REVIEW

Summer Nights at The Moonlight Hotel

by

Jane Costello

Review

I have read every one of Jane Costello’s books and always eagerly await the publication of the next one and so as soon as I received a copy of this I couldn’t wait to get stuck in! I have read some of the author’s books whilst lounging on a sun bed and have had many laugh out loud moments, but just couldn’t wait that long to read this one!!

Lauren, Cate and Emily are friends who have lived in the Lake District all their lives. As much as they love living there, they are always trying to find things to do. So when a dance class starts up in the local hotel called The Moonlight Hotel, what could possibly go wrong!

Lauren is a teacher who longs to pack her bags and go backpacking around Australia, whilst fellow teacher Edwin (who Lauren has fancied forever) is secretly planning to teach in Singapore. Will Cupid fire his arrow in their direction?

The girls love their dance class, especially when some fit guys called Joe and Will turn up! Things start to get interesting!! Emily takes a shine to Joe and Cate and Will become more than just dance partners!! Little did they all know that things were about to take a downward turn when they find out that the Moonlight hotel is to be sold – and worse still, who the new owner is!!

There was a great mix of characters in this book and I can honestly say, I liked all of them for different reasons! It never failed to disappoint with the LOL moments and I might even put my neck out to say I think this is the author’s best novel yet!!

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT! Hurry up with the next one please Jane!

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Review of The Winter Wedding by Abby Clements

They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I most certainly did with this book because the cover is SO gorgeous! 

Blurb

Hazel never set out to be a wedding planner. She was just helping her stressed sister Lila with cakes and décor for her big day. But when Lila and Ollie's summer ceremony is a runaway success, with guests raving about the food and styling at the pretty venue, word about Hazel's expertise soon spreads. 

But Hazel's clients expect the very best - she's promised lawyers Gemma and Eliot a snow-covered castle in the Scottish Highlands, and laidback couple Josh and Sarah a bohemian beach wedding in a Caribbean paradise. But as weather, in-laws and wilful brides conspire against her, can Hazel get two very different couples to walk up two very different aisles to say 'I do'? And will she find her own happy ending if she does?

Review

If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good wedding! And just by looking at the cover of this one, I knew I was going to love it!

This is the first book I have read by this author and it was such an easy book to get into and it had a great mixture of characters.

Hazel and her twin sister Lila live together in London, but when Lila moves in with her fiancé Ollie, Hazel is left with the dilemma of finding a lodger but also how to fill the void of missing her sister. When Lila asks Hazel if she will plan her wedding as she is too busy with her career of being a dancer, Hazel jumps at the chance. Her day job isn’t going anywhere thanks to her boss Emma (who selfishly wants to keep Hazel to herself to do all her dirty work!).

Hazel does such a good job with organising Lila’s wedding that she gets asked to do another two! This is where things become complicated!!

This book is a lovely, heart warming read that has everything you will need for a good read – family, love, romance, friendship and even cake!!. I know a couple of my friends read it in one sitting, it is that easy to get into!

It’s a definite thumbs up from me and one I would recommend for a cold winter’s night with a large cuppa and and even larger bar of chocolate!!

Thank you to Hayley McMullan, Simon & Schuster, @Bookminx for sending me a copy to review

The Love Shack by Jane Costello

Life's great when you're 29 years old with a gorgeous girlfriend and fulfilling job. Until you have to move back in with your mum . . .

Dan and Gemma have found their dream first home, but the asking price is the stuff of nightmares. The only way they'll ever save enough for the deposit is by moving in, rent-free, with Dan's mum.

It's a desperate solution, but it's only for six months. And Gemma's determined to 
make it work, no matter how bad things get.

But between Dan's mum's kitchen karaoke, her constant innuendos, irrepressible argumentative streak and - worst of all - her ham and pineapple curries, life back at home would test the patience of two saints. Which Dan and Gemma most definitely are not. 

Then, as they're trying to convince themselves it will all be worth it, Gemma's past comes back to haunt her. And suddenly the foundations of their entire relationship are shaken to their core…


Review

It seems every time I go on holiday I have the latest Jane Costello book to read and this year was no exception! I sat and read this on my sun bed in just over a day!

I have told Jane Costello over on Twitter that I have been caught belly laughing on several occasions reading her books and this book was just the same.

Dan and Gemma live together in a rented flat, but want to buy a house together so to save money they move in with Dan's Mum "temporarily" to save on rent so they can save for a deposit.

Now, if you have read any of Jane's previous books, you will know that things never go to plan and so once they move into Dan's Mum's (Belinda) they soon start to wonder if they have made the right decision.

Belinda is not your common and garden Mother in Law. She is a party animal and manages to mortify Dan on a daily basis! Some of the things she said and did made me cringe, but she was a great character!

I love the character of the Estate Agent Rich (who likes to think he is a big cheese in real estate and God's gift to women!!). He had me laughing out loud on many occasions!

Gemma falls in love with Pebble cottage and badgers Rich to get the cottage by hook or by crook, but you just know that things won't run smoothly, especially as Gemma's ex comes on the scene and blows her feelings about the future sky high!

Another great read by Jane Costello. I have read all her books and eagerly await her new ones every year. 

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The day I met Jackie Collins......

Yesterday I went to The Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London to a book signing for Jackie Collin's new novel called The Santangelos.

We were greeted with champagne and canapes whilst waiting for Jackie to arrive and I found out during the day that Hannah Beckerman (author of The Dead Wife's Handbook) was going to interview her. I can't tell you how excited that made me as I loved her book and can count it as one of my favourite reads!

I must admit, I haven't read a Jackie Collin's book for many a year, but I am definitely adding this one to my TBR pile as it sounds very intruiging!!

Jackie Collins was absolutely lovely! Charming, feisty, very funny and looked divine! She shook my hand and then signed my book and even posed for photos with everyone in the room. I thought she was fab and would love to meet her again some time.

It was lovely to meet up with friends both old and new - you can always count on a book event to meet new friends

When Boon met Toon!!!

On Saturday I went to Bluewater as I knew Paige Toon was signing copies of her new book The Sun in Her Eyes. I am new to Paige's books, but didn't want to miss the opportunity of getting a book signed, so off I went. I met up with fellow Blogger  Rea and we managed to be first in the queue (well someone has to be!!!). We didn't have to wait too long before Paige came out to say hello and took a photo of us all in the line and she said she was worried nobody would turn up.......The queue went back quite a way!! 

What a lovely lady Paige is and I can't wait to get stuck in to her new book and also the half a dozen of her older books I have on my TBR pile!! 

Also thank you to Waterstones at Bluewater, who were very helpful and the staff at Bluewater who came to talk to us whilst we were waiting in the queue!