The Barefoot Bookshop on the Beach by Rebecca Raisin

 

When Harper sees an ad for what must surely be the most idyllic job in the world, she’s almost tempted. But she can’t possibly leave her bookshop job in London, or her burgeoning career as a successful Bookstagram influencer… That is, until a casual remark about a debut author lands her in deep trouble.

So she applies. After all, now she’s got nothing to lose. Except maybe her heart, she realises, as she lands on the beautiful island of Ésperé in the Seychelles and finds herself seemingly surrounded by beautiful men. Including the hotel owner, moody but heartbreakingly-handsome Xavier.

But inter-staff relations are strictly forbidden. And Harper has enough on her plate, with a member of staff missing and a wily band of expats to contend with. Plus, she’s determined to make the bookshop and new start the success they deserve to be… Even if – under the blazing sunshine – the romance novel superfan in her can’t help but hope the boss of the hotel might not be quite the grump he seems…

What did I think?

I knew as soon as I saw the cover that I wanted to read this book - who wouldn't. The colours looked so inviting and promised so much escapism from the Scottish Winter.

And I wasn't wrong.

I love Rebecca's book and her writing style ever since I discovered her Cedarwood series.

I loved the location, the humour and the quirky cast of characters. I want to read books that take me to somewhere new, to entertain me and help me unwind. And this book did all that.

It was also bang on the money with the story based around AI. Very relevant in todays climate and a topic that is becoming more difficult to ignore.

I won't give anything away about the plot other than to say I now wish I had the money for a holiday in the Seychelles.

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted by Rebecca Raisin

 

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted

Can you ever swear off love, in the city of love?

Coco is having a hell of a month. She’s lost her boyfriend and her business, been forced to uproot her daughter to move back in with her parents in Paris, and now an infuriatingly handsome stranger is yelling at her for acting like a tourist… Right underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Storming away from him – and swearing off men for life – she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

Then, as if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles into a little bookshop – but not any old bookshop. This one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, and just a little hint of magic in the air. So when Coco’s offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit.

There’s only one problem… propping up the bar in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day…

A totally romantic, bookish and gorgeously escapist romantic novel, set in Paris in Springtime. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Sarah Morgan.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/theparisbookshop

What did I think?

I do love a Rebecca Raisin book - they are always a delightful read but the best bit is the sprinkling of fairy dust magic she manages to incorporate into her stories. And this one is no different.

I also look a bookish book - one that revolves around a bookshop or books - and this bookshop sounds like my idea of heaven. Who wouldn't want a bookshop with a tea room and a cocktail bar??

And of course there has to be an element of romance. Enter grumpy stranger who then pops up again in the said bookshop. Will he help mend Coco's broken heart? You will have to read the book to find out.

I have never been to Paris but this book makes me want to visit and go in search of fabulous little bookshops.

Author Bio –

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them–just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with.People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once-in-a-life time love.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @RebeccaRaisinAuthor

Twitter: @jaxandwillsmum

Instagram: @rebeccaraisinwrites2

Newsletter Sign Up: bit.ly/RebeccaRaisinNews

Bookbub profile: @RebeccaRaisin

Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel by Rebecca Raisin

 

Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel

Turn a tumbledown Paris hotel into a perfect boutique, bookish retreat, and have it open for Christmas? What could possibly go wrong?

When Anais receives a near-derelict Paris hotel in her divorce settlement, her first thought is to tidy it up and sell it immediately. All she wants is to move on and forget her disaster of a marriage ever happened.

But selling it proves impossible, so she has only one option: to make it gorgeous and open by Christmas… when her funds will almost certainly run out.

She’s not counting on the grumpy American bar-owner next door, Noah, coming and interfering at every moment though. Nor is she expecting to find a mysterious room – which holds the key to a one-hundred-year-old secret – about a woman who chose love against the odds.

One thing’s for sure… as the fairy lights twinkle all over the city of lights and the first snowflakes start to fall… this will be a Christmas in Paris to remember.

A totally gorgeous, escapist romantic comedy, with an unforgettable mystery! A perfect festive read for fans of Emily Henry and Sarah Morgan to curl up with this winter.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/alwaysparissocial

What did I think?

I love Rebeccas books - I've not read them all but the ones I have read have been highly entertaining.

I always love a festive read - although in some ways it still feels far too early to be even thinking about Christmas.

I loved it. I loved the characters and the chemistry between them. Loved the fact that Anais spent her divorce settlement on a dilapidated hotel which she plans to turn into a book lovers hotel  - maybe I should do something similar??

I could see this book being made into a film for TV as it has all those feels. I haven't been to Paris but the writing brought parts of the city to life for me.  

A delightful quick read.

Author Bio –

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @RebeccaRaisinAuthor

Twitter: @jaxandwillsmum

Instagram: @rebeccaraisinwrites2

Newsletter Sign Up: bit.ly/RebeccaRaisinNews

Bookbub profile: @RebeccaRaisin

It's Monday. What are you reading?

  

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Journey  

It has been a while. I've was away for almost 3 weeks visiting family - just a mere 500 mile solo drive each way. On the plus side that meant almost an entire audio book completed each way.

Unfortunately Covid reared it's ugly head and family members were struck down (I think I had it but only very mildly) So plans were slightly curtailed. But the weather was good and many hours were spent sitting out in the sunshine reading.

What I read whilst I was away.

    What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next. 

Audio/Libby - Hilary Boyd and Erica James

Bookclub - Belinda Bauer and Penelope Lively

Library - Christian Lewis, Rebecca Raisin, Abir Mukherjee

Kindle - Nicolas Hamilton

Paperback - Barbara Kingsolver

Christmas at the Little Paris Hotel by Rebecca Raisin

 I am super excited to share the cover for the new book by Rebecca Raisin. If you haven't read any of her books before - then why not?

I've never been to Paris and not likely to be going in the foreseeable future so looking forward to being transported to the city of love in this book.

Turn a tumbledown Paris hotel into a perfect boutique, bookish retreat, and have it open for Christmas? What could possibly go wrong?

When Anais receives a near-derelict Paris hotel in her divorce settlement, her first thought is to tidy it up and sell it immediately. All she wants is to move on and forget her disaster of a marriage ever happened.

 

But selling it proves impossible, so she has only one option: to make it gorgeous and open by Christmas… when her funds will almost certainly run out.

 

She’s not counting on the grumpy American bar-owner next door, Noah, coming and interfering at every moment though. Nor is she expecting to find a mysterious room – which holds the key to a one-hundred-year-old secret – about a woman who chose love against the odds.

 

One thing’s for sure… as the fairy lights twinkle all over the city of lights and the first snowflakes start to fall… this will be a Christmas in Paris to remember.

 

A totally gorgeous, escapist romantic comedy, with an unforgettable mystery! A perfect festive read for fans of Emily Henry and Sarah Morgan to curl up with this winter.

A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin

 A Love Letter to Paris

Late at night when I wander the streets of Paris, my thoughts turn to her… How do I tell her how I feel? Perhaps, I need to show her…

The pretty little streets of Montmartre are abuzz with a rumour. Apparently a mystery matchmaker, known only as ‘Paris Cupid’, has somehow helped the city’s most famous bachelor find love.

But old-fashioned romantic Lilou is staying very quiet. She’d just wanted to set up her best friend, and to get on with her life selling whimsical old love letters, in Paris’s famous St. Ouen market.

She hadn’t imagined her little Paris Cupid project could ever have attracted so many people looking for true, heartfelt romance. Though the truth is that Lilou adores helping people find the right person. Even if her own love life is nothing short of disastrous.

But then a message arrives. And it’s just for her. Someone is in love with her. Someone who knows her secret. But they’re keeping their own identity secret too… Could it be from cheerful, talkative, flame-haired Felix? Or quiet, beautifully handsome Benoit? Or even Pascale – who drives Lilou mad every day?

After so long of helping others find their soulmate, is it time for Lilou to find love of her own in Paris herself?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/alovelettersocial

What did I think?

I haven't been to Paris. It is somewhere I would like to visit one day. But this book took me there for a few days whilst I was reading the new release from Rebecca Raisin. The writing really brought the city to life for me.

I have enjoyed Rebecca's books ever since I discovered her Cedar Lodge series a few years ago. Since then I look forward to her new releases. She writes such great characters - one's that I become invested in and am genuinely interested in. 

Lilou runs the quirkiest of dating sites – who wouldn’t love a handwritten letter? Would it work in real life? Who knows. I absolutely loved the idea. Sometimes the old fashioned ways are the best. I would much prefer a written letter than an email or text.

This book was heart warming and left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling. It is about love, about relationships and is just a little bit magical. A fun read from start to finish.

Author Bio –

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links –  .

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

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

TikTok: @rebeccaraisinwrites

Newsletter Sign Up: bit.ly/RebeccaRaisinNews

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebecca-raisin

Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin

 

Summer at the Santorini Bookshop

A Greek island holiday. A fake-dating pact. A chance at true love?

After losing her job as a book scout, hopeless romantic Evie needs a fresh start. So when she hears that her eccentric grandmother has just taken on a small bookshop in Santorini, Evie jumps at the chance to visit her.

But life on the island is not as idyllic as it first seems. Gran has a tempestuous relationship with her landlord and he’s threatening to take the bookshop away from her. So when Gran asks Evie to fake a romance with her landlord’s Greek God of a grandson, Georgios, to keep the family on side, she reluctantly agrees.

As the sun sets on Evie’s Greek holiday, can she save the bookshop – and fake date her way to love?

What did I think?

 I absolutely love Rebecca's books - I think I must have read most of them. I started with her Cedarwood series and fell in love with her writing.

Now I have never been to Santorini but the pictures I have seen make me really want to visit one day. After reading this book I want to visit even more.

This book is perfect escapism. Who wouldn't want to be in sunny Santorini after all the rain we have had recently?

Loved the cast of characters - my favourite has to be Gran. Made me laugh out loud in places. 

A totally feel good read - sunshine, Santorini and books - what more could you ask for. I absolutely loved it. 

Author Bio – Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

https://signup.harpercollins.co.uk/join/signup-hq-rebeccaraisin

Purchase Links

US: amzn.to/40rvToW

UK: amzn.to/3u4QJOY

Aust: amzn.to/3QOc6x1

 

The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin

 

A bundle of mysterious letters. A trip to Venice. A journey she’ll never forget.

When Luna loses her beloved mother, she’s bereft: her mother was her only family, and without her Luna feels rootless. Then the chance discovery of a collection of letters in her mother’s belongings sends her on an unexpected journey.

Following a clue in the letters, Luna packs her bags and heads to Venice, to a gorgeous but faded bookshop overlooking the canals, hoping to uncover the truth about her mother’s mysterious past.

Will Luna find the answers she’s looking for – and finally find the place she belongs?

What did I think?

I love Rebecca's books - think I have read most of them now - she si one of those authors whose books I will automatically pick up without knowing anything about the story.

Her last book was a bout a library and this book is about a bookshop - what is there no to like??

I have never been to Venice but the writing style certainly brought the location to life for me.

This was a gentle read full of fabulous descriptions of the setting and the characters. This book is just like a hug in paper form. There was romance, a bit of intrigue but lots of happiness. I do think his would make a perfect Netflix film.

Purchase Links

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3Guv8lH

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3CuJl0A

Amazon Aust: https://amzn.to/3Xeqlv9

Author Bio – Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them – just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once in a lifetime love. Her bestselling novel Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop has been optioned for film with MRC studios and Frolic Media.

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

www.twitter.com/jaxandwillsmum

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaraisinwrites2/

https://signup.harpercollins.co.uk/join/signup-hq-rebeccaraisin

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I read last week.

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Bookclub - Sara Sheridan and Ann Cleeves

Audio - Robert Bryndyza and Kerry Wilkinson

RNA - Imogen Clark

Blog Tour - Rebecca Raisin

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

 

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

What I read last week.

What I'm reading now.

What I'm going to read next.

Bookclub - Bonnie Garmus, Ann Cleeves, Sara Sheridan

Blog Tour - Rebecca Raisin

Audio - Kerry Wilkinson