Book Review: Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara #PsycheandEros @McnamaraLuna @orionbooks @RandomTTours

Synopsis

The greatest love story ever told…

Born into an era of heroes, a prophecy claims that Psyche – Princess of Mycenae – will defeat a monster feared even by the gods themselves. Rebelling against society’s traditions, she spends her youth mastering blade and bow, preparing to fulfil her destiny.

But she is soon caught up in powers beyond her control, when the jealous Aphrodite sends the God of Desire, Eros, to deliver a fatal love-curse. The last thing Eros wants is to become involved in the chaos of the mortal world, but when he is pricked by the very arrow intended for Psyche, he is doomed to love a woman who will be torn from him the moment their eyes meet.

Thrown together by fate, headstrong Psyche and world-weary Eros will face challenges greater than they could have ever imagined. And as the Trojan War begins and the whole of the heavens try to keep them apart, will they find their way back to each other… before it’s too late?

My Review

Psyche, is born to the King and Queen of Mycenae. Before her birth her father is told of a prophecy that his child will defeat a great monster. Growing up Psyche has all the training that she would need so she can fulfil the prophecy. However, when she is older Psyche angers the goddess Aphrodite who sends Eros to curse her with an arrow but Eros accidentally cuts himself with the arrow, falling in love with Psyche and becoming the subject of Aphrodite’s curse. Can Psyche and Eros be together and can the curse be broken?

This year has definitely been the year for reading more about Greek mythology and retellings. As soon as I read the synopsis I knew this was a book I needed to read straightaway. I know a little about Eros but very little about Psyche or her beginnings. This was such a beautifully written book that I found it difficult to put down. The way the story was written it was so easy to understand and even though at times there was a lot going on and many characters were introduced it was so easy to follow.

I really enjoyed learning more about Psyche and her origins. Especially the way she was treated by her father and that he wasn’t disappointed by the fact he had a daughter rather than a son. He treated Psyche as if she was a son, making sure she had all of the same opportunities including learning to fight, defend herself and defend others. Psyche is such a smart, talented and strong woman. Psyche shows her strength and agility when she defeats the drakonis because it showed how talented she was.

I loved reading the love story between Psyche and Eros unfold and their relationship develop. Although it started off quite platonic it slowly turned into something more. Although Eros believes that he has been cursed to love Psyche I didn’t see it as a curse but felt it was Eros’ redemption. Prior to meeting Psyche although Eros was a god his life had no meaning. He was not in the best place and he was actually looking to end it all that is until he cuts himself with the arrow. Psyche and Eros represent true love and are soul mates. They’re meant to be together but they have to go through so much including being separated and then battling against the gods so they can be reunited. My favourite scene was when Eros first saw Psyche and falls in love with her. What made it one of my favourite scenes was Eros’ first impression of Psyche who is asleep. Although he sees how beautiful she is, the moment is ruined by Psyche snoring and drooling onto her pillow. This really made me chuckle.

If you’re a fan of Greek mythology and retellings this is a book not to be missed.

Author Bio

LUNA McNAMARA is a social worker living in Boston. She holds a master’s degree from Harvard University with a focus in women and gender in world religions and has studied ancient Greek language and philosophy. Her fiction and creative nonfiction have been published in Rune Bear and the Harvard Divinity Bulletin. Psyche and Eros is her first novel.

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Book Review: The Retreat by Zara Raheem #TheRetreat #ZaraRaheem @Harper360UK @instabooktours

Synopsis

Nadia Abbasi’s marriage is falling apart. It starts with a gifted Roomba, but when she stumbles upon some questionable photos in her husband Aman’s office, everything makes sense—the late-night texting, the sudden interest in fitness, the new clothes. Aman—the kind, thoughtful man she married—is having an affair.

Determined to find out what went wrong in her marriage, Nadia enlists the help of Zeba, the estranged sister she hasn’t seen or spoken to since their mom’s funeral over a year ago. As the two sisters fight to reconcile their past, Nadia realizes her relationship with Aman is not the only one that needs mending.

Nevertheless, the plan itself is simple: confront the “other woman” and win back her husband. Her clumsy attempt at sleuthing leads her from yoga studio—Aman’s latest hangout—to a three-day wellness retreat in the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains. But somewhere in between falling out of tree pose and choking down plant-based meals, Nadia’s plans unravel again when she discovers more than she expected about herself, her husband, and the nature of love.

My Review

Nadia is content in her marriage to Aman. That is until she finds some pictures and comes to the realisation that Aman is having an affair. Finding herself lost and alone she turns to her estranged sister Zeba who she’s not spoken to since their mother’s funeral a year ago. With Zeba’s advice and help Nadia tries to uncover Aman’s secret. Can her relationship with Aman and Zeba be saved?

The Retreat was a book that really surprised me and I enjoyed reading it immensely. It was heart-warming, heart breaking, with drama, emotion and some funny moments. When Nadia made the discovery abut Aman I felt like I was there with her. So when Nadia’s world fell away I felt like mine had too. This book was written in such a way that it was hard not to feel like I was standing next to Nadia and watching from the periphery as she went through pain and confusion. I had an inkling where the story would go in relation to Aman. Although my inkling was correct it didn’t spoil the story for me and it was far from predictable. Nadia loved Aman immensely but their marriage had become stale and they weren’t connecting like they use to. Nadia had noticed little changes in Aman but in some ways turned a blind eye to them until she found the photos and things started to fall into place. I think Nadia was very courageous when she decided to uncover Aman’s affair. I don’t know what I would have done in that situation but she’s braver than I could ever have been. Nadia could have confronted Aman but I don’t think she would have got the answers that she needed and I doubt if Aman would have been honest with Nadia.

It was interesting to see how the relationship between Nadia and Zeba unfolded. It was clear from the book that the one thing that they had in common and that kept their family unit together was their mother. When she passed away their family unit disintegrated and they became estranged. But when Nadia finds out about Aman, her world starts to fall apart and she doesn’t know who to go to she turns to her sister rather than her friends. She does this unconsciously and it’s like an immediate instinct that she needs to see Zeba. I loved the relationship between Nadia and Zeba. It was so lovely to see then reconnecting after such a long time. They both acknowledged that they’d been through something very difficult when their mother was ill and when they lost her. But rather than rake up the past and point the finger at each other they move forward always keeping their mother’s memory at the forefront.

What I loved about this book in particular was that it is about and features South Asian main characters and the way the characters were written I found it so easy to connect with them. They felt like real people and this was their very real story.

This is the first book that I’ve read by the author and it won’t be the last. I look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.

Author Bio

Zara Raheem received her MFA from California State University, Long Beach. She is the recipient of the James I. Murashige Jr. Memorial award in fiction and was selected as one of 2019’s Harriet Williams Emerging Writers. She resides in Southern California where she teaches English and creative writing. The Marriage Clock is her first novel.

Book Review: A Laird for the Highland Lady by Catherine Tinley @CatherineTinley @rararesources @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks

Synopsis

Becoming a laird
…worthy of the Highland lady?

After an unexpected encounter with Eilidh MacDonald, Max Wood thinks this shockingly beautiful woman is unlike anyone he’s ever met! Working to restore the Scottish estate long neglected by his family, Max is achieving more than he thought possible. As a carefree second son, he’s never considered marriage—until now… But is shaking off his decadent persona enough to win the flame-haired lady who’s captured his heart?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/LairdHLady

My Review

Whilst Eilidh is in London with her brother Angus she makes the acquaintance of Max. Eilidh is different to other women Max has met and makes him realise that he needs to make some well needed changes in is life if he wants to win her over.

This is the third book in the Lairds of the Isles series. In the second book we meet Angus who is in London to buy back land neighbouring his property that once belonged to his family and this is when he meets Isabella (who just so happens to be the current land owner’s younger sister) and their relationship begins. In that book we are introduced to Angus’ younger sister Eilidh and Isabella’s second brother Max.

When is started to read this book there was something familiar about the setting and the characters. Then I realised why it was so familiar. The storylines in this book and the second book take place at the same time but focus on different characters. I was really pleased when I started reading and realised that this book was about Eilidh because she was a character that I wanted to know a little bit more about. Eilidh is an independent woman. She speaks her mind and isn’t interested in finding a husband and this decision is respected by her brother. I always wondered why Eilidh had made this decision and more detail about this is provided in this book. I did like Eilidh even more especially when at the start of the book she trips up Max whilst he is racing his sister in the park because she thinks he is chasing Isabella. This was the perfect meeting between the two characters.

I can understand why Eilidh didn’t want to get too close to Max. Although she finds Max handsome she has been hurt in the past, her stay in London is short and her first impression of Max isn’t particularly very good. She does judge Max sometimes but then apologises if she feels she has been too harsh. Saying that Max doesn’t really have a good impression of himself either and doesn’t believe that he is worthy of Eilidh. He’s the second son and therefore he has no responsibilities, no direction and no focus. His life revolves round gaming and attending parties. Other than this there is nothing expected from him despite Max aspiring to make something of his life. He just doesn’t know where to start. It’s meeting Eilidh that makes Max reassess his life and make some changes, including standing up to his brother. It’s when he visits Scotland that he finds focus and a job where he has meaning. Once he becomes a landowner, looking after the land and his tenants, Max is able to show that there is more to his character. Proving that he not only takes care of the land but also others and that he is worthy of Eilidh.

Although this book is about Eilidh and Max it is also a continuation story for other characters such as Alasdair and Lydia who are the main characters in book one and Angus and Isabella who are the main characters in book two. I think this was a nice book to end the series with as it tied up all of the storylines for the other main characters that featured in the earlier books.

The perfect ending to the Lairds of the Isles series.

Author Bio

Catherine Tinley is an award winning author of historical romance. She writes witty, heartwarming Regency romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Her first book, Waltzing with the Earl, won the Rita® Award for Best Historical Romance 2018, while Rags-to-Riches Wife won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2021 as well as the HOLT Medallion, and A Waltz with the Outspoken Governess has won the RoNA Award for Best Historical Romance 2022.

She has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance, and happy endings. After a career encompassing speech & language therapy, Sure Start, maternity campaigning and being President of a charity, she now manages a maternity hospital. She lives in
Ireland with her husband, children, cats, and dog and can be reached at catherinetinley.com, on
facebook, twitter, and instagram.

Book Review: Her Unforgettable Knight by Melissa Oliver @melissaoauthor @rararesources @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks

Synopsis

She never forgot him…

Can she ever forgive him?

Part of Protectors of the Crown. Marguerite never expected to see Savaric again—let alone to have to help him when she finds him outnumbered in a fight. He’s the brooding knight she fell for two years ago, until he left her unexpectedly. Now Marguerite is a hardened spy, and wary of trusting him again. But how long can she resist their connection when they must work together to protect the Crown…?

Purchase Links
Books2Read https://books2read.com/HerUnfogettableKnight
Harper Collins- bit.ly/3ZzsEdC
Amazon UK- https://amzn.to/3ERygYB
Amazon US- https://amzn.to/3J5AdmJ

My Review

The last person that Marguerite thought she would see was Savaric, a member of the Knights Fortitude. It has been two years since she last saw Savaric, a member of the Knights Fortitude who she fell for before he disappeared. Now Marguerite and Savaric will be working together will they be able to rekindle what was between them.

We are first introduced to Marguerite and Savaric in A Stolen Knight’s Kiss which is the second book in the Protectors of the Crown series. They are secondary characters and the book explored the meeting and relationship between Eva and Nicholas. I really liked Marguerite when she first appeared in the second book so I was really pleased to see that the next book focused on her character and we were able to find out more about her.

There were so many things I liked about the story. It was filled with mystery, intrigue, drama and also romance. Marguerite and Savaric are so similar in that they care about each other immensely but never express vocally how they feel. It’s clear that something happened between them two years ago and now they keep each other at arm’s length. Marguerite feels that she was rejected by Savaric but she doesn’t know why. It is later revealed in the book why Savaric turned away from Marguerite. He wasn’t rejecting her but trying to protect her from his past. So when they meet again for the first time there are a lot of tense scenes between them. I loved the interactions between Marguerite and Savaric because it crossed from playfulness, to seriousness to something akin to two lovers having a tiff. One of my favourite scenes from the book was when Marguerite and Savaric are told they will be working together and they decide to shake hands but Savaric holds Marguerite’s hand that little bit longer. He holds her hand so gently and tenderly. It was such a unique moment and such a powerful scene where the characters expressed how they felt about each other without speaking and it will be a scene that will always come to mind when I think about this book. When Savaric said he would be Marguerite’s champion on her personal mission to vindicate her father’s name my heart melted.

I would highly recommend this series if you love historical romance.

Author Bio

Melissa Oliver is from south-west London where she writes sweeping historical romance and is the WINNER of The Romantic Novelist Association’s Joan Hessayon Award for new writers 2020
for, The Rebel Heiress and the Knight.
Website http://www.melissaoliverauthor.com
Social Media Links Instagram @melissaoliverauthor Twitter @melissaoauthor
Facebook @melissaoliverauthor
http://www.melissaoliverauthor.com

Cover Reveal: The Sewing Factory Girls by Posy Lovell @orionbooks @Tr4cyF3nt0n

Synopsis

The Sewing Factory Girls is Posy Lovell’s heartwarming and moving novel inspired by the brave, hardworking women who fought to improve working conditions at the Singer Factory in Clydebank. It is an uplifting and emotional novel of friendship and courage, for readers who enjoy fiction based on real life stories.

Like half of all the young women living in Clydebank in early 1911, Ellen works at the Sewing Machine factory. So does her big sister, Bridget, Bridget’s fiancé Malcolm, and her new friend Sadie, who has recently come back home after the death of her father to help her mum look after her siblings.

For Sadie, the factory is a way to make ends meet. But Ellen has sewing in her veins. She sings in the factory choir, helps organise the gala days and is even making Bridget’s wedding dress on her beloved sewing machine. But after the excitement of the wedding dies down, things take a turn for the worse. Ellen discovers that the work of the cabinet polishers – her job – is to be reorganised, and they will be doing more work for less pay.

Ellen feels like it is a betrayal – the sewing factory is her family and they’ve let her down. Sadie is more pragmatic. But she tells Ellen about trade unions and how at the factory she worked in before, there was a strike. And Ellen gets an idea…

The events of the strike will throw Ellen, Bridget and Sadie’s lives into turmoil but also bring these women closer to each other than they could ever have imagined.

Author Bio

Posy Lovell is a pseudonym for British author and journalist Kerry Barrett. Born in Edinburgh, she moved to London as a child with her family. She has a passion for uncovering the role of women in the past. She lives in London with her family and is the author of The Kew Gardens Girls.

Cover Reveal: Arrietty by Abby Davies #Arrietty @Abby13Richards @RandomTTours

Synopsis

Our loved ones protect us. 

So what if you woke up one day to find yours gone? 

Your mum, your friends, your freedom – all gone. 

And the one person you trust may be hiding a terrible secret.  

Welcome to Arrietty’s life.

Author Bio

Abby Davies was born in Macclesfield in 1984. She grew up in Bedfordshire in a seventeenth century cottage near FlittonMoor and started writing ‘thrillers’ when she was seven years old.

After reading English Literature at Sheffield University and training to be an English teacher, she wrote novels in her free time.

She was shortlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition in 2018 and longlisted for the Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award in 2019. Her debut Mother Loves Me was published by HarperCollins in 2020. The Cult came out in 2021. Arrietty is her third novel. 

She lives in Wiltshire with her husband, daughter and two crazy cocker spaniels.

Book Review: Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane #BetweenUs @MhairiMcF @HarperCollinsUK @fictionpubteam @RandomTTours

Synopsis

When Joe and Roisin join their group of friends for a weekend at a country house, it’s a triple celebration – a birthday, an engagement and the launch of Joe’s shiny new crime drama on TV. For Roisin, it’s a chance to connect with the group of friends she made a decade before, working as a bookseller. But for Joe, it’s a distraction as his writing career soars.

As the weekend unfolds, tensions are revealed between the group and Roisin’s sense of foreboding about her own relationship grows. And when the friends watch the first episode of Joe’s drama, she realises that the secrets she told him are right there on the screen. But is that all he’s used? What if the fictional hero’s infidelity also isn’t fictional after all?

My Review

Roisin is in a good place in her life. She is in a long term relationship with her boyfriend Joe and together with a group of friends they go away for the weekend to celebrate a birthday, engagement and the first episode of Joe’s new TV show. This should be an exciting time until Roisin realises that during the screening what she sees on screen is something that she told Joe about in confidence. Roisin’s world is turned upside down. How well does she know Joe? What other secrets is Joe keeping from her?

This was a slow paced read to begin with but I quite liked that because it set the scene for the group and the dynamic between them. The group also known as The Brian Club gave me Friends and This Life vibes. They are a tight knit group who play a big part in each other’s lives. They have this amazing bond of friendship where they are more like family than friends.

I really loved the storyline. Not only was the book about friendship it was also about Roisin discovering secrets. Once Roisin opens the Pandora’s Box there’s no way back. Roisin finds that secrets from her past are revealed but also that there are secrets that Joe has been keeping from Roisin. The more she delves into the secrets she starts to unpick her relationship with Joe, realising that he’s not the person she thought he was. I really felt for Roisin when she saw the TV show. It must have been devastating for her to see on screen something that she had told Joe in private and in confidence. She believed she was sharing this with someone she loved and that it wouldn’t go any further. Instead it appeared on TV for the world to see. Joe was such a frustrating character especially when he didn’t think he’d done anything wrong. He never asked Roisin’s permission or spoke to her before putting her secret out there for everyone to see. He brushed off Roisin’s feelings and rather than apologise he tried to downgrade what he had done. But Joe’s big lack of judgment is his downfall because it leads to Roisin uncovering secrets Joe has been keeping. By asking her friend Matt (also a member of The Brain Club) for help she starts to become close to Matt and see him in a different light. To all of her friends including herself Matt is rich and a ladies man but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The more time they spend together they start to open up to each other and have honest conversation about their life and their past. Due to this they find common ground and find a bond which starts to turn into something more. Matt also reveals secrets to Roisin about his life and one particular secret that could have led him on a different path.

A story about friendship and secrets.

Author Bio

Sunday Times bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane was born in Scotland in 1976 and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree. After some efforts at journalism, she started writing novels and her first book, You Had Me At Hello, was an instant success and she’s since sold nearly 2 million copies of her books. Between Us is her ninth book and she lives in Nottingham with a man and a cat.

Book Review: If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude #IfTomorrowDoesntCome #TheWriteReads #UltimateBlogTour @jenstjude @PenguinUKBooks @penguinplatform @The_WriteReads @WriteReadsTours

Synopsis

We Are Okay meets They Both Die at the End in this YA debut about queer first love and mental health at the end of the world-and the importance of saving yourself, no matter what tomorrow may hold.

Avery Byrne has secrets. She’s queer; she’s in love with her best friend, Cass; and she’s suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression. But on the morning Avery plans to jump into the river near her college campus, the world discovers there are only nine days left to an asteroid is headed for Earth, and no one can stop it.

Trying to spare her family and Cass additional pain, Avery does her best to make it through just nine more days. As time runs out and secrets slowly come to light, Avery would do anything to save the ones she loves. But most importantly, she learns to save herself. Speak her truth. Seek the support she needs. Find hope again in the tomorrows she has left.

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is a celebration of queer love, a gripping speculative narrative, and an urgent, conversation-starting book about depression, mental health, and shame.

My Review

Avery decides that she wants to end her life, but before she can she is told that an asteroid is going to hit the Earth in nine days. So Avery puts her plans on hold to get to her best friend and the girl she’s in love with, Cass and her family.

When it came to writing this review, I didn’t know what to say. Apart from when you read this book, you’ll need some tissues and some sort of comfort food nearby. There is so much packed into the storyline. It’s not just about an apocalyptic event. It’s also a story about love, relationships, friendships, identity and mental health.

The start of the book sets the scene showing what Avery is going through. She’s not in a good place, she’s very lost and she’s struggling with her mental health. She’s tried throwing herself into sports but doesn’t think she’s very good at it and she’s failing her classes. Avery’s mental health is suffering and she’s become a little preoccupied with her aunt’s death. Her aunt took her own life. She finds herself in a situation where she’s not sure what to do with herself and she’s given up. It felt like Avery wasn’t sure who to ask or how to ask for help or to tell someone she was struggling. At one point she is seen speaking to a college tutor and I found this a difficult scene to read because it was clear that something was going on with Avery. Her grades had declined and she was failing the class (the change in Avery had been noticed) but no support was provided and she wasn’t even asked if she was ok.

In addition to this Avery is trying to process and accept who she is as a person which she is clearly struggling with. Avery has known for a while that she was in love with her best friend Cass but had never vocalised any of this. She’s not spoken to her parents or even to her friend Aisha. Receiving the news that the end of the world is approaching gives Avery the push she needs to tell Cass how she feels about her and the fact she has been struggling. It also gives her the opportunity to spend time with her parents and be honest with them about who she is. I loved the friendship between Avery and Aisha. Initially they just see each other as roommates but then become really close.

I was actually lost for words when the book came to an end and the last line will haunt me for a while. I can’t believe the story ended the way it did so I hope there is another book as I am eager to learn what happens next.

Author Bio

Lambda Literary Fellow Jen St. Jude (she/they) grew up in New Hampshire apple orchards and now lives in Chicago with her wife and dog. She has served as an editor for Chicago Review of Books, Just Femme & Dandy, and Arcturus Magazine. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her cheering on the Chicago Sky and Red Stars. If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is her first novel.

Book Review: Love And Other Scams by PJ Ellis #LoveAndOtherScams @Philip_Ellis @HarperNorthUK @RandomTTours

Synopsis

Cat has a dangerously dwindling bank balance. She also has:

· a month before her landlord kicks her out
· a surprise wedding invitation from rich mean girl, Louisa
· a secret talent for con artistry

A priceless jewel the size of a cocktail olive is glinting on Louisa’s finger. And when Cat meets her ideal plus one, Jake – who’s gifted at hustling and posing as the perfect boyfriend – this wedding becomes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. After all, how hard can a diamond heist be?

My Review

Cat is going through a tough time. Her bank balance is low, freelance work is scarce and she’s living with friends and was meant to find a new place to live a while ago. Then she is invited to her old friend’s Louisa’s wedding and to be part of the wedding party which is going to dwindle further her already non-existent funds. Then she sees Louisa’s engagement ring which includes a large diamond called the Tsarina. After getting drunk and going to her favourite bar Cat and Jake the bartender talk about how they would steal the ring. One drunken chat turns into something more real when Cat and Jake start to plan a heist. The con is on.

This was such a fun book to read. A heist at a big lavish wedding, what more could you want. From the beginning I definitely got Hustle, Now You See me and the Ocean’s movies vibes. Whist reading it was like a heist movie was playing in my head. Cat was such a funny and comedic character. She comes up with a heist plan when she is drunk as a bit of a joke but then realises that with a bit of planning it could be a reality especially because she is part of the wedding party and inner circle. The story moves between the past and the present and in the past we are given an insight into Cat and Louisa’s friendship, including how they met.

I really liked the interaction between Cat and Jake. They are both grifters. Jake has more experience than Cat but Cat makes up for that with her planning and imagination. If they can get the diamond and replace it with a fake they will be set for life. But Cat and Jake not only see each other as heist partners they also start to see each other as something more which adds an additional complication to their partnership. It doesn’t help that in order to make the heist work they have to enter into a fake dating relationship so that Jake is also part of the wedding party so they start to fall for each other a little bit more. But is it real or is it just a scam and that’s what Cat starts to question.

My favourite part of the book was definitely the ending because it wasn’t what I was expecting and it was so cleverly executed that it made me smile. I’m not sure if there’s going to be a second book because at the end of this one Cat and Jake are planning something else so I really hope there is a follow up as I would love to see what other heists Cat and Jake have planned.

If you like books that include heists and fake dating this is the book for you.

Author Bio

PJ Ellis is a journalist who writes for Men’s Health, GQ and Teen Vogue, covering relationships, pop culture and LGBTQ+ issues. He lives in Birmingham and tweets @Philip_Ellis. Love & Other Scams is his first novel.

Book Review: Summer At Green Valley Vineyard by Lucy Coleman @LucyColemanauth @emblabooks @Tr4cyF3nt0n

Synopsis

A beautiful vineyard. A new beginning. A summer that will change their lives forever…

Linzi arrived at Green Valley Vineyard nine years ago, in need of a fresh start. In the lush emerald countryside and ripening grapes, she finally has a place to call home.

But Linzi’s world is rocked when the owner announces he is retiring, and his grandson is taking over.

When Elliot Montgomery first sets foot at Green Valley, Linzi’s worst fears are realised. He’s stepped straight out of the boardroom in shiny shoes and a tailored suit. How will a numbers man like him ever understand the magic of what they do here?

Elliot has his own demons, carrying the grief of his father’s death. Despite their differences, he has come to the vineyard for a new beginning, much like Linzi once did.

As the summer unfolds, Elliot and Linzi find themselves in an uneasy alliance while old secrets threaten to be revealed.

Could more be about to bloom here among the twisting vines than they ever thought possible?

My Review

Big changes are afoot at Green Valley Vineyard. Linzi has been working at the vineyard for nine years and now the owner Thomas announces he is retiring and handing the reigns over to his grandson Elliott. Elliott knows very little about running a vineyard in fact he knows nothing and looks like he’s walked straight out of a board room meeting. Linzi and Elliott are about to spend a lot of time together. Will love bloom in the vineyard during the summer?

The description of The Green Valley Vineyard sounded so peaceful and the perfect place to escape to. I can see why Linzi lived near the vineyard in a little cottage. Linzi is such an accomplished person. She is an expert in looking after the vines and also teaches new recruits how to care for them. I did love how she would talk to the vines and always knew exactly what they needed. This was such an easy read and at times I wished I too was at the vineyard. I can understand why Linzi was nervous when Elliott came along especially because he had little or no experience and would make lots of changes. She was concerned that he would only see the vineyard as a business and nothing more. But Elliott surprises everyone. He looks not only at what’s best for the business but also what’s best for the employees, ensuring that their interests are protected, if not at the forefront of the business. He realises that the staff are like a family and wants to strengthen that bond. One of the lines that I really loved in this book is when Elliott said he was told that he would need Linzi more than she would need him and this turned out to be true. Elliott knew that in some ways Linzi was the heart of the vineyard, respected her knowledge and would include her in some of the decisions he was making,  recognising that she had a hand in making the business a success. Elliott did have a few secrets of his own one which related to the business but that didn’t come to light until the end of the book.

Linzi and Elliott had a connection from the beginning. One of the things that they have in common is the expectations from their family. Linzi has been a disappointment to her dad since she came back from Italy and this caused her to become estranged from her family. When the truth was revealed about what caused the estrangement I felt really sad for Linzi because her dad was quite judgemental and rather than support his daughter he decided to break ties with her. In Elliott’s case he has a lot to live up to running the family vineyard which was run by his grandfather, then by his father for a short period of time before he died and he is next in line. Unfortunately, Elliott learns that the vineyard did not thrive under his dad’s management and he now has to fix the damage that was caused.

Author Bio

Lucy Coleman always knew that one day she would write, but first life took her on a wonderful journey of self-discovery for which she is very grateful.

Family life and two very diverse careers later she now spends most days glued to a keyboard, which she refers to as her personal quality time.

‘It’s only when you know who you are that you truly understand what makes you happy – and writing about love, life and relationships makes me leap out of bed every morning!’

If she isn’t online she’s either playing with the kids, whose imaginations seem to know no bounds, or painting something. As a serial house mover together with her lovely husband, there is always a new challenge to keep her occupied!