pregnant with his child an almost impossible task.

With her home and business in flames and Xander her unexpected hero, Immy doesn’t dare hope that he will welcome her bombshell news. But there’s a reason Xander has kept his distance from love. And if Immy gives him the chance, maybe he’ll prove he’s worthy of her heart…

My Review

“You have me. I’m yours, always.”

I really needed to read a heartwarming story and I didn’t look any further than ‘The Chocolate Shop on Cherry Lane’ 

Immy finds out she’s pregnant, and her day doesn’t end there on that evening her sweet shop catches fire. Xander owns the chocolate shop right opposite Immy, he’s got reasons for pushing Immy away. But can they sort everything out in the face of tragedy? 

I’ve been a fan of Holly’s books for years now and of course I love ordering them off her to be able to have them signed. I flew through this book in one weekend which is so quick for me. I just couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down. 

I loved Immy and Xander, especially together. Also the way Immy welcomes Xander’s daughter with open arms. But of course it all doesn’t run smooth. 

This is a heartwarming and emotional story of a single dad struggling to open his heart, and Immy is the same but for different reasons. If you love a small town community knit story then this one is definitely for you 🥰 

It’s about second chances, found family and lots of beautiful moments of love and friendship to boot ❤️ Of course who doesn’t love a story about sweets and chocolate too 🍫

I can’t wait to read more and more of Holly’s books soon! 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Author Bio

Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly’s books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.

Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor