Book picks similar to
We'll Always Have Venice by Leonie Mack
for-review
contemporary
spring-summer
adult
The Wedding on Mistletoe Island
Sophie Pembroke - 2019
Perfect for fans of Friends, The Wedding Date, Ali McNamara and Sue Moorcroft.Welcome to Mistletoe Island, where dreams can come true...The snow is falling and Fliss's friends have arrived to celebrate her wedding for a week at Holly Cottage. It's the perfect way to kick off her brand-new life, isn't it?Except Ruth wishes she was anywhere other than a remote Scottish island, Caitlin is keeping a secret from her friends, Lara is suddenly facing her ex a decade after turning down his proposal and even the bride has something to hide...But as the friends prepare for a week to remember, will Fliss's dream wedding go off without a hitch, or will the secrets they've been hiding change everything?
The High Moments
Sara-Ella Ozbek - 2020
(counts as exercise)Move out of home TO LONDON (career??)Make more friends
Be better
New Year’s Day is the ultimate cliché for Scarlett: hangover, check feeling weepy, check broken sense of self, check check check She is in her twenties, stuck living at home in small-town Topsham with an academic mother who has no time for pep-talks or consolation. The one saving grace is that her friend, Billie, still works at the pub down the road, but even the pub is losing its appeal. Feeling desperate to do something with her life and with no real plan (but the mother of all hangovers), Scarlett picks up her stuff and moves to London. But moving isn’t a miracle cure and she ends up facing exactly the same problems she was desperate to escape. In the search for ‘her path’, Scarlett is offered an internship at a fashion agency. This might not be her dream job but her mother is disgusted. So she takes it. This is her first step to becoming something but it is also her first step to becoming someone else. Each terrible decision she makes leads to another and her life begins to spiral. But people are starting to know her; she is starting to become someone. And surely it’s better to be someone – even if it’s someone you hate? With a vein of dark humour at its core, The High Moments gives an astute, often stark, look at the fashion industry. This is a filthier, more sordid Devil Wears Prada which asks real questions about what it means to be a woman today. Fans of Fleabag and Girls will love this.
A Little Piece of Paradise
T.A. Williams - 2021
with a catch
When Sophie’s uncle leaves her a castle in the Italian Riviera in his will, she can’t believe her luck. The catch? She and her estranged sister, Rachel, must live there together for three months in order to inherit it. Having worked in Rome for four years, Sophie’s excited to revisit to Italy, even if it reignites memories of a cheating ex who soon learns of her return and wants to rekindle their spark. Sophie realises that distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder – but for her friend back home, Chris, who she discovers is more to her than just a friend.With the clock ticking, can Sophie and Rachel stick it out and heal old wounds, or are the sisters destined to go their own way at the end of the three months? And does Chris feel the same way about Sophie as she does for him?A beautiful story of romance and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Alex Brown and Lucy Coleman.
Queen of Thieves
Beezy Marsh - 2021
Nell is a slum girl from Waterloo, hiding a secret pregnancy and facing a desperately uncertain future.Sensing an opportunity to exploit Nell's vulnerabilities, Alice takes her under her wing and, before long, Nell is experiencing the secret world of hoisting, with all the dangers - and glamorous trappings - that comes with this underworld existence.Alice has a longstanding feud with Billy Sullivan's all-male gang in Soho, and thinks Nell could be a useful weapon in her vendetta. But Nell has a secret agenda of her own, and is not to be underestimated. And the more she is exploited by both Alice and Billy, the more her hunger for revenge grows. As she embraces the seedy underbelly of London, will she prevail in carving out her own path to power and riches......and crown herself the Queen of Thieves?From Sunday Times bestselling author Beezy Marsh comes a thrilling new crime saga series, perfect for fans of Sam Michaels, Martina Cole and Jessie Keane.
Difficult Husbands
Mary De Laszlo - 2014
When she discovers that her beloved godfather has left her the grand (and crumbling) Ravenscourt House in the heart of Sussex, she soon has a project on her hands.Nathan sells delicious goodies at Mulberry Farm. When he meets Lorna at a Christmas market, neither of them can ignore the chemistry. But as they get to know one another, Lorna wants to know one thing – is he after her or the house?Together with Gloria – whose marriage to alcoholic Adrian has hit rock bottom, and Rosalind – struggling to deal with her womanising husband Ivan, the three friends hatch a plan. They’ll ditch their difficult husbands at Ravenscourt House and enjoy stress-free Christmases with their families. But nothing is ever that simple…Mary de Laszlo has had four novels published by Headline and has since had many others published by Hale. She lives in London and is an active member of the RNA. She was a fashion journalist with Vogue and now works as an occasional film extra when not writing.
One Lucky Summer
Jenny Oliver - 2021
Gazing at it now, decades later, the memories are flooding back, and not all of them are welcome…In a tumbledown cottage in Willoughby’s grounds, Dolly and Olive King lived with their eccentric explorer father. One of the last things he did was to lay a treasure hunt before he died, but when events took an unexpected turn, Dolly and Olive left Willoughby for good, never to complete it.But when Ruben uncovers a secret message, hidden for decades, he knows he needs Olive and Dolly’s help. Can the three of them solve the treasure hunt, and will piecing together the clues help them understand what happened to their families that summer, all those years ago?A glorious summer read with a delightful cast of characters from the bestselling author of The Summer We Ran Away.Praise for One Lucky Summer:‘A lovely read. A real journey, with wrong turns along the way and a delightful arrival at their destination. It's like a summer outing leaving you with a warm glow, and a smile your face’ Jo Thomas, author of Chasing the Italian Dream‘This is the perfect summer read. Full of fun, mystery and warmth. I loved everything about it!’ Bella Osborne, author of The Promise of Summer‘Fresh and original, haunting and evocative’ Jules Wake, author of The Spark‘A delicious ice-cream of a book. Loved it! Essential holiday reading’ Josie Lloyd, author of The Cancer Ladies' Running Club‘[A] must read’
Bella
‘A twisty, wistful novel perfect for long sunny afternoons’
New
Praise for Jenny Oliver:‘You know you’re in for a treat when you open a Jenny Oliver book’ Debbie Johnson, bestselling author of Maybe One Day‘The perfect summer read’ Sarah Morgan, bestselling author of The Summer Seekers
Everyone Deserves a Second Chance: A Billionaire Romance Box Set
Tara Brent - 2020
For readers who love billionaire romances with secret babies, hot daddies, and single moms. Family dramas and friendships will keep your kindle burning all night long!The Billionaire’s Secret RegretRule #1 Hands off Samantha. My best friend’s little sister.I knew that… Then how do I explain to him she’s pregnant with my baby?When I was young and stupid, I broke the heart of the only girl I’d ever loved, Sam Jenkins. We had a hot and wild summer romp that completely blew my mind, but everything changed when she told me she was pregnant.I was scared and I told her to get rid of it... I’ve never regretted anything more.We parted ways and I thought I’d lost my chance of a happy ending with Sam. At least, I felt that way until she showed up out of the blue after three years of total silence. I knew I couldn’t waste this opportunity.I had to win her back, but how on Earth could I make up for what I had done?The Billionaire Returns HomeHe’s back in town. Filthy Rich, a Single Dad.And gorgeous as Hell!We were inseparable as kids.When he left, he took a piece of my heart.Now he’s back and needs my help.And I begin to school his little girl.We soon discover the spark is still alive.When he takes me on the front room sofa I’m lost in the pits of lust.I’m in heaven and life is a dream.We are lovers - until he leaves me again!!!Turns out he doesn’t think my family is good enough for him!I have to let him go. Family blood is stronger than childhood romances.So why does it feel like my heart has stopped beating?Do we get to have a Happy Ever After?The Billionaire’s Surprise HeirI’m FURIOUS that she kept this from me!A secret she had NO right to keep…Do I destroy her or make her mine?Every redhead turns my head. It’s my greatest weakness.Why?Tiffany…that was her name, a redhead hottie from my college days.Imagine my shock when I meet up with her again on a blind date!Now, I’m not the kinda guy to go on blind dates, but I’m glad I did.This woman rocks my boat and now she’s in my life again I won’t let her go.Yet, she always pushes me away.Talk about a she-devil in disguise. She’s dodging me and lying too.What game is she playing?I WILL find out, even if it means stalking her!Will Tiffany’s secret blow up in her face and destroy her Happy Ever After?-with the only man she has ever loved.A collection of three steamy standalone romance novels. No cliffhanger, no cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
My Perfect Summer in Greece
Ian Wilfred - 2019
Cheryl is excited her sister Julie has asked for her help in organising her wedding but things aren't turning out the way Cheryl had hoped. There's going to be no little village church and no bridesmaids dress; the wedding is taking place on the Greek island of Holkamos. Vangelis has the perfect beach location for a wedding but his little beach cafe has never catered for weddings before. Will he be able to cope with all of Julie's demands? Andréas has moved back to Holkamos to help run the family gift shop after the death of his father. The business has to move with the times but will his mum allow things to change? Johnny is Cheryl's best friend. He doesn't like the way Julie treats her and has a plan to put things right but is it the right thing for Cheryl and what happens when they both arrive on the Greek island. Could it become more than just a weekend wedding for Cheryl and Johnny?
I Want Never Gets
Tracey Waples - 2018
OBSESSION. REVENGE. Years after she fell out with her best friend, Laura remains terrified of the past coming back to haunt her… Laura, the only child of doting parents, is at the centre of what seems a perfect family. Daughter of a well-known television personality, she spends her time between their idyllic Northumberland farmhouse and summers on the Amalfi coast. New girl, Evelyn, arrives at Laura’s prestigious boarding school desperate to escape her miserable home life. The two quickly become friends, inseparable, and Evelyn relishes the chance to become close to Laura’s family. But when Laura discovers her friend has betrayed her and her family she calls an immediate end to their friendship with devastating consequences. Decades later, Laura is forging a successful career as a journalist, happily married and keen to leave the past firmly behind her. Evelyn, however, filled with resentment and blighted by their estrangement, believes she paid a price that should have been shared… It’s time to settle the score.
The Gift
Mona Ingram - 2011
As a single mother, she owns and runs a houseboat rental company in Sicamous, British Columbia.Quentin Callahan, a friend of Julie's brother, lives in Vancouver and has become a successful business consultant. Many years ago, on her graduation night, he rescued Julie when her date had too much to drink and now he's back. The attraction between Julie and Quentin is immediate, but his visit to his hometown is prompted by more than a longing to get away from the stress of business. His largest client has unsuccessfully tried to buy Julie's property. The ruthless company indicates to Quentin that if he does not talk her into selling, they ll drive her out of business. The ultimatum is an overwhelming burden on Quentin.Can the growing affection between Julie and Quentin survive the pressures of a harsh outside world?
The Marvelous Monroe Girls
Shirley Jump - 2022
Sales are down at her vintage dress shop, her beloved grandmother isn’t her usual spunky self, and Gabby desperately misses the closeness she had with her sisters, Margaret and Emma—who were once so inseparable that their family called them the Monroe Musketeers. When the sisters stumble across a stash of letters that reveals their grandmother’s secret life, Gabby sees an opportunity to bring the sisters back together again and best of all, raise her grandmother’s spirits. And sure, this new project makes it easier to pretend her own life isn’t crashing around her, but concentrating on helping everyone else and ignoring her own feelings is what Gabby does best.Except when it comes to Jake Maddox. Once the boy next door she crushed on—hard—he’s grown into an even more intriguing man, and her attraction to him isn’t so easy to hide. It’s clear he’s just as interested in her, but dating Jake would only muddy up her already complicated life. Or is it finally time to put herself first and risk it all for a chance at happiness?
Save My Daughter
Sam Vickery - 2021
I couldn’t relax. I couldn’t hear the theme park music, the giggles of my two other children. I’d left my baby in someone else’s care. And I knew I’d made a mistake…With her two beautiful children and newborn baby Ella, Lily’s life is full of love and laughter. She gave up her job to be a stay-at-home mother, and though she sometimes envies the freedom of best friend Hannah, Lily wouldn’t trade it for anything.But Lily’s world implodes when Hannah disappears with Ella one day, and Lily fears from the text message she receives that Hannah doesn’t intend to come back:You don’t deserve her.It’s true that Lily has been keeping secrets about her marriage from Hannah, ones she thought only she and her husband knew. Suddenly Lily realises that there are things she doesn’t know about Hannah too – and that by keeping her husband’s secrets, she might pay the ultimate sacrifice.A rollercoaster ride of emotions, Save My Daughter will break your heart. Fans of Jodi Picoult, Kate Hewitt and Diane Chamberlain will be swept away by Sam Vickery’s utterly gorgeous novel.
Fake Marriage Box Set
Claire Adams - 2018
One he won't fall in love with... Luke Thompson made a huge mistake when he married his now ex-wife Sarah Smith, but he never thought she would take things as far as she had. She wanted money, the same money she had on hand when they were married, only she doesn’t want him anywhere around, and that means in the picture with his son, either. After a brutal court battle, and accusations that destroyed his credibility as a father, he is left with nothing but his job, and the enjoyment of being a single man. He know he has to get his son back, and when his tough as nails attorney comes to him with an opportunity he is torn at what to do. He needs a wife, or at least a fake one, but where do you just pick up something like that? Then he meets Quinn. Hot, nice and kind. She’s the perfect woman.
Red Rider
Gerrit Steenhagen - 2018
Masquerading as a substitute teacher, he tracks down the killer – a high school senior – and methodically builds a web to entrap him. Teacher does not desire simple justice or death for the killer; he wants the killer to endure what his son endured. But Teacher’s plan takes a life-shattering turn when he must save his son’s former girlfriend from the clutches of the brutal MS-13 gang. A taut, suspenseful thriller, Red Rider explores the depths of revenge and the strength of human bonds.
Breathe
Elena Kravchenko - 2021
December 26, 2004: The Indian Ocean tsunami has flooded great swathes of western Thailand.Carl’s best friend and his wife are missing. He travels from London to Thailand to discover what has happened to them, only to learn there is nothing one man can do in the devastation the wave left behind. What started as an impulsive quest ends up with him examining the very essence of his being.A unique combination of an action-packed quest for truth and a philosophical exploration of life’s deeper meaning, Breathe is a poignant, tense and intelligently written story that will have you contemplating its meaning and message long after you have reached the final page. 'A page-turner with high psychological stakes' - Kirkus Reviews‘A harrowing, profound and intensely emotional tale of loss and hope' - Johanna Gustawsson, author of the international best-seller Roy & Castells books; soon to be a major TV series