Anyone But Him by Ronali Collings~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Embla Books

Publication Date: 11th February 2025

Genre: Romance

Summary:

He's the one she shouldn't want . . .

Ingrid has spent her life being everything to everyone: the dependable daughter, the supportive wife, the one who never steps out of line. But when her husband returns from a sabbatical abroad with divorce papers in hand, her carefully planned life unravels.

Needing to reclaim control, she books a week's stay in the Lake District to escape it all. Though a muddy hiking mishap lands her straight into the arms of a charming stranger who reignites a spark she hasn't felt in years. A little holiday flirtation seems harmless enough - until she returns home and discovers Jacob is the new consultant on her work project.

Juggling a messy divorce, a demanding job, and her daughter's needs, Ingrid knows getting involved with Jacob is a bad idea. He's younger, her colleague, and everything she's been taught to avoid.

Will Ingrid dare to risk it all for love or retreat to the safety of the life she's always known?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Insta book tours, Embla books and Ronail Collings for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I have to say i was really looking forward to diving into this book, it seemed like the perfect book to dive into between a couple of non-fictions i was reading. And i really love reading romances that aren't all young woman in their 20s , its nice to have a more mature woman finding romance. Ingrid felt so much more rounded and real to me because of all the things she was juggling whilst trying to sort her divorce and then happening to find romance on top of her jugging act, with all the additional stress and joy it brought with it. I found it a really well written book, the characters were all so well crafted that i think you could probably find people like them if you looked around you. The family dynamic i loved! The way the sisters supported each other and had code red made me smile. I hated Matt from the first moment he appeared on the page. He was such a self centred waste of space, and how he treated Ingrid was infuriating. I did often though get angry at Ingrid for not standing up for herself and i was cheering every time she took a step forward in doing that, it was really nice to see her growing in herself alongside her new relationship.
I loved the teasing banter between Jacob and Ingrid, it was lovely to read, as was him pushing her outside of her comfort zone but not forcing her out of it. The climbing activity is a really good example of this, he didn't push her when she expressed her fear he just stayed with her and put no pressure on her. I found the writing style easy to slip into, stepping into the book and walking alongside Ingrid was effortless and i enjoyed how it flowed.
I really enjoyed this book and i would happily pick up another book by Ronali Collings in the future.

Krystina xx

How to get on with anyone: Even the difficult ones by Catherine Stothart ~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Pearson Business; 2nd edition 

Publication Date: 26th August 2024

Genre: Teaching/self improvement

Summary:

A practical guide to the knowledge, principles and skills you need to improve your personal and professional interactions, build your confidence and change your life.

Learn how to flex your style of interaction to get on better with other people – how to build rapport, reduce conflict, and develop collaborative relationships with positive outcomes for everyone.

• Relate more successfully to other people, both at work and at home
• Flex your style of interacting with others to suit the individual
• Increase your confidence as a communicator
• Develop your skills as a leader
• Get more out of virtual communication

This book will help anyone to be more confident in their relationships with people, both at work and outside work.

New to this edition

• New chapter: this new edition contains a brand new chapter on leadership
• Updated and refreshed: refreshed to include new material on getting on with people digitally/when working remotely, and on communicating inclusively and tackling unconscious bias
• Practical tools, techniques and activities: material to help you put your learning to use right away
• Free online content: new online workbook for readers to download, in addition to free supplementary templates, self-assessment quiz and videos

Review:
Firstly thank you to Literally PR, Pearson and Catherine Stothart for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So i was really looking forward to getting stuck into this book, im currently having to deal with a difficult person so this seemed like the perfect book at the perfect time. I loved chapter one "your brain and you" and learning about emotional intelligence and the importance of perception with both how you look and how you sound and the effects it has. I found it really interesting and i think id like to do a little more reading around that. I came a little unstuck with finding out my style, i really struggle to fit myself into one of the four and found myself straddling two, even after asking friends and family i got an even amount for two different styles so i decided to read the relevant chapters for both as i was doing the dip in and out method that the author suggests in the introduction.
Its a really well written book, i found  it easy to follow and everything was explained really well so i didn't ever feel lost in the text and i came away having learnt a few things. I found the work sheets really useful in working through things and whilst i struggled to pinpoint my style i found everything that i read useful in some way.
I defiantly think this is aimed more at people in more corporate positions, i can see this being very helpful if you're leading a team of people with a variety of styles to work with but whilst i found it interesting and i learnt things I'm not sure i found it as useful as i could have.
But its defiantly a very interesting book and I'm glad that I've read it.

Krystina xx

The Launch Date by Annabelle Slator ~ Blog Tour

 Publisher: Penguin

Publication Date: 13th February 2025

Genre: Romance

Summary:

To get her dream job, she’ll have to date her worst nightmare . . .

Grace Hastings is in a rut. Her career is stagnating, her boss is a leech, and she feels like a fraud working for Fate, a dating app whose ethos she no longer believes in. And don’t even get her started on the state of her love life.

So when the company’s CEO offers her an opportunity for a big promotion and the chance to work on the launch of a dating app that she actually cares about, Grace can’t believe her luck.

That is, until she discovers that she must test drive a series of ‘first dates’ with her competition for the job: notorious socialite playboy and Grace’s biggest work rival, Eric Bancroft.

But Grace refuses to give up her dream job because of a man. And besides, how romantic can a handful of fake dates with your biggest rival really be?

There’s absolutely no way it’s an office romance waiting to happen.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Zoo Loos Book Tours, Penguin and Annabelle Slator for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I absolutely adored this book! It was the perfect read for valentines week and I devoured it. I think I read the first 19 chapters in one sitting because I was so engrossed and drawn into the story I just didn't want to put it down. I loved the banter between Eric and Grace and how we watched their relationship unfold and grow. And I have to say I really liked the we had the flashbacks of a sort showing us bits of their friendship and bits of Graces relationship with William. But by god was William a complete arse, I did an out loud "you go girl" at Grace with that last interaction with him, he defiantly deserved that! 
I really enjoyed the writing style of Annabelle Slator, it was easy flowing that I found stepping into the story a dream. Nothing broke my emersion (aside from family members interrupting me) and I felt like a fly on the wall watching Grace but I loved it and I really cant wait to read more by her. Its defiantly a strong debut, the tension between Grace and Eric was rolling off the pages and even though, because it a romance, you know where its going it just had you gunning for them the whole time.
If romance is your thing, this is a book you need to pick up.

Krystina xx

The Little Island Flower Stall by Tilly Tennant ~ Book Tour

 Publisher:  Bookouture

Publication Date: 27th January 2025

Genre: Romance

Summary:

Escape to a colourful little flower stall on the island of Jersey with its sweeping golden beaches. The perfect place for Bella to discover that a heartbreaking family secret might just help her find a new beginning...

When Bella’s heart is broken by her cheating husband, she packs a bag and escapes to Jersey, to help her beloved great-aunt Celestine run her seaside flower stall.

With the sun on her cheeks, watching white-haired Celestine in her elegant patterned trouser suit, beam at customers, and arrange flowers in vases, Bella realises that life is too short to feel sad. And when handsome, brooding Rory arrives at the periwinkle-blue, sand-dusted flower stall, and their eyes meet, she can only describe what passes between them as electricity.

Emboldened by Celestine’s lust for life, Bella decides to get to know Rory, with his unforgettable aquamarine eyes, better and as the two of them walk together under vast blue skies, Rory opens up to Bella and tells her of the family secret that has brought him to the island.

Bella wonders if Celestine might be able to help Rory with his quest. But when she talks to Celestine about Rory’s family her eyes cloud over, and she shuts Bella out. And when Bella tries to track Rory down, days later, she discovers that Rory’s past isn’t the only place where there are secrets. Is her hope of an island romance with a handsome, enigmatic man simply too good to be true? Can this beautiful island still bring her the bright new beginning that she so desperately needs?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Bookouture and Tilly Tennant for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I have to start off saying that I absolutely love the cover of this book, it perfectly fits the feel of the book and makes you get into the summer romance vibe (perfect for the never ending January blues).

I've not read a book by Tilly Tennant before and I have to say I loved her writing style, I found the book really easy to slip into and found connecting with the characters almost instantaneous. I think that Celestine is my favourite if I'm honest, Bella is a fantastic main character and she drives the story along so well but its Celestine that i wanted to know more about. Id love it of we had a book of her during her wartime years, i feel there was more hidden about her character that id love to dive into.
I did feel that the romance aspect between Rory and Bella seemed a little quick for my liking, considering Bella was still technically married and she barely had anytime after shed left her husband to process but i did like her and Rory as a couple. The only thing i didn't like about this book was its ending. I didn't feel like  it ended properly, i wanted so much more from it, I'm hoping its ended the way it has because we're getting a follow on book. I was so invested in Bella's story that the abrupt nature of the ending kicked me out of emersion quite viciously and left me feeling a little put out.
Having said that i did enjoy the book, i think the characters are all well thought out, even the ones that are barely on the page for a paragraph or two are fully formed so we can easily picture them as they get mentioned again. And the writing style is thoroughly enjoyable, i will defiantly be picking up books by Tilly Tennant again.

Krystina xx

Pimlico People by Rupert Stanbury ~Blog Tour

 

Publisher: Independently published

Publication Date: 28th October 2024

Genre: Humorous Fiction

Summary:

ALL THE AUTHOR’S ROYALTIES WILL BE GIVEN TO SUPPORT CHARITIES FOR THE HOMELESS

Pimlico People is the third book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century AD.

The Goddesses Artemis and Hebe are staying in Central London to obtain a better understanding of the lives of ‘normal’ people.

To their surprise, they soon encounter a plot to blow up a foreign embassy. Add to that a sophisticated operation involving the theft of valuable paintings from a major art gallery, and the two goddesses begin to question what a ‘normal’ life is all about.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld Cerberus encounters another dog who, amazingly, only has one head! How will they get on?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours and Rupert Stanbury for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Ok so if you've read my blog before it will come as no surprise that I loved this book. I've enjoyed each of the visits to see what mischief Cerberus is causing down in the underworld or what on earth Zeus and the other gods are up to on mount Olympus now, and this book was no different.
Its full of Rupert Stanbury's brilliantly clever writing that has a Pratchett style to it, weaving in more famous faces from history with his brilliantly crafted characters that help make this such an easy to read book. I've had so many laugh out loud moments whilst reading this, I think I've managed to cause my husband to die in his computer game so often from bursting out with laughter from this book but I couldn't help myself. I especially loved that we got more interactions between Hebe and Sergeant MacGobo, I loved the way they bounced against each other in the last book so it made me smile to read more of it. 
But I still think my favourite place to see into is the Underworld, I love all the historical figures we get to meet and finding out the jobs they have in the underworld, its so cleverly done and I adore that we mostly find it all out through Cerberus who is such a loveable oddity. Don't get me wrong I've loved following Artemis and Hebe in this book but I am so glad we still visited the Underworld as well.
If your a Terry Pratchett fan, do yourself a favour and grab this series because you will love I promise you. Now I need to go see if I can commandeer my copies of Gods Galore and Four Horsemen back from my mum so I can do a full reread!

Krystina xx

Stuck in Paradise with you by Laura Crater ~Blog Tour

 Publisher:  Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 15th October 2024

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Summary:

It’s hard to stay professional when you’re stuck on a tiny island… with your ex

Carrie Briggs is on the cusp of a career breakthrough. About to be made partner at her accountancy firm, she’s been given one more hoop to jump through before it can be made official.

And she could think of worse clients to work with – because world-renowned billionaire Joe Hettich is flying her out to his private island in the Caribbean.

But her hopes of career highs (and relaxing in the gorgeous sun in her spare time, of course!) are dashed when she meets the CFO of Joe’s company: Luke Chalmers, the man who broke her heart seven years ago when he chose his ex over her.

With a storm brewing in paradise – both in her heart and literally, on the island – she’s going to have to put her big girl pants on and get through this, before all those feelings have a chance to resurface…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I loved this book. I mean I haven't read a book by Laura Carter that I haven't loved in all fairness so I kinda already knew that I was more than likely going to love this one too. As always the author's writing style is fantastic, it's able to draw you into the story so easily that you'll probably, like me, not want to put it down and easily finish it in a day. I really loved our two MC's Luke and Carrie they really lept off the page for me and I found myself getting so invested in them clearing up the misunderstanding that happened at the end of the relationship the first time and being able to start again, they were so clearly right for each other! Laura Carter has this brilliant ability to create such fantastic side characters that capture you, even if they don't appear in the book too often, like Callum. I loved Calllum and his friendship with Carrie, he was there for her no questions asked no matter the time and he's the kind of friend we all hope to have in our lives.
I really enjoyed the forced proximity aspect of this second-chance romance, I mean who wouldn't want to be on such a beautiful island! And I liked the added bit of peril that was added in order to make the characters realise what they had in front of them and what they could lose if they didn't take a chance.
Generally, I just loved this book and I can't wait to get my hands on Laura Carter's next book, whatever and whoever it's about.

Krystina xx

A Scandal in Mayfair by Katharine Schellman~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publication Date: 20 Aug. 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

Fans of Bridgerton will delight in this Regency-era mystery featuring an intrepid sleuth, plenty of intrigue, and a touch of romance. London, 1817. The London Season is beginning once more, and Lily Adler's return to her home on Half Moon Street feels different this year. No longer a recent widow, she has a life and friends waiting for her. Lily also has new responsibilities in the form of her protegee Amelia, the sister of her longtime friend Jack Hartley, who is escaping her own brush with scandal and murder. It doesn't take long for Lily's growing reputation as a lady of quality who can discreetly find what is missing or solve what is puzzling to bring a desperate young woman to her doorstep. But helping her means unraveling a tangled web of family secrets. Soon, a missing will, a dead body and the threat of blackmail leave Lily facing danger every way she turns. The glittering society of Mayfair conceals many secrets, and the back alleys of London hide even more. Lily Adler will need to find the connection between them quickly if she wants to stop a killer before it's too late.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Partners in Crime Book Tours, Crooked Lane Books and Katharine Schellman for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
I was instantly hooked when I started reading this, I was so drawn to Lily from the first moment she stepped onto the page and I wanted to get to know her more. I really regret not having read the other books in this series first, not because I needed them to read this because it works really well as a standalone but because I wished I'd seen the progression of the growing relationship between Lilly and Jack. I loved watching them come to terms with their feelings and realising how the other felt, it was really well done over the course of the book. Sometimes it's done too quickly so I really enjoyed the pace it happened at.
Lily isn't the only fantastic female character in this book, it's filled with really strong brilliantly crafted women who each are vital to the book in their own way. I really think I'd happily read a book solely about any of them, they each have so much to explore individually I think.
I really loved the writing style of this book, i really can't wait to read more books by this author. She has a really great way of pacing her books so you just keep wanting to turn the page and find out where you're being led to next.
I can't wait for, hopefully, the next book in this series and meanwhile I'll go back and read the others to keep myself occupied.

Krystina xx