The Duke Alone by Christi Caldwell Review

The Duke Alone

By Christi Caldwell

Release Date: October 18th, 2022

Montlake

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Lady Myrtle McQuoid has always felt a little forgotten, and this season is no exception. When her boisterous family vacates their London townhouse for the country, Myrtle finds she’s been left behind. But she just needs to stay warm, keep her belly full, and distract herself until her relatives realize their mistake and turn back to collect her. Surely that won’t take long.

Brooding widower Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, has shut himself off from the world. He craves blessed solitude—a loyal dog, a silent house, and his own company are all he requires. Certainly not the nonstop chattering of the joyful, opinionated young woman next door.

But with a potential threat lurking in the winter shadows, Myrtle may need to pluck up the nerve to approach the reclusive duke. And Val is not one to turn his back on a vulnerable lady.

Amid the silent nights of London, beneath a blanket of snow, could the light of a new, warm love be kindling?

Christi Caldwell is back with another outstanding regency romance, but this time you can read it on Kindle Unlimited first if you have it.

There is nothing like being completely ignored by your own family, but that is exactly how Lady Myrtle McQuoid has always felt, after being banished off to finishing school, Myrtle was finally back with her family, but now all she wants is quiet, just to think, just to breath! especially as she was told that they wouldn't be staying in London this Christmas, but on the morning that they left, they left without Myrtle.

Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon is a widower, who has decided to shut himself off from the world after the loss of his wife, and even though he thought he was finally getting the quiet he wanted, the girl next door got abandoned by her family, and now he feels kind of responsible for Lady Myrtle, even though he rather wouldn't

I was thinking how could I possibly describe The Duke Alone… well it’s a mix of Home Alone and a Christmas Carol all rolled into a beautiful historical Romance and topped off with dog kisses!

I give The Duke Alone 5 stars

USA Today bestselling, RITA-nominated author Christi Caldwell blames authors Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love. She believes that most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing her couples before crafting them a well-deserved happily ever after.

The Duke Alone by Christi Caldwell Review

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May Review

Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market

Ferry Lane Market #2

By Nicola May

Release Date: November 11th, 2021

Hodder & Stoughton

Source: ARC provided by the author

When Star Bligh got pregnant at the age of sixteen, she thought her life was over. Now thirty-three, mother to Skye and owner of the successful jewelry stall in Ferry Lane Market in Hartmouth, Cornwall, she wouldn't change a thing about it.

Well, maybe one. A few months ago she fell hard for American visitor Jack, but then he left without even saying goodbye and ever since she has struggled to get him out of her head. Until the handsome, roguish Conor turns up and sweeps her off her feet. But then one day, Star is shocked to bump into Jack. He's back in Hartmouth to tell her why he left - but is she ready to listen?

As things get more complicated with her love life, another revelation threatens to turn the lovely world she has built for her and Skye upside down. But could this be the one thing that will make it complete?

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

There are just some books that you buy the book without even looking at the Authors name, because you know the book will be great and give you a heartwarming read, and for me, one of those authors is Nicola May! 

So we are back in Ferry Lane Market but this time with Star and her daughter Skye! Being a young single Mum, people assume that your life is over, but not for Star, she runs a successful stall in the market and being an amazing mum to Skye basically everything she didn't have from her own parents.

Now Star is in a bit of a pickle… a love triangle if you will! Firstly there is Jack, the dashing American, that disappeared without a word, and who is suddenly back and wants to explain why he ghosted her. But then there is Conor, who swept her off her feet, does she talk to Jack or give him a taste of his own medicine.

Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market is a heartwarming story with its downs, but the characters are relatable and the story captivates you from the very first page.

I give Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market 5 stars!

Nicola May writes 'chick-lit with a kick' and is the internationally bestselling author of eleven romantic comedies. All have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK across all genres in January 2019 and March 2020 respectively. It was also the second best-selling eBook of 2019 in the UK. Nicola's books have also been sold in many languages.

Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May Review

Saturday, November 5, 2022

The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles Review

The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea

Heaven's Cove #3

By Liz Eeles

Release Date: February 28th, 2022

Bookouture

Source: ARC provided by the Publisher

The girl stands on the clifftop, feeling the soft breeze lift her shining red hair and dry her tears. She can almost hear Ireland calling her home across the wild sea. But she can never go back. And in that moment, she swears no-one will ever find out why.

Freya is desperate for escape from her messy break-up when she’s offered a job caring for elderly Kathleen in the seaside village of Heaven’s Cove. Kathleen’s once-red hair is now a brilliant white, but there’s always laughter in her Irish lilt – until the day Freya finds her weeping, her gaze fixed on Driftwood House, perched on the cliffs above the village. She refuses to say what’s wrong…

Kathleen’s son Ryan, quiet with striking emerald eyes, resents that a stranger is caring for his mother. But as Freya presses him for answers on a long walk across a windswept beach, Ryan finally admits that Kathleen breaks down in the same way, on the exact same day every year – never telling anyone what is causing her pain.

Finding a photo of Kathleen as a young girl standing outside Driftwood House years before she says she moved to the village, Freya is determined to find the source of Kathleen’s heartache. But as she gets closer to Ryan, and to the sad, forgotten history of the house, Freya is faced with an impossible decision…

Should she share this heartbreaking secret with Ryan and risk their chance of happiness together? And will facing the truth bring Kathleen peace in her final years – or will it tear them all apart?

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review*

We are back at Heavenly Cove for book #3 and I have to say that I'm thrilled to be back and to see what stories the house before the sea has for us. Now this book can totally be read as a stand-alone, you do not have to read the story in order, as the author does an amazing job of helping you get to know everyone and everything.

When Freya arrives in Heavenly Cove after all of her life blows up, she needs a fresh start after the end of her marriage, even if it's close to her half-sister Belinda who is a huge busybody and gossip, and has always seemed to hate Freya for taking her father away, can they get past history to finally become sisters or will history be doomed to repeat itself all over again?

Yet again another beautiful book by author Liz Eeles, the tale she weaves around Heavenly Cove not only helps you to love the new characters that she introduces but helps you visit previous characters, just like you are good friends.

I give The Girl at the Last House before the Sea 5 stars

Liz writes funny, feel-good romantic comedies set in the Cotswolds and Cornwall, in the UK. She was brought up in Gloucestershire so the Cotswolds are 'home', and she fell in love with Cornwall during family holidays there as a child. She has happy memories of building sandcastles in the rain and listening to the foghorn - though the sun did come out sometimes.

Liz worked as a journalist for years and brought up a family on the south coast of England, all the while writing fiction in the quiet. After being short-listed in a couple of national novel-writing competitions, her dream of being a published author came true when she was signed up by Bookouture. 

When not writing, Liz likes walking by the sea, catching up with friends, and binge-watching box sets.

The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea by Liz Eeles Review

Friday, November 4, 2022