Review: Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isles

 

Will she give everything up for love?

Freya Sinclair has it all. An exciting life in London, a successful career as a ceramicist and a handsome boyfriend. But when she receives a call that her elderly father is in hospital, she drops everything to support his recovery in Skye.

Back on the island, Freya finds a new lease on life – Coorie Castle’s craft centre is firing her creativity and she’s glad to be back with her dad again. Being so close to her schoolgirl crush, Mackenzie Burns, is an added bonus. The two share an instant connection and Freya misses her old life less and less.

But Freya has a boyfriend at home and now a dazzling job offer in New York. She must figure out what she truly wants, before anyone gets hurt.

A heartwarming, feel-good cosy romance perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Julie Shackman and Sue Moorcroft.

Purchase Link - https://books2read.com/SSOSI

Author Bio – 

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don't get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).

She's been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she's usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.

Social Media Links – 

Website: https://www.lilacmills.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacMills

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilacmills

Review: The Earl's Unlikely Bride

 

One summer to make her his…

 

After four failed seasons, Emily Hawkins is tired of following the rules. Aside from crossing swords with her lifelong enemy, Freddie Dashworth, she is an exemplary member of Society. But after all this time, she’s yet to find a husband and life with her over-bearing mother is becoming intolerable. 

Freddie returns to his childhood home to help look after his orphaned niece. His neighbour, Emily, has been his nemesis for years. The infuriating miss is the only woman immune to his charms and there’s nothing he enjoys more than her disapproving glares. It’s a shame he can’t stop thinking about her, because she clearly despises him.

One minor indiscretion later and everything in Emily’s ordered world changes. The one person on her side appears to be Freddie but can she trust her former antagonist? And what will happen to her when she does?

Review

Tropes are the way of life for romance novels and this one takes its tropes very seriously. It's an enemies-to-lovers with a White Knight thrown in for good measure. But while plot may be predictable, the author does an excellent job at creating unique and well-developed characters and relationships. 

One of my favorite elements was her nuanced look at what makes and breaks families. Emily struggles as her mother continuously breaks any attempt at bonding. Freddie pushes past old defenses to form lasting connections with his brother's family. The poignant growth in trust and confidence experienced by all characters made this a romance worth reading. (Also - shout out to an over-30 protagonist, love my ladies with full brain development)

This romance novel is appropriate for all readers. 

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Earls-Unlikely-Bride-Dashworth-Brothers-ebook/dp/B0FBY7FL68

Author Bio – 

Ella Matthews lives and works in beautiful South Wales. She writes historical romances for both Mills & Boon and as an Indie. When not thinking about handsome heroes she can be found walking along the coast with her husband and their two children (probably still thinking about heroes but at least pretending to be interested in everyone else).

Social Media Links – 

• https://www.facebook.com/ellamattwriter

• https://www.instagram.com/ellamatthewsauthor/

• https://x.com/ellamattauthor

• https://www.threads.net/@ellamatthewsauthor

 

Review:Secrets Among Thorns

 

She's been missing for 10 years, but can a gut feeling unravel the truth?

Carol, is a mother struggling to hold her family together in the aftermath of her brother-in-law Luke's terminal diagnosis. As Carol and her husband Darren grapple with this tragedy, their daughter Lauren mysteriously vanishes. This inciting incident sets the stage for a decade-long mystery that consumes Carol and Darren's lives, straining their already tumultuous marriage.

Years later, Brenda, a 63-year-old woman who is partially retired, becomes obsessed with Lauren's disappearance after seeing her face in a local newspaper. Despite her husband Alan's scepticism, Brenda feels a profound spiritual connection to the case and is convinced that she is meant to help uncover the truth.

Does Brenda know something she shouldn't? What secrets are the family hiding? And, who is lying?

Review

This book has a twist that will curl your toes! It was quite the payoff to this psychological and paranormal thriller. 

The book depends on the somewhat-dense protagonist who is more plot device than character. She's an unreliable narrator - an unreliable everything, really. The book could benefit from another editing round to help with pacing, character and cut some unnecessary dialogue. However, I found the plot more than enough to drive the story. I was engaged until the ending and absolutely floored by the clever ending. 

I didn't find the book offensive in any way, although readers should note that there is some strong language and profanity throughout.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F5J8NLMG

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5J8NLMG

Author Bio – JA Andrews is from Devon in the UK and is the author of gripping twisty psychological thrillers. As well as writing fiction, he enjoys reading a mix of genres, watching reality TV and spending time with family and friends...

Social Media Links – 

X: www.x.com/jasona1980

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonofduty

Website: www.jasona.co.uk

Review: True Love Again

 

At a Gujarati wedding in North Devon, the interfering aunties are in full force, scheming and pairing off the single people. Normally Meera avoids these gatherings, but for this wedding she can’t say no. 

Krishan, a widowed single parent, struggles with the idea of moving on - especially when no one can compare to his late wife.  And the Aunties' suggestions for a perfect match aren't helping. Then he meets Meera.

When an accident with the floral arrangements sends the pair off on a mission for replacements they develop an easy friendship. Krishan suggests to Meera that they pretend to date for the rest of the summer's events, and she agrees as long as he promises to join as a Beta tester, for her dating and new experience app. 

Krishan is reluctant, but Meera promises him it will only be a couple of times.

What could possibly go wrong?

Review

True love again was a fun, slow-burn romance set among the South Asian population of England. The south Asian culture bubbles alongside the more commonly referenced elements of English life. The book explored how these cultures coexist and clash through this second-chance love story. From the wedding at the beginning to the meddling aunties along the way, elements of Gujarati culture provide authenticity and joy to this novel. The book is breezy, fun and sigh-worthy despite some heavier emotional elements. I found this book very enjoyable but warn readers that there is some spice. The book contains open-door intimacy and heavy adult themes.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F59SWC88

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F59SWC88

 

Author Bio – 

Saz Vora is a passionate storyteller, wife and mother, and a proud voice of British Asians in multicultural Britain. Born in East Africa and raised in Coventry in the heart of the Midlands, Sazgrew up balancing the vibrant rhythms of her Gujarati Indian roots with her British upbringing. This rich cultural tapestry infuses every word she writes.

Saz’s powerful debut novels, My Heart Sings Your Song and its sequel Where Have We Come—a finalist in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2020—weave a deeply emotional tale of love, loss, family, and resilience. Based on true events, her work fearlessly explores the often-unspoken realities of baby loss within South Asian families in Britain, shining a light on stories that need to be told.

Her talent has also been recognized in short form—her poignant piece on a childhood memory, Broad Street Library was longlisted for the Spread the Word Life Writing Prize 2020.

Before embracing her calling as a writer, Saz enjoyed a successful career in television production and teaching. But storytelling has always been her true passion. Today, she crafts heartfelt narratives that reflect the layered complexities of multicultural identity, family expectations, and women’s experiences—especially those often shrouded in silence.

With a love for music, food, and film (from Bollywood to Hollywood and everything in between), her books are rich with references that connect readers to her world. Each story is a soulful blend of emotion and authenticity, written for readers who appreciate the depth and drama of South Asian family life and the power of voice in confronting taboo topics.

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.sazvora.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/saz.vora

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sazvora

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sazvoraauthor

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@sazvora