His Other Child Review

His Other Child

Emma Robinson

 

 

Holding her tiny newborn, she heard familiar footsteps approaching the ward. Her heart leaped in greeting. He was here, smiling, clutching a tiny gift. Everything was finally going to be ok. But a heartbeat later, as he turned towards the opposite bed, her smile died on her lips. He had brought a present. But it wasn’t for her.

For twenty years, my husband Ben was everything to me until a devastating loss blew our marriage apart. Now, months later and standing in the empty nursery, I cradle my growing bump. Up until now, it’s been my secret, fear keeping me from celebrating my own tiny miracle. But as I clutch the soft blue baby blanket, I know I need to tell the father.

As my baby’s arrival draws near, I feel ready to share my news. But then I see Ben in the hospital with his new girlfriend, joy spread across their faces at the news they have clearly just received.

In that moment, my heart shatters. I felt sure that this baby could bring us back together, that we could finally have everything we planned for. But can I really tell Ben when I know the secret he’s kept from me? Or will it destroy us forever?

A totally addictive family drama about a devastating secret and the strength of a mother’s love. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Diane Chamberlain.

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0HCBW9J3Jsocial

My thoughts:

This story starts off with a drama-filled bang, and builds from there. Casey and Mel are at different points in their lives and know nothing about each other, but they have one thing in common - they're pregnant with the same man's baby. Unfortunately Ben holds off telling them until the right moment, which will never come because the wrong moment does.

 

But can this group of people figure out how to do what's best for their children? They seem to all want to do the right thing, but can they get past their hurt and come together with a decision? 

 

This story is filled with love and hope and loss and heartbreak. It should definitely include a trigger warning label for loss of a child, as there is a history there that is painfully wrenching, especially if you've ever experienced it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

What readers are saying about His Other Child:

‘Tissue warning!!!… One emotional roller-coaster ride you won’t be able to put the brakes on for… a powerful and emotional story that is sure to stay with readers long after reading. Heartbreaking, hopeful and uplifting.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An emotional rollercoaster I was NOT ready for… Had me flipping pages so fast… Heartbreaking. If you’re a Jodi Picoult or Liane Moriarty fan, this is an absolute must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG my chest is tight! The emotional gut-punches come fast. It’s heartbreaking. Emma Robinson seriously knows how to hook you on page one and refuse to let go.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my goodness!… Had me gripped from the very start… left me needing tissues. At certain points I had to put my kindle down and sit and think about what I’d read. This is an emotional, devastating read.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book broke me. It totally pulled on my heartstrings! I was so emotionally invested in the characters, and there were moments that genuinely broke my heart.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book hit me in the feels… plenty of gasp out loud moments and I won’t lie, I bawled crying at one point too.’ @littleluxurieslibrary, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh wow, this one really pulled at my heartstrings! So emotional, heartbreaking and full of complicated family secrets. I found myself completely invested. Definitely one for the tissues!’ @charliereads79

‘The kind of family drama that leaves you hollowed out and hopeful in the same breath… Addictive!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Author Bio

Emma Robinson

Emma Robinson is a USA Today Bestseller with a passion for stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances. Focusing on emotional themes, her novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming.

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The Red Cross Girls Review

The Red Cross Girls

The Red Cross Girls Book 1

Susanna Bavin

 

 

Lancaster, 1943: As the war rages on, the Red Cross girls will do whatever it takes to bring their boys home. But can they find happiness in such troubling times?

When Livvy receives her orders for war work, she’s desperate for a new beginning. Most of her friends have been sent to munitions factories, so she is delighted to be working for the Red Cross, who are making secret packages that can help prisoners of war escape.

Arriving at her lodgings, she soon meets fellow Red Cross workers Rosalind and Dulcie, and the three women become firm friends. Together, they work hard for the Red Cross to help their boys fighting overseas. For Livvy, that means using her cooking skills in the face of rationing to keep spirits high.

When Livvy meets Dr Jonah Kemble, who works alongside the girls, his warm smile and kind, sparkling blue eyes make Livvy feel seen in a way she never thought she would be again. But as they grow closer, Livvy realises she will have to decide whether to tell Jonah the truth of how she came to be here, and decide whether she can ever open her heart to another man again…

In the face of war, can Livvy find the bravery to tell Jonah the truth of her circumstances and declare her true feelings for him? Or will her one chance at happily-ever-after be lost forever?

An absolutely gripping and page-turning romantic saga set in the midst of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Kitty Neale, Rosie Clarke and Vicky Beeby.

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0H5JYZXP3social

My thoughts:

First off, this is all-around an excellent book. This book follows the story of three women who are assigned to work at Bowland House during WWII. All three come from different backgrounds and are hoping for different things while working there, but they are all committed to helping the war effort.

 

Fairly quickly after starting work they're split up, as some of them have tested to work in the top secret are and some have not. Yet through it all, they remain friends, lean on each other, and comfort each other when the worst happens. Might there be romance in their lives also?

 

This book does a wonderful job of telling the stories of these three women, but it also does an amazing job of spelling out what life was like in England in WWII. It's interwoven into the story so well that you don't realize it that you're learning about it, until suddenly you have a whole new view on history.

 

Absolutely couldn't put this book down, and I can't wait for the next one to come out! 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

 

Readers love The Red Cross Girls:

‘Wow, what a read!… Beautiful… Defy you to put it down! Loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I adored this book. It’s warm, hopeful, and completely immersive… Loved… I finished it hugging the book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Every so often a book comes along that you can’t put down; this one is one of them… I loved every page.’ The Penny Street Reading Group, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book… A brilliant read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A most enjoyable read which I found hard to put down. I loved all the characters.’ Christian Novel Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Another brilliant book… Family saga at its best.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a wonderful story!… Heart-warming… This book does not disappoint!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Author Bio

Susanna Bavin

Susanna lives in Llandudno in North Wales with her husband and their rescue cats, but her writing is inspired by her Mancunian roots. She has written stories ever since she was a child and always wanted to be a published author. Susanna enjoys reading, walking and gardening and she loves living by the sea. She also writes as Maisie Thomas, for The Railway Girls series, and as Polly Heron, for The Surplus Girls series.

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Christmas, Actually Review

Christmas, Actually

Donna Ashcroft

 

 

Welcome to Hollythorpe, a quaint village in the Cotswolds, where the locals are stringing lights around their village tree. And meet Clara as she pulls her suitcase through the snow, hoping for a new start…

This isn’t the Christmas that Clara was hoping for. Twenty-four hours ago, she was engaged, a shiny diamond on her wedding finger and a gorgeous husband-to-be by her side. Only now, the ring is gone and so is he. She’s almost given up on Christmas magic completely – until she arrives in Hollythorpe.

Clara waits outside of her kindly Aunt Eleanor’s red front door, knowing that a warm welcome will help heal her aching heart. Snowflakes are falling gently on her long dark hair when a car sprays her with slush and then, unexpectedly, stops to help. Clara lays eyes on Liam stepping out of his car, six feet of gorgeousness. She realises maybe there could be upsides to a cosy Cotswolds Christmas…

Except Liam is closed off to everyone and Clara knows she should be protecting her heart too, so she tries to put him out of her mind. When the village’s usual Mrs Christmas calls in sick before Hollythorpe’s winter fair, Clara steps into the role to help Aunt Eleanor. Only, she hasn’t realiszed who Mr Christmas is… none other than Liam himself.

As the two are thrown together to bring Christmas to Hollythorpe, Liam’s icy exterior starts to thaw. And Clara can’t deny she’s falling for him. But then the past comes back to haunt them, changing everything…

Will Clara and Liam end up lonely this Christmas? Or can the most wonderful time of the year bring them together, actually?

Fans of One Day in December, Philippa Ashley, Sarah Morgan and Jenny Colgan will adore this totally uplifting and page-turning novel of finding that love really is all around.

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0H965GMKGsocial

My thoughts:

This is a lovely Christmas romance, and definitely will get you in the spirit and ready for some festive lights and snow! Clara has walked away from her too perfect (but also a loser) fiance after catching him with someone else, and has nowhere to go, since they live together and he's her boss. So she sets out across the Atlantic to her godmother's house in England, looking for a break to lick her wounds.

 

While waiting outside Eleanor's shop, she's sprayed with mud by a handsome man's truck, and her day just keeps getting worse. She agrees to play as Mrs. Christmas for the upcoming holidays in town (a town that takes Christmas VERY seriously by the way!), only to discover that the handsome Liam is her "husband."

 

They're both closed off to love and relationships, but can a Christmas miracle heal their hearts?

 

While this book was a bit expected, there are plenty of things that make this story special. Figgy's obsession with fabrics, the bunny escape artist, and mischievous elves all make this story a wonderful holiday read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

 

What readers are saying about Donna Ashcroft:

‘I loved every minute… I laughed out loud so many times!!… All of the Christmas feels and then some. Just adored this!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Delightful… A joy to read… So hilarious… I couldn’t help but laugh out loud… perfectly sets the stage for the Christmas season… Truly captivating… I loved every aspect of this’ Page Turners, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Exceptional, witty and heart-warming… tons of sparkle, cheer, charm and romance… I adored this… Off the charts!… Lots of friction and sparks!… Good for the heart and medicine for the soul… Bursting with enchanting chemistry… A red hot captivating Christmas story!’ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘The ultimate cozy holiday escape! Imagine crackling fires, snow-dusted highlands, and a story filled with charm, romance, and festive magic. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, sip hot cocoa, and believe in happily-ever-afters all over again. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read to get you in the Christmas spirit, this one is a must!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I read in one sitting… Laugh out loud moments, lots of twists, a beautiful love story.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A beautiful festive read that filled my heart with pure joy! I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much! A real page turner! Finished it in a few hours.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Author Bio

Donna Ashcroft

Donna has had sixteen books published in total. Four have been in the Amazon top 100 and one even made it to number seven in the UK and US Kindle charts, another made it to number one in the UK, US and AU free Kindle charts. She was also shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019.

She lives in Hertfordshire, with her own romantic hero, two grown up kids who pop in occasionally and two grumpy cats. She loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie.

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