Tag Archives: Adrienne Vaughan

THREE CHRISTMAS AND A SUMMER BOOK REVIEWS

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The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft, reviewed by Morton S Gray

Classic Sue Moorcroft.

I enjoyed being back in Nelson’s Bar, Norfolk reading about Ruthie, Maddy and Raff. A Christmas novel with twists and turns in the present and the revelation of secrets from the past too as Ruthie shares her treasured love letters.

A romance between Maddy and Raff seems inevitable, as they help Ruthie heal wounds from her past, until Maddy receives a message about her own mystery and the world changes.

Sue Moorcroft has a skill of carrying you along with a story and leaving you wanting for more.

A story to tug at your heart strings.

The Recipe for Hope by Fiona Valpy, reviewed by Jane Cable

I fancied a Christmas story, and for me this one was close to perfect. For a start it’s a novella, just a touch in under two hundred pages, and for a relatively simple festive romance it doesn’t need to be any more. And the cast of characters is small, and yet still a community is created for Evie to fall into when she escapes to France to avoid Christmas.

What really made this book stand out for me was the way I almost instantly slipped inside Evie’s heart and mind, and cared about her. I finished the book hours ago, and still she’s with me. On top of that, the customs and settings of rural south west France are described so beautifully, and with love. As is the food. The icing on the cake was a proper, real world, grown up ending. Five stars from me any day of the week.

New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage by Georgia Hill, reviewed by Morton S Gray

A great read that will have you thinking about Christmas and maybe buying Baileys!

I loved reading this book, which was a complete tonic in a stressful time for me. I always say that a book that can produce an emotional reaction is a good book and this one produced not one, not two, but three heart affecting scenes that had me thinking and reaching for the tissues. A cosy read, but with serious underlying themes of starting again after loss.

The characters are likeable and relatable, particularly Jago, trying to be the responsible son and brother, whilst nursing his own demons and heartaches, Honor, the primary school teacher with a big venerable heart and the amazing vicar, Verity, who is mad on ABBA. Merryn is a very wise little girl beyond her years. Georgia Hill weaves her story around community of Lullbury Bay, with each person living there having a distinct role and backstory. It sounds like somewhere I would enjoy living. I’d even take part in the yarn bombing brigade!

Highly recommended to get you in the mood for Christmas.

Secrets of the Shell Sisters by Adrienne Vaughan, reviewed by Jessie Cahalin

Magical tale of secrets, second chances and sisterhood

Set on Ireland’s ancient east coast, the Morgan sisters are in crisis. Cassandra runs the family hotel and it’s struggling, as secrets from her past threaten to resurface making things worse. Greer is fleeing a failed relationship with a powerful man, but if she returns will she stay? And then there’s Orla – fey, funny and mysterious – insisting messages from the shells must heeded or what will become of them all?

Returning to Rosshaven was a delight, especially as this story, while fresh and original, is cleverly intertwined with characters from the first book, Summer of Secrets.

A beautifully written tale of relationships, lost love and second chances, laced through with a touch of Irish magic – so deftly delivered it feels as natural as the sea itself.

This is romantasy at its best and I loved it.  

CARIADS’ CHOICE BOOK REVIEWS: JUNE 2023

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Jessie Cahalin:

Summer of Secrets by Adrienne Vaughan

Take several leading ladies, a mermaid, Cinderella and a fairy godfather. Let the dreams take you to the magical coast of Ireland. Mysteries linked to the characters’ lives and the history of the place are cleverly interwoven. Like a skilled seamstress, Adrienne Vaughan has sewn the narrative together. Everything is held together by the wonderfully flamboyant Archie, a Hollywood screen legend. Before things change forever, Archie, wants to ensure, those he loves – especially Mia – are given the chance to fulfil their dreams. And to do this, secrets need to be told and their revelations resolved. I could not stop reading to discover if Archie was Mia’s father. Long after you have finished this novel, and the credits roll, you will be thinking about the magic of this story.

 

Morton S Gray:

The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan

Faith Hogan does it again! I have now read all of her published titles and enjoyed each one and The Guest House by the Sea is no exception.

I loved Esme with her vulnerabilities and wise words for all of her guests. I admired Cora, was rooting for Niamh and Rob, empathised with Phyllis and Kurt and was suspicious of Tanya and Paschal. I cared about them all and even worried about how much Marta was doing. Really think Joel Lawson needs his own story please!

Faith Hogan has a way of writing that flows and carries you along as you get closer to the many characters and care about them as their stories unfold. By the time the book is finished, you wonder how you will get by without regular updates on their progress through life. Real issues and problems tackled in a gentle way. Bravo!

 

Jessie Cahalin:

Second Chances by Miriam McGuirk

The sun began to shine as soon as I met Molly. The mystery of her life intrigued me, but her kindness touched me. It is wonderful how she engages in the community, while dealing with her own problems. I also loved Florence, Boudie and Colonel Bryce Beckwith. This delightful multi-generational narrative, and you do not want to leave the people. The author places each single word with care and there is a poetic quality to the style. It was a joy to escape to India and the places in Kent. This is a novel with a great big heart.

 

Jane Cable:

The Book-Lovers’ Retreat by Heidi Swain

This is Heidi Swain’s first standalone novel, and I hope it won’t be her last. She has such an easy, accomplished, style of writing you feel as though you are being told the story by a friend, which only adds to the charm of this escapist book.

Best friends Em and Rachel have been looking forward to a very special holiday in the Lake District for years, but when Tori drops out at the last minute their plans are in jeopardy until the owner of the property gives her some options from her waiting list and after an exchange of emails they’re happy to choose Alex. Except this Alex turns out to be a man.

In the best traditions of friends’ fiction they all have secrets and they all need to revaluate their lives. Inevitably there are ups, downs, and misunderstandings – as well as the occasional curve ball I did not see coming. A really enjoyed joining them on their journeys and had just the tiniest book hangover the morning after I finished it.