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

A Scottish Highland Hideaway by Julie Shackman ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 15th August 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

For Bailey McArthur, her family and job mean everything. She runs her own floristry shop and loves spending time in nature in the pretty town of Heather Moore, whilst desperately trying to forget about being jilted on her wedding day.

When journalist Zach Stern arrives in town asking questions about a famous actor, Bailey decides to throw him off the trail of the superstar hiding out in the Scottish Highlands.

But despite Bailey’s efforts to thwart Zach's investigation she finds herself falling for him. It’s just a shame she can’t be honest with him. But then, Bailey might not be the only one with a secret to hide…

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, One More Chapter and Julie Shackman for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
OK so I discovered Julie's books last year with a brilliant Christmas book that I absolutely devoured and so when this one came up I knew I had to read it. I really love her writing style it makes for such an easy book to read because I practically step into the places she created like I'm watching the interaction in Bailey's shop or gossiping with her employees, I love that it feels that way. It's a really well-done enemies-to-lovers trope, much like Bailey I started off distrusting and disliking Zach and he really had to work to earn that trust so that by the end I was yelling at Bailey to go find him and have her happy ending because they clearly are meant to be.
But I have to say my absolute favourite interactions in the whole book were Bailey and Ezra. They were so similar and their experiences with the media were almost mirror image to some degree and I loved how caring Bailey was towards him because she knew what he was going through in that regard and she wanted to protect him. Their friendship was by far my favourite relationship in the book(yes I know it's meant to be the romance but you read it and tell me you didn't love them!).
Everything about this book gave me the autumnal vibes and I am so ready to embrace that, this book gave me the cosy feeling I needed and I will definitely be rereading it soon. Julie Shackman is an auto-buy author for me and I plan to head into her back catalogue asap for more trips to Scotland.

Krystina xx

Before You Say I Do by Sharon Ibbotson ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication Date: 31st July 2024

Genre: Romance

Summary:

What if you were planning the wedding of the year . . . for the man you were meant to marry?

Wedding planner Ari Lightowler doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after.

Her job is to create the perfect magical wedding for demanding brides. And certainly not focus on her own heartache.

When Ari is invited to plan the upcoming ‘society wedding of the year’ in New York she arrives at the sprawling estate to meet the happy couple.

The only problem? The groom is Tom Somerset, her long-lost love . . . And father of her child.

Eight years ago Ari met Tom at Reykjavik airport. After a whirlwind romance, Tom was called home to New York. He promised to return for Ari.

He never came back.

And she never got to tell him she was expecting his child.

Now Ari must deal with the whims of a society bridezilla who cares more about her wedding than her groom. And the unresolved tensions with Tom.

Because Tom did go back for Ari.

The only question now is who will say I do?

Review:
Firstly thank you at Hygge Book Tours, Choc Lit and Sharon Ibbotson for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
Now I'm 50/50 on the second chance romance troupe, depending on the reason for the split in the first place and I have to say in this one Tom came out badly for me. Yes, he did go back for her, way too late in my opinion and after not giving her a way to contact him, which let's face it would have helped him know about his child sooner. But Ari didn't come off great to me either, she spent way too long (8 years!) telling herself he was going to come find her instead of moving on with her life with her child properly, she sort of hung onto it so long it was becoming sad. I found myself frustrated with both of them for a lot of the modern-day scenes but I absolutely loved the flashbacks from their time together before he left, which convinced me that they just fitted so well together. I so loved that Tom bought all of her paintings though, it was so sweet and the fact that he wanted them all to have a connection to her I loved, even though it was a mire of his own making. And I have to say the star of the book for me was Luis, i absolutely adored that man, and I would happily claim him as a friend he was just so fabulous. He made the book for me, he just lit up any of the scenes he was in and his relationship with Renie was gorgeous, he was definitely more of a father figure than an uncle and the "one year later" made me sad that he and Sebastian who pretty much helped raise Reine for the first 8 years of her life were pushed aside for Tom. I get it he's her dad but those two deserved more in my opinion.
I enjoyed reading the book the style meant it was easy to get sucked in and just read the whole thing in one sitting, which I did, and id happily read more by Sharon Ibbotson.

Krystina xx

We Were On A Break by Jo Lovett~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Boldwood Books 

Publication Date: 29th July 2024

Genre:Romance

Summary:

A summer to remember...

Stranded in Italy, with all the planes grounded due to volcanic ash, Callum puts his fate in the hands of a stranger. His work friend Azim has a contact who’s also in the country, and she’s happily agreed to give him a lift home in her van.

But when he meets the girl at the designated meeting point, his heart soars – he’d know that face anywhere.

A love to last a lifetime...

When Emma sees Callum again, she doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s taken so many years to heal her heart – can she really spend two weeks with this man in close quarters?

As they embark on the drive of a lifetime, it certainly feels like fate has had a hand in reuniting them. But forgetting past rifts and overcoming resentments isn’t so easy. Can the gift of time – and forced proximity – bring them back together again?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Rachels Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Jo Lovett for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
This is definitely a does as it says-on-the-tin romance, we've got a second chance romance with vibes of friends from the title (a la Ross and Rachel) and definitely vibes of it in the story, it's very fun.
I loved it from page one, it was such an easy-to-read book with a friendly writing style and I pretty much devoured it in a day because it was so fun to follow Callum and Emma's story. I loved how we gradually got the story of how they ended up on a break and then we got their relationship history through them talking or thinking it over rather than through flashbacks, it was refreshing because normally flashbacks are used a heck of a lot for this. I found both Emma and Callum very likeable and relatable characters, everyone has their first love that sits fondly in their mind no matter how the relationship ended. I quite liked the forced proximity aspect to their growing relationship, the need to travel across France and Italy in just a campervan did just what any long car journey does, made difficult conversations happen. And the banter! I so loved the banter between the two of them and how easily they slipped back into the easy back and forth that they had as a couple.
 It's brilliantly written and I definitely want to pick up more by Jo Lovett, also how cute is the cover!

Krystina xx

A Couples Guide to Menopause by Kate and Neil Usher ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Hero

Publication Date: 2nd August 2024

Genre: Self-Help

Summary:

The menopause can challenge even the most stable, loving and supportive relationships: here’s how to make sure yours can survive – and thrive.

As a woman, are you:

• In a relationship?
• Know you are – or think you may be – menopausal?
• Fearful of the possible impact of the menopause on your relationship – and don’t know what to do?
• Expecting (or hoping) your partner will support you through the menopause?

As a man, are you:

• In a relationship?
• Know – or think your partner may be – menopausal?
• Fearful of the possible impact of the menopause on your relationship – and don’t know what to do?
• Wanting to know how you can support your partner manage her menopause?

Then this book is for you. And for you both.

Written by leading gender equity and menopause coach Kate Usher and her husband, Neil, a highly experienced workplace and change leader, this unique book looks at the menopause from a female and male perspective.

In a refreshing, candid, positive and accessible guide drawn from their personal experience in learning about and managing Kate’s traumatic menopause, it helps couples to successfully manage the experience together and emerge stronger.

Review:
Firstly thank you to Random Things Book Tours, Hero and Kate and Neil Usher for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I'm closer to menopause than I am away from it with 40 being a mere 3 years away and the average age a woman experiences menopause being 45. Most women will remember their mums going through menopause and complaining about hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings, but that's usually the most we know until it's us going through it, because let's face it we aren't taught about it at school (though as this book taught me it is now on the curriculum thankfully). And if we, the people who go through it, aren't taught about it, the men we marry are taught even less so when it happens they are just as sideswiped as we are. So it's really refreshing to not only have a book about menopause that gives lots of information that is not being sandwiched in at the end of a book on female health but also gives information for both men and women. I really enjoyed hearing Neils's voice throughout this and knowing that there was someone that my partner could listen to the experience of and maybe learn from when I do need his support going through the menopause.
It has been an eye-opening book in many ways and I have come away from it feeling so much more prepared for menopause when it does come rolling my way because Kate has smashed through all the preconceived notions that we learn about menopause and give us a twisted perception of what to expect.
I really enjoyed the way the book was set out, each of the chapters was broken down really well which means that you can just take a chapter at a time if you needed, especially if you are reading it with your partner, it gives you a good chunk of information to read and discuss together.
I'm definitely keeping this on my shelf reading for when I need to revisit it and the information inside and I'm defiantly recommending it to my friends at a similar stage in life, it's a book that has been needed I think and I'm so glad someone took the time to write it.

Krystina xx

We'll always have poison by BJ Magnani~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Encircle Publications

Publication Date: 17th July 2024

Genre: Medical Thriller

Summary:

In this series finale, pathologist Dr. Lily Robinson races around the globe to hunt an assassin who, like her, finds poison the weapon of choice.

A world-renowned climatologist is found dead off the Great Barrier Reef of northern Australia weeks before he’s set to deliver his earth-shattering findings at the international Climate Council conference. Was it greed to maintain the status quo of fossil fuels—or revolutionary new science—that motivated his murder? Can Lily Robinson stop the killer before another climate scientist dies?

With operative and lover JP Marchand at her side, Lily uncovers a cunning plot that endangers world order, and changes the trajectory of her life—forever.

Review:

Firstly thank you to Partners in Crime Tours, Encircle Publications and BJ Magnani for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So I was completely drawn in by this blurb, it gave me Bones vibes with the promise of a bones/booth-style relationship which I loved so I was ready to dive in. I think I found it difficult to connect with our MC Lily, She is quite clinical and the way she describes things reads as quite emotionless, even in situations where she is feeling very strong emotions. I don't know if that was a character choice by the author or if its just the writing style because I found the writing style to be quite clinical, the sex scene between JP and Lily is especially clinical to read, which makes it feel like their relationship is a transaction rather than two people in love.
I don't know if maybe reading the rest of the books in the series might have given me a better understanding of their dynamic or have seen it in a different way. But this was my first book in the series and I definitely believe it works as a stand-alone because you get all the information you require to kick off with the book but I think in this case this is a series that is just not for me. But I did love the Lily had a Poison Garden, as a keen gardener the whole idea of a poison garden fascinates me.
I'm short this wasn't a book for me and I'm unlikely to read the rest of the series but I would try a different series by this author to see if I like her style with a different set of characters.

Krystina xx

Sun Ascendant by C.F. Dunn ~Blog Tour

 Publisher: Resolute Books

Publication Date: 20th May 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:

In Wheel of Fortune, single-minded and determined Isobel Fenton was resolved that nothing would separate her from her beloved manor of Beaumancote; but as unseen witness to a summary execution, she was propelled into a world of personal feud and national politics as the houses of York and Lancaster threaten to tear the country apart.

In Sun Ascendant , now unwilling mistress of the formidable Earl, Isobel despairs of ever being free to follow her own heart. But events take a sinister turn, and as the Earl of Warwick and King Edward IV vie for power, Isobel must face her own battle for survival as the King, Richard of Gloucester, Robert Langton and the Earl must fight for theirs. Trapped and alone, Isobel is at the mercy of malign forces. What is the bitter Countess prepared to do to be rid of her rival, and - divided by love and loyalty - how will Isobel contend with the decaying relationship of the two brothers who seek her love?

Review:
Firstly thank you to Literally PR, Resolute Books and C.F.Dun for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of the book.
So again I have to start off by complimenting C.F Dunn on her research and obvious extensive knowledge of this period, you easily step into the Cousin's War period because she's made it quite an immersive experience reading this book. The way she includes small details that make a difference when reading a historical novel is brilliant and I truly enjoy her writing style. That said I'm still not sure I like our MC Isobel, I spent the first book gradually warming to her because I wasn't a fan when I started the book, and in that last scene of Wheel of Fortune I was rooting for her to use that dagger so when she didn't I kind of cooled off to her a little bit. She very much was at the mercy of the Earl, who I spent both books disliking right to the very end, which is accurate for the period a young heiress would be at the mercy and whims of someone like the Earl and her agency is none existent so when she seemingly took that step to free herself I was rooting for her. For her to not go through with it and then be stuck with a man convinced her loves her whilst not taking her wishes into account felt like a step further back from where she was. I do admire the strength she has though, the birth she went through was especially difficult and she came out the other side with more of a backbone I felt because she was now fighting for more than just herself and it feels like that's what she needed to be able to stand up to the Earl to some degree.
Now I didn't like the Earl at all but I really loved his brother, Robert, he has to be my favourite character in this series and I couldn't tell you why but I just really loved the character that C.F Dunn created. The only problem I have with the book is how it ended, it kind of felt like it was building up to a reconciliation that then didn't happen. I felt like we had this build up and it fell flat at the end so I'm really hoping there's a book three coming soon.

Krystina xx