Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Title & Author: Brave New Summer by Sarah Morgan 

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: HQ

Publication date: 21st May 2026

Blurb:

Evie is the acting general manager of The Alexandra hotel in picturesque Cornwall, but she feels trapped in a life defined by others’ expectations. Just as she contemplates a fresh start, Abby arrives, sent undercover by the hotel’s owner to assess the staff and operations. But Abby is navigating her own struggles and longs to break free from the shadow of her mother.

As the two women forge an unexpected friendship, they confront their fears and the threat of change looming over them. With the help of a charming chef and a gruff pub owner, they begin to embrace their true selves and the bonds that unite them. Will they find the strength to reshape their futures, or will the weight of the past hold them back?

Review:

I loved this book so much and I can't believe it is my first Sarah Morgan book.

Evie is acting general manager of the Alexandra Hotel in Cornwall but after taking over the role, she knows changes have to be made to make the place more profitable. The downside is that growing up in this small town means that all of the staff have known her since she was a baby, they are set in their ways and Evie feels awkward forcing her new ideas and plans upon them.

In Boston, Alexandra Strong, the hotel chain owner decides to send her daughter Abby over undercover to report back on what the day to day runnings are like and how the staff are performing. They have received offers from other companies wanting to buy the hotel and Alexandra usually doesn't let emotions get in the way of business so Abby is confused by her mother adamantly stating that it will not be sold. She and her mother moved from Cornwall to Boston when Abby was four years old but her mother never likes to talk about the past.

The setting for this book was stunning and I loved the close knit community. There is drama, romance, found family and I loved the development between all of the characters but especially Abby and her mother when everything from the past is out in the open. 

Freeing The Wild by Paisley Hope | Book Review

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Title & Author: Freeing The Wild by Paisley Hope 

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 6th November 2025

Blurb:

Rising country star Cassie Spencer's music career is just taking off when tragedy strikes mid-tour. Seeking solace, she retreats to rural Kentucky to escape the spotlight and visit her family.

Haden Westbrook, the charming heartthrob of Laurel Creek only wants one thing: a peaceful life tending to the Silver Pines ranch and his rescue horses. But when free-spirited Cassie hurricanes back into town, his world turns upside down. Especially since the last time he saw her ended with a steamy night in his truck. . .

They’d promised then it’d be a one-time thing. But now, as Cassie and Haden spend more time together, their undeniable chemistry reignites.

Cassie's stay at Silver Pines was meant to be temporary. But as their spring fling turns into something deeper, can Haden convince her to stay?

Review:

I'll admit, from what we saw of Haden in the previous books I wasn't sure how I'd feel about him, but he has very quickly become my favourite male main character from the Silver Pines series.

Haden Westbrook is the head ranch hand at Silver Pines and enjoys secretly spending his spare time helping rescue horses. Cassie Spencer is the sister of Ivy, who is married to Haden's boss Wade, and is a singer-songwriter being pushed to the brink by her manager. The two have a one night stand before she goes on the road again but Haden is unaware that she is Ivy's sister.

Months later, Haden is still angry with Cassie and following a traumatic incident at a show, she decides to stay at Silver Pines for a few weeks to get a bit of a break. 

The character backgrounds for Haden and Cassie are fantastic. I really related to Haden's relationship with one of his parents and there was a lovely development for both of them. Cassie is going through a troubling time and Haden's past has always hung over him. Their relationship is beautiful to watch and I fell in love with both of them.

I adored this from start to finish. I'll be sad when this series is over!

Riding The High by Paisley Hope | Book Review

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Title & Author: Riding The High by Paisley Hope 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 24th April 2025

Blurb:

When Cole Ashby is appointed Laurel Creek’s interim sheriff, he is determined to prove himself as the best man for the job. A devoted single dad, his goal is to lay steady roots for his young daughter.

The daughter of a Kentucky congressman, Ginger Danforth's life has always been about neat appearances. But inside she’s dying to break free and embrace the sense of adventure that runs through her veins.

During a wild weekend in Vegas, Ginger and Cole play a game of truth or dare and, after a few too many drinks, find themselves hitched in a neon-lit chapel. With no quick way out, they strike a deal: stay secretly married until Ginger’s father is re-elected and Cole lands the sheriff job permanently.

But as the pair are forced to spend an increasing amount of time in each other’s company, sparks fly and their accidental marriage starts to feel dangerously real.

Until they forget they were ever pretending at all...

Review:

From the glimpses we got of Cole Ashby and Ginger Danforth in the previous two books in the Silver Pines series, I was intrigued to see how this would pan out. Cole always seemed like he was slightly annoyed by Ginger who enjoyed riling him up.

Single dad Cole is the brother of Ginger's best friend CeCe and is due to be sworn in as the new town sheriff. Whilst looking like they don't get along on the outside, the two have been secret friends with each of them always being there for the other when they need it.

To celebrate CeCe's upcoming wedding, the whole gang go to Las Vegas and yep, you guessed it - Ginger becomes Mrs Ashby. With Cole about to be sheriff and Ginger's dad being the congressman, these two cannot afford to have a scandal. They decide to keep the marriage a secret and Ginger becomes the nanny for Cole's daughter Mabel for the summer. The two realise that their friendship has actually maybe always run deeper 

I am just obsessed with this series. The setting, the storylines, the plots, the characters, I am just completely pulled in. 

Training The Heart by Paisley Hope | Book Review

Title & Author: Training The Heart by Paisley Hope 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 17th October 2024

Tropes: 

• Grumpy x sunshine

• Accidental pregnancy 

• Found family

• One bed

• Caretaking

• Boss x employee 

Blurb:

Wade Ashby is the grumpiest cowboy I’ve ever met. He also happens to be my boss and the hottest man in Southern America.

It’s been my dream to train a horse on route the Kentucky derby for as long as I can remember. So when the opportunity to work at the Silver Pines ranch presented itself, I grabbed it by the horns.

Being the best horse trainer in Kentucky was my only priority. Until I accidentally slept with my boss.

Now, I can’t think of anything but him.

And once I start tearing down his walls, there’s no going back.

Because the only way he’ll open up his heart again is if it stays that way forever.

Review: 

Well done Paisley Hope for being the first author to make me like the accidental pregnancy trope.

Training The Heart is the second book in the Silver Pines series and follows permanent grump Wade Ashby who is recently divorced from his wife, and new horse trainer Ivy Spencer. Ivy has been hired to cover a maternity leave so knows she probably won't be there forever. She is feisty, taking back control of her life after leaving her ex-boyfriend.

I absolutely loved this. The setting and pace were fantastic, that combined with the development of Wade and Ivy's relationship meant that I didn't want to put this down. It does tackle some harder subjects like grief, alcoholism and infertility and it even made me like a trope that I usually hate! 

I am a fan of Paisley Hope's writing for sure and I have fallen in love with this world and these characters. Time to get stuck into the next one!

Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope | Book Review

Title & Author: Holding The Reins by Paisley Hope

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Evermore

Publication date: 15th August 2024

Tropes:

• Protective MMC

• Small town

• Brother's best friend

• Workplace romance

• Retired ice hockey player 

• He falls first

• Part-time cowboy 

Blurb:

Nash Carter. Retired ice hockey player and part time cowboy. Also my brother’s best friend and therefore strictly off limits.

Despite the fact he can’t stop staring at me like I’m his favourite snack. And I...like it?

After finally escaping the toxic relationship that consumed most of my adult life, I thought I’d sworn off men.

Then Nash hired me to work for him. And somehow we ended up spending the night together.

It was only supposed to happen once. But now that I’ve had a taste, there’s no way I’m walking away.

All I have to do to give us a shot? Take a deep breathe and let go of the reins...

Review:

Two of my favourite genres are cowboy romance and ice hockey romance and this is both of those rolled into one.

There is nothing I love more than starting a new book series and finding characters to fall in love with. After living in Seattle for the best part of a decade, CeCe Rae Ashby is back home in Kentucky after discovering her fiancé's infidelity.

Nash Carter, her brother's best friend, is back home too after retiring from the NHL and he now runs the leisure centre and local bar. Nash has been close with CeCe's family for years after a tragic accident in his teens when her family took him in.

I absolutely loved this. It was funny right from the start with a lot of emotion, with Nash's trauma from witnessing his parents death and CeCe's father passing. It is a gorgeous slow burn and what I love about the brother's best friend trope is that moment when they finally get found out.

The Magdalene Stones Murders by J. M. Simpson | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an eARC of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: The Magdalene Stones Murders by J. M. Simpson

My rating: 5/5

Publication date: 5th March 2026

Blurb:

Murder in a sacred place.

When Joe Ripley, the local fire chief, attends a house fire, he finds his friend Gina Murray has been burnt alive in a clear case of murder. DS Scott Hansen, still new to the area, is called in to investigate. Returning from a call out, the local mountain rescue team discover a body laid out in a sacred stone ring. The body has been placed reverently. Local legend holds the stones holy as the ghost of Mary Magdalene has been rumoured to have appeared by them. Folklore says she is protecting something sacrosanct.

Alastair Brown is reported missing by his sister after she finds blood and signs of a struggle at his property. Puzzled, Scott looks for clues as to why he would suddenly disappear while he investigates the other two deaths. Clues lead him to Cameron Hunter, the owner of the largest resort in the area who has plans to expand his empire further. When Alastair is found dead on the standing stones by the stone ring, Scott realises there may be a link between all three killings and discovers that two very different obsessions have led to three murders.

Review:

You know when people say, "if she writes it, I'll read it"? That's exactly how I feel about J. M. Simpson. I adored every book in the Castleby series and felt the exact same with The Ophelia Murders, the first in this Whistler's Peak series. The Magdalene Stones Murders is a direct follow on from the first book so I really recommend reading that first to get a feel for their characters and connections.

The first thing that draws me into a J. M. Simpson book is the atmospheric descriptions, you instantly feel like you are there. It is so meticulously planned and plotted. I love a thriller where we are drip fed information so we have sort of an idea of what's happening, but there are still twists, especially those ones towards the end, that made my jaw drop. I felt on edge at points, couldn't wait for some people to get their comeuppance (I'm looking at you Mark Wallis) and I was desperate to see how it would all come together.

The books in the Whistler's Peak series have been inspired by paintings, and I absolutely love this idea as a theme. I loved getting back with these characters, Simpson always writes them fantastically, to the point where although it is a thriller with a crime element running through it, you really care about this group of people and their lives.

Someone option this for TV please! 

•••

Thank you to Hygge Book Tours for having me on this blog tour. 

Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Title & Author: Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Scribner

Publication date: 26th February 2026 

Blurb: 

Dell Danvers is barely keeping it together. She’s behind on rent for her bathroom-less studio apartment (formerly a walk-in closet), she’s being plagued by perpetual, spiking stomach pain, and her younger sister, Daisy, is in a coma at a hospital that wants to pull the plug. Freshly unemployed and subsisting on selling plant propagations to trust fund kids, Dell impulsively starts a 24-hour livestream under the username mademoiselle_dell to fundraise $14,000 for a week of private life support for Daisy.

In the dungeon of her stream, Dell is in control, banishing those who don’t abide by her terms of engagement and steadily rising up the platform’s ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence. On a dare, she discovers that she has a talent for eating spicy food, and her streaming fame explodes as her pepper consumption graduates from jalapeño to habanero to ghost. Finally, Dell is good at something―but as her behavior becomes riskier and riskier and a troll-turned-incel threatens to expose her dark past, Dell must reckon with what her digital life ignores, and what real redemption means.

Review:

I love weird girl fiction and as soon as I saw that this was recommended for fans of Big Swiss, I knew this was a book for me.

Our main character Dell is unlikable but I love that and it worked so well for this story. After being fired from her low wage job at a juice bar, she discovers that money can be made from livestreaming. She is aiming to raise $14,000 to cover the private medical bills of keeping her younger sister on life support.

She streams for a week straight and quickly learns that people will pay to see her do strange things such as eat five habanero peppers or set her arm on fire. Soon, the livestream view count races up, Dell can't quite keep track of her viewers now but she recognises the ones who have been there from the start. But she made a mistake at the beginning of the stream and one viewer delves a little deeper into Dell's real life. 

I loved the writing style and how the urgency comes across, especially within the Carolina Reaper eating challenge that Dell takes part in. I am only touching on the basics of the novel, it does run much deeper but I feel like you should go in blind.

The author described it as for people who are chronically online, about the joys of being watched but the terror of being truly seen and that's just perfect. 

I can't wait to read more from this author.

Every Reason Why by Sophie Hamilton | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an eARC of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

Title & Author: Every Reason Why by Sophie Hamilton

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: Montlake/Amazon Publishing

Publication date: 16th February 2026

Blurb:

Leah’s never truly known what it means to feel at home until she settles at Amity Court. But Jackson Hale wants to take it all away.

When Jackson inherits the historic mansion from his grandmother, Esther Hale, the last thing he needs is her bizarre final request: to allow Leah Raven, Esther’s perky tenant, to stay there until the house is sold. It’s infuriating and he doesn’t want her company.

Leah’s found a sanctuary within the walls of Amity Court, and she isn’t going to let some frustrated city businessman cash in his inheritance without resistance—not while there’s so much pleasure to be had in ruffling his feathers.

Although Jackson has learned not to rely on anyone, Leah, with her sunny smiles and silly jokes, soon starts to make that feel like a lonely choice. Forced to live side by side, the walls between them begin to crumble.

But with Jackson’s controlling father pressuring him to sell and a loan shark threatening not only the family business but Leah as well, the two will have to decide what matters more: the security of the lives they’ve built independently, or the chance at something real together.

Sometimes home isn’t a place—it’s finding the person brave enough to see who you really are.

Review:

Ugh I just loved this book so much.

Every Reason Why is the second book in the Pine Springs series and while you don't need to have read the first one, I highly recommend that you do because I loved it also.

When Esther Hale passes away, her grandson Jackson inherits her home, Amity Court. Jackson begrudgingly works for his father's development company and has always been compared to his late brother Dominic. With his father making some bad business decisions, Jackson plans to spruce up Amity Court and get it on the market. The only problem is, Esther's tenant Leah Raven who has been tasked with working on Esther's novel.

What I love about Hamilton's books are the depth. Jackson, the grump, and Leah, the bright, sunny one both have their own troubles. Leah has never really had somewhere that felt like home and now Amity will be taken from her. Jackson will never hold a candle to Dominic in the eyes of his family.

The relationship and how it develops between these two is beautiful. There is a really gorgeous caretaking scene which was probably one of my favourite takes on that trope and the pacing worked so well. I believed that Jackson was warming to Leah and it felt real. 

This is a romance but as a thriller and crime lover, I always enjoy when that genre is incorporated too. All in all, it gave me everything I wanted and Leah is such a strong character who I want to be friends with! 

Bring on the next one! 

He's The Devil by Tobi Coventry | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a proof copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: He's The Devil by Tobi Coventry 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: 4th Estate

Publication date: 12th February 2026

Blurb:

Simon has always been a good boy. He’s invariably employee of the month at the seasonal small plates restaurant where he works, he neurotically tidies his home, he keeps on top of repairs on behalf of his twenty-something, permanently-abroad landlord and tries to do right by everyone. But when his best and only friend, Josh, moves out of their shared flat, Simon is lonelier than ever – until in moves a new flatmate, the strange (and strangely sexy) Massimo.

But Massimo’s brought something with him. Odd sounds emerge from Massimo’s room, smells of earth and meat drift through the corridor and Simon’s nights fill with disturbing and tantalising dreams. Massimo is awakening something in Simon, something wild and exciting and horrifying that could be the end of him – or maybe a new beginning. But whatever’s in Massimo, whatever’s in the flat, isn’t finished. It wants more...

Review:

It only took me about five pages into this until I thought, "I'm really going to enjoy this." The writing style was just fantastic.

Think of He's The Devil as a queer modern horror novel where your new flatmate is housing a demon that wants to possess you. 

Our main character Simon, is an unlikeable one but that absolutely did not put me off because I enjoyed the story so much. Simon wants to try his best to be a 'good boy', he works his restaurant job but doesn't really have a lot of friends. His friend and roommate Josh moves out and it feels quite clear that their relationship is a bit one-sided. Simon thinks of Josh and tries to contact him a lot but Josh gives nothing back. 

An Italian man called Massimo comes to live with Simon as recommended by Josh but strange things start to happen around the flat and it is apparent that not all are as it seems with him. I genuinely started to feel a bit crazy reading about Simon trying to work out what was going on. There is dark humour, gross depictions and really everything I look for in a horror novel.

I couldn't put this down and I just wanted to see how it would end because I could not guess it at all, but to me it was perfect and satisfying.

So, I Met This Guy... by Alexandra Potter | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a copy of this book in order to take part in a readalong. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Title & Author: So, I Met This Guy... by Alexandra Potter 

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 

Publication date: 29th January 2026

Blurb: 

So, I Met This Guy...

Well, isn’t that how every love story starts? But how does it end – a happily ever after? Or with the discovery that the supposed love-of-your-life has stolen your life savings and your home, trashed your heart and demolished your self-esteem?

Maggie is barely fifty years-old, and she's not one to give up on herself. So when she meets Flick, a young reporter who realizes this story could be the big break she’s been looking for, they set off to catch him as he goes on the run across Europe. After all, she’s got nothing left to lose, right?

But as the pair embark on the road trip of their lives, unexpected twists, hidden secrets and hard truths are revealed. And as an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, they realize it’s not just about finding the guy, it’s about finding themselves...

Review:

I can't give this book any less than five stars. I absolutely love Alexandra Potter's books and this one is no different.

Maggie Fletcher is approaching fifty and is living in a mouldy old caravan after being absolutely fleeced of everything by a romance fraudster. Her art gallery, her home, her savings, the lot.

Twenty-six year old Flick, a journalist at the local paper who is usually just given fluff pieces, catches wind of Maggie's situation and visits her claiming she wants to expose con-man Theo.

Flick discovers that Theo is on a Mediterranean cruise and invites Maggie along to follow it at the ships stops in order to confront him. But is a story the only reason Flick is so invested in this?

I loved this so much. The setting made me feel like I was on a beautiful sunny holiday and it is one of those books where you feel like you just have to keep reading on. There is nothing better than having great supporting characters which is exactly what we get with American heiress Birdy and Maggie's best friend George. 

A lovely story not just entertaining by way of catching the fraudster but the growth, bonding and friendship that Flick and Maggie develop.

Galentine's Day by Rebecca Anderson | Book Review

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Title & Author: Galentine's Day by Rebecca Anderson 

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: Avon Books

Publication date: 15th January 2026

Blurb:

Thirteen years. Three women. One annual sleepover.

13 February 2013. Alicia, Marnie and Hannah have their first Galentine’s Day sleepover. They’re eighteen, single, and the world is at their feet. Soon they’ll go their separate ways after college, but they promise that every year, they’ll have their sleepover.

13 February 2026. There are only two friends at the annual sleepover. Their friendships have been tested by life, by partying, breakdowns, and even by pregnancies. Are their best Galentine’s Days now behind them?

Galentine’s Day is a love letter to female friendship, that celebrates messiness, real relationships, and growing up together.

Review:

As teenagers, Marnie, Hannah and Alicia started the tradition of having a sleepover on February 13th, Galentine's Day, and this book follows these girl's nights over the course of thirteen years. 

It takes them from teens, through university, into adulthood and navigating jobs, relationships, babies, marriages and everything in between. They all lead such busy separate lives but always make time for Galentine's.

This friendship group felt so real. All three of their journeys through life were different and I do think that anyone reading it will definitely resonate with one of the characters or aspects of a few.

I enjoyed the text exchanges between the girls, the cultural references and humour but it is definitely a story tinged with sadness too.

This is an accurate portrayal of female friendships across the years.