NetGalley Reviewer nix21230

The Party Line is another fantastic book by the writing machine that is Carolyn Brown - she's got over 130 published books so far! First things first, the party line has nothing to do with politics, but all to do with the old fashioned telephone exchanges where a real person operator would connect you to the person you wanted to speak with. Small towns have their secrets, and Aunt Grace was supposedly the keeper of a very bid one. In this warm and feel good story we get a bit of mystery, small town gossip, admiration and romance. All nicely mixed up to create an enjoyable story. Aunt Grace has recently passed away leaving everything to Lila, the niece she treated like her own granddaughter. The neighbour, Jasper, was Grace's oldest friend and he was always like a grandfather to Lila, and he's providing great support to Lila as she deals with the loss of her aunt. Connor is another person who brings depth and extra meaning to the story.  Highly recommended. Other books by Ca...

Harper Ford is back with her no-nonsense, straight to the point writing, It's another hoot of a book!! Sending THAT email to everyone within the company.... go Heidi, go!!! Unfortunately for Heidi, it means she now has to lead a support group for menopausal women at her workplace, when she rather just stays in the background and gets on with her stuff in between hot flushes, memory loss, anger and tiredness...  It turns out that the group is not as bad as Heidi feared and they quickly build trust and share stories of their struggles during this natural part of all women's lives. The group also helps Heidi to take charge of her own life and symptoms, and to seek the professional help she needs; to try different things until she finds something that works for her.  Admittedly, it is a work of fiction, but there are lots of relatable events in this book for anyone experiencing peri-menopause or menopaus - it's good to know that we're not alone! The quote below if from one ...

Travel writing and historical events are blended together in this beautiful and inspiring story told over two timelines.  1927. Violet is a student at the Edinburgh School of Gardening for Women and she clearly an early journaller, writing down her thoughts on life as well as documenting her work at the school. Once she realises she's pregnant and not yet married, she decides to escape the school before it's too late. She embarks on an epic journey to Nepal to be with the father of the child, a fellow student from the gardening school (the male part of it...).  2020. Daisy has come across Violet's journals and when she finds herself divorced and the children have flown the nest, she decides to follow her dream of retracing the footsteps of her great-great-aunt Violet. I normally dislike Covid being part of fiction books, but in this one, Fiona Valpy has skilfully used it to strengthen the story, to make it more believable.  Lovely feel-good story with botanics thrown in a...

This is a fab story about overcoming societal expectations, slowly believing in yourself, going for it, and finding success and love.  Mrs Eisenberg is definitely a force to be reckoned with and freely shares her life wisdom with young Toni.  Life lessons from Mrs Eisenberg: We often overestimate how much we can accomplish in a day but underestimate how much we can achieve in a year. it never occurs to rich people that they might actually lose at something. When you’re poor, the opposite is true: it never occurs to you that you may win. Stand up straight and own your answer when speaking, because if you don’t believe in you, no one else will either. Have the courage to live a big life even without a safety net. And a final one: I didn’t want you to need me. I need you to want me. I loved how this story provided romance, business, and life lessons all beautifully mixed together. PS. Don't skip over the Foreword as there are some gems there too!

Finding second love is never easy, and it felt like Katie rushed into it to have a new person to rely on. As with young love, even later in life love, as we find in this story, can make people blind, or at least rather naive. Betrayal, naivety and Covid played big parts in this story.  For me personally, it is too early for Covid to appear in fictional books that I read to escape from the world around me, it is still too raw a memory. Also, the naivety of Katie bordered on stupidity and I always find it hard to connect with characters that don't realise what's right in front of them. On a positive note, I loved the scenery along the river, the tranquility and the mystery of the lonely man coming past in his boat. Katie's reconnection with her mother and her strong links with her friends, in the Covid darkness, also lifted the story.  I'll keep an eye out to see what the theme of the next book in the Potomac Shores series is, as I loved the river part of the story.

This Is Hawkward by Joelle Evans is part of the shared Tuft Swallow world series written by seven different authors. All the stories are set in a cosy, small town full of charming people, all keen on bird jokes and minding each others' businesses...  This Is Hawkward is the sixth story in the series, and we get to meet Callie a first grade teacher and cornhole champion who's recently arrived in Tuft Swallow. She loves her new town and is fast making friends. including with the Goat Mayor Winston.  Leo has had to return back home, to get support from his parents, after his relationship broke down. His 12 year old daughter is not too happy about the move... Leo is currently working as sports coach at the local school. Callie is fighting her attraction to Leo as she's not planning on staying in Tuft Swallow and she doesn't want to give the wrong messages to Lexie, Leo's daughter. Lexie is hell bent on getting Callie and her dad together and sets up a fundraising compet...

This is the third book in the series, and it should really be read after the previous two. The idea behind the Mercury Travel Club is fab - themed trips with like-minded people. The latest idea - a treasure trail around Scotland sounds like a success! Angie is building her relationship with Micheal, but will her terrible communication skills ruin it before it has really started? Charlie has his dream wedding, and the travel agency a new possible opportunity. Patty is back on dry land and getting more and more involved in the travel agency.  Interesting characters, a few laughs and a dodgy competitor. Less travel, more every day life.  #TheHighLife

This is a two-part story which does what it says on the tin: mafia, bad boys, enemies to lovers, and some steam. VICIOUS HEIR: Enemies to lovers. Force marriage.  This Angel and Emma' story. Emma saves Angel's life and as a mob thank you, she's made Angels captive.  BRUTAL ENFORCER: Revenge turns to mutual love. This is Omar and Lyce's story. Lyce is the daughter of the rivalling family and their union is less than applauded by their families. 

FOR FORK'S SAKE is the third book in the Farm 2 Forking author collaboration. It can be read stand-alone, but I recommend you read "Since you've bean gone" and " Butter you up" before starting this one as there's a well-developed backstory adding more richness to most of the characters. They are also FAB stories!! We return to the Bedd family in Fork Lick, New York. Sam is the uber bright kid, who none in the family really understands and he's not feeling like he belongs.  "Family that sucks is still family." He is also working a job he hates, having to deliver a corporate message, at a large conference, that he does not believe in. Diane is in the audience and is horrified of 'his' views.  Fast forward and Sam has quit his old job and found a new one more in line with his own beliefs. Diane is on a drive to do good and ends up at the Bedd family farm. She is immediately 'adopted' by Ethel. When Sam turns up, they realise th...