Review - Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage

Title:   Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage

Author:  Kim Nash

Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Series:  Sandpiper Shore, Book 2

Genre:   Women’s Fiction; Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   288

Date of Publication: October 31, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Set against the sparkling shores of Cornwall☀️, this BRAND NEW heartwarming, uplifting and gorgeously romantic tale of second chances is perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley. ✨ When life gives you heartbreak 💔, sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 💕 

When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.

The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.

As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.

Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

While this novel is set in the same village as the other books in the Sandpiper Shore series, it can be read as a STANDALONE

BUY LINKS:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Begins-Cornish-Cottage-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0F2TD6VG2

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Begins-Cornish-Cottage-heartwarming-ebook/dp/B0F2TD6VG2

MY THOUGHTS:

 “Two years ago I lost two things.  One was my husband. The other was myself.  I also lost my dignity.”

“It hadn’t really struck me until now and made me sad to think that I cared so much about what people thought; that my friends were right and that I had missed out. People don’t realise the impact that words make. A throwaway comment can stick in your mind for a lifetime and permanently hinder your confidence.”

Emma’s loss of self-confidence was partly due to her husband’s absence. Perhaps she missed her role as a wife. This makes her feel like she might be disloyal when she’s drawn to Tom, a childhood friend. Tom is also widowed. When they lock eyes for the first time in decades, could a spark still be there?

Meanwhile, Emma has created Lonely Hearts Club and planned a Christmas pantomime in the charming village of Sandpiper Shore. Inspired by the ambulance company’s services during her husband’s loss, she hopes the proceeds from the panto will show her appreciation.

Emma isn’t alone in planning the event. Everyone in the village has contributed in some way. This event brings Emma and Tom’s paths together. They missed out on an opportunity when they were young, so it’s hopeful that they’ll finally get the second chance they both deserve.

This heartwarming and feel-good story of second chances is a warm and inviting tale that weaves a beautiful message of kindness into its pages. Emma and Tom are wonderfully relatable characters, and it’s easy to root for them throughout the story. The entire narrative feels like a hug, making it a truly enjoyable read.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, feel-good, romantic fiction.

She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity for Bookouture and is a book blogger at www.kimthebookworm.co.uk

.

Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association's Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can't quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA.

When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge watching box sets on the TV. She's also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs.

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Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019. Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim's second novel and was published in September 2019. Sunshine and Second Chances is Kim's third novel and will be published on June 4th 2020.

You can read Kim's Blog here: www.kimthebookworm.co.uk

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BLOG TOUR - One of the Family

DESCRIPTION:

My daughter’s boyfriend feels like one of the family. I couldn’t be happier to have him living with us. But now my daughter’s disappeared… 

I never wanted to have an empty nest. So when my daughter, Liv, asks if she and her new boyfriend, Jensen, can move in, I’m thrilled.

Jensen is so helpful. He tells me how he loves being part of a close-knit family. He’s felt so alone since his parents died. And for me, his presence goes a little way towards replacing the son I lost.

Still, I can’t help but notice that Liv and Jensen are starting to argue. My daughter seems unhappy. Perhaps they just need some time alone together?

But when my husband and I return from our weekend away, Liv is missing. The relationship with Jensen appears to be over but he doesn’t want to leave. And then I discover exactly what he will do to stay in our family… 

BUY LINK:

: https://geni.us/B0FFB716QZsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   One of the Family

Author:  Jess Ryder

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  366

Date of Publication:  October 30, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

In Jess Ryder’s captivating five-star read, Liv and Jensen move into her parents’ loft area. Liv is asserting her independence, while her sister Meg is a typical teenager who disregards her parents. The family dynamics between Liv, Meg, their parents, and Jensen are all skewed in some way. Jensen is optimistic that his life will be wonderful, possibly even believing he was the missing piece for this family.

Rachel, a mother to the two teens, takes her role seriously. Both girls are old enough to fly the nest, but Rachel isn’t looking forward to it. As the story unfolds, it primarily focuses on Rachel and Jensen. The twists begin early, putting at least one character in danger when some of the twists occur.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! With Rachel’s role as a mother and Jensen’s role as an interloper, such as he is, the story moves at a delightful pace. As as the twists and turns unfold the picture begins to shine through, with perhaps a red herring or two. 

How does the past intersect with the present in this book? You’ll be curious about the motives, plans, and execution behind the twists. You won’t be able to put this book down. As always, Jess Ryder effortlessly captures the reader’s attention, draws them into the story, and never lets them go. Even the final twist was delicious. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jess Ryder is the pseudonym of Jan Page, author, screenwriter, playwright and award-winning television producer. After many years working in children’s media, she has recently embarked on a life of crime. Writing, that is. So she’s very excited about the publication of her debut thriller Lie to Me. Her other big love is making pots.

https://twitter.com/jessryderauthor

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Witness to Murder

Title:   Witness to Murder

Author:  Debra Webb

Publisher:  Harlequin Intrigue

Series:  Colby Agency: The Next Generation #4

Genre:   Romantic Suspense

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Megan Tusing 

Length:  5 hrs and 57 mins

No. of Pages:   28i

Date of Publication:   October 28, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Just one look

…shattered her life.

It was worse than the date from hell. Teacher Leah Gerard waited hours for the man…until she saw his bloody body being dragged away. Did she imagine it? The police believe she did, as there’s no body to corroborate her story. Then Leah becomes their prime murder suspect. Determined to find the truth, Leah hires ace investigator Owen Walker, who delves into every possibility while protecting —and captivating—Leah. But when her longtime roommate disappears, troubling questions and danger follow. Who wants Leah charged with murder? And who wants her dead?

From Harlequin Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Colby The Next Generation series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following 

Book 1: A Colby Christmas Rescue
Book 2: Alibi for Murder
Book 3: Memory of Murder
Book 4: Witness to Murder

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Not only does it appear as if Leah’s blind date wasn’t going to show, what she sees is more than shocking. She does see him, but it isn’t good. Not at all. In fact, what Leah sees is his body being dragged away. His bloody body. Although he hasn’t been found by the police, they decide that she is the prime suspect for the apparent murder. 

Hiring the Colby Agency to prove her innocence, Leah soon experiences danger that doesn’t seem to let up. With Owen Walker being the investigator who is helping Leah, he leaves no stone unturned when it comes to handling her case. There are a lot of questions and the deeper Owen digs, the more things go from bad to worse for Leah. 

I have loved each book in this series, and as I have had this as well as the two previous books in this series as audiobooks they were all one-sitting reads. I have loved Megan Tusing’s narration with each book and love how she performs the different protagonists in the story. I love that this book leaned on suspense while building on the growing connection between Leah and Owen. So, of late, if I see a Debra Webb title, I immediately put it on my TBR as I know that I will be treated to an excellent read. That definitely was the case with Witness to Murder. 

Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debra Webb is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 130 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra's love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama. Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com

or write to her at PO Box 176, Madison, AL 35758.

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Review - C is for Courting

Title:   C is for Courting

Author:  Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher:  Kensington

Series:  Amish ABCs #3

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  304

Date of Publication:  October 28, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Surprises abound in the latest heartwarming inspirational tale of four English-raised siblings who return to their grandparents’ Ohio community with plans to become Amish—but discover, one by one, that even the simple life has its complications . . .

The second eldest, Beth Schrock always believed herself the most level-headed sibling. After all, in the wake of their parents’ divorce, it was she who emerged as the caretaker and steadying presence. Yet after almost two years in Ohio, Beth’s life remains the most unsettled.

Unlike her younger sister and brothers, Beth has yet to become Amish, or fall in love, much less marry.
Still, she is about to take on the biggest responsibility of them all. She is going to be a mother. A single mother. While she’s not proud of her actions, she is excited, and hopeful about the sense of purpose this change will bring.

When Beth happens to meet family acquaintance Junior Lambright, they bump heads a bit. But after she takes a part-time job at his successful candle factory, it doesn’t take long for sparks to ignite—or for Junior to decide to be the friend Beth clearly needs.

Still, neither expects a romance. Ten years older than Beth, Junior seems content to devote himself to work and his two senior Labradors. And as Beth’s due date looms, she must choose a path. She considers returning to Cleveland and her high-paying, high-stress, realtor job. She could hire a nanny. But she’d miss so much about Walden—including Junior.

And then, Junior proposes.

Beth is sure Junior’s sweet offer is only to save her reputation. . . . Unless, like her, Junior is also yearning for something more. With faith, and the courage to open their hearts, they might soon find out . . .

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

The four Schock siblings - Matthew, Kelsey, Jonny and Beth - have returned home to their Amish community. They will be staying with their grandparents, and they all have the goal of returning to their Amish faith. In the first book of the series, A is for Amish, Matthew and Kelsey not only returned to their Amish roots, they both found love. In the second book, B is for Bonnet, Jonny found love as well. 

It is the third book and now Beth is facing the same decisions about her faith that her older siblings did. However, she really wants a husband and a family, For now, a job is in order, so after running into an old friend of the family, Junior, and she then takes a job in his candle factory. This is a much more relaxing job than Beth had when she lived in Cleveland as a real estate agent. While it just might be that neither of them are expecting a connection, in time they indeed begin to bond in this sweet story. This story is an excellent installment in an excellent story. I a, eagerly awaiting book four. 

Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds  on her town’s bike trail.

Photo credit: Dianne Bomar

BLOG TOUR - My Husband Next Door

DESCRIPTION:

The perfect way for us to live. The perfect way for him to hide…

My husband Matt and I are an ordinary married couple in every way but one. At the end of each day, we return to our own homes and our own spaces. Some people think this arrangement is odd, but for us it’s perfect.

But beyond the fairy lights I string at my window, darkness is pressing in. Two local women have gone missing, and I don’t want to be alone. With Matt away for work, I find comfort in chatting to my new neighbour Brenda, who drops in regularly with casseroles and groceries.

Sipping our coffees, looking out of my kitchen window, I soon notice how observant Brenda is. So when she tells me that perhaps my husband isn’t simply working late, something cold takes root. I think of Matt’s recent vague tone, the way he brushes off my questions. Brenda thinks I should pop by when Matt’s not at home. Just to check everything’s as it should be.

I should be able to trust the man I married. But when I do go through my husband’s things, I discover that our perfect living arrangement is hiding a shocking secret…

A completely compelling and twisty page-turner from number 1 bestselling author K.L. Slater. Fans of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden will be hooked by My Husband Next Door. 

 

BUY LINK:

• A : https://geni.us/B0FDKZ2ZPWsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   My Husband Next Door 

Author:  K. L. Slater

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Psychological Thriller

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:  376

Date of Publication:  October 28, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

K. L. Slater captivates her readers with the gripping tale of Sylvie, Matt, and Brenda. Sylvie and Matt appear to have the ideal marriage and are also perfect neighbors, living next door to each other. However, their lives take an unexpected turn when Brenda, their new neighbor, forcefully and quickly inserts herself into  Sylvie’s life.

Sylvie’s daughter recently gave birth and requires temporary assistance, so she and the baby stay with Sylvie for a few days. But beneath the surface, a sinister plot unfolds. The neighborhood is on high alert as two young women have gone missing, raising suspicions and creating a sense of unease. As Brenda’s behavior becomes increasingly intrusive and accusatory, pointing fingers at Adam, the puzzle pieces of this mystery begin to come together. But could there be more than one solution to this perplexing enigma?

Brenda’s relentless pursuit of Sylvie’s trust sows seeds of doubt, suggesting that Adam might be concealing a secret behind their living arrangements. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the missing girls intensifies, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. Brenda’s unwavering insistence and refusal to relent keep readers engrossed, constantly wondering  about the identity of the perpetrator and the fate of the missing girls.

Slater’s masterful storytelling, characterized by a fast-paced narrative and several characters, ensures that readers are captivated from the very beginning. While secrets serve as the backdrop of this story, the theme of blind trust adds depth and substance to the plot. As a devoted fan of K. L. Slater, I eagerly anticipate her future works, knowing that she will continue to deliver captivating stories.  

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For many years, Kim sent her work out to literary agents but never made it off the slush pile. At the age of 40 she went back to Nottingham Trent University and now has an MA in Creative Writing.

Before graduating, she received five offers of representation from London literary agents which was, as Kim says, ‘a fairytale … at the end of a very long road!’

Kim is a full-time writer and lives in Nottingham with her husband, Mac.

https://klslaterauthor.com/

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Review - Run for Her Life

 

Title:  Run for Her Life

Author:  Ruhi Choudhary 

Series:   Zoe Storm Book #1

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   October 29, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

She runs through the woods as fast as she can, her bare feet trampling the damp earth beneath her. Her heart is pounding so fast it might burst out of her chest. But he’s catching up, and as her legs give out, she knows she’s out of time…

Special Agent Zoe Storm’s heartbeat quickens when she sees the body of a young woman found in the woods, her tangled locks sprawled around her lifeless face. Just days before, a lock of hair was sent to Zoe’s FBI office with a note pointing to a missing young mother in Pineview Falls. Is this the woman the killer wanted her to find?

When DNA evidence shows that the lock of hair actually belonged to a teenager who died in a fire that killed six others, and autopsy results show the missing woman was exposed to heat before she died, Zoe feels sure she’s hunting one suspect. But when a call comes in to say another woman has vanished, Zoe needs to find the link fast before someone else pays with their life.

Digging deeper, Zoe’s blood turns to ice when she uncovers her own dark connection to the fire. Could she be next on the kill list? To stop a killer in their tracks, she’ll need to confront a deadly secret that she’s spent years running from. Zoe will do whatever it takes to save another innocent life but how much will she have to sacrifice?

An unputdownable serial killer thriller in the Zoe Storm series packed with jaw-dropping twists. Fans of Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh will be hooked from start to finish.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

‘For Zoe, pain was a quick fix without a drug.’

I’m a big fan of getting into the first book of a series, so before diving into this one, I read The Hanging Dolls. This decision led me to discover two things. First, Zoe’s work ethic is exceptional. Second, she’s haunted by demons that relentlessly pursue her. Despite her unwavering dedication to her victims, Zoe is still tormented by the memory of her mother’s murder, which consumes her. However, she manages to compartmentalize enough to find the perpetrators responsible for causing harm, as she intends to do in her current case.

This story goes deep. The discovery of a woman’s body in the woods seems to have an eerie connection to a tragic case from years ago when six young people tragically lost their lives in a fire. Zoe is determined to uncover the link between these two cases and bring justice to every single victim. 

Meanwhile, for this case and her previous case, Zoe is trailed by a discerning FBI psychologist, Dr. Aiden Wesley. While he acknowledges her strengths, he is concerned about her intense drive. Meanwhile, the reader will no doubt definitely feel the tension plaguing Zoe, especially as her past slowly begins to make sense to her. I can’t wait for book three in this series. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ruhi Choudhary discovered her passion for writing when she was seven years old and wrote her first Star Trek episode. Being a fan of the dark and twisted, she found her calling in crime thriller.

She likes to write stories that make you a little uncomfortable and characters that you struggle to make up your mind about but stay with you. 

She lives in Toronto and spends her days training to be a scientist and wishing it rained more often!

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Review - At Death’s Dough

Title:   At Death’s Dough

Author:  Mindy Quigley

Series:  Deep Dish Mysteries #5

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:  October 28, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The fifth book in the delectable Deep Dish Mystery series by Mindy Quigley, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

It’s February in the swanky resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air—along with a whiff of danger. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with her hunky police detective boyfriend, Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the legendary Chicago mob boss. But their romance is put on ice when a chilling discovery plunges Delilah and Capone into the heart of a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather. 

As old secrets begin to surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Calvin’s cagey cousin to her own eccentric customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone untangle a web of deceit that could lead them to a priceless treasure... or a heart-stopping finale. Will Delilah and Capone solve the mystery before history repeats itself? Or will they spend their first Valentine’s Day together sleeping with the anchovies?

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Delilah O’Leary, as always, is swamped with work in Mindy Quigley’s fifth book in her Deep Dish Mysteries series. It’s the chilly month of February, and Delilah finds herself entangled in yet another mystery. Nothing would make Valentine’s Day more special for Delilah than spending it with her boyfriend, Calvin Capone. However, Calvin might be the great-grandson of the infamous mobster, but he’s also the police investigator in their town.

This cozy mystery not only keeps Delilah juggling her responsibilities as a boss and a girlfriend but also entertains readers with the town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin’s fascination with all things mob-related. In fact, I discovered an intriguing fact when it clarified the distinction between The Mafia and The Mob, despite their interchangeable use.

Amidst her busy schedule at the pizzeria, Delilah manages to spend time with Calvin and keep her great-aunt happy, which means at least one more ice fishing trip for the season. But in short order, a body is discovered beneath the ice. Our protagonists are in place, the setting is set, and another murder mystery unfolds. Delilah embarks on a quest to find the killer and ensure justice is served.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the books in this series. While the pacing may occasionally be slow, the strong connections between the characters and the exciting connection to the town’s mob history keep each installment captivating. 

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Paperbacks and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series: the Deep Dish Mysteries (St. Martin's Press) and the Mount Moriah Mysteries.

Her short stories have won awards, including the 2018 Artemis Journal/Lightbringer Prize. Her non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling. 

She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband, their children, and their idiosyncratic miniature Schnauzer.

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