A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton

No Mercy by Max Connor

No Mercy by Max Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 6 days

Pages - 412

Publisher - HQ Stories

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

The old unit will reunite to complete one last mission in honour of their fallen comrade. But all she wants is revenge … When their old comrade, retired veteran and decorated Royal Marine Frankie Chapman, dies during a home invasion, the 11/06 club come back together to recover his stolen military medals. After they find out the medals have fallen into the hands of a wealthy billionaire who dabbles in human trafficking, they form a plan to steal the medals back – and Frankie’s daughter, Josie, wants in on the action.

But Josie wants more than just her father’s medals returned. She wants retribution, and she’s out for blood …



My Review

When a robbery results in the death of retired vet Frankie Chapman his old team pull together to get his military medals back. They weren't counting on his daughter not only joining them but being the driving force in some aspects. The more they dig the dirtier the people they find. As they get closer to finding the medals the danger ramps up, pulling resources they are trying to do what is right and will cross whatever lines it takes.

The book opens well with Frankie, bless him he is a good soul and Josie, his daughter, takes after her old man. The team investigating took a bit to really get started I felt, there was so much they needed to do and explore. Then we get to the people behind it, there is nothing this guy won't take if he wants it, money is no objective and no morals.

Once we get into the third end of the book I felt that is where it really came into its own, action, plan, movement, lets do this! Up to that I would say was more getting to know the character(s), them building up and becoming a team, the old boys previously served together but Josie was just their comrades daughter. One thing that did annoy me with Josie when when they called her a term of endearment (which was frequent) she would get annoyed and pull them on it, often! Maybe its just a generational thing, my folks friends still use kiddo, pet, terms for young women and whilst it can be grating as an adult let alone one who is breaking the law with them it just happened more than I liked. That and a frequent bladder although I absolutely got it and am the first to admit I am super prickly just now so things that normally would be water off a ducks back really gets under my skin just now.

I do like Josie's character and hopefully this is just book one in a new series, this is an established author writing under another name but I think this is my first time reading him, I will need to check. 3.5 rounder up to 4 because whilst I liked some bits and disliked some of the first 3/4's I did really really like the last quarter of the book. Pace, action, banter, interactions with each other so yeah 4/5 for us overall with all things considered.

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It's Always The Husband by C L Taylor

It’s Always the Husband by C.L. Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages -

Publisher - Avon

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

The school gates have never been so dangerous…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to the enigmatic Will, father to her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's devastating past holds questions that nobody knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…



My Review

Jude has just recently moved into a small town post divorce, she can't warm to the mums who convene at the school gates gossipy judgement oozing out of them. She is however drawn to Will, one of the single dads at the gates and they get on, they have young daughters of the same age and there is no denying the attraction. When Jude finally goes to a group meet set up by the driving force that is Victoria, head mum she is pumped for info about her relationship with Will. In between the gossip and alcohol Jude also finds out why they hate Will so much. His first wife died and his girlfriend went missing, the group is worried for her whilst spilling some gossip and secrets of their own.

So the book goes between the key characters povs, Jude, Victoria, Victoria's ex Andy (who is a cop btw), Sorrell across X days. With a creepy eerie suspense building like what is Will's deal, the domestics between Victoria and Andy (they have kids so custody and all the jazz). Victoria is a total PTA mum but also in everybody's business, little miss popular, its a bit of a bitch and a control freak. The group is a very mixed dynamic, Jude is over their nonsense before even getting fully embroiled in it all but she needs info. What she does hear only makes her want to do some more digging, she has her own trauma from the past which pushes her on and her needs for answers.

Oooooh what a bitchy wee town, gossip, drama, secrets, suspense, thriller, trauma, like this has it all. I have been having some hard readers block but this pulls you in and lets you absorb all their drama/chaos/suspense so you can pause your own life for a bit. This is one of the reasons I love reading so when you can't it is super stressful, this book pulled me out of mine. Full absorption, some shady characters, skulduggery and who doesn't like scandal in a small town that isn't your own, 4.5/5. We are big fans of Taylor's work and yet to read one we didn't like, yet another fab read of dastardly deeds, dodgy biscuit people and a whole lot of drama and danger!

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Flawless by Elsie Silver

Flawless by Elsie Silver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 424

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The rules were simple . . .
Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble.

But now I’m stuck with her . . . And there’s only one bed . . .
Oh well, rules are made -- to be broken . . . aren't they?

I’m the face of professional bull riding -- the golden boy.
Or at least I was, until it all blew up in my face.
Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I’m stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my “full-time supervision.”

But I don’t need a goddamn babysitter --
especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk,
and a mouth she can’t stop running.

A mouth I just can’t stop thinking about . . .

Because Summer isn’t just another conquest.
She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn’t run --
she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn’t.

She says this means nothing -- but I say this means everything.

She says there are boundaries we shouldn’t cross.
That my reputation can’t take any more hits -- and neither can her damaged heart.

I say I’m going to steal it anyway.


My Review

Well guys I have finally read my first cowboy book, YEEEEEHAW! Rhett is a champion bull rider, raking in the ladies, bad press, money and titles but he isn't getting any younger. When he finds himself in yet more hot water, this time costing him sponsorship his agent assigns his daughter Summer to keep him in check and help fix his rep during this next title competition. She is desperate to make a good impression to her dad as this is her first run at a job in his company but there is no denying Rhett is as hot as he is trouble!

Ok once you get past some of the cringe smut talk, like she tells him to shoosh and I was like halleluiah, shut it chatty cathy lol! I believe this could be considered enemies to lovers trope? He resents her because she is effectively a babysitter, his family rip on him because they are all boys and thats what they do. Rhett is stunning and famous so women are flinging themselves at him and buckle bunnies are a thing. I got an education as well as a spicy story!

This is book one, I assume the others are the same characters, I have bought the next three but not read them as yet. I loved the family threads and how they are with each other, the friendships, his moody brother - I hope we get more of his story. Her bestie seems like a good yin too so I am hoping the next books give us more into them.

There is spice, adult smut talk - I am sure some folk will LOVE that but a lot of that I had a riddy for him lmao. Hot and spicy, sweary, cheeky and of course cowboys/bull riding, I do feel sorry for these animals, I know it is a fiction book but sports with bulls are a real thing so heads up, 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars because I did like the relationships, family, buildup but some of the cringe chat/scenes and animal stuff took a bit of the spark off it so all round a 4 for me and I will be reading the next books.

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Book sleeve with zip giveaway

So sorry I haven't had one up for a bit, still chasing the winner of the last one (we usually say 48 hours and we will pick another winner, it has been weeks, going to give them one more message!) but here we are. Open worldwide, to enter please use the Rafflecopter below, good luck.

What is up for grabs? X1 book sleeve with a zip as pictured.

It has a handle on the side you can hang it on your wrist or a bag.

Zip along the top so your book won't fall out.

Lined inside, black soft material.

It also has an open pocket at the front (no zip on that part), decent depth. The sleeve is large and can fit paperback and hardback or your kindle.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love At First Sight by Laura Jane Williams

Love at First Sight by Laura Jane Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Penguin

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

She’s found the one. He’s just not the one for her.

Jessie doesn’t believe in love at first sight. Until one sunny Saturday in London, a fire alarm in Whole Foods throws her into a stranger's arms. Cal is charming and funny: their chemistry is instant.

Quick-fire flirting turns into the most romantic day of Jessie’s life. But that evening they're forced apart before swapping numbers. Jessie is devastated – has she just lost the one?

After weeks of searching, Cal turns up on her doorstop holding two dozen red roses. It feels like fate.

The only thing is, they’re not for her…


My Review

Ah Jessie, shopping when she meets Cal, both are shopping, fire alarm goes off and they end up chatting and having a pretty magical date/evening. When Cal is a hero their night is cut short, they hadn't gotten each others details and the love that could have been is cut short Jessie can't believe it. So imagine her surprise, x amount of time later Cal appears with flowers but they aren't for her and Jessie can't say anything without upturning her life.

Ooft talk about nightmare, poor Jessie cannot catch a break, her dad is dating someone her age and she isn't the nicest at all. Her would be dream man disappeared and now she wishes he had stayed gone but she can't deny she is attracted to him still but actions and consequences. Her local butcher is a dish but he is a bit of a ladies man and she can't bring herself to take him seriously. Her boss is famous, high maintenance but also mostly friendly and Jessie dotes on her wee boy but even that aspect of her life isn't clear cut and issues are at every corner.

Jessie is nice but she also ripped my knitting a fair few times, some of her choices, behaviours, actions I was like really gurl come on! Her dad I wanted to slap more than a few times too, her employer, Cal, more than half the playing cast at times lol but I am also the first to admit I am beyond irritated the now so things that may have irked me now enrage lol.

Enjoyable poolside ride or just a wee wanting to dodge your own reality for 5 minutes, that being said it does have themes of infidelity, toxic behaviours, coercion, bitching, game play, emotional blackmail, a few doosies, 3/5 for us this time.

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Frankie by Graham Norton

Frankie by Graham Norton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 291

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - Netgalley and bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Frankie Howe has lived a long life, her small flat is crammed full of art, furniture - and memories. Damian, her young carer, listens as she gradually tells him parts of her story - a story that takes us into a progressive, daring world of New York artists on the brink of fame, aspiring writers and larger-than-life characters.

Always just on the periphery, looking on, young Frankie is never quite sure enough of herself to take centre stage. But the outsider holds certain advantages, sees things others don't, can influence without drawing attention. And when the map has been lost, it's anyone's guess where you may end up, or the accidental choices you find you have made. Frankie discovers that life is not always the one we hope for, or the one others expect of us.

Travelling from post-war Ireland to the dazzling art scene of 1960s New York by way of London, Frankie is an immersive, decade-sweeping novel about love, bravery and what it means to live a significant life.


My Review

Damien is a carer and a bit adrift in his life when he gets called on for a job to look after an elderly lady who has hurt her leg and needs some care. Meet Frankie, her bestie Nor has arranged Damien to come and care for her during recovery and Frankie is spicy, fiercely independent and not amused. However with Damien staying over and a lot of hours to get through together Frankie starts to warm up and tell Damien about her life, she is the main character dahling. The book bounces between present day, elderly Frankie and going back to her early years and how we got to present day.

Ooft guys, there is a few emotionals so buckle up. I just wanted to hug Frankie, especially when we go back in time to young Frankie. She is so innocent, sweet and gets a bit of a shady hand dealt, we go from teen, to her first marriage and going from one situation to another, friendships, relationships, making her way in the world. She is one of those people you could just listen to their stories over and over, with Norton he draws us into her world so we can "live" it with her.

The book explores different themes and as I said emotive with it, coming of age, loss, love, LGB, AIDS, personal growth and woven with emotive scenes, like I said I wanted to hug Frankie, bless her. Whilst I loved it the last quarter went so fast and I wasn't ready to end the story and felt it came quite quickly, dare I say rushed. I would have loved another 100 pages, uck I could have kept reading to be honest, I really liked Frankie and escaping my reality to envelope in hers for a wee while, 4/5.

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