Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Not Home Alone Review


Not Home Alone

Kayley Loring
 


She just walked into her dream Christmas rental… and found her worst enemy already unpacked.

Eternal optimist Merrily Tucker is excited to spend Christmas in the most beautiful house in town; a twinkly, tinsel-lined rental that’s just hers for the holidays. But inside is one big problem… the man who once turned her down in front of the whole of Holly Grove, irritatingly handsome, certified Grinch Grant Moody. He says he’s the owner. And he’s planning to spend Christmas here too.

The town might think he’s a playboy, but Grant Moody is determined to spend his Christmas nights alone. Zero decorations, a ban on baked goods, and definitely no holiday spirit. A mix-up with the rental company isn’t going to get in his way. Even if the woman at his door is the irresistibly gorgeous one-who-got-away Merrily Tucker…

Merrily and Grant are both too stubborn to leave.

Battling for control over what music plays on the speakers and heaving Christmas trees in and out of the house, they find themselves all tangled in tinsel. But Merrily’s “when I think about you, I touch my elf” t-shirt has Grant’s candy cane tingling in a way that begs the question…

Secretly, do they actually want to be home alone together this Christmas…?

An enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity Christmas romance perfect for fans of Meghan Quinn, Lucy Score and Ali Hazelwood. Holiday cheer in female form + the six-foot grump she loves to hate = the perfect festive read.

TROPES:
Forced proximity

Enemies-to-lovers

Fake dating
Spice levels 🌶️ 🌶️


My thoughts:

This book is set in a small town. I mean a town so small that a public slight can haunt people for a decade. So when Merrily comes back for a visit over the holidays, she's excited to spend time with her family while still having a private space for herself. But she opens the door to find the bane of her existence already in her private space.
 
Grant hasn't stopped thinking about Merrily for all these years, and is keenly aware of what the town thinks of him due to a teenage choice. But things are changing, and working together with Merrily is the best thing for him, and for the town. Or is it?
 
This is a very fun holiday story.  The tropes are a bit predictable, but not in a bad way, and it is a very hot story! My absolute favorite though is the town play, and all of the quips and mystery that comes with it. I absolutely recommend this book for a hot, fun, holiday read. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

What readers are saying about Kayley Loring:

“I am having trouble words-ing right now because this book was AMAZING… THAT’S how much I loved this book… pretty much ticks every box there is… And Declan… sheesh… I can’t even… will be burned into my memory for the rest of my days… had me snort-laughing over and over again. It’s so funny!!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“5 Jingle hop stars… This is my absolute fave Christmas read of the season… It is that good!!… the banging chemistry that these two possess, the humor—did I mention the humor! I love this book so much I want to hug it!!… comedic brilliance tied together with sexiness from another planet… It’s like the author reached deep into my soul, pulling out all my favorite things in an alpha hero, and the heroine was the stuff dreams are made of… I can’t wait to dive back in immediately.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This book is PERFECT! I think I may be on a book-high (is there such a thing?) right now, but this was just spot on!… WOW! This was my first book by Kayley Loring, but I sure do want to read more! There’s a huge smile on my face.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“5+ STARS!!… PERFECT… so amazing… I almost died in the chapter 24. Just hilarious… This is hands down the best rom-com I’ve read this year.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“5 Oh, My Gawd Stars… So Sexy… And Cute… And Unbelievably Romantic, and made you want more… So go and read this, I promise you will be facepalming and giggling.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Every once in a while you come across a book that just blows your mind. That you smile all the way through, that you fall desperately in love with… makes you swoon, laugh out loud, and makes you highlight every other sentence! THIS was that book! There aren’t enough stars to rate this, five is definitely not enough!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Author Bio

Kayley Loring

Kayley Loring is an Amazon Top 25 and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romantic comedies. Read or listen to her books when you want humor, heat, and heart. You’ll enjoy top-notch banter, strong heroines, lovable characters you’d want to know in real life and you’ll swoon over perfectly imperfect book boyfriends. All Kayley Loring books are steamy open door romance. Be sure to check out her next-level audiobooks!


 
















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Thursday, October 1, 2026

The Baby in Her Arms Review


The Baby in Her Arms

Suzanne Goldring
 

On a hot and dusty Parisian street, two brave women risk everything for a tiny, dark-haired baby…

Paris, 1942. Hustled along by cold-eyed soldiers, a mother is making a heartbreaking choice. As she is loaded onto a yellow bus, Irene knows that if she keeps her baby daughter with her, she will not survive what lies ahead. Her eyes meet Sadie’s, a total stranger, but whose face is kind.

The bus disappears. Sadie is left holding the baby in her arms, determined to give this little girl a chance at life. But she lives and works at The Blue House, surrounded by German officers. A dangerous place to hide a Jewish child…

Paris, 2024. On her eightieth birthday, searching for answers, Ellen travels from London to Paris. She arrives at the tall building she last saw as a little girl, determined to discover the story of the women who sacrificed everything so that she could live. But a dusty little book written by the woman who found her as a baby shatters everything she knew about who she was. Are some wartime secrets best left buried?

A completely haunting and heartbreaking read about the bravest of all mothers and the terrible sacrifices made as the streets of Paris crawled with enemy soldiers. Fans of The Nightingale, The Midwife of Auschwitz and The Alice Network will be swept away by The Baby in her Arms.


My thoughts:

This is a story that will get under your skin and stay stuck there for a long time. Filled with drama and history, it is a lovely multi-generational story that will make you smile, think, and weep within a very short period of time. 
 
Following the stories of these women is powerful, and often dark, but the book is very well written. I would definitely read more historical fiction by this author, as she does an excellent job with it. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

What everyone is saying about The Baby in Her Arms:

‘A beautifully emotional story that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Heartbreaking yet full of hope. A truly unforgettable read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Powerful and heartbreaking… I never wanted it to end… Amazing.’ ChristianBookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow I loved…so heartbreaking… peppered with bravery, hope and love… highly recommend. Perfect… I loved it!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… gripping… superb… powerful and emotional. I wholeheartedly recommend.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Pick up this gorgeous hug of a book and get transported to a beautiful place (Paris) wraps itself round you like a cosy blanket.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Author Bio

Suzanne Goldring

Following an eventful career as a public relations consultant, specialising in business and travel, Suzanne Goldring turned to writing the kind of novels she likes to read, about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Whether she is working in her thatched cottage in Hampshire or her seaside home in North Cornwall, Suzanne finds inspiration in the secrets hidden by everyday life.

 














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Saturday, September 26, 2026

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.


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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