I went in thinking romance, no this was not romance (view spoiler)[the main character cheats on her husband (hide spoiler)] Not even romantic fiction,I went in thinking romance, no this was not romance (view spoiler)[the main character cheats on her husband (hide spoiler)] Not even romantic fiction, more like women´s fiction. But hey that is what I get when it is about a wedding.
This was the story of two sisters. Jo who is getting married to a man she recently met. They will have a week of activities before the wedding. Amy comes with her husband Ben. They are having difficulties in their marriage. And then there is the man she has not seen for years that shows up.
There is drama. Amy and her husband. Inlaws that do not like Jo. And the wedding approaching.
When I put the whole oh not romance thing aside it was good, though Amy is not a good person and hoenstly Ben, maybe you should leave her...more
So this is not a romance if anyone thinks that, but, it does have a happy ending. The author does manage to sneak in some romance finally in the last So this is not a romance if anyone thinks that, but, it does have a happy ending. The author does manage to sneak in some romance finally in the last few chapters. Because we all need happiness.
Harriet was nice, but oh the trauma from a previous relationship. The more I heard the more I felt for her, and then when that thing happened. Omg, my heart broke. My heart broke! Her ex is the world biggest asshat. And if that wasn't the worst, her latest ex might not have been the worst, but still an idiot.
Afte a breakup she finds a new place to live. It happens to be with a hottie, but they are both coming out from relationships, and they have their issues to work out.
I enjoyed the book. It was a hard one to put down.
Great narration. I was there with everyone. A good range of voices and a book that really pulled you in....more
Carmen has a dead end job, and then the store closes. She likes her life, but is not really doing much. So she ends up in Edinburgh, living with her sCarmen has a dead end job, and then the store closes. She likes her life, but is not really doing much. So she ends up in Edinburgh, living with her sister and working in a bookshop. She sees her sister as perfect, and is rather resentful.
And sure Sofia is rather perfect, but she works hard for it. She says that her water can broke in the office and she will then go have her baby. But yes she needs to let loose a bit. And not to rely on her truly annoying nanny (omg, ugh the nanny.)
As for Carmen, she also have to loose some of her prejudices. She will also see how good she really is trying to turn around a bookshop. And finding out kids are not horrid.
Lots of interesting people comes into her life, a chance for romance too, but since this is not a romance it takes time.
And I really want to visit that street in xmas times now. Awww xmas times.
Good xmassy book.
The narrator had this great voice for Carmen that fitted her so well, the same with the rest if the voices too. Annoying people, stuck up people, the kids, yes everyone got the voice they deserved....more
I am very conflicted when it comes to this book. I read reviews that said rom com, Contemporary romance, all the feels. Well I did not get that.
I did I am very conflicted when it comes to this book. I read reviews that said rom com, Contemporary romance, all the feels. Well I did not get that.
I did enjoy it, but at the same time all the other drama took over and her trauma felt SO over the top.
Spoiler time (view spoiler)[I went through much of the book thinking she had been raped by her bffs/almost bf's brother. For 20 years she has thought and had nightmares. She never spoke with her bff again and left the village at 16?
Not to belittle trauma, but, one dark night a bitchy girl told her bf to hold Lauren, and then she pulle up her top and bra. The Bf was horrified and let her go. And that was the trauma.
See, now I feel shitty for belittling this. But it felt too much.
The guy who was her bff's brother, never drank again, went to uni and straight and narrow, and ditched toxic girlfriend.
So Lauren comes back, starts back with former bff, almost bf. I get why she is still mad at the brother, but she wont let him say he is sorry. She is almost bitchy about it.
What she needed was to yell at him, kick him in the balls and be done with it. But like hello, the toxic ex was the one who did it all but whatever, only the man's fault.
Not to mention the book starts with her coming back, and meeting the brother who had his pants pulled down and chained to his car....so wasn't his assult then the exact as hers? But since he is a man it does not matter?! That is some double standard
Also she keeps dropping hints how she can still put him in jail..
And he is scared he will loose his family and job.
A magical dress that fits everyone, and that still looks great decades later. More women's fiction than romance.
Meg inherits a building that is crumblA magical dress that fits everyone, and that still looks great decades later. More women's fiction than romance.
Meg inherits a building that is crumbling. People are upset when she does show up, cos hello, things to fix. But Meg is the sweetest, nicest person ever ( I would just have sold that money pit at once.) She tries to help, to fix, and to figure out what to do with her life.
She is also very self sacrificing. She meets this great guy, but is ready to give him up because she thinks she knows best (she does not). She broke up with someone (he was not for her), and she seems very cool with her best friend seconds later asking if she can date him. Wait until the body is cold. That feels like a really strange friendship. But yes Meg is really nice, she would be the best friend anyone could have.
A little sidestory about the dress and its previous owner, Ellie is in here too.
But is mostly about saving this building, falling for someone (not a romance book though.) And meeting a new family.
A nice little Christmas book.
Good narration, and good voices for the whole cast.
Juliet loves xmas and wants to make it special but, omg her family.
First, I know you need help Chloe, but yoI saw it, I saw xmas, and thought why not.
Juliet loves xmas and wants to make it special but, omg her family.
First, I know you need help Chloe, but you have a kid, and one on the way and now you are mooching of your parents and goes out partying. And living with them.Grow up!
Tom, their son, has also moved back home since he does not have a job, and same thing here. Out partying and bring home strangers. Kick him out.
Her mum, well I get it there, she can not be on her own, but Carole can not take care of someone who needs constant care. She has a jo! And her mum has alzheimers :/ Sorry, but you need to face facts.
But this is a xmas story, so it will all work out, sort of, there are threads left hanging, oh well, everyone had a lovely xmas at least.
This was sure one strange arrangement. They share a bed, but have never met! He works nights, she works normal hours so they never meet. But they sharThis was sure one strange arrangement. They share a bed, but have never met! He works nights, she works normal hours so they never meet. But they share the same flat, the same bed. A start to a new fun friendship.
Tiffie needs a place to live, and fast, so she goes for this. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend, he is already engaged to someone else and she had been living with him up until now. Yes he sounds like quite the charmer. She is colorful, fun and with a smile on her face. I liked her at once. She also starts writing notes to the flatmate she has never met.
Leon is more of an introvert. He works nights to pay for his brother's lawyer and he needs even more money.
They interact through notes. Everywhere in the house. They get to know each other. She coax him out of his shell. And other things happen.
Like his hunt for someone a patient used to know. Her realising that she does not need her ex. And them falling in love.
It was a sweet story with heart, but also a lot of depth. There are realisations to have and they dealt with a lot of emotional heartache.
I wonder how they did the notes in the book. Here it does work well when they just read them out loud. There are also phonecalls and they work too since they use some kind of muffler? They narrate well and the story really flows through their narration...more
I remember seeing something about 50+ people finding love, and no, this is not a romance, but maybe she finds love (she totally does!). And it felt niI remember seeing something about 50+ people finding love, and no, this is not a romance, but maybe she finds love (she totally does!). And it felt nice to see someone mature find love too.
Adie Lou has been through a divorce (her hubbie left her for a college student, that asshat!). And even though she has a well paid job, she wants more. She wants something new. She is tired of her jo, tired of seeing men pass her for promotions. She needs to find herself again.
So she decides to make her grandparents summer cottage into a b&b. Of course I at once thought of a Finnish one and was all how?!? But it seems this one has over 8 bedrooms, so that is bloody palace. But it will not be easy. She knows nothing about that kind of life. There is so much work to be done. She has doubts. She finds friends, and yes she does get a chance of some romance too.
I do confess that it is really cheesy sweet. Everything works out and there are quotes everywhere. I would brand it Hallmark feel good book. Make this a Hallmark movie and it would fit right in. And I liked that, the sweet, the hopeful tone of the book.
I have listened to Tanya Eby before, and I do like her voice. She also fitted very well for this role and this sort of story. It was enjoyable listening to her and I find her different voices well done,...more
This is the story of 3 sisters who all get dumped on the same day.
Ali was my favorite of the sisters. She gets dumped 2 months before her wedding and This is the story of 3 sisters who all get dumped on the same day.
Ali was my favorite of the sisters. She gets dumped 2 months before her wedding and her fiance does not even do it himself. The more I heard of him I was all, you should have dumped him long ago. And his brother Daniel, omg, what a man! He was everything her sucky fiance should have been. So yes obvi something will start to grow there
Finola was somewhat cold. She was just so career oriented. Of course that did not give her husband the right to cheat, talk people! I also feel that she clung to his memory too long.
Zennie, well I do understand why her family and friends felt like she rushed into things. I felt like she rushed into things. Her friends wanted a baby, she said yes to being their surrogate. But even though it was her egg she never thought more of it. I mean that is your baby! That is not their baby, that is half their baby and half yours! Yes, awesome thing to do, but still your baby.
They all deal with their own things as the story progresses, and with their mum getting rid of their old place.
It was a more, oh I can not find the right word, not slow, just peaceful (still not the right word). The only real drama being when Finola found out the truth.
But a good book
Narrator I felt she did justice to all the sisters. They had their own voices. She got the mood of the book too...more
I thought this was more a romancy book, but it was women's fiction. Audiobooks really should come with blurbs ;)
It is the story of four women. SuzanneI thought this was more a romancy book, but it was women's fiction. Audiobooks really should come with blurbs ;)
It is the story of four women. Suzanne who still has nightmares of an event 25 years ago. She tries to make every Christmas the best Christmas ever. And I get that. She tried so hard.
Hannah is the one who tries not to feel things, and never lets go. She has built this wall around her. And she has a secret! In a way I liked her the best.
Beth has a sort of midlife crisis. She has two kids, she is a stay at home mom, but she wants to work again and her husband does not get how much she actually does. Before you hate on the hubbie, he is a darling, truly, in the end. But Beth has to learn a thing or two too.
Posey is the youngest of the 3 siblings. She wants more than the village has to offer, but she does not want to tell her parents that so she stays. She was the fun one, the one least traumatized from the event that left them orphans.
There will be romance within all points. New love, old love rekindled, and letting yourself be loved. Not to mention connecting with family again.
New truths will be had, there will be lots of Christmas preparations and maybe at last wounds will be healed.
And yes these people really should have discussed that accident long ago.
Family drama, and lots of it. And showing how old wounds can take a long time to heal
I liked the story, and it made me wish for Christmas
Narrator She sounded so familiar, but have not heard her before. Strange. Or she just have one of those likable voices that you like at once....more
This story certainly was bittersweet. It was a story about the people, this island, and their hopes and dreams.
But first, this is book 3 and at first This story certainly was bittersweet. It was a story about the people, this island, and their hopes and dreams.
But first, this is book 3 and at first I felt, well not lost, but I did feel like I if I had gone into a room filled with people who knew each other. And I dared not approach anyone cos they all seemed to enjoy each other's company so much. But I got to know them by watching them, it that makes sense.
The book is mostly about Flora, a former lawyer, who now runs the Seaside Kitchen. She loves this windswept island and its people. And her big farming family.
I do not know the story of her and Joel. But I guess they worked together, became a couple and now live on Mure. But not together. And she is preggers, and he has some horrible past that makes him scared of loving anyone. So she takes small steps and this could break him. Which is so sad, because she needs some support too. But he does seem really messed up.
There is her brother Fintan, and hos husband Coltan who is dying. I guess if I had seen them meet and fall in love then this would have been so sad.It still was sad, but yes it would have been so much more heartbreaking then.
Then there is Saif, a doctor from Syria who was reunited with his boys, but his wife is still missing (and yeah, after this book I doubt she is alive.) But he mourns and feels like maybe they still live somewhere where there are more like them.
Lorna, the teacher who is in love with Saif, but she also knows he still loves his wife. Poor Lorna. Poor Saif.
And then there Christmas approaching. A person in itself. And the light it brings this island. And I mean literally cos yes I know the darkness of December. You get up it is dark, you get home it is dark.
Some romance, friendship, heartache and longing. A sweet and sad Christmas tale. And the stories are not over.
Narration Sarah was really good. I loved her accent and her kid voice was so fun. Perfect...more
Cora quit a good job with god pay and followed her passion instead. To train dogs. I did like the fact that she took a chance and went with it and sheCora quit a good job with god pay and followed her passion instead. To train dogs. I did like the fact that she took a chance and went with it and she is great at it. I do not like dogs but she made me want to like dogs. She was sweet, kind, loved dogs beyond anything, and ack, with one flaw, her taste in men. But hey, a heroine needs flaws too.
She trains dogs. She hangs out with her roommate Maggie. She meets new people as she gets new clients. She spews vitriol over a famous dog trainer (who sounds like such an arse!). And she gets a crush on someone who is taken. Yes here red flags went on, I do not like a poacher, but I mean it is not her fault she fancies someone who is taken, someone who might be flirting with her. A woman has eyes and she does her best to keep it proper. It was a dangerous route to take storywise, but it did feel like she needs to learn. And hopefully find a good man. But who am I kidding. That blurb already spilled it, someone else might be in the wings too. She just have to see him.
I liked all the dog personalities and her friends. They were great. Then there was hunky Charlie who seems so right, kind, thoughtful...but taken. A dilemma for sure.
A fun story that also has some deeper things to say about training and dogs, I enjoyed it.
Narrator I like her voice and she was great here. She really fit the part....more
I could not really put my finger on what was missing in this novel. I am still not sure. But I knew it was something when I fell asleep (not the firstI could not really put my finger on what was missing in this novel. I am still not sure. But I knew it was something when I fell asleep (not the first time), and did not rewind so to say. Instead I went forward and did not feel I had missed much. That is when I do know that something is missing for me. And I do not know what!
Maybe it was that it was two parts? I felt like the Adele story could have been a really good and tragic book. But now we had to read about Leslie too, and sure her part could have been good too, but maybe without the Adele bits. I never got Leslie's obsession and why Jay did not help her more.
And the end was the final nail in the coffin. There was still one road not taken and instead we got a haha, what a good book that would be. No, I want to see how that turned out!
So we have two stories that just do not flow well together...I guess. And maybe I did not take to Leslie. Adele I got.
Only ok from my point of view.
Narrator I did like her, but maybe her voice was too smooth. I do listen a lot in the dark after all. She had suh a pleasant voice and she did make the book better....more
I like Mansell's books. They are always sweet and they never disappoint. Of course this one I actually wanted to listen to because of Gabrielle Baker,I like Mansell's books. They are always sweet and they never disappoint. Of course this one I actually wanted to listen to because of Gabrielle Baker, and she made is so much better. Her voice was perfect for it.
Miranda works in a fancy hair saloon. So far she does she lowly jobs, and hey, with her luck and messing things up, that might be a good idea. Her boss forgives a lot. Things others would not. But then she is sunshine. Happy, nice and funny. Who would not want to work with her. She is the one that the book is about, but since this is a Mansell book everyone else gets a lot of time in the spotlight too.
Like her boss ..Fen or Ben? I could actually not get that right. Anyway, the hot guy who owns the saloon and dates supermodels. But he is such a good guy.
Bev, who is the receptionist for the place. She is dyyyyyyying to meet someone, and this woman needs to calm down.
Flo, who owns the house where Miranda rents a room. Oh FLo was hilarious! I wish I am that cool and sassy when I get old.
Chloe, whose husband dumped her when she got preggers. That ahole! Chloe is so sweet and nice!
But as the blurb can tell you she will meet someone and fall in love, and dang he made is so hard to dislike him. Cos he is an ahole, but he does seem to like Miranda. There is also another mistake she makes early on that comes back through out the whole book, and I will not say more there, except, some mistakes are worth making.
The only weird thing was when she fell for someone and...let's just say, she got over it so fast. It felt like, why even write that particular story. It was strange and I can not say more.
But do not worry, everyone will be happy (except for Greg, he does not deserve too).
I enjoyed it
Narrator Gabrielle Baker Oh she is just wonderful! I really like her voice and she makes for a great Miranda...more
Mansell likes to write from many POVs and that is the case here too.
First we have Janey, who is the main POV. Her husband disappeared one day, and sheMansell likes to write from many POVs and that is the case here too.
First we have Janey, who is the main POV. Her husband disappeared one day, and she still wonders about that almost 2 years after. Like who wouldn't! She is kind, but with low self esteem. She keeps comparing herself to her thinner pretty sister. Also she totally flirts with the wrong man, I so worried about that.
Then there is Maxine who is a whirl storm. I really can not compare, but even if the book starts with J, I would say Maxine gets almost the same numbers. Anyway, you can not dislike her, even though she is flighty, can not be trusted and likes men too much. But she is still kind and funny and she does love her sister. She is the worst and the best at her job and I kept shaking my head, but she was amusing to read about.
Their mum gets a minor POV later on, but hush hush about that.
Then there is Guy, who Maxine sets her eyes on. Oh he was so blind when it comes to women. But he is a really nice guy, really. And he loves his kids.
There is love to bo found and lost. New roads to take. Secrets to find out. Lives to live. It's a nice book and even though I knew what would happen with some, I did wonder about the road there cos it sure took long ;)
Narrator. I did have trouble with this narrator. Her sentences were chunky...more
Essie writes something for fun, but then something happens and everyone knows her mistake. Her boyfriend, his mum, and she looses everything. Her job,Essie writes something for fun, but then something happens and everyone knows her mistake. Her boyfriend, his mum, and she looses everything. Her job, her boyfriend and her home. But honestly, her boyfriend was not that special and his mum a horror. Even if it takes Essie a while to realise this.
So she needs a place to live, an a new job and all POVS come together. As for Essie, she was normal and likable.
Then there is Cilla, a 83 year old with a taste for fashion, and omg she was so cool.
Connor, who left a good paying job to find his passion. A nice guy.
Then there is Lucas, a bar owner, and Essie's BFF Scarlett who sounds like a hoot.
They all have their spot in the limelight and I do not know how she does it. The book is not that long, but the story takes place over some months so people have time to become friends, find romance and find new things to like. It all works really well.
A nice story about many stories. Friendships are made and romance is found
Narrator Esther Wane Oh her voice of this annoying person cracked me up, and I liked her Connor voice. It made me lol. She did a great job with it all...more
I read this one really fast, when I started, I just needed to know that everything would work out.
Grace and Henry are about to buy a house, and then hI read this one really fast, when I started, I just needed to know that everything would work out.
Grace and Henry are about to buy a house, and then he dies. A horrible accident and she can just not move on. She sees him everywhere and misses him so much. Which is obvious, and so heartbreaking. I liked her and I wanted her to be happy again.
She has a great best friends. She has great parents. But she does not have Henry anymore. And she most learn to live again without him.
Like move into a new house and try to put it to order. Meeting new neighbors. Going back to work. And last, seeing Henry and realising that the person she sees is real. And that was another thing that made me read like crazy! I had to know what was going on and what would happen.
It was light for a book dealing with death. It had me hooked and it was so hard to put down. Grace becomes a friend.
Heartbreaking, and still light and filled with hope. Life moves on. And maybe not always in the way the reader thought....more
I watched the first movie. I read book 2, a translation I think? Anyway I seems to have given it 1 star and must have hated it. And this one I listeneI watched the first movie. I read book 2, a translation I think? Anyway I seems to have given it 1 star and must have hated it. And this one I listened too. I must say, this was the best so far.
Louise goes to New York for a job. I did feel she is way too nice after something happens then. I would not have been so kind. But then yes yes it is about her journey finding herself.
She misses Sam. She meets someone who looks like Will. She finds the best store for old clothes. I liked the pace to the book, and then it does take a turn of events and I was curious to see how it all would work out for her.
The narrator was amazing, she really lifted this book, and I am sure I would not have liked it as much if I had read it. Audiobooks are amazing.
But something did put a negative spin on it. I do not think she should have been with Sam. Grand gestures and all. Nope, nope, nope. F that.
OH I can still hear Anna's voice in my head! She sounded so fun, and like we would have a jolly good time together.
Let us begin. Anna has an accident OH I can still hear Anna's voice in my head! She sounded so fun, and like we would have a jolly good time together.
Let us begin. Anna has an accident and spends some time at a hospital and re-connects with an old French teacher of hers. She kind of floats through life, sure working at a choco factory is fun (omg, that would be so amazing!), but what else?
The book has another POV too. A young Englishwoman in the 70s who falls for a handsome Frenchman, and well it is obvious how it connects, and kind of sad too.
I liked Anna and her new life in Paris. She has no idea what to do but she just goes for it. She truly finds something to be happy about.
I also liked the 70s story and wondered how it all would work out...
Narrator: Beverley A Crick Oh her Anna voice was so fun! Yes, like I said, Anna and I would be amazing friends. Her voice was just perfect. Shy, happy, confused, sad and witty.
This book was all these tarts are awesome, the best ever and oh my I am drooling! I need to try those strawberry tarts. My mouth was watering through This book was all these tarts are awesome, the best ever and oh my I am drooling! I need to try those strawberry tarts. My mouth was watering through out the entire book.
Jancy has no one and then she gets stranded in her gran's hometown. Poor thing, she only meant to visit the grave and then she is there, no money, no car, nothing to her name. But this is a C Brown book and that means a lovely small town where people are friendly. She gets a job, she gets a place to sleep. There are some great people in this town. And Jancy is a nice woman, just unlucky in love and she has made mistakes because of that.
The diner is run by Nettie and Vicky. Two good women and one of them might find herself being sought after too ;) Then there is Vicky's daughter Emily with her own love story. But this is still Jancy's story and yes she finds romance too. Love and strawberry tarts all around.
Romance, friendship and good honest people. That is why I like Brown's books. The people and the towns they live in. Oh and that she always makes me want to eat or drink something that she mentions....more
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