The Christmas Wish List * Heidi Swain

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember...

When Hattie is made redundant from her job at the Hotel, she doesn’t know what to do with herself. Though when she gets home, her wonderful boyfriend Johnathon gives her an opportunity – a rather last minute one – to up and leave at the other side of the world with him in Abu Dhabi. 

With the shock of it all, Hattie needs some time to think this big change over, so heading to her best friends Dolly’s for the Christmas period in Wynbridge, is just what she needs to have a good ponder. 

However, things are not as plain sailing as she thought. As soon as she arrives, Dolly is hiding something from her, something that Hattie cannot quite put her finger on. Not only that, but Dolly has devised a cunning plan to finally get Hattie into the Christmas spirit once and for all, before it’s too late and she flies away to the sunny beaches. 

Beamish, the local handyman, is happy to help Dolly with her plans. Helping to decorate all over the village for the spectacular winter wonderland, all before it is too late. 

Soon Hattie is enjoying the wonders of wrapping, shopping and all around comfort from wonderful friends, but when Johnathon turns up unannounced, can she really leave Wynbridge behind and at what cost?  

The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain, is one of the many books within the Wynbridge series, it can be read as part of the collection or as a standalone. I decided to read it on its own for a cosy read over Christmas and it didn’t disappoint. Swain’s books always manage to get me in the mood for Christmas and was the perfect read for that time of year.  

I loved all the characters and the way they were portrayed were brilliant, I however didn’t like Johnathon, but that is just down to his character in general. Beamish on the other hand *swoons* was just wonderful and I loved Dolly, she reminded me a little of my Nan.   

The book was fast paced, had a great plot and was the perfect cosy winter read.  I would highly recommend any of Heidi Swain’s books.  

I will be giving this book an 9 out of 10 

I, Cosmo * Carlie Sorosiak

Cosmo’s family is falling apart.
And it’s up to Cosmo to keep them together.
He knows exactly what to do.
There’s only one problem.

Cosmo is a Golden Retriever.

Cosmo knows there's a problem as soon as dad doesn't wait for mum to take the kids Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. Then, when he starts to hear raised voices more often than not, that's when Cosmo certainly senses somethings not right. 

Mum and Dad have always done everything together, from getting Cosmo as a pup, buying their first home, holidays and even to having Max and Emily. But when Cosmo notices that both parents have stopped dancing as a family in the evening and have begun shouting, that's when he must act fast, for the sake of everyone.  

Soon Cosmo and Max have entered into the local talent show, in hopes of winning their parents over and for them not to do the inevitable of separating. But it's a hard task, especially when you're not the sprightly dog you once used to be. 

But what's a lad to do, when you only have a bark for a voice and four fluffy legs? 

I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak, is such a beautiful, heartwarming and lovely read. This was another book that was part of the Believeathon challenge and I'm so happy that I picked it up.

The book is narrated from Cosmo's point of view, of how he see's the world and his family. How much he loves everyone and will stop at nothing until everyone is safe and happy, which is what our lovely four legged friends do. It's such a beautiful and special book and and captures the love in what we will do for our families. I would urge anyone to read it. Yes, it's a children's book, but it can be loved by adults just as much.

I feel read this book at such a great time, as it's when we got our new little pup Merlin. It was such a great read and I truly believe that because of the time it was read, it helped me understand Merlin a bit more as he's growing up and boy have we got a special bond now.

I will be giving this book 10 out of 10

How To Train Your Dragon * Cressida Cowell

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a truly extraordinary Viking hero known throughout Vikingdom as "the Dragon Whisperer"...but it wasn't always so. 

Travel back to the days when the mighty warrior was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans.

Hiccup isn't your regular dragon hunter. He doesn't know the first thing on how to find a dragon, let alone hunt it down! Much to the happiness of Stoick the Vast, the great Chief. Who just so happens to be his father and the rest of the clan in Berk. 

When the time comes for Hiccup's initiation to become a great viking, things don't go as planned. Sure he manages to bag a dragon in the depths of the fearful dragon cove, but he didn't intend on getting the most smallest or useless one out of the cave.  

Soon Hiccup finds that he too can train dragons like his fellow peers, it may not be in the same sense and he finds out that that he can speak dragonese, but so long as he's training that's all that matters...right? 

When danger approaches the Berk, there's only one boy and his dragon who can save the island, before it gets destroyed.  

How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, is the first instalment in the well known and well loved, twelve part book series that grew to become the film franchise that is out in Cinemas today.

If you know me, then you know that I absolutely adore HTTYD and Toothless, I even went and bought my own Toothless Build a Bear (Yes, I was the oldest in the queue and no I don't regret it one bit!) I have been dying to read this series for a while now, so when the lovely Gavin created the 'Believeathon Challenge' I added it to my list immediately.

To say that this is a children's book, I can certainly tell you that this is a read for all ages, its quite hilariously funny in places and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It's fast paced, the characters are all loveable and you're in for such a treat. I will definitely be getting the rest of the series in due course.

I will be giving it a 8 out of 10

Full Disclosure * Camryn Garrett

Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. 

She's making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. 

The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.

Simone isn't like everyone else, she may look like it, but she's keeping a secret big enough to destroy everything she's worked so hard for and if it gets out, she'll need to start all over again. 

But then she starts to fall for Miles, the lacrosse team player, who is also one of the set people for the beloved play that she is directing at school. She likes him and he likes her back, but there's a catch...she has HIV. 

As Simone wades through this new found relationship with Miles, her friends and her loving parents. Someone is on the war path to spill her secret to the whole school and possibly the town, but not if she can tell people first. The only question is, who is it? 

Who ever thought that starting a new school would be so hard? 

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett, was an absolute pleasure to read. Firstly, would like to thank NetGally and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book, very thankful for it. 

I'll be honest, at first I didn't think that I would enjoy it, boy was I wrong! The whole story is so important, it focuses on a topic that in some ways I still don't think it's very talked about, I can even say that I learnt quite a bit from this book and I'm happy and more mindful that I did.  

The way that Garrett has portrayed every character was magnificent. Simone is such a strong character, both physically and mentally and I just love her for it. I love the way that Miles is with Simone, he doesn't let her illness bother him and is more than happy to stand up for her which is just beautiful and sweet, as you should have someone like that. 

This is such a powerful, meaningful, heartfelt and overall beautiful book and I will be defiantly screaming from the rooftops about this one. I will also be purchasing this when it's released as it's a book that I think everyone should read and own. If you read one more book this year, please let it be this one.  

I will be giving this book 10 out of 10

The Gracekeepers * Kirsty Logan

A flooded world. 
A floating circus. 
Two women in search of a home. 

North lives on a circus boat with her beloved bear, keeping a secret that could capsize her life.

Callanish lives alone in her house in the middle of the ocean, tending the graves of those who die at sea. As penance for a terrible mistake, she has become a gracekeeper.

A chance meeting between the two draws them magnetically to one another - and to the promise of a new life.

North has a secret that no one can know. 
Callanish has been harbouring regrets since she was a young girl. 
Both women meet by chance and their worlds are changed forever. 

Following a death at sea, the Excalibur circus group are forced to visit the closest resting place within their waters - Callanish's Graceland. The two women are drawn to each other immediately, seeming to know each other but how? When they've never met each other in their entire lives.  

North is faced with a mammoth choice to make, to marry her "one true love" to to be banished from her home, her bear included. It should be easy, it should be safe, but nothing is safe when you live on the water and everything threatens you in your path. 

The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan, is the first book I have ever read by the author. I sadly didn't enjoy it. 

I really wanted too, its been on my shelf for years and I decided to pick it up a couple months back and it did start out promising. There was magic and fantasy, with a bit of the dystopian world added into the mix and I was really enjoying it. Though half way through the book, it kind of lost itself, the story started to fold in on its self and not make much sense. It sadly started to feel like a chore, by the end of it I was completely lost in what was happening. 

I feel that the book is to show what can and will happen with climate change if we're not careful, there is hardly any land mentioned in the book and half of it has been swallowed by water and it was portrayed very well. I preferred North's character over Callanish's due to I found her more robust and sure of herself, however both women became stronger as the story unfolded.  

I won't give up on the author and will be giving some of her books a read in the future as maybe this book just wasn't for me.  

I will be giving this book 4 out of 10

Close Up and Personal * JS. Taylor

Drama-school graduate Isabella Green wants to be a script-writer. But when she meets famous director James Berkeley, she’s tempted into the glamorous world of acting. 

Behind the camera, the mysterious Berkeley commands discipline at all times. But Isabella soon discovers this man's dominant tendencies also extend into the dressing room. 

Isabella Green is an actress, well, trying to be. She's more of a script writer. Though when she goes for an audition on a whim for a role in an upcoming play, she's shocked to find it's actually got an upcoming film. A film by the one and only Mr James Berkeley. 

Issy can't quite believe her luck, not only did she meet the infamous, seclusive director, but he also asked her out. Though when Issy hears some troubling truths about Berkeley, can she really trust the man she's only just met? 

He's gorgeous, charming and a gentleman. But can Isabella learn to play by his rules and commands? Or will her hot handedness get her into more trouble than its worth? 

Close Up and Personal by JS. Taylor, Is the first book in the first book in the Spotlight series and the first book that I have read by this author. I searched through the Kobo store for a cheeky book on the off chance and decided to give it a go with this one. 

I had some general mixed feelings about this one as I was reading along. At first it struck me a little like the FSOG trilogy (Which we all know that I wasn't a huge fan) but then as the story progressed it seemed to change. It started to get more depth and character, the characters themselves started to show who they really were, I was happy to find out that Isabella was not a pushover compared to what I thought she was going to be. 

However, there we're some sides that just didn't sit right with me, the way that Jame's is with her sometimes just gave me the creeps and also annoyed me a little. But I was glad that I stuck with it as I feel that the next book will be better than the first, and that last scene, Jesus! 

All in all I would be happy to read the next instalment in the series 

I will be giving this book 5 out of 10

Genie * Kitty French

Feathers. Lies. Glitter. Secrets. Lust. 

Meet Genie Divine, the wise-cracking London show-girl on a hell-bent mission to save her beloved family theatre. 

Now meet Abel Kingdom, the australian gym mogul determined to buy it out from underneath her. 

On paper they have nothing in common, and when they meet, they have even less. 

He wants her theatre. She wants him dead.

Genie Devine has lived and worked around the Devine Theatre for as long as she can remember. She loves to take centre stage and strut her beautiful stuff. 

But when she overhears and sees her beloved uncle Davey conversing with a strange yet beautiful business man about the theatre, something has to be done. 

Abel Kingdom has had a rough start in life, though moving far away from home has worked wonders for his health and his bank account. So when he see's an opportunity to buy the Devine Theatre, he's in a win-win situation. 

Though Genie won't go down without a fight (and a little persuasion) and will do anything and everything in her power so that Abel kingdom doesn't get his filthy hands on her beloved theatre and home. No matter how handsome he is. 

As tensions rise, so do the lights to the stage. Sometimes in showbiz you have to play dirty to get what you want.  

Genie by Kitty French, is a stand-alone novel by this sensational author. You all know how much I adore The Knight Trilogy by this woman and I was SO excited when she brought out this gem. It has taken me a while to finally get my hands on it and I seriously must have read this within two days.  

The queen of smut is back and I'm honestly hoping that this won't be her last under the pseudonym Kitty or Kat French. I'm dying for something else to be released as nothing compares to her books. 

Abel and Genie hit it off with a love-hate relationship that eventually boils over and fizzles something fiercely hot, oh my goodness...I need a moment. 

This book oozed glamour, passion and sexiness. I loved that it was based around Burlesque which is something new and should be done more. The only thing I'm sad about is that it's a stand-alone novel, I seriously need more of Mr. Kingdom in my life.  

If you're looking for a quick and steamy read this winter or even in general, I highly recommend this one! (And anything else by this author under any of her names! (Kat / Kitty French, Josie Silver) 

I will be giving this book 10 out of 10

The Perfect Wife * JP Delaney

The perfect life. The perfect love. The perfect lie. 

Abbie awakens in a daze with no memory of who she is or how she landed in this unsettling condition. The man by her side claims to be her husband. He's a titan of the tech world, the founder of one of Silicon Valley's most innovative start-ups. 

He tells Abbie that she is a gifted artist, an avid surfer, a loving mother to their young son, and the perfect wife.

If you loved your wife, you'd do anything to bring her back...wouldn't you? 

When Abbie awakes in hospital, she has no memory of how she got there. In fact, it isn't even a hospital at all, it's her husbands company, Scott Robotics - and she's plugged in. 

Soon her beloved husband announces that she's actually a robotic version of her old self. Downloaded memories, charging systems and silicone skin. 

But something isn't right. Scott says that her old self, the real Abbie, went missing five years ago. But why, all those years ago would she leave her only son Danny all by himself? And why won't your family have anything to do with Scott or yourself? 

As she tries to piece together the missing memories, the disappearance of the real Abbie and the trail of secrets and lies that she left in her wake. Her only questions are...

What happened to the real Abbie Cullen-Scott? Why did she go missing? And if she didn't...what is your husband hiding from you? 

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney, is the third psychological thriller that has come from this stunning author. I was lucky enough to request the book and was so pleased to find out that they had let me have the ARC for an honest review, so thank you to NetGally and Quercus.

What a page tuner! I literally couldn't stop reading it, straight from the start the book grips you with its creepy and eerie writing. The characters in the book were likeable, I mostly liked Abbie and her young son Danny. 

The book focuses around AI-Abbie and her current state in life and how she got there, as the story unfolds its clear how mess-up Scott is. Put it this way, if you love futuristic things, technology or even the TV programme Westworld, then you'll love this read. 

In places, the book does get slightly confusing with flitting from the past and present, whilst being narrated by a few characters and there being two main people of the same name. The ending took me a little while to get my head around it, but once I did...wow. That's all I can say.  And I did enjoy it more than its predecessor 'Believe Me'

The book is out now, and if you're in need of a new twisty read with a great plot line, then I suggest you give this one a try. I'm looking forward to more of Delaney's books and can't wait to see what's on offer next! 

I will be giving this book a 9 out of 10

Meet me at Beachcomber Bay * Jill Mansell

Love is in the air in St Carys, but you'd never know it - the people of this seaside town are very good at keeping secrets...

The man Clemency loves belongs to someone else. She has to hide her true feelings - but when she ropes in an unsuspecting friend to help, wires start to get crossed.

For the first time in Ronan's life his charm has failed him in winning over the woman he wants. Loving her from afar appears to be his only option.

Belle seems to have the perfect boyfriend, but something isn't quite right. And now a long-buried secret is slowly rising to the surface.

The truth has a funny way of revealing itself, and when it does St Carys will be a very different place indeed...

What if you'd just met the love of your life, on a plane, covered in red wine? 

Or just met your one true love, after a mistaken one night stand? 

And what if, your partner, your wonderful gorgeous partner, just doesn't do it for you? 

Welcome to St Cary's, where love is in the air and no one has a clue on how to catch it.  

Clemency finds the love of her life, but when it turns out her sister is involved, things soon start to become more confusing than what its actually worth.  

Ronan on the other hand, made a drunken mistake with Kate nine months ago and he just change shake away his true feelings for her. Even though he's in a loving relationship with his best friend, Clemency. 

And when Belle finally lands the man of her dreams, she can't shake the feeling that someones after him. Better yet, even Belle doesn't know if she truly loves him, she can't make her mind up if someone else tickles her fancy. 

As the residents of the little village go through the ups and downs of their lives, one thing is for certain...There's love in the air at Beachcomber Bay. 

Meet me at Beachcomber Bay by Jill Mansell, is her 28th novel I mean, can we get a round of applause for the lady? I always look forward to Jill's books, to me, thats when I know its Summer. When the sun in shining, its warm and a new Jill Mansell book has been cracked open. That is what Summer looks like. 

It has been a while since I last read a book by Mrs. Mansell, my last was 'Head Over Heels' read last year and I feel like with this past book and this current one, I'm finally getting out of my Jilll Mansell slump and the love is coming back full force, straight in my face.  

The characters, the setting and all the little stories rolled into one is just perfect. Every character is written wonderfully and all their little stories pair perfectly with the rest of them. There we're things that I wasn't expecting and it made a nice pleasant surprise. 

I think a lot of people where thinking that it was solely going to be about Clemency and I'm kind of happy it wasn't as I loved Ronan's character so much and I'm happy we got to hear more about his story. 

I will be giving this book 9 out of 10

Believe Me * J.P. Delaney

Claire Wright likes to play other people. 

A British drama student, in New York without a green card, Claire takes the only job she can get: working for a firm of a divorce lawyers, posing as an easy pick-up in hotel bars to entrap straying husbands. 

When one of her targets becomes the subject of a murder investigation, the police ask Claire to use her acting skills to help lure their suspect into a confession. 

Is Patrick Folger really a killer...Or is he the only decent husband she's ever met? And is their more to this set-up than she's being told?

And that's when Claire realises she's playing the deadliest game of her life...

Claire just wants to act, though when she moves to New York, the undercover work for a divorce firm, it's the closest she can get to a paid acting gig and her dreams don't work out exactly the way she planned.  

She certainly didn't think she would fall for Patrick Folger; tall, handsome, charismatic and a murder suspect. Though no one can see him for who he truly is, Claire knows him better than she knows herself.

As Claire falls deeper into a darkened romance and the life she craves so badly, she starts to question has she really has got what it takes or is it all in her head? But when the worlds your stage, there's always an exit and entrance, Claire just needs to choose which one to take, before its too late and the final curtain falls. 

Believe Me by J.P. Delaney, is the second novel under the pseudonym. You all know how much I loved 'The Girl Before' last year and I seriously couldn't wait to get my hands on his next novel. So much so, that I couldn't wait a year for it to come out in paperback so I bought it in hardback.

However, it's quite different to his previous novel. There was still his signature style of writing (which I love), and the creepiness in the book is outstanding. I also must mention, that I loved the way it was written, a lot of people have said that they didn't like it but you just need to read between the lines I think. It's written like a script, hence it being based around one of the main characters, Claire, who we see trying to gain a career in acting.

The way Delaney has captured obsession and passion is perfect, it shows how very fine the line is between the two and I loved it. As I mentioned, the book is different to the one before, its quirky, though it does take a while to understand and get into it I think. Then like a train has just ran into you, the entire story picks up pace and just snowballs and snowballs until you're left shocked. As always, I had no idea about the ending and it was a complete shock!

An enjoyable, creepy read that is a must have for any Thriller enthusiast.

I will be giving this book 8 out of 10

Montauk * Nicola Harrison

Montauk, Long Island, 1938. 

For three months, this humble fishing village will serve as the playground for New York City’s wealthy elite. Beatrice Bordeaux was looking forward to a summer of reigniting the passion between her and her husband, Harry. 

Instead, tasked with furthering his investment interest in Montauk as a resort destination, she learns she’ll be spending twelve weeks sequestered with the high society wives at The Montauk Manor—a two-hundred room seaside hotel—while Harry pursues other interests in the city. 

Beatrice has everything life has to offer. The wonderful house, expensive clothes, fancy dining and the perfect husband. So when she goes holidaying to Montauk with Harry, there's only one more thing she needs to complete the happy ending.  

As the months pass by, so do the cocktails in the sun, gossip amongst holiday makers and plans for the less fortunate, summer guests.  

But Beatrice longs for the simple things in life, she wants to hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet and for Harry to notice her at least once whilst they're away on their romantic getaway, rather than the other women who are staying within the hotel. 

She decides to take action, being bold and daring in activities she would have never considered before, rather than be 'seen and not heard'. She misses her simple life back home before her marriage, before Harry's riches. 

So when Beatrice steps up to the village lighthouse, could home be closer than she thought? Or is it something deeper that's bound to break? 

Montauk is the debut novel by author Nicola Harrison, a huge thanks to NetGally for letting me review this book. You all know how much I love my era books set between the 1920's - 1950's and when I saw this book I could not pass up the chance to be able to read it. 

I'll be honest, at first I was a bit skeptical with the first few chapters, but once it started to pick up I couldn't put it down! Beatrice's character grew on me and towards the end of the book I had so much respect and love for her. She is such a strong woman, my heart broke for her so much. 

There are so many surprises throughout the book which makes it such a gripping read. The story itself is beautifully written, the characters are charming and elegant. The whole book oozes glamour and scandal which makes it even more special. 

Harrison certainly knows how to write and I can't wait to hear of other books in the works by this sensational author. it is easily one of the best books that I have read this year so far. If you're looking for something new or if you're into your era reads, then look no further than Montauk. 

I will be giving this book 10 out of 10

Out now in all stores

A Court of Thorns and Roses * Sarah J. Maas

Feyre is a huntress. 

She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature come at a high price...

Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy's kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden to escape. Her captors body bares the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked - but his piercing stare draws her even closer. 

Feyra has just one goal on her mind...to stay alive. But when a hunt to survive goes drastically wrong, she has to make a decision.

Be killed, as well as her family. Or go and live the treacherous fae over the wall. 

As Fayre tries to adapt to new life, she can't help but think that there is more than meets the eye with the High Lords, Tamlin and Lucien of the Spring court. 

As something grows between them all, something far worse is coming. Something, someone, more powerful than any of them can face...except one. 

Given a series of challenges, Feyre must determine her life, her strength and most of all, her love, for the good of the Prythian land and her home. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, is the first within the 'Court of Thorns and Roses' series and I absolutely loved it. 

Now, I'll be honest. At first I really didn't understand what the hype was about this series and trod carefully when I went into the book, but let me tell you something. I did not think I would love it as much as I did. 

It's jam packed with drama, suspense, romance, hatred - it's got everything a YA novel needs and so much more. The characters, the world building, everything about it is just wonderful. Even though it nearly gave me a cardiac arrest towards the end with everything that was happening, it was fast paced and really thought out. 

If you need a new series to read this year, then by all means pick this one up and give it a go, you will not be disappointed. 

I actually read this as part of a buddy read with the lovely Jess from Make Me Shakespeare and over the past few months I have gained a wonderful new friend, she's the most loveliest girl on the planet! 

I will be giving this book 10 out of 10