Here’s a few books that I’ve read and enjoyed over the past couple of months. Hope you enjoy them too!

Old Girls On Deck by Maddie Please

It’s never too late to sail a new course…

When retired Jill Parker wins an all-expenses paid mediterranean cruise for two she is thrilled! At 63 life in retirement has got a little bit bland for Jill and this might be just the holiday she and husband Eddy need to get the sparks back in their marriage.

But when Eddy admits he would much prefer to build his patio and look through the latest DIY magazine, Jill is left with only one other option – her sister Diana.

Diana has become rather reclusive since her husband, Caspar died, but perhaps this is the push she needs to bring some excitement back into her life, too?

Could this trip be just what both sisters need to reconnect and chart a new path for their futures?

Excited to be exploring new horizons and catching up, the sisters soon discover that not everything is smooth sailing on board. And as they enjoy cocktails together at sundown, they discover that they are both actually a little all at sea…

My Review

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a delightful, heartwarming read relating the escapes of Jill and her widowed sister Diana. Jill wins an all expenses paid 10 day cruise and her husband Eddy suggest she invites Diana to go with her because he wants to stay home and build a patio. Warm, funny and poignant with engaging characters, it reminds us that you’re never too old for fun, romance and to learn new things. It also made me want to go on another cruise!

Out on 4th July: Preorder/buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Girls-Deck-heart-warming-BESTSELLER-ebook/dp/B0CW1DWBZK/

Bride and Groom by Rona Halsall

We’re driving home for the last time before we get married. Despite the pouring rain and pitch-black night, I’ve never been happier. My fiancé Ethan squeezes my hand and I’m so excited to be his bride. Then there’s a terrible crash. When I wake up, he’s stroking my brow and telling me it will all be okay. But I know he’s so, so wrong…

In the church, sunlight glints off my ivory silk gown as I walk down the aisle and greet my husband-to-be. I try to focus on Ethan’s gorgeous blue eyes but I know exactly what he’s thinking. We can never tell.

All of our family, friends and loved ones smile as they watch Ethan and I promise to be together until death us do part. But only Ethan and I know what that really means…

Because we have already killed someone.

My dear, sweet new husband isn’t quite all he seems…

But then again, neither am I.

My Review

I’ve literally just finished this and my heart is still pounding. I didn’t know who to trust or believe. Rona is an amazing writer and so skilled at writing dark, twisty plots with red herrings galore. She never disappoints.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bride-Groom-gripping-psychological-thriller/dp/1803141662

Old Girls Behaving Badly by Kate Galley

A delightfully heartwarming and funny story that proves it’s never too late to change the habits of a lifetime, perfect for fans of Judy Leigh, Hazel Prior and Maddie Please.

Something old, something new, something stolen…?

Gina Knight is looking forward to the prospect of retirement with her husband of forty-three years. Until, to her surprise, said husband decides he needs to ‘find himself’ – alone – and disappears to Santa Fe, leaving a Dear John letter in his wake.

Now Gina needs a new role in life, not to mention somewhere to live, so she applies for the position of Companion to elderly Dorothy Reed. At eighty-nine, ‘Dot’ needs someone to help her around the house – or at least, her family seems to think so. Her companion’s first role would be to accompany Dot for a week-long extravagant wedding party.

But when Georgina arrives at the large Norfolk estate where the wedding will take place, she quickly discovers Dot has an ulterior motive for hiring her. While the other guests are busy sipping champagne and playing croquet, Dot needs Georgina to help her solve a mystery – about a missing painting, which she believes is hidden somewhere in the house.

Because, after all, who would suspect two old ladies of getting up to mischief?

My Review

A heartwarming enjoyable cosy mystery featuring – hooray – two older ladies, Dorothy and Gina. Friendship, fun and a mystery to solve all centred around a family wedding. A lively read with relatable characters.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Girls-Behaving-Badly-feel-good-ebook/dp/B0CW19ZD5P

Under a Summer Skye by Sue Moorcroft

A chance encounter is about to change everything for Thea Wynter.

The moment she arrived on the Isle of Skye, life changed for Thea. Running from a succession of wrong turns, she comes to the island in search of blue sea, endless skies, and mountains that make the heart soar. Here, she feels at peace.

As head gardener at Rothach Hall, life is exactly how she wants it, with her days spent working in the glorious clifftop garden and her evenings in the cosy local village.

But an encounter with a stranger from the mainland brings with it an unexpected turn – and only time will tell if he is friend or foe.

It seems that even on Skye, life can catch up with you, and Thea is soon faced with the past she left behind – and with it, the family she’s never met…

My Review

This is a dream of a book. I read it slowly so I could drink in the exquisite scenery of Skye, and really get to know the characters Sue has expertly created. She is a master at describing a setting so well that you actually think you are there, and painting her characters so vividly you feel as if you know them. Thea and Deveron are flawed, as we all are, and have sometimes made bad decisions but for the right reasons and I was routing for them right away and hoping they could see their way through the maze of misunderstandings, secrets and betrayal to be together. As usual, Sue brings in some complex issues – adoption, alcoholism, internet trolling – handling them sensitively and realistically. The research she undertook was evident in the authenticity of the storyline. The icing on the cake was Daisy, the little dog, and the cherry on top was the beautiful island setting. I can’t wait to read the other two books in the trilogy. Sue has written another bestseller here.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-Summer-Skye-million-copy-bestseller-ebook/dp/B0CKSNYRZL/

Estella’s Revenge by Barbara Havelocke

You know Miss Havisham.

The world’s most famous jilted bride.

This is her daughter’s story.

Raised in the darkness of Satis House where the clocks never tick, the beautiful Estella is bred to hate men and to keep her heart cold as the grave.

She knows she doesn’t feel things quite like other people do but is this just the result of her strange upbringing?

As she watches the brutal treatment of women around her, hatred hardens into a core of vengeance and when she finds herself married to the abusive Drummle, she is forced to make a deadly choice:

Should she embrace the darkness within her and exact her revenge?

My Review

I was drawn to this by the amazing premise and the beautiful cover. Great Expectations is a favourite book of mine and I found the idea of reading Estella’s story intriguing. Barbara has made an excellent job of this, the characters are skilfully portrayed, the writing easy to read but authentic and the dual storyline kept me gripped. A masterpiece. I shall buy the print book to put on the shelf by Great Expectations.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Estellas-Revenge-captivating-retelling-Expectations-ebook/dp/B0CPMFCQ56