Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin

Love is an open door... Except when it keeps slamming in your face.

Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on Prince Charming - he's out there somewhere isn't he?

When Milły is given a job to investigate the origins of a historical building in the village of Clovers Rest, she's not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breathe away - a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner... Cameron Heartstone.

As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can't ignore he intense chemistry building between them. They've both been badly hurt before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily - ever -after?

*May Contain Spoilers*

I've seen a huge amount of interest in Fairytale Beginngs down my Twitter feed everytime I've logged on lately, the cover to the book is quite simply adorable and inviting so when I saw I had the chance to grab a copy I jumped at the chance.

Having never read one of Holly Martins books before I wasn't sure what to expect,but on opening the book, stupidly just before work allowing myself to only read the first two chapters, I was completely take under the magical spell of Milly and Cameron's story.

We start by being introduced to Milly trying to find Clover Castle, a mysterious place that historic loving Milly has been unable to find any information on. She arrives in the quirky village of Clovers Rest, which is complete with its own unique buildings and residence.

Once Milly finds Clover Castle she is bustled to the ground by the owners dog. The owner is the strapping Cameron Heartstone, who has hired Milly to come and look into the castle and advise him on his options moving forward - their first encounter was him being far to heavy handed in helping Milly standup, resulting in him touching her in places that certainly should only follow a romantic dinner... Not being slobbered on by a great big dog! 

Cameron has inherited the castle and all its debt and quite frankly would just like to get rid of it, however over the next few days, the discovery of hidden underground tunnels and Molly's infectious optimism and love for the old building starts to rub off on him.

When summer solstice comes, the village is a hype of excitement as Milly has agreed for her and Cameron to participate in their little play, much to his disgust - after all, he's not the most Popular man of the village since firing the villagers from their jobs at the castle - a play that results in them marrying!

Ah gah.... I'm getting carried away writing this... I could continue but I'd end up just telling the complete story!

There's a lot to this book from the discovery of the tunnels, magical hideaway coves and treasures to ghosts, sea creatures and the story of a family curse involving stone hearts and dragons... When Milly breaks the heart and Cameron finds a dragon tattoo down her back, each wonder if soul mates and real fairy tales do happen to every day people, but with each of them having their fair share of heartbreak and heart ache, they have a tough time with trust and listening to their hearts.

Fairytale Beginnings is literally Cinderella for grown ups! If you love all things pink, glittery and a Disney then I'm positive you will enjoy reading this. Holly Martin writes in great, descriptive detail that instantly too me from my sofa to the charms of Clover Castle. 

I adored Milly and Cameron's story... I wonder if I dyed the ends of my hair pink and wore converse I could discover a Castle..... ;-) 

I would like to Thank Holly and the team at Bookouture for sending me Fairytale Beginnings to read via NetGalley.

Life Or Something Like It by Annie Lyons

Step into someone else's shoes for the day....

And it will change you for a life time. Cat Nightingale is very good at her job. She runs a PR company with her best friend (and secret crush) Jesse, and is never happier than when her high profile celebrities are glittering  in the spotlight.

But after a footballer client hits the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Cat's career takes a sudden nosedive. So when her brother Andrew unexpectedly needs her to look after his kids for a few weeks, she can hardly say no. She's happily single, hasn't exactly been the "Worlds Bes Auntie" over the years, and what she knows about looking after children would fit on the back of a postage stamp!

But it's only temporary until she gets her real life back on track - isn't it?

*May contain spoilers*

 

I discovered this book whilst browsing NetGalley and something about it caught my eye. If you get the chance to read this you will not be disappointed!

Life or Something Like It tells a tale of how every day, real life situations can not only change your opinion on certain things but your complete world and everything you know along with it.

Cat Nightingale is running a very successful PR company for the most demanding and highest celebs in the business with her best friend and old Uni bud, Jesse. The catch is that since a "moment" at Uni, Cat has fallen for Jesse left right and centre, but he is married so her feelings are kept as a secret.

Cat is totally career driven and has convinced herself that she is happy single and living the high life attending star studded and champagne filled events. Children are way, way of her agender despite her having a niece and nephew and when it comes to Ellie's 6th birthday party Cat can't leave quick enough, especially when she meets "Super Manny" himself, Finn, Uncle to Ellie's best friend Daisy.

When her latest PR launch goes awfully wrong after an emergency resulting in her babysitting Ellie and Charlie meaning she wasn't at the event to supervise, her world is turned upside down leaving her suspend and at a loss.

With nothing to fill her days, Cat reluctantly offers to help out with her brothers childcare after her sister in law leaves the Country due to a family emergency - it can't be that hard surely?!

After losing Charlie on the first day Cat almost admits defeat but doesn't back down from a challenge easily... A challenge which involves seeing Finn fairly regularly especially when Andrew suggest they should holiday with the kids together.

Life Or Something Like It was light hearted and witty, I often found myself laughing out loud, particularly at the parts with 6 year old Ellie, having niece myself at that age, I could just picture Ellie's character saying what she says half the time.

Although the book was primarily fun and easy to read, there were a few sub storylines too. Cat is nursing her own heart break after bottling up the grief of losing her parents at such a young age and Charlie is a troublesome twelve or so year old with real anger issues. Those aside, Cat is still away from her job and the longer it takes for her to return, the more she had opened up to the real world and starts to wonder if the PR life is truly for her.

Of course as with every romantic fiction book there is a love story and in Cat's case she finds herself in a bit of love triangle with Finn and Jesse.... Who knew so much could happen during the school holidays eh?!! 

The book was well written and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters as they were likeable and realistic - especially the way Cat became with Ellie and Daisy.

I would like to thank Annie Lyons and both the teams at Harlequin UK and Carina UK for sending me Life Or Something Like It via NetGalley to preview. 

It's Now or Never by Jill Steeples

For Jen Faraday - not to be opened, in any circumstances until April 2016.

When smooth talking Alex Fellows tells Jen Faraday he can predict her future - and leaves a note with the bar tender for her to collect in one years time - she thinks it's just a line.

After all, how can a man she's known for only one night see what her future holds? Or maybe it's not too hard. Recently her life has been a series of things she hasn't done. She didn't go to college - family trouble. She didn't get married - dumped. And she hasn't handed her notice in at work yet - too scared! If she had to predict her future, would it be more of the same?

Or maybe not. After all, she's just had a passionate one night stand with a man who is rich and ridiculously good looking and totally not her type. That was unexpected. And she is going to resign from her job... Things are already changing. Whatever that prediction says - and how Jen wishes she knew - perhaps this year is the year she takes control of her destiny!

Firstly, I would like to start by thanking Jill for contacting me via Twitter and then sending me the NetGalley link for Its Now or Never. 

I actually have two other books by Jill on the iPad, but being a lover of real books compared to e-reading they have been pushed to the back of the pile -sorry Jill!

That said,I enjoyed Its now or Never so they could be bumped up shortly.

Jen Faraday is at a loss. Her best friend Angie is getting married, something she thought she would do first, her job, as much as she enjoys it, isn't fulfilling her potential and her love life is practically non existent.

That is until she meets Alex at Angies wedding, he's charming and handsome and Jen is quickly taken under his spell, but Angie has warned her off claiming he is a player. 

One thing Jen is trying to do is to live a little, so the excitement of him leads to a one night stand. Just before they get to the nitty gritty so to speak, Alex claims he can predict jeans future. Putting his view on paper he places it in an envelope and tells the bar staff to keep hold of it. He can only view it a year later.

Over the course of the book a year happens. Jill has written the book well and the story doesn't feel rushed in anyway, but we see Jen and Alex become a very "will they, won't they" couple.

Jen plucks up the courage to leave her job setting up her own business and there's abreast relationship between her and her Grandfather which comes across well too.

Jen and Alex meet several times over the course of the year, a few planned dates, a few by circumstances and chance when Jen does a temping job to boost her income and attends a christening -which just so happens to see them both become godparents earning that their paths are going to cross time and time again.

Whilst Jen does her best to focus on work and avoid this, Alex does his best at changing her mind. When he suddenly stops contacting her, she realises she feels more for him than she let on.

Fast forward to exactly a year and Jen comes face to face with that envelope and her so called future.... Did Alex get it right?

Well I won't spoil everything so you will have to grab a copy and find out for yourself.

Its Now or Never is a fun, light hearted, summery read... Perfect for a day in the sun.