Book of the Month - August

The books I read this month:

-       The Sunflower Cottage Breakfast Club– by Lynsey James 4/5

-       Found – by Elle Field 4/5

-       After You – by Jojo Moyes 4/5

-       Green Tea Latte to Go – by Aven Ellis 5/5

-       Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Throne 5/5

-       All About the Hype – by Paige Toon 5/5

-       Nice Day For a White Wedding – by A.L. Michael 4/5

-       Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky – by Holly Martin 5/5

-       The Singalong Society for Singletons – by Katey Lovell

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Well, well, I’ve read some great books this month and I picked four this time, but they are all another genre and one of them is a Christmas one, so I thought I’d go for it: 

Green Tea Latte to Go – Aven Ellis

The bit on the back:

Perfect Drink: Green tea latte with coconut milk and raw honey.

Perfect Fashion Icon: The Duchess of Cambridge. Always on point with her fashion, dressing appropriately for every occasion and not afraid to recycle things from her wardrobe, I truly admire her class and style.

Perfect Place: Seattle.

Perfect Activity for Relaxation: Yoga. I’m terrible at it, but I’m determined to perfect downward dog. Someday.

For Seattle blogger Payton James, life is all about trying to achieve perfection. Payton is determined to be her best self in all areas, and she refuses to rest until she achieves it.

However, an imperfect moment in a coffee shop completely changes Payton’s life. When her drink order gets switched by mistake, Payton finds herself face-to-face with a gorgeous British man named Brooks. Payton is instantly attracted to the witty stranger who is quick with his words—and has a beautiful smile.

Brooks is an exotic veterinarian with a huge passion for animals. Heartache in his past has led him to focusing on his career out of fear of getting hurt again. But there’s something about Payton that makes this vet want to know more about the bubbly blogger he has met via fate—and has him reconsidering his stance on love.

But will Brooks ever be free of his fears to truly open his heart? And will Payton’s drive for perfection cost her the one thing she loves most? Or will she learn to embrace imperfections?

And maybe perfect is the one thing Payton doesn’t want after all . . .

My opinion:

I really adored how their relationship developed in this book, the storyline is beautiful and there were some magical moments for sure. Aven’s writing has it all: passion, love, humour, heart, sparks and much more. This book is an AMAZING start to this new series set in Seattle!!!

Aven on Twitter: @AvenEllis

Website/Blog: http://avenellis.com/

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

All About the Hype – Page Toon

The bit on the back:

The third super hot, super fun Jessie Jefferson novel from internationally bestselling author, Paige Toon.

Is the life of a famous rockstar's daughter all it's cracked up to be? And what about dating your fellow band-member just as you hit the bigtime? 

Jessie is still getting used to being a celebrity, and the daughter of one of the world’s biggest rock stars. With her own music career on the rise, a gorgeous love interest and a fun group of friends, it seems Jessie’s glamorous LA life couldn’t get any better . . . but things are about to get really complicated.

My opinion:

This story is truly magnetic and full of sparks! This story takes you on an exciting roller-coaster ride, full of emotions, excitement and passion. There is a lot going on in this book, but it never got to a point where it was too much. I actually really liked this fact and I think it added even more glimmer to this book. I absolutely adored catching up with Jessie, Johnny, meg and Co. 

Paige Toon on Twitter: @PaigeToonAuthor

Website: http://paigetoon.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, Jack Throne

The bit on the back:

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

My opinion:

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I love the fact that it is a script, it’s just as good and leaves so much space for your own imagination. It’s so fab to catch up with Harry, Ron, hermione and Co. And also getting to know the next genreation! There is so much action and drama in this book and also some unexpected events! LOVED IT!

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky – Holly Martin

The bit on the back:

This year spend a wonderful Christmas on Juniper Island, where love can melt even the iciest of hearts…

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life travelling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that’s how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away. 

So when Piper’s next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again. 

But Piper isn’t the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn’t forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace. 

Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home? 

Curl up with this gorgeously romantic tale and let the glistening snow and the roaring fires of Stardust Lake Hotel get you in the festive spirit this Christmas.

Christmas Under a Starlit Sky out soon.

My opinion:

Juniper Island is such a magical and festive place and so ist he story. I got hooked immediatley, because of how the characters have a history and now meet again. It’s unputdownable and full of wonderful sparks!!!

Holly on Twitter: @hollymartin00

Website: https://hollymartinwriter.wordpress.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, Jack Throne

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

My Opinion:

As a big Harry Potter fan I was overexcited about this book to come out, or should I rather say script?! ;)

I was very sad when I finished book seven and started writing my own Harry Potter fanfictions, because I love the story and the characters so much. Now, here we are years later and the script of the play is made into a book. Both times tickets for the play went up for sale, I had no chance, so I’m very happy I at least get to enjoy the book (for now).

A lot of people have been put off by the fact that this is a script, but I had no problem with it at all, I loved it! I mean it’s a play and it’s great to read about stage directions and then seeing the dialogues. Yes, I might be a bit biased, because I love the theatre world, but anyway. I saw this whole play in my head, while reading. The actions, the scenes, the characters, everything and that’s what reading is about for me.

I loved catching up with all the characters, especially Harry, Ron and Hermione of course. What has become of them, what are they doing now?! Some things are a bit surprising, but that’s great actually. I was also very excited to read about their children and as it is, the story actually follows Albus Severus. He becomes best friends with Scorpius Malfoy and we get to follow their adventure, which is full of excitement and magic of course. A lot of things happen, but it’s all very entertaining and thrilling. I couldn’t put the book down. It’s awesome to finally get a glimpse of the “next” generation, but still getting enough of the “old” squad.

Both Harry and Albus go through a lot in this story and it was interesting to see them change. Relationships between father and son, but also husband and wife, friends etc. play a very important role in this story and I adored reading about them all. Scorpius Malfoy is a great character, I really liked him. I would have loved reading about some other characters as well, sadly that wasn’t the case, but it’s understandable, I guess the play would have been to full otherwise.

I have to get back to the script fact now. We all know that I think it’s amazing! First of all it’s different and second of all I think that the emotions came across even better, it also kind of leaves more space for your own imagination.

This script is full of twists and turns and even some surprises. I read this in one go and was actually sad when it all stopped again. The Harry Potter world is so fascinating and I don’t ever want it to stop.

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!

Rating:

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US