Book picks similar to
Summer at Hollyhock House by Cathy Bussey
contemporary
women-s-fiction
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Izzy As Is
Tracie Banister - 2018
For six years she’s made a good living by flaunting her God-given assets on runways and in front of cameras, but now as she approaches the big 3-0, the bodacious Latina is shocked to learn she’s aged out of the profession that’s kept her in mojitos, mani/pedis, and designer thongs. What’s a girl with a taste for the finer things in life and no marketable skills to do?Getting a regular job is too boring to even consider, so Izzy decides to follow in the footsteps of her newly-engaged frenemy and become a trophy wife. Although she’s desperate and too broke to get a chipped nail fixed, Izzy still has standards for her future husband, which means no uggos, no vertically-challenged guys, and no geezers who need to pop a blue pill to perform in the bedroom. Enlisting the aid of her computer whiz nephew and her closest pals, Izzy goes on the prowl for a rich, marriage-minded man, encountering likely candidates in a lot of unlikely places.The high life she’s dreamed of may be within reach when Izzy meets a charming, successful man who’s not only hotter than a steamy summer night in Miami, but ready to settle down. Now all Izzy has to do is make sure her loud, crazy Cuban family doesn’t scare off el hombre perfecto—oh, yeah, and squelch those pesky, romantic feelings she keeps having for the sweet, cash-strapped guy she's known forever.Will Izzy’s hunger for money win out, or will her fiery heart demand to be heard?
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
Claire Allan - 2012
. .Kitty Shanahan, proprietor of The Dressing Room, is very much in lovewith love. But a routine phone-call turns her seemingly perfect life on itshead. It’s not easy to help hopeful brides choose their dream dresses whenyour heart is in pieces. And it’s hard to know who to trust when the manyou trusted with your entire life has mysteriously disappeared.Journalist Erin Brannigan knows exactly where the love of her life is.But Paddy, who happens to be battling cancer, has turned into a ‘Groomzilla’– planning their forthcoming wedding to the very last detail. When sheis challenged by her bosses to write about her forthcoming wedding,Paddy’s cancer and the man who first broke her heart, she finds herselfcaught up in a whirlwind which spins far out of her control.Thrown together in the elegant dressing-rooms of the bridal shop,Kitty and Erin find themselves caught up in each other’s lives andwondering if broken hearts can ever be mended.
The Winter That Made Us
Kate Field - 2018
She’s spent a lifetime making the best of things, hasn’t she? Determined to throw herself into village life, Tess starts a choir and gathers a team of volunteers to restore the walled garden at Ramblings, the local stately home. Everything could be perfect, if she weren’t sharing a cottage and a cat with a man whose manner is more prickly than the nettles she’s removing… As winter approaches, Tess finds herself putting down her own roots as fast as she’s pulling them up in the garden. But the ghosts of the past hover close by, and Tess must face them if she’s to discover whether home is where her heart has been all along.
If I Fall
Ella Harper - 2018
I’m really sorry for what I’m about to do...
It’s fifteen years since graduation, and Connie, Jonas, JJ and Layla have managed to remain close despite the odds. They’ve supported each other, but are some things too big for friendship?Connie is desperate to maintain the veneer of perfect family life.Jonas is feeling the pressure at work.Layla’s career is unravelling thanks to her ill motherJJ’s past is catching up with him.When they stumble and fall, who will be there to catch them?A truly powerful and unforgettable story of love, friendship, and real life, If I Fall is perfect for readers of Alice Peterson, Amanda Prowse and Lianne Moriarty. Praise for Ella Harper:
‘You won’t be able to stop reading’
Heat Magazine
‘This book was heartbreaking but beautiful...Such a joy to read, while holding back tears’ Til Then Smile Often‘Only very rarely does a book come along that captures me and engages me as much as this one did… But don't despair, the ending was uplifting and filled with promise’ Bookish Bits‘I finished the book with a whopping big lump in my throat but with joy in my heart’ JaffaReads‘Wonderful, heart-breaking and poignant… The story touched me to the core with its deeply moving plot, beautiful characters and a unique, inspiring and insightful plot’ Read Day and Night
‘A great book to curl up with’
Daily Mail
‘I had tears in my eyes’ Bookworms and Shutterbugs‘A beautiful emotional story… I shed quite a few tears while reading this book. It's a marvelous must-read’ With Love for Books‘I have a feeling this book will stay with me for a long time’ Lilac Mills‘Warm, perceptive and razor sharp. It’s everything you want from a novel’ Veronica Henry
Big O Box Set
Penny Wylder - 2018
In these stories, there's no question that they will... From USA Today Bestselling Author Penny Wylder comes a box set packed page to page with stories that will melt your kindle. Each one is free of any cheating or cliff hangers, and they all promise a happily ever after that will leave you swooning! Contains five of my best selling stories: Get Me Off Bed Shaker Deep in You Sext Bang
The French Escape
Suzie Tullett - 2018
Loved it." Sarah Hardy - By The Letter Book Reviews"Charming and thoroughly enjoyable" Rachel Gilbey - Reviewer
It’s fair to say that Flick has had a terrible year. Her beloved father died, she had the wedding of her dreams and only hours after the ceremony her husband ran out on her.
Brenda, fed up with her daughter living like a hermit, decides to drag Flick off to France to stay in a chateau. What could be better than an idyllic escape?But when they arrive Flick discovers the chateau is all but abandoned.The only upside of her French escape is the handsome and mysterious neighbour, Nate.Nate loves his life living in the cottage on the grounds of the abandoned chateau but that is about to be put in jeopardy…
Can Nate and Flick ever learn to come to terms with the past and find love again?
What everyone is saying about The French Escape:
"I loved this book! The characters were delightful, the setting was dreamy and the story perfectly paced, with some surprises."
Kaye Barley - reviewer
"a feel good, easy and satisfying read."
Joan Hill - Reviewer
"a really lovely book, full of happily ever afters, family, friendship, love, happiness, funny moments and idyllic French countryside"
Karen Whittard - reviewer
"The story has all the right ingredients in the right proportions to make you go all warm and fuzzy."
Shree Janani - reviewer
Suze Tullett is the author of Little White Lies and Butterflies and The Trouble With Words. The French Escape is an uplifting and laugh-out-loud Romantic comedy which will appeal to fans of authors like Sue Roberts, Marian Keyes and Sarah Morgan.
The Summer We Ran Away
Jenny Oliver - 2019
As the founder of the Cedar Terrace Whatsapp group, she’s constantly chivvying the neighbours to action, as well as dealing with a kitchen extension, leaning-in at work, and dealing with Imposter Syndrome and her family…But when she accidentally Whatsapps her neighbours a secret letter to an agony aunt she inadvertently confesses to a secret crush. While she loves her husband, Adam, she spends most of her time fantasising about the married father-of-two who lives opposite, timing her evening runs to coincide with his dog walks, finding reasons to pop over and chat and sometimes she catches him looking in a way that suggests he might quite like her too.Julia is horror-struck as the little blue ticks appear on the Whatsapp message. Then left dangling as it’s met with widespread silence and a couple of embarrassed emojis.When the neighbours know exactly what you’re thinking, there’s only one thing to do. Run away.
It’s a summer that she’ll never forget… Another gorgeous escapist read from the bestselling Jenny Oliver.
Summer Fling
Té Russ - 2020
When Jade Sheppard rents a guesthouse near the beach for a week, her only plan is to study for the bar exam and avoid any and all distractions.But when she runs into Keenan Barker, her incredibly sexy host, she quickly realizes that he just might be a distraction that’s impossible to resist.
Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner
Helen Cox - 2016
When she starts waitressing at the Starlight Diner, she realises it’s the perfect place to lie-low and lick her wounds.That is until their newest regular, actor Jack Faber, decides to take an interest in Esther. But her past is holding her back and she’s not ready to fall in love again. Is she?Desperate to start a new life, Esther begins to wonder if she can ever learn to let go. Could New York be just the place to set her free?‘With its shades of light and dark, this delicious debut is a page-turner you’d be mad to miss’ SAMANTHA TONGE
What I Didn't Say
Jade Beer - 2018
captivating and flawless... will leave you sobbing… grabbed my attention from the start and I could not put it down!’ Goodreads reviewerIf you could wish one thing for your daughter, what would it be?Jenny lost her beloved mother as a teenager. As a parting gift her mother left a bundle of letters, one for each significant day of Jenny’s future. First date, first broken heart, wedding day, when she becomes a mother…But now Jenny is in her late twenties, and while at the hospital where she works she helps other women start families every day, she still hasn’t opened the letter for the day she meets the love of her life, let alone the one for having a baby.And Jenny is still writing back:I’m sorry I don’t love cycling.I’m sorry I don’t always dream about you.I’m sorry the last thing I whispered in your ear was, ‘can I stay up late?’ when it should have been ‘I love you’.When a case of mistaken identity leads to an unexpected friendship with Helen, a kindly shopkeeper in her fifties, the bond growing between them makes Jenny wonder: she treasures her mother’s words more than anything, but are they keeping her stuck in the past?Can we ever heal from a loss that cuts so deep? Can Jenny find a way to let go, and start living life to the full, as her mother truly wanted?An absolutely unforgettable book-club read that will break your heart. If you love Jojo Moyes, Cecelia Ahern and Nancy Thayer you will love this unputdownable page-turner.
Sunshine at Cherry Tree Farm
Lilac Mills - 2018
Actually, that‘s a lie – she doesn't like the men I choose.
Jennie Meadows has convinced herself she has everything she could ever need: a dog grooming business - ‘Telling Tails’ - going from strength to strength at Cherry Tree Farm and her trusty four-legged soulmate Millie.After a series of bad break-ups Jennie has learned that Millie’s judgement (when it comes to men, at least) is sounder than her own. So when the pup takes a sudden liking to the local vet Jennie’s interest is piqued. Though she’s sworn off dating, they do say cupid works in mysterious ways so perhaps it’s time for Jennie and Millie to take a leap of faith. Because happy ever after may be just a tail wag away…
Sunshine at Cherry Tree Farm is a tail of love, grief and trusting in those you hold most dear...What readers are saying about Sunshine at Chery Tree Farm:
'Brilliant book… it is hard to put down' Reader review'This book deserves more stars. Great storyline and for any animal lover have the tissues at the ready… Brilliant book.' Reader review'Wonderful! I could go on all day about how much I loved it. I will be reading all this author’s books from now on. Can’t recommend it enough' Reader review'Loved this book so much… it was a fantastic read, made me laugh & cry.' Reader review'As a newcomer to owning dogs, this book touched my heart. Lots of wonderful imagery, romance… not to mention furry, four-footed friends. Brilliant.' Reader review'This is the best book I have read in ages! Happy, sad, exciting, interesting and the author really understands the relationships humans have with dogs. Loved it!' Reader review'A wonderful story of love and loss I can definitely relate to. Will definitely read more books from this author.' Reader review'Couldn't put this book down, laughed, shed a few tears and walked around with a soppy smile on my face. So many emotions in one book. I'm off to find another Lilac Mills book as I really enjoyed this one.' Reader review'Omg this was an absolute brilliant story. Funny and incredibly sad in parts, I bawled my eyes out! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend.' Reader review
Witch Way? Can't Say - (Book One): Paranormal Comedy Romance
M.L. Briers - 2019
It wasn’t too much to ask, was it? Well, fate seemed to have other plans for her in the form of a big, bad, bear shifter name Dale. If only she’d listened to Aunt Harriet and hadn’t acted in haste, then she might have done her witchy due diligence and checked the area to make sure there weren’t any shifters, vampires, or troubles on the horizon. From the moment she stepped into her barn and found that sexy bear shifter naked, she knew deep down that she was in trouble, and trouble just loved company. That company came in the form of Dale’s sister, Lynn, and she had man troubles of her own. What else could go wrong? As a witch, Ami knew not to ask, and now there was a vampire out for blood, but whose? Hold on for a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud, rollercoaster ride of fun and wooing in this crazy paranormal comedy from the author of the Howl’s Series. Can you keep up?
Highlander's Daring Escape
Alisa Adams - 2019
She wants to marry out of love or not at all.Bryan is the last decedent of what used to be a noble family. With his former glory forgotten, he is now a wanderer looking for a fresh start.Fate introduces them when Catherine finds Bryan wounded and exhausted and helps him.Little does she know that Bryan has just stopped her powerful uncle from raping a young girl!Now her uncle has a scarred face and insatiable rage to hunt down Bryan and take his head!When Catherine learns who is chasing Bryan, she has to pick who to trust. Her uncle or the stranger she can't forget?Unbeknownst to her, it's not only Bryan's life at stake."Highlander's Daring Escape" is a story of romance, betrayal, and redemption, set on the beautiful backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.
A Summer of New Beginnings
Lisa Hobman - 2019
Jetting from wooden huts on stilts in turquoise seas to boutique hotels with roaring fires to 7* penthouse suites with panoramic views of the world's most glamorous cities... Zara knows hers is the definition of a dream job! So she is seriously shocked to receive her next assignment; Scotland's Northcoast 500 route. By bicycle. Sleeping in a tent so basic it can't remotely be dressed up glamping! But this could be just the distraction the recently heartbroken, Zara needs. No men, no romance, just the breathtakingly rugged Highland scenery. Until she meets croft owner Lachlan Grant, and his black and white Border Collie Bess, that is...
Make Me an Offer
C. Morgan - 2019
I don’t have time for anything but my bustling shop.
Fate didn’t ask me though, and attraction turns into some much, much richer.This woman is mine from the moment she walks in.
Deal or no deal, I’m playing for keeps.