The Making of Us by Debbie Howells

 

The Making of Us

Two people are about to take off on a journey that could change their whole lives…

As the plane surges up into the clouds, Stevie finds herself clutching the hand of the stranger sitting in the seat next to her.

It is a moment that will change everything. But Ned is heading to see his dying mother, and Stevie is returning to France to escape a terrible loss in her past. Neither of them can think about that tiny flame that just flickered between them.

But then their paths keep crossing, leading them both to the same beautiful community garden in a small French village; run by a mysterious old man named Zeke – a man with many of his own secrets.

As it becomes clear that fate is going to keep bringing them together – the two of them have to ask – are they ready for a happy-ever-after? Do they even know how to find it?

As the seeds grow into plants and flowers all around them, Stevie begins to wonders if Zeke – and his garden – might just have the answers…

The Making Of Us is a heart-warming, uplifting novel about love, heartbreak, and living your truest life. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Beth Moran, and Nicholas Sparks.

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

What did I think?

As a scaredy cat flyer I could totally empathize with Stevie as she grabbed the hand of the stranger sitting next to her on the plane. 

I fell in love with Stevie and Ned - two broken souls that fate has brought together. They have both suffered heartbreak, grief and loss and I loved the way they were both dealing with these huge life events. The writing was so sympathetic and believable.

The story showed that those little decisions we make at crucial times in our lives can have a larger affect than we first realise. Those chance encounters can make us change direction. I truly believe in fate and that people come into our lives at certain times for a reason. And this is my overwhelming emotion when reading this story.

A hug in a book :) 

Author Bio –

Debbie Howells is a Sunday Times bestseller, who is now fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction with Boldwood. She has previously worked as cabin crew, a flying instructor, and a wedding florist! Now living in the countryside with her partner and Bean the rescued cat, Debbie spends her time writing.

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @debbiehowellswriter

Twitter: @debbie__howells

Instagram: @_debbiehowells

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DebbieHowellsnews

Bookbub profile: @DebbieHowells

The Last Days of You and Me by Debbie Howells

 The Last Days of You and Me

They didn’t know – when Winter gave way to Spring that year – that their lives were all about to change…

Marnie didn’t realise – when she stormed into a bookshop one day, demanding a self-help book – that she was about to make a new best friend.

Bookshop-owner Rae didn’t know she had been living like a shadow since her parents died. But then Marnie exploded into her life. And suddenly she realised things had to change… more so when she meets handsome nurse, Jack.

And when Forrest’s life is turned upside down by a fatal car crash, he knew he was being given a second chance, but didn’t know why. He thinks Marnie might just be the woman he’s destined to be with. But – as she discovers that she has an illness she may never recover from – what if it’s too late for them?

Can it ever be too late though? To make friendships that change everything. To grow, to change, to start again. Even – for two unlikely new best friends to find love at last…?

The Last Days of You and Me is a heartbreaking, uplifting, magical story about friendship, love and above all what it means to truly live. Perfect for fans of Me Before You, Love Actually and One Day.

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

What did I think?

Not sure where to start with this book. The different storylines in this book really resonated with me. I think it is probably because I lost my Mum last September - and although it was expected I was completely floored by grief.

The book is told from the points of view of the four main characters - Marnie, Rae, Jack and Forrest. Each character was so well written that I became totally invested in each of them as the story unfolded.

Strange to say a book which revolves around death and grief was uplifting - but it truly was. The subject matter was so sensitively dealt with that at no point did it feel morbid. I am so glad that they found each other - I do believe that people come into your life when you most need them.

Some books I can read and if you asked me the next day what they are about I would struggle to tell you. But this book is one of those rare ones where the storyline and the characters stay with you. I will be recommending this book far and wide.

Author Bio –

Debbie Howells’s first novel, a psychological thriller, The Bones of You, was a Sunday Times bestseller for Macmillan. Four more bestsellers followed, including most recently The Vow, published by Avon. Fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction, she has found a home with Boldwood and her first title with them, The Life You Left Behind was published in February 2022.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.howells.37

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debbie__howells

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DebbieHowellsnews

Bookbub profile: Debbie Howells Books - BookBub

The Impossible Search for the Perfect Man by Debbie Howells

 

The Impossible Search For The Perfect Man

Imagine for a moment, your husband leaves you. Then through a bizarre twist of events, you find yourself working with the girl he’s left you for – and even worse, she's pregnant...

Louisa’s not really up to any more complicated relationships. Right now, she doesn’t need them. She has good friends. Okay, so one has a screwed-up husband and the other a very strange horoscope habit. Not to mention her ex-husband’s new girlfriend, who Louisa has somehow found herself giving relationship counselling to. She doesn’t need anyone else with problems in her life right now.

It would be nice, wouldn’t it? To find a straightforward man, who isn’t remotely messed up. Now there’s a thought... But does such a man even exist?

She thinks not. But, she resolves, a life of helping other people find their happy-ever-afters is still something. But then handsome vet Marcus walks into her life. And everything changes…

Set in the Hampshire countryside against a background of horses and vets, this is a story about friendship and love, and life's way of throwing in the unexpected...

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

What did I think?

As a newly single woman I found this book witty and sarcastic, entertaining and funny. Just the sort of book I need to be reading just now.

Enjoyed the main character of Louisa as we followed the ups and downs in her life. The set up - recently separated from her husband and trying to rebuild her life when who should turn up at her place of work but her husbands new partner - who is pregnant! Not sure I could have been as dignified about it as Louise was!!

Then enter Marcus - the new vet at the surgery where she works. Will sparks fly??

This was an engaging story about friendship and community - as well as some romance.

Star of the show for me was Elmer the dog. He deserves a story of his own.

Author Bio –

Debbie Howells’s first novel, a psychological thriller, The Bones of You was a Sunday Times bestseller for Macmillan. Four more bestsellers followed, including most recently The Vow, published by Avon. Fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction, she has found a home with Boldwood and her first title with them, The Life You Left Behind, was published in February 2022.

Social Media Links –  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/debbie__howells

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

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DebbieHowellsnews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debbie-howells

 

It All Started With You by Debbie Howells

 

I always thought I was going to be a girl who did something. I was going to run my own business and find fame and fortune! Fall in love…

But here I am. Still waiting for it all to happen, sitting on the floor, surrounded by lilies and roses, trying to do my best friend’s wedding flowers because – in her words – ‘how hard can it be, Frankie?’. The answer is actually ‘very hard’ but it’s not the only thing that’s tough right now. My boyfriend won’t commit, I barely have a job, and once again I have the hangover from hell…

What I don’t know is that life’s about to throw me a curveball a new friend I will make with a beautiful, sad-eyed little boy who is so very tragically ill. I still don’t know about that heartbreak.

Even so, in this moment, I know that it’s time for some changes. Maybe it’s time to make my dreams come true? To try to become a marathon-running, healthy-living, wildly-in-love florist-to-the-stars!

Because I’m beginning to realise that you only get one chance at life. I don’t yet how you change everything, all at once, but what I do know is it all starts with me…

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

What did I think?

Loving the cover on this one - think this is the 3rd of Debbie's books that have this style of cover. Makes them easily identifiable.

This one was a slow burn for me - took a little while to get into the character and her story. But after a few chapters I was hooked.

A sweet but sad story I thought as we meet Frankie as she is opening her very own flower shop - something she drifted into quite by accident. 

This is a story of friendship - an engaging and fun read but with some thought provoking moments sprinkled throughout. My over riding impression was one of kindness - we all need to show a bit of kindness to each other. It is like ripples on a pond - that kindness can be far reaching.

Author Bio –

Debbie Howells’s first novel, a psychological thriller, The Bones of You, was a Sunday Times bestseller for Macmillan. Four more bestsellers followed, including most recently The Vow, published by Avon. Fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction, she has found a home with Boldwood and her first title with them, The Life You Left Behind was published in February 2022.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: Debbie Howells Author | Facebook

Twitter: Debbie Howells (@debbie__howells) / Twitter

Instagram: Debbie Howells (@_debbiehowells) • Instagram photos and videos

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DebbieHowellsnews

Bookbub profile: Debbie Howells Books - BookBub

The Girl I Used To Be by Debbie Howells

 

Marie Kondo for the soul.

Anna and Will have been passing in and out of each other’s lives since they were just kids.

Now 20 years later, Anna is married - she has a lovely house, a step daughter in university and a husband with a good job.

What she doesn’t have is joy. When she runs into Will it sparks something in her, a longing for the Anna she used to be.

Together they embark on a journey to find what brings them joy, to discard what doesn’t and to become the people they always wanted to be.

But in finding themselves, can they also find each other?

 

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3z2xdmd

What did I think?

Enjoyed this story about second chances and fate. Of missed opportunities and of family.

This was a slow burn of a book for me - but once it got going I was hooked and didn't want to put it down.  I have to say I was really rooting for Anna and Will even though it means heartbreak for others.

I found this both a happy and heart-breaking book. Will admit to needing a tissue more than once. Such clever writing by the author to provoke such diverse emotions in me whilst reading.

I don't want to give anything away about the story as I feel this book should be on everyones tbr pile.

Author Bio –

Debbie Howells’s first novel, a psychological thriller, The Bones of You, was a Sunday Times bestseller for Macmillan. Four more bestsellers followed, including most recently The Vow, published by Avon. Fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction, she has found a home with Boldwood and her first title with them, The Life You Left Behind was published in February 2022.

 

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: Debbie Howells Author | Facebook

Twitter: Debbie Howells (@debbie__howells) / Twitter

Instagram: Debbie Howells (@_debbiehowells) • Instagram photos and videos

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/DebbieHowellsnews

Bookbub profile: Debbie Howells Books - BookBub

The Life You Left Behind by Debbie Howells

 

Two strangers.

One missed flight.

It only takes a moment to change a life.

One year ago Casey Cassidy was happy. She had great friends, a wonderful teaching job and a busy life - until with one missed flight, everything changes.

One year later Casey knows what it means to find that once-in-a-lifetime love people dream of. But when Ben leaves, her heart is shattered.

Left facing a year of firsts without him, piecing her life back together seems impossible. But then a friend offers her a home in rural France.

In the solitude and emptiness, Casey needs to comes to terms with what’s happened and find a way to move forward. She has no idea where that will take her one year later...

What did I think?

I recently listened to The Secret by this author and really enjoyed it - so was really looking forward to reading this one.

From the cover and the blurb I was expecting a light read - but this isn't what I got. The story was quite a bit darker. We follow Casey as she meets, then marries and then loses the man she thought was the love of her life. Depression and suicide also feature.Without giving anything away this story is heartbreaking but also romantic and uplifting.

I found this to be quite an emotional read - you might need a tissue or two.

Author Bio –

While working as long-haul cabin crew in her twenties, Debbie trained as a pilot and qualified as a flying instructor.  But as the mother of two small children, she wanted a career she could fit around them and started a wedding flower business, Country Flowers.  For thirteen years, Debbie created the natural, seasonal designs she became known for to venues throughout the South East.

 

It was towards the end of this time she started writing, in a notebook in the shade of her garden on her days off, self-publishing three women’s fiction novels, the third of which, Wildflowers, almost but not quite found her a literary agent.

 

Pursuing her dream of a traditional publishing deal, she went on to write her first psychological thriller, the Sunday Times bestseller, The Bones of You.  Four more have followed including the e-book bestseller The Vow, but it’s another long-awaited dream come true that her women’s fiction novels have now found a home with Boldwood.

 

Social Media Links –  .

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debbie.howells.37

Twitter https://twitter.com/debbie__howells 

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

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debbie-howells

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3nOSjyI

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.

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.

Audio - Alice Hunter and Debbie Howells

Bookclub - Sara Nisha Adams and Maggie O'Farrell

Pigeonhole - Emily Edwards

Readalong - Paige Toon