Book-Mad-Mum

  The Gin O'Clock Club by Rosie Blake published by Sphere books Lottie is always in a hurry, rushing through her days ticking tasks off her to-do lists. Teddy is worried about his granddaughter - and he knows that his late wife, Lily, would have known exactly what to say to make things better. Now that Lily has gone, it's up to Teddy to talk some sense into Lottie. With the help of Arjun, Geoffrey and Howard, the elderly reprobates who make up his Gin O'Clock Club, Teddy makes a plan to help Lottie find her way back to the things that really matter - family, friendship and love. But as Lottie balances a high-powered job with her reluctant attendance at whist drives, ballroom dances and bingo, Teddy wonders if she's really ready to open up her heart to the possibility of true happiness...   This is a real heart warming story with engaging characters, I think if I had to choose a favourite it would be Arjun, although a sub plot was started with him, but never felt t...

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens Published by Arrow Publishing  4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quinn and Minnie are born on New Year's Eve, in the same hospital, one minute apart. Their lives may begin together, but their worlds couldn't be more different. Thirty years later they find themselves together again in the same place, at the same time. What if fate is trying to bring them together? Maybe it's time to take a chance on love...     We all have a hatred for New Years Eve, come on, admit it!! There is so much pressure on us all to have the best night of our lives and enjoy ourselves, so imagine the extra pressure if your birthday is on New Years Day, and things always go wrong and you feel jinxed!! Poor old Minnie feels exactly that way after learning at a young age that a baby born minutes before her on New Years day not only took the prize money for the first baby born in the new year, but also stole her name!   Since then, she has always felt like she has lived...

The Wish List by Sophie Money-Coutts Published by HQ Books 4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Florence Fairfax thinks she has it all, she loves her job at the little bookshop in Chelsea and her beloved cat Marmalade who keeps her company at night. She might have been single for quite a while – well, forever actually, if anyone’s asking – but she’s perfectly happy, thank you. And then Florence meets eccentric love coach Gwendolyn, and everything changes. When Gwendolyn makes Florence write a wish list describing her perfect man, Florence refuses to take it seriously. Finding someone who likes cats, has the sexual athleticism of James Bond and can overlook her ‘counting’ habit? Impossible! Until, later that week, a handsome blond man asks for help in the bookshop… Rory seems to fit the list perfectly. But is he ‘the one’, or simply too good to be true? Florence is about to find out that her criteria for Mr Right aren’t as important as she thought – and that perhaps she’s been looking for love in all t...

The Pupil by Ros Carne Published by Canelo Books 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐   Mel has practised law for twenty years. She is well-regarded by her peers. Her clients are happy. But behind the scenes her life is disordered. Her son grows increasingly distant from her. The married man she is sleeping with fails to give her what she needs. When a trainee lawyer is allocated to Mel it is poor timing. The last thing she wants is a pupil watching her every move. And Natasha does watch. She sees each detail – and every mistake. Mel cannot shake the feeling that Natasha isn’t just learning the job. She is learning everything there is to know about Mel. Natasha is good at getting what she wants, and now Mel has the power to give her all she desires. But when Mel chooses not to, Natasha knows just what Mel’s vulnerabilities are – and how to turn them against her. Mel’s secrets could ruin her. But who will be believed?   I absolutely adored this book and I just couldn’t read it quick enoug...