So, Anyway - John Cleese

This is the story of how a tall, shy youth from Weston-super-Mare went on to become a self-confessed legend. En route, John Cleese describes his nerve-racking first public appearance, at St Peter’s Preparatory School at the age of eight and five-sixths; his endlessly peripatetic home life with parents who seemed incapable of staying in any house for longer than six months; his first experiences in the world of work as a teacher who knew nothing about the subjects he was expected to teach; his hamster-owning days at Cambridge; and his first encounter with the man who would be his writing partner for over two decades, Graham Chapman. 

Punctuated from time to time with John Cleese’s thoughts on topics as diverse as the nature of comedy, the relative merits of cricket and waterskiing, and the importance of knowing the dates of all the kings and queens of England, this is a masterly performance by a former schoolmaster. 

"This is an ex-parrot!"

National Treasure and comedian John Cleese goes into the depths of his past and tells you how it really is or how it was. We all know him, wether it be from The Life of Brian, The Holy Grail, Fawlty Towers or plain old Python sketches. He has become a staple in the comedy circuit and known for being one of the most influential comedic's of our time.  

From the shy young boy growing up in Weston-super-Mare and a public school, the 'At Last the 1948 Show to Python, even now the same old John Cleese is still shy and quick wittingly hilarious to this day. 

Written and narrated by the Python himself (which makes it all the more better) 

So, Anyway by John Cleese, was such a wonderful, hilarious and beautiful read. After listening to Idle's audiobook at the beginning of the year, I rushed to find other books by the Python's and was happy to come across this book. It's filled with live performance snippets, old conversations, scripts and sketches with made it all the more a lovely happy read. It made me smile so much. 

It has been an absolute joy to listen to whilst I've been working through this Pandemic, highly hilarious and full of laughs. There were quite a few sad moments though which made it all the more real and authentic. This simply couldn't have been narrated by anyone else other than the man himself. 

It was lovely to hear about his upbringing and his personal life outside of Python, how he has grown up and how he came to be one of the most respected comedic's of our time. Python have been a huge thing in my childhood and it was such a refreshing read. 

I would highly recommend for any Python enthusiasts.  

I will be giving this book 5 out of 5

Cawpile rating of 9.14

Miranda's Big Mistake * Jill Mansell

Miranda is thrilled when she meets Greg at a cocktail party. He's gorgeous, he's funny - and he's very keen. Just what a girl needs to put some sparkle in her life. Heavens, he's practically perfect! Greg likes Miranda a lot. She's young, she's pretty, and she never talks about babies. 

Of course he hasn't told her everything about himself - even the sweetest girls can be a bit funny about a man who's just left his newly pregnant wife. But there's no way she's going to find out - or is there?

Miranda can't believe her luck when she gets stopped by a homeless man. She's already late for work, has forgotten her lunch and in desperate need of a sit down. But here she is promising a sandwich to the local man whilst standing in the pouring rain, could her day get any worse? 

Chloe is on cloud nine. She's madly in love with her husband Greg and she's about to tell him that they're expecting their first child. Greg isn't happy at all, in fact he's furious and is soon telling Chloe to leave...not only their home but their marriage.  Chloe's could is quickly turning grey. 

Though things aren't all bad, Miranda has found a new man at a local charity event, he's charming, handsome and incredibly funny - Greg seems like the perfect man to settle down with. With Chloe pregnant, homeless and nearly jobless, moving in with a new landlady seems like the best solution, she's just yet to meet the other tenant. 

Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell, is one of her oldest books and is the seventh book I have read by the author. I can honestly tell that this is an old book and can see how her writing style has changed over the years. Both are not a bad thing, it's just clear to see how it's changed. 

I struggled to get into this one at first if I'm honest, but once I finally got sucked in I loved it. I really loved Miranda and Chloe, they were fab. Though I think I loved Florence the best. 

There was plenty of romance and drama, I found ti quite funny too! As always I shall be reading more of her books as I really do love them and find them the perfect, easy summer escape! However, I did read this when the sun wasn't shining and when we were in March! 

I will be giving this book 4 out of 5

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

One Hot Summer * Kat French

One Hot Summer by Kat French 

Alice McBride’s husband Brad is super famous, totally gorgeous . . . and having an affair with his co-star. And now it’s splashed across all the newspapers.

After kicking Brad out, Alice decides to rent out her beloved home for the summer. And the last person she expects to arrive at Borne Manor is a sexy cowboy called Robinson.

Alice can't quite believe it when her husband, the ever so wonderful Brad McBride sits across from her at their breakfast bar and declares that the magazines are true: He's been having an affair with his co-star, Felicity-bloody-Shaw. 

Hoping to re-kindle their marriage, Brad tries everything possible and so does Alice, she starts by throwing him out of Bourne Mannor along with his belongings.  Her marriage may be over and there may be a fight on her hands, but one things for certain, she won't go down without a fight to protect her lovely home. Even if she has to do it from the proximity of her garden. 

Robinson Duff has built a big name for himself over the years, he has thousands of fans and many to thank for him being a well known country singer in Nashville, but when he's betrayed by his wife and best friend, Robinson needs a break and fast. Leaving behind his friends, manager and his music. 

Retreating to the British countryside, he takes residence in Bourne Mannor as a rented tenant, much to his knowledge that there's a little woodland fairy living in the bottom of "his" garden. 

With the eccentric Bourne Seven in tow, also known as the BS Society, things start to look up for Alice as she starts to work on her own Glampsite in the back garden, complete with a yurt, boathouse, gypsy caravan, a romantic tree house and of course the airstream caravan. 

As the summer starts to heat up, so does Robinson and Alice's relationship, taking shape in every way possible and everywhere imaginable in the gardens, though there are some who have other ideas.

One Hot Summer by Kat French, is a wonderful summer read! I did actually read this in the summer this year but never got round to writing up the review, so here I am going through them all one by one. I adore Kat French they're ever so funny and bubbly, unlike her other books under the name of Kitty French, which are more alluring shall we say? 

I loved all the characters in this book, the story line was brilliant and quite different, Alice is a little firecracker and once pushed she won't let anything stand in her way, I think I loved her character because she reminded me of a bit of myself in some ways.

The whole story is brilliant, filled with laughter and humour in places and the good old "will they? Won't they?" type of which, I never get tired of, as well as the love/hate relationship between Alice and Robinson. It's full of friendship and doing what you want to do. 

I can't wait till Kat French brings out another book! 

I will be giving this book a 8.5 out of 10

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! 

Hubble Bubble * Jane Lovering

Hubble Bubble by Jane Lovering 

Be careful what you wish for …

Holly Grey only took up witchery to keep her friend out of trouble – and now she’s knee-deep in hassle, in the form of apocalyptic weather, armed men, midwifery … and a sarcastic Welsh journalist.


When Holly Grey's best friend books them in for magic lessons, she can't believe her luck and not in a good way. Her bubbly friend Megan says it will be a great idea, but Holly has other opinions of the matter, though despite what she thinks, Holly backs her friend up so she won't be alone. 

So when Megan and Holly turn up at the witches house, only to discover that it is an elderly woman gone a bit mad, Holly just can't get over the amount of tripe the old woman says, especially when all the other women believe it. 

But when Holly is sent to go and take a look at The Old Lodge down in the woodlands for work, she didn't think she would encounter a tall, handsome but troubled looking man. 

Kai Rhys has some problems that he can't get rid of, the fact that his mother left him when he was a baby for no apparent reason, that he's trying to unearth a big secret for his journalism job, but doesn't know where to start. Or perhaps it's the one thing that lets him down the most, a relationship. 

Though on the night of making a wish with the witch workshop, bad things start to happen. From men on bikes following and threatening them, to the potion everyone drank and getting seriously ill, all part from Holly. 

When both Kai and Holly's paths cross, things start to get a bit complicated and not in the relationship department. There's something there about Kai that Holly can't shake off, she knows what she would like to shake and where, but there's something deep down, something raw and wrong with Kai that she is determined to find out. 

Kai knows something about Holly, something that has been eating away at her for years. So when he brother Nicholas comes over, he starts to think that something is wrong between them. He just doesn't know what, but he is determined to get Holly to come to her senses and look further into her relationship with Nick, something deep that she has been covering up for twenty years. 

Soon everyone's wishes start to unfold in the strangest of events, and their not all smooth sailing either. Most go with a bump, a shock, some adventure and definitely some excitement. All the wishes soon start to come together and are all apart of each others in someway, they just need an extra bit of digging to get there. 

Hubble Bubble by Jane Lovering, is the first novel I have read by this fantastic author! I picked this book up from the Library a couple of weeks ago and I'm so happy that I picked this one up and not the other I was going to get. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's been a hilarious and fun read. I adored all the characters, I thought they we're thought out and described perfectly with their own little back ground stories. Holly Grey is a definite Heroine in this story and she's not half funny to show for it. Her feeling and character we're an appealing read, she's a though cookie who doesn't stand no messing, but sometimes her barriers have to fall down. 

I can honestly say it's not what I expected at all! I thought it would have been a lot darker and a totally different storyline, but I'm glad it wasn't. I will definitely be reading this book again and will also be reading more of Jane Lovering's books.

I also loved that it was based around Yorkshire! ;) I could understand and sympathise with the characters more on the weather. 

The only thing about this book and it's a tiny thing but I feel the need to mention it. Is that whilst I loved Kai and Holly's relationship and their characters, I also loved there sexual tension too and their romance to it as it was just plain sexy! BUT! I feel when they talked about their problems, they talked a bit about them too much, too much brooding and "Oh woes me" all the time which was a bit of a let down. 

But all in all I loved the book and will be reading it again! I couldn't really put too much into the review otherwise I would of given the book away! 

I will give this book 8.5 out of 10 

The Vicious Deep * Zoraida Cordova

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave. 

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth. 

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods. 

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.

Tristan Hart has everything going for him, he's a talented swimmer on the swim team, he's popular, good looking, has the best group of friends anyone could ask for and has all the girls chasing after him. So what could possibly go wrong? 

Besides the fact that he drowned trying to save a child from the ocean and when he came back after blacking out, he couldn't remember anything at all apart from a weird woman with a mermaid tail and razor sharp teeth haunting his mind and dreams.

Though all things soon go out of shape when he falls asleep in the bath then wakes up with a mermaid's tail and fish pouring out of the taps and a scar on his back that burns like hell. So when he confronts his mother about his strange and bizarre problems, all things start to make sense...well, if you can say it makes sense, seeing as your mother is the sea kings daughter and you so happen to be the next heir to the underworld thrown and that your mothers evil sister is out to kill him, then yeah, Everything makes total sense!

Soon Tristan learns he's not the boy he thought he was and his life isn't what he thought it was, wiping away at the frosted windows Tristan realises he needs to think fast if he wants to save everyone and everything he loves, including his best friend Layla. Hart is a whole new world and doesn't know where to start, but with the help of his family, his grandfather and friends, he may just be able to pull it off, and save the world. Just.

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova is the first instalment in The Vicious Deep book series and is about a young boy who finds out his life is quite different to what he thought it was and learning how to change fast to be able to save everyone he loves. 

I picked this book up from the Library a while a go and I admit I finished reading this book a few months back but never got round to writing the review so I apologise for the really late review, I have another review to do after this one as well, but we will be up to date then :) 

I really liked Tristan and Layla's characters in this book, to be honest I loved all the characters, the way they we're written and portrayed was great and it was a good and exciting read. I did sometimes find myself being a bit lazy and not wanting to finish it as in some places it did drag on a bit, though I am glad that I finished it. 

The book ends with a cliff hanger which is always good, to which it will then go onto the next two books, I don't know if I will be reading the other two books just yet but I will pick them up at some point and finish it off. 

The only thing I have about the book is that it was a bit slow in places and I felt it dragged on a little bit, but it did pick back up and Tristan's character was brilliant! He's cocky bu not too much, just the right amount and he's brave. Layla's character was mostly annoyed at him but you can tell that's she's smitten for him which it was lovely. 

This is a big one, but the other thing is that it reminded me of the Percy Jackson film (I've not read the books but would like too!) a bit too much in places which I feel lets it down a little regarding that this book came out after the Jackson books. There are some similarities in places. 

I will give this book 6.5 out of 10

Undertaking Love * kat French

Undertaking Love by Kat French

Sexy and smart, with an extremely desirable male lead, this a delightful debut from an exciting new new voice in women's fiction. 

When Marla Jacobs discovers that the shop next door to her Little White Wedding Chapel is to become a funeral parlour, She declares an all-out war. 

Funny, romantic and dangerously sexy.


Marla Jacobs is a highly functioning, strong independent woman and she knows what she wants. She's an American woman living in England running her own little wedding chapel, just like the ones back out in the States. Everything is going well for Marla, she has the job, the house, the family and friends and of course her loveable big dog Bluey. 

So when she hears the news, that the new shop opening up next door to her beloved Little White Wedding Chapel, is not the Cupcake shop that she thought it would be. But is in fact a Funeral Parlour, things start to get a bit messy. 

Gabriel Ryan is down on his luck, and after a death in the family, he moves away from Ireland to set up the funeral business somewhere else and follow in his fathers footsteps. He feels like he's got the luck on his side when he finds out Marla is his new neighbour, but all starts to turn sour as soon as she finds out who he is and what he is doing. 

Marla won't be going down without a fight, she can see it before her eyes: Brides bumping into widows, bouquets being swapped for wreaths, and Limos being held up by hearses. Marla can't stand the thought and soon starts up a campaign to get Gabriel out of town and to take his parlour with him, but when it turns into a hate campaign, things start to get a bit out of hand. 

It's all war when Ryan gets his hands into the situation too. Soon the couple are fighting against each other trying to win the votes over from the public, but when one of Marla's close friends does something unforgivable, will the pair start to iron out the creases in their relationship or will it heat things up more? 

Sexy and Irish, Gabriel has a few tricks up his sleeves and is happy to get his hands dirty in the battle for the right of who's shop stays on the street. Even if it means grabbing Marla's friends behind her back.

Though she starts to see Gabriel in a different light, she starts to have other feelings for him How is she supposed to argue with him and claim her title of her shop being the only one on that road, when she just wants to jump into the shower with him? 

Undertaking Love by Kat French is the first novel by the author, (although she has written other books under the name of 'Kitty French' which are under the Erotic category) is the first romantic novel the author has written, and I must say it is amazing!

I know that sounds a bit far fetched and you may just think that "well she thinks that about every book she reads" But I don't and I'm starting to be more strict on what I am reviewing. Though I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this book and wish to purchase it one day so I can read it again. 

I borrowed it from the Library after reading the blurb and it sounding funny. I can tell you now that it is quite funny in places, rude, crude and downright dirty with foul play from both sides of the sex to get what they want. It's the perfect Love-hate relationship book and couldn't get any better. 

One of the books where you're begging the characters to get together, even though they hate each other. But you know they will soon fall in love and everything will click into place. The story behind the book is great and the plot is brilliant. There's always something happening in the book as the story unfolds.

There are some shockers, tear jerkers, edge on the seat, infatuated love, frustration, anger and annoyance moments with all characters. In a way the book reminded me of the TV Stella, if I could describe the book as a TV show that's what it would be. 

It is worth a read and I would recommend it to anyone! Get yourself a copy! 

I will give this book 10 out of 10! 

You're The One That I Don't Want * Alexandra Potter

You're The One That I Don't Want by Alexandra Potter

How do you know he's the one? Are you getting butterflies just thinking about him?

Have you dreamt of marrying him? Do you just know?

Nate was the one for Lucy,but after ten years they've lost contact,then New York brings them together; how is she to lose him.

When 18 Lucy Hemmingway makes the trip of a lifetime, she's gone to Venice to spend the summer at Art college, a perfect dream for her which has just come true in such a beautiful city. Though when she meets Nate, everything changes.Soon though couple become inseparable, spending their free days eating galato and moping around in bed then walking around Venice centre in the evening.

But when a loved up Lucy and Nate encounter an old man who lets them in on the story about the legend of the bridge of sighs, the couple soon think it's a great idea and with their split coin pendants, a trip on a gondola under the bridge of sighs, with the sunset going down and the bells chiming in the background. They both kiss, and if anything the old mad said is true, they will be together for eternity. 

Fast forward ten years later and Lucy is 28 and living in New York with her new flat mate and hippie chick Robyn. Though even though it's ten years on she is still hung up over Nate and every small detail reminds her of him. Maybe the legend of the bridge of sighs wasn't so true after all. But when she's helping take a delivery of paintings to a penthouse in New York for the gallery where she works. She can't believe her luck when she bumps into Nate ten years later and snooping around his house no doubt!

Soon Lucy and Nate become inseparable and it's like nothing has changed between them, apart from Nate still wearing the pineapple boxers his ex-girlfriend bought him because they we're to precious for him to get rid of. But everything isn't as it seems as the couple seem to be arguing more about trivial things than having lovely, passionate sex according to Lucy. Plus Nate has changed so much, gone we're the days of shovelling pizza into their mouths in Venice, now it's exercise and state of the art juicing machines! Plus an iPhone which seems to be glued to his ear constantly. 

Being in love with Nate isn't as good as what she can remember and Lucy soon wants out, don't get her wrong, the sex is amazing! But he's a total obsessive nut! With Nate and Lucy rowing too soon into their precious relationship, she goes off to look at art and bumps into Adam - a lovely film student. But things are as good as they seem in Lucy and Nate's relationship isn't it? 

Wrong - Lucy bumps into Nate, again and again and again.

Everything couldn't be worse! Soon Lucy starts to believe that Nate is The One, but not the one she wants, he's The One she wants to get rid of, for good. But all that is a bit impossible since he is everywhere she goes! On a trip to the Vineyards - He's her double booked room mate. Sharing a taxi - Think again, it's with Nate. Out on a dinner with her uptight sister - Guess who's sitting next to her? 

It's almost as if Lucy Hemmingway is stuck in a nightmare and not a romantic love affair, there's no way of getting rid of Nathaniel and she wants him GONE. Her kooky, hippie and spell loving room-mate Robyn believes it's the Legend coming to life back in Italy. But is she is right, then what is Lucy going to do and how will she get rid of Nathaniel? 

One things for sure, you can't play with Fate. 

You're The One That I Don't Want by Alexandra Potter, is the second book and I have read by this author and I loved it to pieces! I admit that at first I was a bit unsure and thought that the book was a bit slow at the beginning. But I carried on reading it and I loved it! I really liked the story line and thought it was a great romantic, summery book. Lucy's character was hilarious and I really did feel for her as she could never get away from her Ex-boyfriend. I thought their antics we're funny and it was just great!

I really loved Robyn's character, I have a friend just like her and it really did remind me of my friend and her sense of humour and care free look on life was beautiful. She had no worries or stress and I wish I was like that haha. I liked all the characters honestly, I thought they we're all very well written and their story lines we're great. Potter really went the extra mile to give each character a detailed part and life within this book.

Really great and I would recommend it if you're looking for a lovely little summer read!

I will give this book 8.5 out of 10

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me * Lucy Robinson

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me by Lucy Robinson

Sally is an incredible singer but she sings only in her wardrobe where nobody can hear her. She'd rather join a nudist colony than sing in public.

That is until she ventures to New York where a wild and heady summer of love and loss changes her forever. No longer able to hide in the shadows, Sally must return home to London to fulfil a promise she cannot break - to share her voice.

But just as she's about to embark on her new life, a beautiful man turns up on Sally's doorstep bearing a sheepish smile and a mysterious hand-written message.

Sally Howlett has a secret, a secret she has kept since she was a young girl. She loves to sing, and not just any singing. Opera singing, and she's been singing ever since she was seven. Something that her mother and father really don't want to be doing, since a tragic death in their family. 

Since then Sally has been sworn to secrecy by her parents that she will never sing again, though that won't stop her. She just sings in her wardrobe, to no one else in the world apart from her teddy bear Carrot. But when her cousin and best friend Fiona hears her sing, her whole world comes crashing down.  

But whilst she's a wardrobe mistress and working as close to being in opera as she can, she's in a dream come true. Working with her friends Barry and Bae and even her freckle, Fiona. Though when she bumps into the handsome Julian Bell, after he opens the door on her stealing his candle. Her whole world flips upside down and she is on top of the world. 

Julian has a heart of gold and a vice like silk, he also makes Sally feel wonderful about herself. She has found her man! But Fiona starts to take a turn for the worst with alcohol and drugs and is soon off the rails,so Sally doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know who to trust anymore and what to believe, she's spent her whole life being a friend, a sister, cousin and a mother. But now that the tragedy has happened, how can she move on? 

Stepping into the Royal College of Music in London was a big move on for her. How can she sing in front of people when she's only sang in a wardrobe? Nothing could be worse than this, but when she soon finds out that Julian is her singing coach, the same man she fell in love with and soon fell back out of love with him. She wants a big black hole to open up and swallow her whole. She also wants nothing to do with Julian ever again and wants him out of her life.  

But when things slowly start to change is Sally's little bubble of a life, what will she do? Could this be a new act in her life waiting to unfold into something wonderful? Or could it be a disaster on wheels going at 100mph? 

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me by Lucy Robinson, is the third book to be released by the author and I honestly cannot get enough of her work! I've been waiting for ages for this book to come out and nearly passed out when it did! It's smart, creative, hilarious and just down right laugh out loud. I feel I can always connect with Robinson's books as he writes about real life problems, and the little feelings that every woman gets and feels like that at some point in her life. 

I feel some books don't really put much humour into their books, such and putting things in that would never happen in a million years to someone, such as yourself. But with Lucy Robinson's books, half of the embarrassing things that happen in her books, you can count on has happened to you or someone you know and you can really sympathise with the characters which I think is great! 

I really loved the story line for this book, I thought it was very well written with the right amount of drama, comedy and romance. I loved Sally's character and can totally understand how she feels with not wanting to perform any music, because that's how I feel with playing the drums. I liked Helen's character and think I liked her a bit more than Fiona. I was torn between Julian and Jan as I couldn't make my mind up on who would be better for Sally in the end.  

The story line was really good and had many twists and turns in the plot that I thought we're great. At some point's I did think that the book was a little slow on places, but soon picked it's pace back up! All in all I think this is a great book, and do really enjoy Lucy Robinson's books,  probably a bit too much! She's bringing another one out soon!! I can't wait!! 

I will give this book 9 out of 10 

Lucy In The Sky * Paige Toon

Lucy In The Sky by Paige Toon

Settling down for a 24-hour flight to Australia, Lucy finds a text message on her phone - not from her boyfriend James, as she fondly hopes, but from a woman claiming to have slept with him four times in the past month. 

Trapped on the plane, she questions everything about her relationship with James. Nathan is a happy-go-lucky surfer boy, with no prospects, no place to live, an almost-girlfriend in tow. And the other side of the world...Lucy - a girl caught between two distant continents - and two very different men...

"Hi Lucy, Just shagged James in ur bed! 4 times this month! Nice Sheets xxx"

What could be worse than sitting on a plane for 24 hours? Receiving the above text from your loving boyfriend that someone has been shagging him in your own bed. But when Lucy phones James, he reassures her that the text was from a few friends just messing about. But this can't be right surely? As Lucy prepares for the worst flight in her life, things can only get better can't they? 

Three Singapore slings, two bossy flight attendants and a plane ride later. Lucy is in her home town in Sydney and on the way to see her childhood friends Molly and Sam for their wedding and a great holiday. But she can't help having a nagging suspicion about her lovable James at home in London, alone.

Seeing her two friends again and reminiscing about old times, is what Lucy's wanted to do for ages after she moved to London, and it's nice to know that she's finally over school crush for Sam. But when Sam's younger brother Nathan shows up, he knocks Lucy back into purgatory with her thoughts over James back at home. 

Nathan is a lovable, down to earth and an outright sexy surfer boy. He has no job, no permanent home, a woman in his life but not technically his girlfriend and is living every day as it comes. So when he sets his eyes on Lucy, things soon start to change and he soon knows what he wants in life. But it's not that easy, with her boyfriend stuck at home in London and his loved up friend who has the hots for him, but the feeling isn't mutual.

Though with Lucy leaving Australia in two weeks and her head in a mess over her feelings for both James and Nathan, where will this leave her? She doesn't want to go home, she doesn't want to leave Sam and Molly and she really doesn't want to leave Nathan. But she has too. Plus she has the best job to go back home too! What could be better than working with a well known PR Company? 

Will Lucy travel back to Australia? Which man will she choose? And will she ever decide on what she wants in life? 

Lucy In The Sky by Paige Toon, is the first book that I have read by Toon and I really don't know what to say about it, if I'm quite honest. I don't really know where to start but I'll give it a try. 

I thought the book was quite good at the start, I thought it had a good story line behind it with the text message and how Lucy was on the flight on the way to Australia, I could really sympathise with her and it was quite funny as well in places. I loved the story line with Nathan as well, and just liked Nathan's character in general. 

Though I think what ruined it for me on the whole was James's character and the way Lucy was with him. He was such a horrible person and treated her horribly and I just hated the fact that Lucy put up with that and just kind of accepted it even though she had feelings for Nathan and he made her happy. 

I think James's lie ran on a bit too long, I knew from the beginning what he had done and I know that it needs to be dragged on a bit more for the whole story, but I personally didn't think that it needed to be dragged out that long, it got a bit tedious and boring when it got to James.

Which sadly this was the only downside to the book, but it was quite a big downside. I don't know about reading anymore of Toon's books anytime soon. But I will do again at some point, keep your eyes peeled haha. 

One thing is for certain about this book that I did enjoy. It's made me really, really, REALLY want to go to Australia!! Haha Wanting a nice big summer, warm holiday now with a cocktail, a beach and a good book! I guess you'll find out if I go anywhere nice :) 

I will give this book 4.5 out of 10

A Winters Tale * Trisha Ashley

A Winters Tale by Trisha Ashley

Sophy Winter is not your typical Lady of the Manor...

Unexpectedly inheriting Winters End - a vast mansion in the beautiful Lancashire countryside - seems like the answer to Sophy's prayers. She eagerly swaps life as an impoverished house keeper for running her own team of staff.

But Sophy quickly realises the challenge in her hands - the house is decrepit and its eccentric inhabitants are a nightmare. And once it is discovered that Winter's End played host to young Shakespeare, the village of Sticklepond becomes curious about Sophey's plans, especially charming Jack Lewis. But is he really smitten with Sophy - or her newly acquired cash?

Meanwhile, Sophy's gorgeous head gardener Seth is the strong and silent type. But does his passion blood for anything else other than horticultural?

As Sophy gets to grips with squabbling relatives, collapsing buildings and the ghostly presence of one of her ancestors, she wonders if Winter's End is not so much a gift from the gods, as a mixed blessing.

When Sophy Winter is greeted upon her little cottage doorstep baby the ever so handsome Jack Lewis, she knows things are about to change. So when the nephew of her late employer kicks her out of her cottage, she has nowhere to to. Though she didn't realise how soon and the  shock that would come with it. 

When Jack tells her that she is now the proud owner of an old stately home that she used to grow up in when she was younger, Sophy can't quite believe it. Much to Jack's disappointment she decided to come back to Winter's End and see what's in store for her. Jumping into the brightly coloured but battered VW Camper, she drives to Stickle Pond, where she's greeted by her distant family and a very grumpy Gardener. Who tires to force her off the premises and to take her "travelling gypsy friends" with her if they show up.  

It soon turns out that the house is much more worse than Sophy imagined, with rotting walls, caving in buildings, covered in dust from waist upwards and cobwebs in every corner in the house. It's going to need a big clean and plenty of hands, so it's a good thing that Sophy loves to clean and has worked in old stately homes before!

Though there is a slight problem, there is the gardener, Seth Greenwood. Who only has eyes for the restoration of the Gardens which his father always dreamt of completing. And nothing will get in his way of completing it, not even the new head of the house Sophy. But all hell breaks loose when she asks to borrow his staff for a couple of hours to do the handy work around the house, soon Seth and Sophy are in constant battle and cannot stand each other, but will this change? 

With Sophy's only daughter away and working abroad in Japan, Sophy feels lost with not having her wing man to help her make decisions. Especially with her grumpy and vicious Aunt Hebe, who only had eyes for her precious Jack. But he's not so glamorous and charming as everyone seems, and Seth knows it. But it's difficult to try and get this into Sophy's head. 

With a broody but handsome gardener, a charming but arrogant man of the hour, a prude of an aunt and also an eccentric one too! The cooks, the cleaners, a  new dog and a cat and a rehearsal in good old fashioned clothing. All to be done and in time for the big annual Christmas party, Sophy has a lot on her plate and her mind. 

Will she end up with her own Mr. Darcy? Will her daughter come home from Japan? And will the annoying but bitter Mel Christopher ever leave her alone? 

Hi all, sorry long time and no update! But I'm here now! A Winters Tale by Trisha Ashley was a different read for me I think. I picked this up from work whilst on my lunch break and took a shine to it. Though at first it took me a little while to get into it. 

I liked the idea on how Sophy got to go back to Winters end and I liked how her Aunt's we're portrayed. I knew Jack would be a snake in the grass from the word go and thought there could of been a bit more secretiveness to it. I loved Seth's character and could just picture him, I think ever romance needs a bit of a rough, rouged man at some point in the books. You just know there going to be a keeper if there handsome but gloomy, well I think so. 

This is the first book I have read by Ashley and I have already got some of her books on my shelf, that are still waiting to be read. I will be reading more of her books, though I do hope there a little bit different to this one. As much as I enjoyed it, I found it hard to concentrate or find the lack of effort to finish the book. In some stages I wanted to carry on and in others I just couldn't be bothered and wanted to read another book. 

Though all in all, I would say the book was okay, the story line was great but did think at some point that some of the characters could of been a little different. 

I will give this book 4 out of 10