Practically Perfect * Katie Fforde

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde

Anna, a newly qualified interior designer, has decided it's time to put her money and her expertise where her mouth is. She's risked everything on buying a tiny but adorable cottage so she can renovate it, sell it on, and prove to her family that she can earn her own living.

But all is not what it seems, after all, one should never judge a book by it's cover. 

On a super of the moment and to start up her dream job, Anna has bought at the perfect cottage of her dreams, in the tiny town of Amberford. 

But there's another reason why Anna moved to the picturesque village, her old tutor. Max, the charming, sophisticated, handsome and downright dishy tutor from her student days that she's held a candle for the past three years, lived somewhere near the town. Or at least his mother did, and she just might get to see him again. 

Upon closer examination Anna has realised that there is a lot more work to be done, than just sanding and decorating. For a start, she has no staircase, just a ladder to get up to the second level and there is no flooring to walk on, just beams. Determined, Anna will still progress with the building and the work that needs doing on it, after all how hard can it be this time? 

Soon Anna starts to feel a little homesick in a new little village with no one she knows. But when her new next door neighbour's stood on her doorstep waiting for the plumber, Anna soon finds that she won't be friendless for too long. With Anna fixing her plumbing problems and Chloe being ever so thankful by handing over tea and wine, Anna and Chloe soon start to become great friends. 

Along the way Anna has been persuaded by Chloe to take on ownership of an ex-racing greyhound Caroline. Soon it was just Anna and Chloe taking the little cottage house by storm, even if i t meant having to see some of Anna's possessions being broken in the process. And not by Chloe's three boys. 

But not everything is what as it seems, for one she has Rob Hunter coming round and demolishing her dreams of owning her house by informing her that it is a listed building, and that he is none other than the listed buildings officer. To Anna's astonishment and annoyance, she now has to go by him and change all her plans, and if it couldn't get any worse. The irritating yet handsomely attractive Mr. Hunter is also the rehoming officer for the Greyhound rescue services, who just so happened to see the state of her house. 

Anna's not going down without a fight! She's worked too hard for this house and she will get it back up to running and legal order, just the same with her dog Caroline. With brilliant friends along the way and using every strength she has, Anna will get everything she has ever dreamt of, even if it means sacrificing a few things along the way. 

Join Anna as she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, through love, hate, betrayal, friendship, romance and not forgetting family. On this roller coaster he calls her life. 

Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde, is one of her many novels that I should of been reading years ago! This is the first book that I have read by Fforde and wish that I had been reading her books sooner. Her writing style is on the same Parr with Jill Mansell and Jenny Colgan and I loved it! 

The book was well written, funny in places and a downright summer read! It was very fast paced that I loved and the characters we're well written. I think of all my favourite character was Chloe, her laid back attitude towards everyone and her mothering over Anna just in some ways felt like home, I don't know. I guess what I'm trying to say is that is had a lovely homey and family feeling to the book which I'm sure in some ways with Anna's fair share of bad look and tiny snaggles in romances that everyone woman has been in those laughable but cringe worthy moments! 

The story flowed nicely and it is a perfect book to read on a warm summers day, or even if you wanted a quick read. I would say that it is a perfect book to read if you have kids and have a spare couple of hours ;)  

I picked up the book from the Charity table for 50p from Tesco's and I'm so glad I did otherwise I wouldn't of found out about this author, well I probably would of but probably not so quickly. I am glad though because I will now read more books by her and can't wait for all the lovely summer reads! You know how I am with the reviews and seasons, hey! That could be a new name for the blog! But who knows, what do you all think? 

I also liked the sound of the book from the blurb, and when I got into it I loved it more as Anna followed her dreams to be able to do what she wanted and she never  gave up or let anyone or anything get in her way as well as people who thought differently of it. Which I loved and is exactly the pick me up that I needed to be able to push my bum into gear and get on with my Cake pages! 

In some places Anna did annoy me a bit, just down to the pure fact that she was having after a man who didn't give a rats arse about her and she knew, but because she had pined after him for so many years she just put up with it for a little while, but she came to her senses in the end! 

All in all I will give this book a 9 out of 10! 

Three seconds To Midnight * Clarifications (Wattpad review)

Three Seconds To Midnight by Clarifications 

In which Death answers the questions of the dead and discovers himself along the way.

Have you ever wondered what conversations went on with death and the people he meets along the way? Ever thought what it would be like to pass judgement onto people and their doings in life or thought what Mr. Reaper might say? 

Then read this book, don't just take a glance at it read it.  

Throughout history, things have happened there has been the devastating Holocaust, people on Death Row, children being killed or taking their lives and people dying in general for the sake of being somewhere in the wrong moment at the wrong time. 

Follow death as he has very in depth conversations with children who have died for no reason, horrible nasty people who hate everything and wish to know why they aren't going to Heaven and why Death has to make his mind up on where to send these people on their merry way. And why sometimes people need a good lesson or two on life, and that some just want to have one last chat before they go to the other side. 

Three Seconds To Midnight by Clarifications, is a short story that I found on Wattled and man what a great app that is! Filled with loads and loads of different books and stories for free by very small authors with so much talent that need to be recognised and this is one of those authors. 

I know this is a very short review and I couldn't really put much into it as it would give away the whole story, plus it's really short as stated. I actually started this book today and finished it within an hour! I just could not put it down! 

The book is very very well written and it is well set out, it flows smoothly and is very intriguing  The book is very very deep I may warn you, it's a little bit dark but it's not bad as it is based on big parts in history so it has already happened, horrible things that have happened I may add. 

I thought the book was very clever as since it's based in History, it's basically just Death having conversations with people who have died and how they may have reacted and how Death had to in some ways look after them or teach them a lesson or two. All the characters have been written wonderfully and Death's character is also quite funny as well as very smart and witty with a slap stick sense of humour, which is a nice twist. 

In each character the writer has reflected on what they have done in the past to either make them die or how they died, each chapter starts with a little fact file about this person who has been admitted to Death, who will 'Judge' them on where they are going. 

Although I am not religious myself, I find the book is lightly based around the bible and what Death would of said to some people, though reading this book and the responses he gave to some of the people I would totally agree with his response. 

The book is really deep and does make you think about the world and the universe and how it works, and how if someone does exist why would half of this stuff, the bad stuff happen around the world. To me I think the book is lightly based on the Bible, but in some ways, it's not 'slamming' the Bible in anyway, nothing against the Bible, I think that it just questions what really exists and the existence of any other human life in the world up there in the sky and if that someone, something did exist, then as it is mentioned in the book, why would half of the people die and have to suffer? 

I know I have waffled on a bit in this review, but I feel that if you're reviewing books, then you are allowed to have your view and say. After all, it's a creative hobby / activity to do / have and we should all be able to have our say on books and listen to other peoples opinions too. 

Have you read this book? What did you think to it? If you haven't read this book I suggest you do as it is fantastically written and it has wonderful background and just creativeness towards it.  I think this book deserves way more recognition than what it has and should actually be in the shops! Also, the book which surprised me, was written by a thirteen year old, that just blew my mind! For the sake of how much thinking process has gone into it and how deep the book go's it really starts to get to you and to get you thinking on how the world actually works and in someways if anything that people in the past was worth it? 

The author may not have meant it to be like that or how they are portraying their work, but to me that is how I see it, but it is a good way in which I see it. I just feel that we all need to open our eyes a bit more to what has/was and is going on around the world in the past and in the present now and what will be happening in the future, before it is too late? 

After all, one of the things that was mentioned in the book was that the biggest feeling you get when you die is Regret. I feel that is such a big and powerful meaning and to say that a thirteen year old has written this and said this in a story, makes me think that everyone needs to stop and think about what is happening to our world. 

I will give this book a wonderful 10 out of 10 as that is what I feel the book and the author deserves, well done! I was going to post this review as part of the 'Small Authors reviews' At the end of the month but just couldn't wait to post it and felt it needed to be reviewed asap. 

I highly recommend this book. 

April Update - "Where have you been!"

Hey everyone! 

Long time no speak, how are we all? Good I hope? 

It's just a quick post to say what has been happening lately! So, so start with, I'm sorry that I haven't been posting anything recently, I've been tied up with the Cake page - Sprinkles, Sparkle & Magic That I haven't been reading in a while, wait! I have before everyone panic's haha 

I've been doing a little bit of reading now and then, I'm currently reading about 4-5 books, simply because I can't make my mind up on what genre to read and what mood I'm in. Since it's getting into the summer, I want to go straight to my chicklit's and summer romances, as you know! If you have been following this blog for a while, there's a certain way in which I go through my books haha. 

The books that I have been currently reading (Or that are on my Goodreads 'currently reading' shelf are as follows: 

1. The Yard by Alex Grecian 

2. Tigers In Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann

3. Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe

4. Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde 

(Picked up from a charity table for 50p!) 

So as you can see, I do have a fair amount of reading to get through, I can't promise which will be the next review as I'm just going on which one I fancy reading on that day. I have given up reading Horns at the moment, simply because I don't feel in the mood to read it. But it's on my Kobo so I can pick it back up and go straight into the chapter where I left off! 

I just fancy really light summery reads at the moment, does anyone else do this or know what I mean? ;) 

In other news, I have been baking many cakes and decorating them all in lovely pretty colours and flavours! So that is why I have been so busy, if you wish to look at my page, please go and take a look at the other blog! (Link is placed up at the top of the page!) Thanks!! 

I have also decided that I will be doing something new! I have gained a new app called Wattpad, which has loads and loads of little hidden gems by very small authors! So I have decided that in the last week of every month, I will find a book from the app that's from a hidden author and do a review of it! Oooh that's a good name actually! 'Hidden Authors!' 

There we go then, it's settled last week of every month starting this moth there will be a post called "Hidden Authors!" Keep any eye out for the reviews! I have a new signature too, cute huh? 

Lots of love and happy reading as always, 

X X