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

The Man Who Didn't Call * Rosie Walsh

The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh 

Imagine you meet a man, spend six glorious days together, and fall in love. And it’s mutual: you’ve never been so certain of anything. 

So when he leaves for a long-booked holiday and promises to call from the airport, you have no cause to doubt him.
But he doesn’t call. 

Your friends tell you to forget him, but you know they're wrong: something must have happened; there must be a reason for his silence.

On the 2nd June, Sarah comes to the same spot, at the same time to remember the tragedy that ruined her life. What she didn't think would happen, was that she'd fall madly in love with a complete stranger, that she's only known for seven days. 

Seven wonderful, marvellous, days she'd spent cooped up with Eddie David's. Then out of nowhere, he just vanished without a trace or even a phone call. 

Sarah can't shake the feeling that something is wrong; they shared life stories, dreams and even a little wooden mouse! So where did he go? When did it all go wrong? 

As Sarah battles with a loss she never knew she had, a love so fierce it may send her into madness and heartbreak so strong, that it physically hurts. One things for certain, she has to find Eddie David's before its too late and who he really is.  

The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh, is the first book that Walsh has written under her real name. Before, she has written under the pen name 'Lucy Robinson'. You can't begin to imagine my excitement when I realised this revelation and I couldn't wait for it to be released. I adore Rosie's writing, and her stories are just so beautiful. 

The story was nothing like I'd expected, I suppose I thought it would be like her other ones, but the story just took me by surprise and what a fabulous surprise it was! It's very well written, the plot is great and the ending, oh that ending. If there's one book you should read before the year is out, please go pick this one up and give it a read, you won't be disappointed! 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and seriously can't wait for more by Rosie.

I will be giving this book 10/10

**This book was read in June, this is a late review

The Hygge Holiday * Rosie Blake

The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake

It's autumn in Yulethorpe and everyone is gloomy. It's cold, drizzly and the skies are permagrey. The last shop on the high street - an adorable little toy shop - has just shut its doors. 

Everything is going wrong for Yulethorpe this autumn. Until Clara Kristensen arrives.

When Clara turns up in Yulethorpe, she had come away to escape her past, not to be suddenly running a toy store in the small sleepy village. Though that's exactly what happens. 

After sitting in the local pub and witnessing the very upset and eccentric Louisa, Clare finds herself knocking on her front door and to see if she's okay. To her surprise, Louisa wasn't kidding when she left the pub and is now packing all of her belongings into a suitcase and is ready to leave for sunny Spain. 

Soon Clara has become the house sitter to a raving mad parrot known as Lady Caca who shouts profanities at everyone and a very lazy ginger cat named Roddy. Oh and theres also a toy shop to run. 

Though when she sees the shop, its looking a bit worse for wear. With stacked cardboard boxes, dust covering the shelves and toys, the till covered in papers and doodles of cats and the sign on the door saying closed, things have got to change. 

Revving her good spirits, she is soon transforming the space, creating colourful displays and bringing life back into the shop, meeting Laura on the way. The bubbly mother with her little son who adore the shop and will do anything to help. 

Meanwhile in London, Joe is an uptight, stressed businessman, whose sole purpose is to see how much revenue he can generate for the big high end company he works for, what with being constantly glued to his phone and always sending out emails at 3am. 

So when he soon hears his mum has swanned off to Spain and left the shop in care of some Danish stranger, he is soon reaching for for the pills to calm his nerves and driving down to Yulethorpe. 

Clara and Joe are in a head to head battle, fighting for the same thing: His mothers toy shop. Joe thinking that she is only there to steal his mothers money, Clara just wanting to help and feel loved. 

Joe has a few tricks up his sleeve but Clara and Laura have a few of their own cards that they can play. Ultimately connecting along the way, but not with a few clashes along the road. 

The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake, is such a joyous pleasure to read. Its the first book I have read by Rosie Blake and I can't wait to read some of her other books. The book made me smile from beginning all the way to the very end and even went a bit teary - but happy tears!

As you all know, I love reading my Christmas romance books this time of the year and I feel that I am slowly getting back into reading again, which is always a bonus. 

This book reminded me of the film Mr Emgorium's Wonder Emporium, with the toy shop theme and the character of Clara reminded me of Natalie Portman's character which was just lovely. (Highly recommend the film if you've not seen it!)

I really enjoyed this book and I loved Clara's character, she's made me want to have my own Hygge night or Christmas this year. The book is written very well and the story is beautiful, the characters are well thought out and the image it creates is lovely. I was keen to know just what happened to her in the past and it does get revealed at the end of the book but I didn't expect it to be what it was, other people may guess it though. 

The way Blake has written her book feels strange, a bit like it's like other winter romances but also different in the same way which I like. I got this book from Kobo in the black Friday sales for only 99p and I was drawn to it by the beautifully illustrated front cover.  

I will be giving this book 10 out of 10