Sunny Days and Sea Breezes – by Carole Matthews

The blurb: 

Jodie Jackson is all at sea, in every sense. 

On a ferry bound for the Isle of Wight, she's leaving her London life, her career, and her husband behind. She'd like a chance to turn back the clocks, but she'll settle for some peace and quiet on her brother Bill's beautifully renovated houseboat, Sunny Days. But from the moment Jodie steps aboard her new home, it's clear she'll struggle to keep herself to herself.

Jodie soon delights in her newfound freedom. But out of mind isn't out of sight, and when her old life comes knocking Jodie is forced to face reality. Will she answer the call or choose a life filled with Sunny Days and Sea Breezes?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

When we meet Jodie in this book, we don’t know much about her, but she definitely seems ready for some time off on the Isle of Wight. Her brother Bill lets her stay at his houseboat and really has her back, I loved how caring he was. 

After time we find out what happened to Jodie and the history with her husband. Jodie is determined to let it all behind her, but that’s easier said than done. 

The Isle of Wight is a beautiful setting and I loved getting to know the place together with Jodie. There are a lot of lovely characters in this book, like Ned, George, but especially Marilyn. I absolutely adore her. I dont want to give to much away, you have to read it yourself. 

All these characters help Jodie and they take her on different trips and other exciting things. It was fun to watch all that develop. Until a ceratin someone turns up and everything changes. 

I didn’t really like the way the story went from that point onwards and the ending seemed a bit rushed. I still enjyoed this book very much. 

It touches some difficult topics, but the storyline is always full of fun and engery. Carole Matthews style is fresh, heart-warming, sweet and very gripping!

A great book for summer!

Rating:

Carole Matthews on Twitter: @carolematthews

Website: https://www.carolematthews.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Christmas Party – by Carole Matthews

My own copy

Original Cover

The blurb:

Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she's grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can't keep his hands to himself, but Louise can handle him. What she really doesn't have time for is romance - until she meets the company's rising star, Josh Wallace.

Louise usually says no to evenings out but she's decided to let her hair down tonight. It's the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she's looking forward to some champagne and fun. She's completely unaware that others around her are too busy playing dangerous games to enjoy the party - until she's pulled into those games herself . . .

Romance is in the air and secrets are about to be uncovered. It's going to be a night to remember at The Christmas Party.

My Opinion:

Gorgeous and festive cover – I love it.

I was really excited for this book, the blurb sounded great and I love Carole as a writer. Unfortunately this Christmas story wasn’t really for me. I really enjoyed parts of it, but the last spark was missing.

The book starts at the day of the Christmas party, the 23^rd of December. Louise is new to Fossil Oil, it’s her first Christmas party with them, she is very nervous and her boss Tyler Benson, comes on to her a lot…

Louise is a single mother, she struggles with money and loves at her parent’s house with her daughter Mia. My was such a joy to read about, a real sunshine.

The Christmas party is full of fun, drama and much more. I enjoyed reading about it, especially about Louise and Josh Wallace, the company’s rising star.

At times I felt that there was even too much going on, instead of focusing at the interesting parts.

The narratives in the story change a lot. There is Louise talking from her point of view in the first person and then there were other chapters where the other characters were in the limelight written in the third person. Kirsten (Tyler’s wife), Melissa (Tyler’s affair) and Tyler himself got turns as well. I didn’t like the change that much, because I liked Louise as the main character and I think it disturbed the flow a bit.

The scenes were very vivid and described with so much detail, I really liked that, it made the atmosphere more festive and sweet.

A lot happens in just three days, I really liked that the three main women finally realised what was important and wanted  a change in life. There was a lot of talk about the positions and jobs at Fossil Oil, making Louise unsure about her future. The ending I have to say was a bit of a disappointment for me in a way, because I think there wasn’t a clear ending and some fast stops. On the other hand I really liked what Louise, Kirsten and Melissa decided. So it was full of hope and happiness, but also uncertainty and sadness.

Rating:

Louise: Keira Knightley

Carole Matthews on Twitter: @carolematthews
Website: http://www.carolematthews.com

Calling Mrs Christmas – by Carole Matthews

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Cassie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; tree-decorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born.

Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time. Thank goodness she can rely on her partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients.

When Carter asks Cassie to join them on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go. As much as tries, Cassie can't deny how drawn she is to Carter and everything he has to offer, but she still loves her warm-hearted Jim. Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life.

My Opinion:

First of all: I think the title of this book is just so gorgeous, loved it and the cover is so beautiful as well. I didn’t even read the blurb, I just bought it and I am so glad I did.

Cassie is such a lovely heroine and Carole describes her and her feelings perfectly. Cassie is in a bad place when the book starts: no money, no job…

But then she has a great idea for a business and her light instantly came on again. A business for Christmas preparations, called Calling Mrs Christmas. Such a great idea and I loved her passion for it, really the perfect job for Cassie.

Jim is Cassie’s boyfriend and he is such a sweetheart. Such a great character and so caring, he seemed so perfect for Cassie, until Carter came along.

Carter is Cassie’s biggest client; he is rich and drop dead gorgeous. That client is taking up most of Cassie’s time and it’s really hard to cope with that for Jim.

Then Carter wants to take Cassie on the trip to Lapland she organised for him and his kids. She agrees. The night before she leaves, Jim and Cassie have a row. I felt so sad, her leaving for Lapland without having talked to Jim again.

And then there is Lapland, beautiful Lapland. They way Carole described the landscapes, the sights and all the activities was just amazing. I instantly fell in love with this country. It made me wanna go there and see the Northern Lights. I hope one day I can. The Icehotel, the huskeys and everything, it’s sounds so awesome.

It was great to see how much fun Carter’s kids had and also Carter and Cassie. And: they got closer to each other and to me they seemed so wonderful together. The attraction was definitely there. But what about Jim?

I was really looking forward to reading more, just because I wanted to know whether it’s Jim or Carter for Cassie and I can tell you, Carole didn’t make it easy, but she made the story more interesting and attractive like that.

I seriously had no idea who Cassie was going to pick, because both man had their spark. Well, I guess in the end she really saw what’s important in life and I believe that’s a fantastic thing to end a story with.

In this case the quote “Reading is dreaming with open eyes” totally describes how I felt through out the story. I could imagine this life and world so easily and I am so glad Carole introduced us to the lovely Lapland. This story is really fascinating, vivid and full of extraordinary moments. LOVED IT!!! <3 <3 <3

Rating:

My possible cast:

Cassie: Katharine McPhee

Jim: Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Carter: James Franco

Carole Matthews on Twitter: @carolematthews
Website: http://www.carolematthews.com

Summer Daydreams - by Carole Matthews

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Nell McNamara never paid attention in school, spending most of her time daydreaming. Now almost thirty, Nell and boyfriend Olly are working back-to-back shifts just to make ends meet as they care for their adorable four-year-old daughter, Petal. But Nell can’t help but wonder: is life passing her by? So when the chip shop she works in needs a makeover, she jumps at the chance to help out. With her creativity finally unleashed, and backed by the best friends a girl could have, Nell begins designing her own line of must-have handbags. And amazingly, people love them! It seems Nell’s dreams are finally coming true, until she finds out Olly secretly craves the simplicity of their old lives. Soon Nell is asking herself if it really is possible to have it all …?

My Opinion:

A gorgeous family from the start =) Petal seems so sweet and reading about Olly and Nell being parents is so cute. They are a happy family with not much money.

Both of them have small jobs and also works nights to get through. However, Nell is not happy and wants to go tot he college of arts, she is really talented. But what about the money? Her boss Phil helps her out. It turns out, that she is not really made for it and gets kicked out.

Then she starts designing handbags and the people like them. She becomes more and more successful, but this also changes her and her relationship to Olly and Petal. She is working all the time and has barley time for them, Olly even has to take Petal to work. It was sad and not fun at all to see them drift apart, I liked them so much as a couple and as a family as well. I just hoped for it to turn around.

He doesn’t like her changing at all and Nell’s colleague Jenny likes Olly (or rather Nell’s life). It’s only then when Olly realises what is really important in life.

Also Nell has learn what is essential and that she is still completely in love with Olly.

Her handbag business is blooming, but then everything changes.

One night Olly just leaves, sells his scooter and flys out to Miami and tries fix it. It’s dangerous. Nell however, has no idea where he is, he didn’t even leave a message.

She is so stunned when he comes back. I think it’s so cute what he did for them and the ending is just adorable, especially one little bit.

After reading this wonderful story and quickly downloaded the short story following it. It’s about Jenny trying to find love. It’s really cute and heart warming.

This story shows how close success and failure can be and how important family is in these moments.

Rating: 

My possible cast:

Nell: Gabriella Wilde

Olly: Daren Kagasoff

Petal: Nikki Hahn

Jenny: Christina Brono

Carole Matthews on Twitter: @carolematthews
Website: http://www.carolematthews.com