Book of the Month - February

The books I read this month:

-       Paris For One – by Jojo Moyes 5/5

-       Don’t Tell the Brides-to-Be – by Anna Bell 5/5

-       Kiss Me Kate – by Katy Regnery 5/5

-       Connectivity – by Aven Ellis RE-READ

-       First Time in Forever – by Sarah Morgan 5/5

-       The Dandelion Years – by Erica James 5/5

-       Valentine’s on Primrose Hill – by Nikki Moore 5/5

-       My So-Called (Love) Life – by A.L. Michael 5/5

-       Kept – by Elle Field 4/5

-       The Venice Bucket List – by Ella Fairlie 5/5

-       Melting Ms Frost – by Kat Black 5/5

-       Playing with Fire – by Kat Black 4.5/5

-       Spice – by Scarlet Smith 3.5/5

I have read a lot of 5* books this months, here are my faves:

Don’t Tell the Brides-to-Be – Anna Bell

The bit on the back:

With a baby on the way and her business starting to boom, has Penny finally found her happily ever after? 

Things are looking up for Penny Robinson. She's kicked her gambling addiction and even started her own business: Princess on a Shoestring, an all-inclusive service for brides-to-be looking to pinch pennies on their big day. Between family fights and wardrobe calamities, wedding planning is no piece of cake, but Penny's got it all under control. That is, until a rival planner decides to take her down—one hard-won bride at a time. Now Penny must fight to save her reputation and her livelihood before it's too late. But when a romantic weekend away has some unexpected consequences, Penny's expectations for her career are brought back down to earth with a bump.

My opinion:

This is the PERFECT chicklit novel!!!! It’s funny, loving, sweet, dramatic, exciting and very entertaining! This story has it all!!! A charming storyline, authentic characters, witty scenes, touching moments and lots of surprises. I loved every single second of it and I can’t wait to read more Anna Bell books! Read my review here: Don't Tell the Brides-to-Be Review

Anna on Twitter: @AnnaBell_writes

Website:  http://www.annabellwrites.com

First Time in Forever – Sarah Morgan

The bit on the back:

Windswept, isolated and ruggedly beautiful, Puffin Island is a haven for day-trippers and daydreamers alike. But this charming community has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways…

It's been a summer of firsts for Emily Donovan. From becoming a stand-in mom to her niece Lizzie to arriving on Puffin Island, her life has become virtually unrecognizable. Between desperately safeguarding Lizzie and her overwhelming fear of the ocean—which surrounds her everywhere she goes!—Emily has lost count of the number of "just breathe" pep talks she's given herself. And that's before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…

Ryan knows all about secrets. And it's clear that newcomer Emily—with her haunted eyes and the little girl she won't let out of her sight—is hiding from something besides the crazy chemistry between them. So Ryan decides he's going to make it his personal mission to help her unwind and enjoy the sparks! But can Puffin Island work its magic on Emily and get her to take the biggest leap of trust of all—putting her heart in someone else's hands?

My opinion:

This story is brilliant!!! Sarah you took this story to a whole new level with your beautiful writing! The book has it all: love, passion, friendship, family, emotions and authenticity!!! A MASTERPIECE!!!

Read my review here: First Time in Forever Review

Sarah on Twitter: @SarahMorgan_

Website: http://sarahmorgan.com

The Venice Bucket List – Ella Fairlie

The bit on the back:

Single mum Tess has enough on her plate without being forced to tag along on her brother and his girlfriend’s romantic winter holiday to Venice, and she certainly isn’t looking for a Valentine love affair of her own. But with the annual Carnival afoot, Venice has some magic and mayhem in store for her, in the form of a handsome masked stranger with a surprising secret. Will the city of glass and gondolas be able to work its charm, or is this one amore that’s lost in translation?

‘The Venice Bucket List’ is a deliciously escapist destination romcom novella about how love can surprise you when you least expect it.

My opinion:

Ella’s writing is just beautiful. This story is full of love and passion and I loved the Italian element in the whole thing. The storyline is wonderful and I just loved the characters! Read the review here: The Venice Bucket List Review

Ella on Twitter: @EllaFairlie

Website: http://ellafairlie.com

The Venice Bucket List – by Ella Fairlie

My own copy

Original Cover

The blurb:

Single mum Tess has enough on her plate without being forced to tag along on her brother and his girlfriend’s romantic winter holiday to Venice, and she certainly isn’t looking for a Valentine love affair of her own. But with the annual Carnival afoot, Venice has some magic and mayhem in store for her, in the form of a handsome masked stranger with a surprising secret. Will the city of glass and gondolas be able to work its charm, or is this one amore that’s lost in translation?

‘The Venice Bucket List’ is a deliciously escapist destination romcom novella about how love can surprise you when you least expect it.

My Opinion:

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

First of all, I’d like to thank Ella for sending me a copy of this story and for mentioning me in the acknowledgements, that means so much <3.

I was really excited to read this book, because I absolutely loved Ella’s first short story in this series The Christmas Bucket List. And she did a marvellous job again; The Venice Bucket List is magical, passionate and full of sparks.

The Venice Bucket List follows the story of single mum Tess, who dragged along to Venice with her brother and his girlfriend. Sounds like a great trip away, with a loved up couple, doesn’t it?!

Of course Venice is full of surprises and when her brother Jamie has a little accident, this handsome stranger in a mask shows up and saves them. He offers them to stay with him and Tess gets to spend a lot of time with Alessio (love this name). Tess and Alessio had something really special from the start, the gazes between them were intense, especially when he was wearing has mask. They soon find out who Alessio is and Tess realises that he has two different faces. The one with her and when he is wearing the mask and the one when he takes of the mask. I don’t wanna tell you too much here, you have to read the book, to find out more. Tess is not sure, if she should just follow her feelings, because what happens when she goes home?! Talking to Jamie and Isobel opens her eyes and she is finally letting go.

I loved the scenes between Alessio and Tess, they had such an understanding for each other and even f they were apart something connected them. Ella described these scenes with such delicacy and sweetness and it was a pleasure reading the whole story.

It was great to read about Jamie and Isobel again, I adored them in The Christmas Bucket List and I kind of want them to get a whole story.

Of course there was some drama involved which was great and it kind of opened up the story a bit. I liked that I wasn’t sure how the story was going to end, I had to wait until the epilogue and I was really happy with it. It’s might not the ending everybody expects with this kind of story, but I think it’s perfect for the book.

The Italian elements were great. I’m half Italian, so I really enjoyed the words and things Alessio said, they had such a deep meaning.

The surroundings were beautifully described, Venice is a great city and it’s perfect for this story!! Thank you Ella for writing such a wonderful and magnificent story.

Rating:

My possible cast:

Tess: Amanda Seyfried

Alessio: Rubén Cortada

Ella on Twitter: @EllaFairlie Website: http://ellafairlie.com