Review: Out of the Blue by Penelope Janu

 Out of the Blue by Penelope Janu is a romance novel with added depth. The themes of PTSD and environmental issues add weight to this emotional and thought-provoking story.

I was excited to learn that Kit Thorsen's brother, Seb, is a main character in Out of the Blue. I loved Kit and Mackenzie's story in The Summerfield Saddler. Kit was fiery and kind-hearted in equal measures and I was keen to see how his brother would be portrayed. Those Norwegian men!! Anyway I digress. As you can see I still haven't gotten over Kit. 😍

Flick suffered debilitating PTSD after witnessing a plane crash and Penelope Janu portrays the limiting affects of this disorder and how it can seriously narrow a person's life choices.

Flick is selected to take part in a mission to investigate the environmental implications of an increasing human population in Antarctica.

Flick is a bird specialist (ornithologist) and I enjoyed all the information on different birds, which I found quite interesting.

Sebastien Thorsen is everything you want for a love interest, broody, mysterious, kind, patient and handsome.

I always find a first person narration hard going and large amounts of dialogue drag the story for me. So this did affect my enjoyment of the book.

I liked the mention of characters from previous books and their connection to this story.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: HQ Fiction

Publication date: 26th May 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 416

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#outoftheblue #penelopejanu #australianauthor #ausbookbloggers #contemporaryfiction #harlequinaustralia #romance 

Review: The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted by Rebecca Raisin

 I simply loved every minute of reading The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted.

Rebecca Raisin has delivered a heart-warming story filled with likeable characters and a main setting of a magical bookshop that brings together lonely hearts. What's not to love!!

CoCo Chevallier is back home in Paris, with thirteen year-old Eloise in tow, after her partner, in love and business, destroyed their business and left her almost penniless. As CoCo tries to rebuild her life, and placate a temperamental teenager, she comes across the Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted and its eccentric and intuitive owner, Valerie.

I loved all the bookish talk and how the bookshop brought people with all different personalities together through a book club.

Rebecca Raisin includes just enough French words to give that true Parisian feel to the story. Words that are easily recognisable to even this non French speaker.

It was also a pleasant surprise to have Anais from Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel (which I reviewed on Goodreads) drop into the story. It's always nice to revisit characters from previous books.

I loved the inclusion of the delicacies and sights of Paris. Rebecca Raisin is the queen of armchair travel. And I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Paris.

And of course there is a love interest, but it's a stormy start and a few road bumps to maneuver before their happy ending.

This sweet enemies to lovers RomCom, with its beautiful setting, fun characters and little mysteries, is a must for romance readers.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication date: 3rd February 2025

Genre: Romance / Romantic Comedy

Pages: 314

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

#theparisbookshopforthebrokenhearted #rebeccaraisin #australianauthor #romcom #sweetromanceread #bookssetinparis #romance #ireadromance #ausbookbloggers

Review: The Orchard at Rosevale by Nicola Marsh

The Orchard at Rosevale by Nicola Marsh is a heartwarming and immersive read and I was immediately drawn into the characters’ lives.

Cruz was living his dream working as a chef at a top Melbourne restaurant until he is called back to the family avocado farm after his father’s death. Cruz hates the farm and simply wants to sell it but his father's will stipulates Cruz needs to work the farm for 12 months to inherit.

Ferne, Cruz’s mother, is eager to escape the farm, which holds only bad memories, and start a life of travel. Ferne employs Elora, a social media marketer, to update the farm’s socials and improve their website. Ferne wants to get as much money as possible when it's time to sell. 

Elora and Cruz have instant friction and an underlying sizzle of attraction.

After her husband's death Ferne discovers long held secrets and is crushed by this discovery. But a chance meeting and a new friendship reconnects her to an old flame, one she regrets letting go.

Nicola Marsh has delivered a grumpy/sunshine romance plus a second chance mature romance. It’s not often you get two get romance tropes in one story and both executed with finesse.

Even thought the majority of characters were getting over past hurts the story had a fun vibe brought about by Cruz and Elora's flirty banter.

I loved every character, all so real with real hurts. I even had a soft spot for the posthumous antagonist Mac.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Harlequin Fiction

Publication date: 28th July 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 337

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#theorchardatrosevale #nicolamarshauthor #contemporaryfiction #romance #ausbookbloggers #aussieaugust26 #australianauthor #ruralromance

Review: Flowers in July by Anna Maynard

I really enjoyed Dancing With Bees by Anna Maynard and Flowers in July is even better! Flowers in July is an emotional and heart-warming read.

Mary moves to Hobart, Tasmania with her boyfriend Felix to complete a six month term at Hobart hospital to advance her career in medicine.

Mary feels responsible for her family; her sister is a struggling single mother and her mother is alcohol dependent. The guilt over leaving them behind is immense.

When she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, again, she packs up and leaves. However her confidence is low and she finds herself blaming his actions on her own failings.

Mary has seen the brooding and intimidating emergency doctor Abel Sutherland at work and does her best to stay out of his way. But when a wilderness training retreat throws them together sparks fly.

Anna Maynard portrays the grumpy, brooding male protagonist so well. Her men always have a kind and gallant heart inside that grumpy exterior.

Mary was very easy to like. She was smart, kind hearted and a bit socially awkward.

Flowers in July was such a fun read. I liked both Mary and Abel and loved seeing them get flustered around each other. This is a slow-burn romance but not frustratingly slow. I feel that Maynard paced it well.

There are themes of living your own life and the fact that propping people up all the time, even though you love them very much, isn't helping them get their life together.

Flowers in July is a witty, heartfelt and uplifting read filled with lovable characters and laugh-out-loud moments.

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 31st march 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Pages: 336

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

#flowersinjuly #annamaymaynard #contemporaryromance #australianauthor

Review: A Farm in Golden Clouds by Leearna Shaw

A Farm in Golden Clouds is a heart-wrenching story about losing the love of your life and finding the strength to build a new life for yourself and your children.

Two years after her husband's death Indi Carmichael is struggling to keep their farm afloat. Her children are still not coping and the farm takes her every waking moment.

Ben Whittam is at Kestrel Creek filming a sequel to his smash-hit movie. However, grief is ripping him apart and the film is heading towards being a huge flop. His young son's nightmares are also escalating.

Whilst Leearna Shaw focuses on surviving loss and the ensuing grief A Farm in Golden Clouds is also about how finding love unexpectedly can lead to healing.

I love how Indi and Ben's relationship grew organically through understanding each other's loss. They were so natural together, becoming good friends first. This is a slow-burn romance dripping with emotion as the characters help each other work through their pain.

Leearna Shaw adds moments of humour that lighten the theme of loss.

The farming descriptions and everyday farm life were excellent, placing me right there on the farm and building empathy for Indi's plight. She is such a likeable character.

A Farm in Golden Clouds is a fabulous debut. Maybe a bit too heartbreaking for this reader at times. However, the characters were all loveable, their demons were real and I did get the anticipated HEA at the end.

I am looking forward to seeing what Leearna Shaw comes up with next!

My rating 4.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 31st March 2026

Genre: Rural Romance / Contemporary

Pages: 384

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#leearnashaw #ruralromance #afarmingoldenclouds #newrelease2026 #debutfiction

#australianauthor #ausbookbloggers 
 

Review: The Last Resort by Amanda Hewitt

The Last Resort, the debut novel of Australian author Amanda Hewitt, is a heart-warming and emotional story about grasping that second chance at love. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and loved that the main characters were both in their early 40s. Reading a mature-age romance with no huge age gap was refreshing as the characters had real emotional baggage and also had commitments to juggle.

Abbey was looking forward to the big trip planned, to a romantic island resort, to reconnect with her distant husband when six months prior he dropped the bombshell, he was leaving her.

Abbey decides to go anyway to drown her sorrows and wallow in self-pity. On her first night there, Nick sees her in the water and thinking she is actually drowning he rushes in to rescue her. A friendship starts aided by their allotted valet, Oliver. The chemistry is instant but both know this is just a holiday romance.

The Last Resort was simply the best story for holiday reading. The perfect beach read. Abbey and Nick were both broken-hearted. For both the holiday at the resort was meant to be cathartic. Neither were ready to commit to a relationship.

Nick guarded his heart fiercely. His back-story was heart-breaking.

The Last Resort is rich in wonderful support characters with Abbey's fiery sister Kate and her wise and cheeky grandmother Iris, plus Nick's brother and sister all playing an important role in the main characters' lives.

The Last Resort is filled with humour and I loved Abbey's openness finding her voice where love was concerned. She was a little awkward and very real.

Lots of surprising twists and reveals kept the story interesting although I did find the romance dragged out a bit.

It's a long bumpy road to that much welcomed HEA.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd February 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#thelastresort #amandahewitt #australianauthor #contemporaryromance #ausbookbloggers #beachread #newrelease #bookreview #debutnovel

Review: The Portrait by Danielle Steel

 Danielle Steel knows how to write drama and The Portrait has it in spades. Devon and Charlie are both successful but broken and have built up walls to protect themselves.

Devon Darcy is a sought after portrait artist able to really capture the essence of her subjects in her paintings. Devon has suffered many losses in her life and keeps her personal life closed off. A chance meeting with entrepreneur Charles Taylor saw the chemistry between them sizzle and Devon wondering, after all this time, should she risk a second try at love? When he approaches her to paint his portrait she is intrigued to know more about him.

It always takes me a few chapters to get into a Danielle Steel novel. I think it's a combination of the 1st person narration and her "tell" style of writing. However, once I get into the story and the characters I'm always fully immersed in their struggles and relationships.

Life is never easy and Devon and Charles both have previous traumas to work through. I really warmed to Devon but Charlie was a chauvinist, selfish and over dramatic about everything. I did not like him at all and was wishing something bad would happen to him. 😂

I was invested in this story for Devon only and wanted to see her grow and find peace.

The Portrait is a great story to get your emotions rolling and your blood boiling. It evoked a lot of different feelings.

I really do enjoy the drama of a Danielle Steel novel. They are easy reads and sometimes that's just what I need.

My rating 3.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐½

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 30th September 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 336

RRP: $32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: Rumour Has It by Karly Lane

Make sure to check back tomorrow as I will be posting a giveaway for a paperback copy of Rumour Has It by Karly Lane.

Karly Lane is a must-read author for me. I've never read a mediocre Karly Lane book and Rumour Has It, Karly's twenty-sixth novel, is no exception.

This truly engaging second chance romance mystery read had me invested right from the opening pages.

I loved that Rumour Has It featured characters that were a little older than most romance novels. It was nice to move away from the all consuming, heady and often angsty romances of characters in their 20's and early 30's. Aubree and Beau's relationship was based on communication and each had something to teach the other about compromise and balance.

As with previous books, Rumour Has It combines small-town romance with a compelling mystery, a cold case murder investigation and a missing person puzzle. The twists honestly shocked me and Karly Lane shows she is a truly versatile writer to combine these two genres and pull it off, once again.

There is also lots of fun and humour with best friend Ronnie cheering Aubree on and the small-town rumour mill running in overtime.

If you haven't read a Karly Lane book before this is a great book to start with. Like me, you'll be hooked.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐Plus an extra star for a character named Ronnie 💖

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 2nd December 2025

Genre: Rural Romance / Mystery

Pages: 341

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

Other books I've read by Karly Lane.

TAKE ME HOME

THE WRONG CALLAHAN

MR RIGHT NOW 

A STONE'S THROW AWAY 

SOMETHING LIKE THIS

FOOL ME ONCE

ONCE BURNT, TWICE SHY 

TIME AFTER TIME 

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE 

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK

#rumourhasit #karlylane #australianauthor #ruralromance  #blogtour  #newrelease #ausbookbloggers #mystery

Review: Better Than the Real Thing by Brooke Crawford

Have you ever read a book that has you racing through the pages to find out what happens next, then when you near the end you suddenly slow down because you actually don't want to say goodbye to the characters? Well, Better Than the Real Thing is that kind of book!

Netta is struggling with infertility. Whilst falling pregnant is her top priority she feels her partner, Pete, doesn't seem as invested and is becoming distant.

When finding the hidden diary of famous musician, Mo Mapleston, coincides with Netta breaking up with Pete, the $10,000 payment to return the diary, in person, is too good to refuse. However Mo lives in London and Netta left London behind with the demons that hounded her. Surely no one will remember her?

I immediately liked Netta and her struggle felt real. Better Than the Real Thing is filled with so many wonderful 'real'  characters. People that supported each other and welcomed strangers as if they were old friends. I loved them all which made Netta and Mo's story so rewarding.

Even though Mo is a mega star he is riddled with anxiety attacks and often self-deprecating. He is trying his best to change his life - but failing.

Brooke Crawford includes moments of light-hearted banter, emotional confessions, true friendships and a touch of spice to deliver a story that is emotional and heart wrenching, witty and heartwarming.

Netta's friendship with Freya is what struck me the most, it was pure and sincere. I'm getting teary just thinking about how much they supported each other.

The thing I love about romance is after all the heartache and bumps in the road there is always that HEA to look forward to.

Better Than the Real Thing delivers all the feels. I'm excited for its release to see how much everyone loves it!

Content: fertility struggles

               death of a parent

               drugs / overdose

               miscarriage

               spice factor 2/5

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: HQ Fiction

Publication date: 25th November 2025

Genre: Contemporary romance

Pages: 368

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: uncorrected proof courtesy of the publisher

#betterthantherealthing #brookecrawford #hqinsiders #arc #newrelease #ausbookbloggers #contemporaryromance #booksreadin2025 #australianauthor 

Review: Summer, in Between by Holly Cardamone

Summer, in Between is the pitch perfect debut novel by Australian author Holly Cardamone. 

Seventeen-year-old Cat Kelty is counting down the days before she starts year 12. The most important year of her life! As all her friends have gone away for the holidays, she plans to bury herself in her books. She needs top marks in her final year to get into University and out of the small beachside town she calls home.

Summer, in Between will bring back all the feels of that first summer romance. The sun, sand and hot chips on the beach. The story follows Cat as she falls for walking surfer god Paul Lightwood when he is employed by her father to work on their house renovations and follows the ups and downs of their relationship during the summer break.

I loved Cat's family! Her parents were affectionate, loud and often embarrassing. Her brothers were such typical little brothers, annoying and obnoxious, but loveable.  Cat's nonna was outspoken and cantankerous. The quintessential Italian grandmother. She was my favourite character.

Cat does come across as very judgy of her peers, and yes, actually stuck up, as she attends a private school and thinks she is better than the public school students. She complains about them calling her names but also has derogatory names for them. I'll just put that down to teenage self centredness.

I loved Cat's fiery temper and determination. Her teenage hormones were all over the place especially where Paul was concerned.

Summer. in Between is a funny and heartfelt read and I found it hard to put aside, and read it in a day, as I became involved in the lives of Cat's whole family.

I was eager for Cat to have her forever with Paul but also attain her dream of going to University.

Holly has given her readers an honest portrayal of teens. They like to party and indulge in underage drinking. They overreact, make bad decisions and spread gossip.

Holly leaves the story beyond the story up to the reader. What happens after that final page? I would love a sequel when Holly and Paul are a bit older - they are characters I didn't want to let go of.

I did think there should have been more phone use included. Teens are never off them, snapchat, tiktok, taking photos, sending texts. I felt a bit like they were living in the 90's.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Content: underage drinking

               alludes to consensual sex

Publisher: Hawkeye Publishing

Publication date: 16th September 2025

Genre: Young Adult / Romance

Pages: 270

RRP: AU$29.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Review: For Richer For Poorer by Danielle Steel

For Richer For Poorer is my first read by best selling author Danielle Steel and once I got used to the author's omniscient style of narration I was totally wrapped in the setting of the Hamptons and the colourful group of family members.

Eugenia Ward has worked hard all her life bringing up her five children, mostly alone, whilst building a fashion brand sought after by the rich and famous. After the lengthy COVID lockdown worldwide and no dinner parties or balls for two years now, her exclusive haute couture formal wear brand is failing.

This is the first book I have read that explores the effects of the lockdowns and how many businesses failed and people lost their jobs during these times. 

Eugenia and her grown children go on their annual holiday to the Hamptons, at mum's expense, where she is hoping to come up with a plan to save her business.

It is so refreshing to read a story where the main character has a large family and manages to juggle a multi-million dollar business and also see to the  woes and demands of her adult children.

For Richer For Poorer really is the lifestyles of the rich and famous and I loved every over indulgent minute. A family holiday where there is a housemaid, a chef and a nanny! Then we meet Patrick who has a yacht with a full crew, a chef and a masseuse.  This story took me to another world, one that I will only live in through books.

Each of Eugenia's children were different in personality and temperament but they all came across as spoilt and privileged. 

For Richer For Poorer is rich in family drama there is never a dull moment. Eugenia is a strong female lead and Steel has included characters to love and characters to hate which kept the story interesting. As Eugenia owned a haute couture fashion label the story aptly includes lots of fantastic descriptions of characters' outfits and new design ideas Eugenia came up with to keep the business afloat.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Macmillan

Publication date: 19th August 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 320

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Book Review: The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe by Catherine Greer

The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe is an easy read. Engaging and fun! This is a story of resilience and starting over and I love that with romance books you are always guaranteed a happy ending. 

 

Just when Audrey thinks she's in line for that big promotion at work she is blindsided and replaced by a younger woman. Devastated and angry, she goes home to find that her husband has been having an affair and asks her to move out of the marital home.

 

After losing her job, her husband and her home, Audrey flees to Whitehaven Bay, a place that holds happy memories of holidays with her mother.

 

The whole life imploding and fleeing to a quiet, small town is a well worn trope but I always love these stories of women being resilient and courageous in the face of adversity.

If you read enough contemporary romance you will come across this popular trope. I've read similar books before and always loved them. The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe is no exception - different people - different towns - and it's the differences that add a level of uniqueness to each story - same but different - and totally enjoyable. 

 

The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe is a bittersweet story of starting over (see what I did there). 😉 What starts as a short holiday for Audrey soon becomes the catalyst of a long held dream. Audrey loves to bake and has always dreamed of running her own bakery.

 

The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe has a wonderful cast of eclectic characters that make up the small coastal town of Whitehaven Bay. I loved them all, especially Buddy, the octogenarian who liked to swim naked, Billie the rebellious, non-binary teen, Chez, entrepreneur, party planner and Zen master and I can't forget the Coffin Cheaters bikie gang. There is a heartfelt age-gap friendship between Buddy, Audrey and Billie.

 

The Bittersweet Bakery Cafe is chock-full of laugh-out-loud moments with plenty of drama and setbacks through themes of ageism, alcohol abuse and domestic abuse, as Audrey rebuilds her life with sugar, flour, butter and love. Fabulous feel-good fiction and a must read for contemporary romance readers. 

 

And if Audrey's recipes make your mouth water they are all there in the back of the book just waiting for you to try them. 

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 4th March 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 384

RRP: AU$32.99 

Source: Uncorrected proof won 

 

 

 

Book Review: My Hot Housemate by Susannah Hardy

My Hot Housemate was everything a RomCom should be; funny, smart and engaging, with a touch of spice.

 

After a disastrous break-up Indie decides to put her acting career on hold in America and return home to Australia to spend time with her parents and dog-sit her best friend Jazz's fur baby.  However, Jazz's husband has also asked Jem to stay and look after George. Jem, the hot guy she kissed at Jazz's wedding, and never saw again!

Indie doesn't know why Jem hates her but she decides it's best if she just avoids him as much as possible. But sometimes that's near impossible.

 

My Hot Housemate is such a fun story. Indie is so awkward and gets herself in lots of hilarious situations. I loved her relationship with her parents. It was very sweet.

 

There is loads of fun banter, misunderstandings, cute doggy antics, a brooding male lead and a touch of spice in this slow burn enemies to lovers story set in Bondi and surrounds.

 

If you like to read RomComs I highly recommend My Hot Housemate. It's a charming, witty and memorable read filled with lovable characters and delightful chaos.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Hawkeye Publishing P/L

Publication date: 13th April 2025

Genre: Romance / RomCom

Pages: 330

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley 

 

Other books I've read by Susannah Hardy

LOVING LIZZIE MARCH 

 

 

Book Review: A Santorini Secret by Rose Alexander

A Santorini Secret is a brilliantly conceived novel combining fact and fiction to deliver a deeply moving story of heartbreak and heroism narrated through a dual timeline.

 

2024 - Carrie has uncovered a sketch of a woman amongst her deceased uncle Sol's belongings, the sketch seems to be connected to a mission he was on in Santorini during WWII. Carrie is intrigued to find out more and a trip to Santorini to visit her friend Xanthe is the perfect opportunity.

1944 - A group of British Commandos are hiding on the island of Santorini ready to strike down the German camp. Vassia is asked by her father, the mayor, to take them food and water, under cover of darkness.

 

Both timelines were seamlessly delivered and although I enjoyed the mystery of Carrie uncovering the events involving her uncle, I found Vassia's story much more compelling. I loved Vassia's spirit and tenacity, and the evolving love story between Vassia and Sol.

I found the character of Carrie a bit melodramatic but that is a very minor gripe in this overall fabulous story.

 

A Santorini Secret is an emotionally charged dual timeline story of courage and love.

 

My rating: 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 25th February 2025 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 394

RRP: AU$4.99 (Kindle edition)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Funny Story by Emily Henry

I purchased Funny Story for this year's Dymocks Reading Challenge. The prompt was: a book from the Dymocks Book of the Year shortlist. 

 

Daphne and Miles are thrown together when Daphne's fiance dumps her for Miles' girlfriend and with nowhere to live Daphne moves in with Miles.

Drowning their sorrows with tequilas they hatch a plan to post photos of a happy 'fake' relationship together.

I did enjoy Daphne's growth from having low self esteem and no real friends of her own to opening up, speaking up and making friends. Daphne worked in a library and I loved all the library events and mentions of staff and customers.

 

The story is filled with lots of humour and flirtatious banter between Daphne and Miles.

What I didn't enjoy was all the outpouring of emotions Daphne and Miles heaped on each other. I suppose they were a good match here. I had no empathy for either of them, and rolled my eyes a lot, which made me feel like a bad person and really, I don't want to be the baddie in the books I read! 

 

For the most part I found Funny Story to be a humorous, slow burn, fake relationship RomCom. A good choice for  a relaxing holiday read.

 

My rating 3.5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐½

Spice rating 2 / 5 🌶🌶 

 

Publisher: Penguin Viking

Publication date: 25th April 2024 

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Pages: 384

Source: Own purchase

Book Review: All I Want for Christmas by Karen Swan

Every year I look forward to Karen Swan's Christmas book and All I Want for Christmas was another 5 star read for me! 

 

Set in the beautiful city of Copenhagen All I Want for Christmas is destination fiction at its finest.

Once I had finished I felt the urge to read it all over again and instead of frantically turning pages invested in the mystery I could lose myself in the stunning location.

 

Darcy is an art history student currently working on her PhD when she is asked by the University to help find the identity of a woman in a portrait recently discovered hidden behind a famous painting.

Darcy is  sworn off dating and is happy to spend Christmas alone, however her best friend, Freja, has other ideas and convinces Darcy to sign up to a dating app.

As Darcy goes on one disastrous date after another she can't help being attracted to lawyer Max Lorensen. He is handsome and arrogant and everything Darcy needs to stay away from.  

The story is set during the lead up to Christmas but All I Want for Christmas is no sweet Christmasy romance. This is a story with a compelling mystery at its core and immersed in the high stakes world of collectible art.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 8th October 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Mystery

Pages: 464

RRP: AU$34.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Other books I've read by Karen Swan

THE GREEK ESCAPE

THE LAST SUMMER

THE HIDDEN BEACH

THE SPANISH PROMISE 

MIDNIGHT IN THE SNOW 

THE CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS

THE CHRISTMAS PARTY 

THE SECRET PATH 

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

TOGETHER BY CHRISTMAS 

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT

THE STOLEN HOURS 

THE LOST LOVER

 

 

Book Review: Can't Buy Me Love by Jane Lovering

I read Can't Buy Me Love for the #DymocksReadingChallenge and it also qualifies for my TBR challenge.

 

When Willow's grandfather dies she is in line for a substantial inheritance. Then when an old University crush, Luke, arrives in town and asks her out it seems all her dreams are coming true.

 

Not long after Willow and Luke start dating she meets computer geek Cal, her brother's friend. They get on so well and have the same quirky sense of humour but Cal seems to be hiding something and Luke keeps disappearing for days at a time on vague work meetings. Willow finds herself struggling with who she can trust.

Can't Buy Me Love is such a fun story! Jane Lovering has given her readers characters to love and characters to hate.

I liked that she has included a character with a disability and shown them as smart, capable and fun.

 

There are mysteries surrounding both Cal and Luke and the odd misunderstanding, and of course there is going to be one that you hope Willow will end up with. 

 

Can't Buy Me Love is a fun, easy read filled with heart and humour. Recommended for a lazy afternoon's reading. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication date: 9th May 2017

Genre: RomCom

Pages: 288

Source: own copy 

Book Review: A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin

A Love Letter to Paris

by

Rebecca Raisin

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication date: 8th July 2024

Genre: Romance / RomCom

Pages: 266

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources.

 

Review: A Love Letter to Paris

Lilou Babineaux is a lover of letters and the written word. She collects old love letters and diaries that are unearthed in estate sales and sells them at her market stall.

 

Worried that the art of hand written letters of love are becoming obsolete now that we use email Lilou starts a dating site, Paris Cupid, that states that the matched couples must first get to know each other by exchanging letters.

 

A Love Letter to Paris is such a fun read. I'm new to Rebecca Raisin's writing and after just one book she is firmly on my must read list.

 

I loved this light, funny and sweet slow burn romance. A sweet female lead who has had a few bad dating experiences and a moody male lead. A Love Letter to Paris has grumpy meets sunshine vibes. A couple of other love interests are thrown into the mix which makes for some fun exchanges.

 

Lilou's friend Genevieve stole the show. How can you not love an older female character who is sexy, fun and confident in her own skin.

A Love Letter to Paris is perfect if you are after something light, fun and positive. It's a real feel-good read. The perfect armchair travel story. I loved travelling around Paris with Lilou.

 

I enjoyed the the inclusion of excerpts from old letters and diaries.  

My rating 5/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐