Hate at First Sight by Lizzie O'Hagan

 

THEY SAY IT'S A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND . . . HATE AT FIRST SIGHT.

Kate hates feeling out of control. Her incessant need to overprepare has always served her well. Yet nothing could have prepared her for today.

Not only is she being evicted from her flat . . . by her best friend , but now her boss has announced cost-cutting measures that will put her job in jeopardy. She may not love the company she works for, but she's worked too hard for too long to just give up. So she's ready to prove herself.

The catch? If she wants to save her job, she'll have to work with creative, happy-go-lucky Harry . The one man she's spent the last five years trying to forget.

But what happens when that line you've drawn starts to blur?

This witty, dizzying, snort-with-laughter enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy is an instantly unputdownable and unmissable treat that will have you falling head over heels in love with its characters. Perfect for fans of Sally Thorne, Emily Henry, Talia Hibbert, Mhairi McFarlane and Beth O'Leary.

What did I think:

A new author to me which was exciting.

This is an enemies to friends story rom com - with some proper laugh out loud moments. But under the laughs there was a more serious undercurrent - one of finding your self worth and of finding your delf confidence. I really must take note!

I loved all the characters and could really see this book being made into a film - I reckon it would work well.

Overall I found it a really enjoyable read - loved the quirky characters and the style of writing.

A quick check on Goodreads and I see I have a couple of her other books to catch up with - happy days.

Fall in love with Lizzie O'Hagan's

'I absolutely loved this book , so much so that I devoured it in two sittings! Their banter was fab . . . fabulous ' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'This was a fabulous slow burn romance . A will they, won't they with so much more' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I wanted to stay with these wonderful characters for longer - I will really miss them! I adored this book from start to finish! ' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

' If you enjoyed The Flatshare you will enjoy this novel . The perfect holiday read' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'This is just an absolute delight to read!!! I have adored everything about this one. I have been completely pulled in and unwilling to put this one down' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Backup Plan by JIll Shalvis

 

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming tale of three people who are bought together when they're bequeathed an old Wild West inn that has the potential to pull their lives apart, but instead turns into the gift of a lifetime.


When Alice receives a call about an unexpected windfall, she's stunned to learn the gift is a falling-apart-at-the-seams old Wild West B&B she once considered home--and she's inherited it along with two strangers. Except they weren't always strangers. Once upon a time, they were friends. One is her ex-BFF Lauren. The other is Knox, the only guy to ever break her heart, all while never even knowing she existed.

It turns out their lives are unknowingly entangled because they once separately helped the same woman without expecting anything in return. Years later, Alice, Lauren, and Knox are broken in their own way, with their own history--and secrets-- causing them to start out on the wrong foot with each other. But according to the will, they must renovate and be partners in the inn for one year or else lose their inheritance.

Stuck together, they make a list of rules to keep the peace--rules that end up doing the opposite, but by some miracle they find what they didn't even know they were looking for--acceptance, true friendship, and in a case (or two!), true love.

What did I think?

I don't think I have read a Jill Shalvis before and I wasn't aware that this book was the third one in Sunrise Cove series.

Being a newbie to this author I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. What I found was a charming and emotional story which was both heart warming and positive. Without giving anything away I loved the cast of characters - often flawed but totally believable.  There is romance but also strong friendship bonds.

I don't think I missed much by not reading the first 2 books in the series - but I have already downloaded them to read shortly.

I liked the writing style and all the feels with this book and I will certainly be reading more by this author.

About the author:

Multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is … mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning heartwarming and full of humor novels wherever books are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures. Her newest Sunrise Cove novel, THE BACKUP PLAN, will be out on January 17th, and THE SWEETHEART LIST comes out in June!

www.facebook.com/jillshalvis

www.twitter.com/jillshalvis

www.instagram.com/jillshalvis

http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/

or email her at contact@jillshalvis.com

The Legacy of Halesham Hall by Jenni Keer

 

Solve the house's puzzle. Claim the Bellingham inheritance . . . Uncover the truth behind the mysterious legacy of Halesham Hall in this page-turning dual-time novel from the author The Secrets of Hawthorn Place, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton.

A love that seems lost, may still yet be found, for real love always endures.

1890. One summer evening changes everything for Sidney and Leonard Bellingham when their beloved mother disappears from the family home, Halesham Hall. Left with their bitter father, they are taught to trust no one but themselves, with brother pitted against brother to see who is worthy of inheriting the Bellingham Board Games company. But the series of twisted games they are forced to play will have far reaching consequences.

1920. Phoebe Bellingham arrives at Halesham Hall determined to solve the puzzles that will allow her to claim back the Bellingham inheritance. But this legacy involves more than one secret, and soon Phoebe realises that the stakes are higher than she ever could have imagined. 

What did I think?

I have wanted to read this book since I first caught sight of the cover. I really wanted to get through those gates and into the story.

This is a story of family secrets - both good and bad. I love a story with a bit of mystery and trying to solve those mysteries. Love a dual timeline story too so this book was right up my street.

The setting of a gothic mansion added to the overall drama and atmosphere - like an additional dark and brooding character. 

I'm no good at second guessing plot twists and I don't want to give anything away but this book kept me guessing right till the very end. The plot was full of surprises and kept me onmy toes.

Definitely interested in reading more books by this author.

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

A young woman arrives in Los Angeles determined to start over, and discovers she doesn’t need to leave everything behind after all, from Abbi Waxman, USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill.

When Laura Costello moves to Los Angeles, trying to escape an overprotective family and the haunting memories of a terrible accident, she doesn’t expect to be homeless after a week. (She’s pretty sure she didn’t start that fire — right?) She also doesn't expect to find herself adopted by a rogue bookseller, installed in a lovely but completely illegal boardinghouse, or challenged to save a losing trivia team from ignominy…but that’s what happens. Add a regretful landlady, a gorgeous housemate and an ex-boyfriend determined to put himself back in the running and you’ll see why Laura isn’t really sure she’s cut out for this adulting thing. Luckily for her, her new friends Nina, Polly and Impossibly Handsome Bob aren't sure either, but maybe if they put their heads (and hearts) together they’ll be able to make it work for them.
 

What did I think?

I haven't read any of Abbi's books - I knew that some previous characters featured in this book but I was unsure if it would work well as a standalone title.

It did.

This was a delightful romantic comedy - made me laugh out loud more than once. Some great characters - all a bit quirky but very believable. I loved the writing style - but for me the story was about friendship, about friends helping each other and being there in times of need.

I do feel like I now need to go back and read The Bookish Life of Nina Hill straight away.

The Visa by Lizzie O'Hagan

 

The agreement was to get married . . . not to fall in love.

In this sweeping romantic comedy, affairs are to be expected, and falling in love is betrayal... This topsy-turvy romcom is perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Beth O'Leary and Mhairi McFarlane.

For a commitment-phobe who's never taken a girl on a third date, Jack finds getting married to his old friend Maya pretty easy. He's a New Zealander in need of a visa to stay in the country, and she doesn't believe in marriage anyway. Simple.

Maya and Jack live in wedded, sex-less bliss, until one day Jack starts to get serious with someone else...

Suddenly Maya finds herself falling into a role she never thought she'd be: a wife - and a scorned one at that - who is falling uncontrollably, undeniably, and entirely inconveniently....

... in love with her own husband.

What did I think?

A brand new author to me so was interested to see what this book was all about.

A marriage of convenience?

Which morphs into a slow burn romance?

Which ends in a happily ever after?

Sounds a bit cheesy? 

It isn't.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - the characters, the romance, the writing style.

I read that this was her debut novel and I predict great things for her if this one is anything to go by.

Lizzie O'Hagan studied Law before going into publishing, where she now works as a book editor at an independent press. She writes and paints in her spare time and can usually be found behind a laptop in one of Bermondsey Street's many coffee shops near her house share in London Bridge.

Perfect Timing by Owen Nicholls

 

Jess is a comedian looking to make it, and Tom is in a band hoping for its big break. When they wind up at the same Edinburgh festival, they run into each other, literally. What begins as a chance encounter and a scraped knee turns into something more during a magical night exploring the city’s streets and best pubs. But things start to go awry, and when Jess hears from Tom’s best friend that there’s a girlfriend in the picture, she bolts. 

But this meet-cute just won’t quit. Through the bumpy beginnings of their creative careers, Tom and Jess can’t stop thinking about each other, whether it’s the right time or not. Their run-ins are disastrous, and yet neither can write the other off and out of their life altogether. If what’s meant to be will be, how many chances do you get? 

A rom-com for true romantics, Perfect Timing is love at first sight, disrupted—but never forgotten.

What Did I Think.

When Headline asked if I would like to be part of the blog I jumped at the chance. I have to admit I had not heard of Owen before but the synopsis sounded interesting.

I've never been to the Edinburgh Festival - mainly because it clashes with an event the other side of the Forth bridge that we attend every year.

I found this to be a heart warming story but it does have some darker undertones which I felt brought more reality to the romance. Not all the characters were particularly likable but that didn't detract from the overall story.

The Way I Am by Jo Watson

 

About the book:

Has Fate given her a second chance?

'Zoe' is having a very bad day. As if getting trapped in a faulty elevator wasn't bad enough, losing her memory has made it much worse. If there's one piece of luck, it's that the paramedic on the scene, Noah, is both kind and a handsome distraction...

Now a completely blank canvas, with the help of Noah, 'Zoe' is excited to fill her world with colour, creativity and sweet and spicy food. She just knows from the tips of her toes, right to her fleek brows, that these things were all part of her make-up.

But when her identity is traced, the life 'Zoe' was living before the accident bears no resemblance to that of the person she's convinced she is. What happened to make her world so narrow and colourless?

And now she has the chance to start over, is it time to let the real Zoe out?

What Did I Think:

This is what can only be described as a fun read from start to finish. Who could not like Zoe and Noah as the story unfolds. I am relatively new to this authors books and them being set in South Africa did take a bit of getting used to - but the book does transport you. This book was just what I needed - something light and frivilous - to take my mind off what is going on around me at the moment. It would also make a fab beach read for when we are allowed.

Fun Fun Fun.

Grab yourself a copy here. 

Blog tour for You, Me Forever by Jo Watson

The brand-new rom-com from Jo Watson, author 100,000 copy selling Love to
Hate You, filled with hilarity and heart.

You, Me, Forever is the glorious new rom-com, from the
author of the ebook bestsellers Love to Hate You and Love You, Love You Not -
guaranteed to make you laugh and make you cry!
If you love Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Paige Toon, you'll LOVE Jo
Watson! Readers say her books are 'like a great big hug from your best friend'!
It all started with faulty elevator - and a love letter...
Writer Becca Thorne needs an idea - fast! She might have a huge bestseller to her name
but, with the deadline for book two approaching, Becca knows she's in danger of losing
the career she cares so much about. But Fate has other plans for her when she almost
plummets to her death with two strangers in a faulty elevator.
Although Becca emerges in one piece, her precious vintage handbag doesn't, and that's
when she realises that inspiration has been with her alll along. Hidden inside the bag's
now-torn lining is a set of beautiful love letters.
It might not be her story, yet Becca can't seem to get the romantic words out of her head
and feels compelled to discover who wrote the letters. But there's more waiting for Becca
than the tale of a romance from long ago - it might be the chance to live her own love
story and follow the path Fate has always intended her to...


Don't miss Jo's laugh-out-loud rom-coms, Love You, Love You Not, Love to Hate
You, Burning Moon, Almost A Bride, Finding You, After the Rain and The Great
Ex-scape.
Love funny, romantic stories? You don't want to miss Jo Watson:
'The perfect choice for fans of romantic comedies' Gina's Bookshelf
'It was amazing, it was hilarious' Rachel's Random Reads
'A brilliant read from beginning to end' Hopeless Romantics

Jo Watson is an award-winning writer whose romantic comedies were originally
published on Wattpad. Her first novel Burning Moon won a 2014 Watty Award for being
one of the site's most downloaded titles and has now had over 7 million reads. Jo is an
Adidas addict and a Depeche Mode devotee. She lives in South Africa with her family.
Visit her website www.jowatsonwrites.co.uk for exclusive extras and follow her on
Twitter @JoWatsonWrites, Facebook at www.facebook.com/jowatsonwrites and
Instagram @jowatsonwrites.

What did I think:

Jo is a brand new author to me - although I will have several of her earlier books in my mammoth TBR pile!
South Africa was a new setting for a novel for me too.

I liked the light chatty style of the book but for a while there I was thinking maybe it was a bit too light to keep my interest for long. But as the story developed I was drawn into the more emotional side of the book. I have read several other books about this period in history but they have been much heavier to read through. Ediths story as Becca and Mike uncovered it was so sad - but the humour in the writing kept it light and enjoyable.
Will definately be reading more by this author.
Thanks to Headline for the chance to read this title and to join in with this blog tour.