Book Love ~ August

Before August leaves us under a deluge of rain and cloud I am going to share the 7 reads that have entertained me on my travels during the summer!
The Little Flower shop by the Sea - Ali McNamara - as previously blogged my favourite of the year so far!.. Poppy inherits her beloved Grandma's florist shop in the village of St Felix in Cornwall, a place she never thought she would return to after spending her childhood summers there. Poppy finds the magic of the village sprinkling its healing powers on her and the friends that she makes. A glorious summer read which capitulated me back to many a summer spent on the Cornish beaches and lanes of St Ives.

The Cake Shop in the Garden by Carole Matthews - I was lucky enough to meet Carole at the start of the summer and we talked about her canal boat holidays which are one of the key features in The Cake Shop in the Garden. Fay Merryweather runs a cake shop in her garden which backs onto the canal waterways  just outside Milton Keynes. Along with running the cafe, Fay also cares for her cantankerous mother who took to her bed many years ago and and hasn't ventured out of it since. With a high maintenance 'perfect' sister living in New York, and bit of a dull boyfriend, Fays life is far from exciting or glamorous. One day a canal boat moors at the end of the her garden and a younger hunk of a guy pitches up an offers help with some odd jobs. Lija (Fays assistant) and Stan (Fays 93 yr old regular customer) both encourage Fay to employ Danny and soon a Fay starts to realise that life cannot stand still. As with all CM's books nothing is as it seems and suddenly Fays life is thrown upside down and she has to make some big choices. I loved this book, I laughed lots especially at Lija and adored Stan. Another great read from Carole... looking forward to the Christmas book!

Life or Something Like it - Annie Lyons ~ Cat lives for her job as PR at her best friend Jesse's company (Jesse is also Cats long term secret crush)  Cats sister-in-law has to fly home to Australia for the summer and Cat finds herself looking after the children, Ellie and Charlie after she is put on gardening leave after a client makes a huge PR faux pas. Children aren't Cats strength, her mobile phone is her baby! Cat also finds herself coming up against Finn, the uncle of Ellie's best friend, even finding themselves sharing a holiday cottage on the Suffolk coast whilst she battles to keep her job and look after the children. I really enjoyed this book and related to Cat lots!... Finn is simply gorgeous, its a lovely family fun filled book, with a very hot hero.

When I met you - Jemma Forte ~ Marianne is 31 and still living at home she has grown up believing that her father fled to Australia when she was a young and has been relatively content (aside from her passion for playing the violin - something her family do not encourage) growing up with her mum, stepdad, sister & half-brother. Imagine her surprise when I dad, Ray turns up one evening with a host of secrets. This book was a surprising read, one I really enjoyed, I loved seeing the relationship blossom with Ray and Marianne making me laugh and cry. This is a heartfelt family drama in a book and it will have you rooting for Marianne until the last page.. well done JF.

Fairytale Beginnings - Holly Martin - Millie Rose is a historian for Castle Heritage, she is also a huge romantic in particular the Disney Happy ever after and the perfect Prince Charming. Millie finds herself at Clover Castle the epitome of Walt Disney castle and home to Cameron. Millie finds herself falling in love with the castle, the magic of the village and possibly the lord himself!
The Lie - C.L.Taylor - a contrasting read to the rest of my summer reads, but one that I devoured in hours.The Lie tells two stories, in alternating chapters - the present day, and the past events of five years ago. The present day follows Jane, a homebody who has a love for animals, her caring partner and his young daughter. But Jane doesn't actually exist, the life she has built for herself is all a lie. Her name isn't even Jane. Five years ago, Jane (then known as Emma) and her three best friends set off on what should have been a trip of a lifetime to a yoga and meditation retreat in the mountains of Nepal, but the trip quickly turns into a nightmare of lies, deceit and disturbing secrets... I would love to tell you more about this book but do not want to give anything away... a fabulous psychological thriller which will keep you guessing until the end.. it had me hooked!.
Summer at Shell Cottage - Lucy Diamond - Lucy Diamond really does
write a great family drama. The Tarrant family have been holidaying in Shell cottage on the north Devon coast since Olivia and Alec discovered the cottage by chance on their honeymoon  and later becoming its owners when Alec's novels hit the bestsellers list. This summer would be different though, Alec has died and Olivia finds herself widowed and a little lost. Freya is struggling to juggle the demands of being a GP, motherhood and loosing her beloved father. Robert is keeping secrets from his wife Harriet and teenage step-daughter and shouldering the loss of his father. An even bigger secret is revealed when Olivia arrives at Shell Cottage and soon the Tarrant's idyllic family life is falling apart.... Shell Cottage proves to be a healing, heartfelt, summer for all the family. I loved this book and was the perfect read to finish my summer with. All of the Tarrant family have secrets which unravel over the summer and Lucy Diamond writes a great family saga. .. loved it, thanks Lucy.

As you can see I managed 6 reads this month, here are a some book posts from recent months. What have you all been reading this month?

Thank-you ladies for keeping me entertained this month on my commute and travels…. It's been a joy.