The Boy Who Loved Rain by Gerard Kelly

Colom is the teenage son, and Fiona the wife, of David Dryden, pastor of a high profile church in London, who is admired for his emphasis on the Christian family. But all is not well. Colom's erratic behaviour causes a great deal of family stress. When a commitment to die is discovered in Colom's room after the suicide of a school friend, David finds himself out of his depth - and Fiona, in panic, takes Colom and flees . . . A wonderful, intelligent and searching novel about the toxic nature of secrets, and the possibility of starting again.

Thank you to Lion Fiction for having me as part of the blog tour for this book. I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would!

This novel is about Colom, a teenage boy who is having dreams he can’t understand and has secrets he feels are there but has no knowledge of. Colom felt so real and I started to feel like I had to protect him in some way. You root for him throughout the whole book and want him to be able to live a normal teenage life.
I loved that something as simple as rain was the theme of this book, it is something that I have never seen before and it worked brilliantly. It is explored so well and although you might think ‘what? A story about rain?’it is written so beautifully that you can't not enjoy it. This book makes you think but without knowing you are doing so, it is so powerful, intriguing and has the power to take over you completely. I loved how at the beginning of each chapter he gave us a quote about rain, I didn't think there could be so many! 

Gerard Kelly is a brilliant writer, he has the ability to keep you hooked on the story and make it impossible to put down. There is so much emotion in his novel that you can’t help but feel like you are living it.

I don’t want to say too much more about this book because it is so good that I want everybody to read it and don’t want to ruin it, so if you want to know more you will have to buy the book!
I would highly recommend this book to anybody, it is a thought provoking, engaging and intriguing novel that you just can’t put down. I loved this story and I cannot wait to read more of Gerard’s novels.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Clockwork Heart by Jeffery Martin Botzenhart

Until the end of time…and then beyond…

Would it be a crime against nature to help those in need by the use of unusual and possibly illegal medical procedures? Victoria begs her father, a brilliant physician, to commit such a crime for the man who she has forever fallen in love with. Trevor was critically injured by enemy artillery while fighting on the Western Front. Victoria hopes that through the restoration of his damaged body, their love will flourish once he is well again.

Unforeseeable revelations and unimaginable confrontations create havoc for the lovers. Will Victoria and Trevor find a place where their love will last for eternity…or has time run out?


Thank you to the author for sending a copy of this book to me for review. This book is so short I got through it in about an hour, it is the perfect book to start reading when you want a bit of a break from longer books.

I really enjoyed Clockwork Heart, it is such a simple story yet so magical and full of love. Jeffery Martin Botzenhart is a brilliant writer, he makes you feel as though you are in the story and really connects with the characters. The way he so brilliantly describes everything in the book means that you can close your eyes and put yourself everywhere the characters go.

I loved Victoria and Trevor, there love happens so fast, but I loved seeing how much they cared for each other before actually properly knowing one another. It was a 100 year old story of love at first sight.

One of the characters I didn't really understand was Victoria's father, there was just something about him that I found very strange. He was so over-protective of Victoria and didn't seem like he was letting her live her life, you could see that he cared for her but he took away her freedom. He then all of a sudden completely changed and seemed to be happy for Victoria and Trevor, I would of liked to learn a little bit more about him and get inside his head.

You can't really guess much of the novel from the blurb and I liked that because you just don't know what is going to happen. I don't want to say to much more about this book because I want people to read it the way I did, completely unsure of what is going to happen.

I do wish this book was a bit longer as I wanted to see more from Victoria and Trevor but it did end perfectly and made me a bit teary! I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a short, easy to read, romantic novel.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Connectivity by Aven Ellis

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming. Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry.
MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family.

But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process.

Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well…


Thank you to Aven Ellis for gifting this book to me. I have become addicted to Aven’s novels and this one was no different. I read this book in a day, as I have with pretty much all of Aven’s books, I just devour them. After reading all of Aven’s other books you can tell that this is her first novel, but it is not a bad thing, she has developed as a writer from this book to her others and you can see how this one led her into writing them. Having said that though this book is still brilliantly written and you can't help but love it!

Mary-Kate (MK) is an assistant working at a sports media company, which she hates, but it in the same building, so a step closer, to her dream job on Beautiful Homes Network. When William Cumberland, a British media mogul, takes over the company and makes MK his personal assistant, both of their lives change.

I loved MK, she was so down to earth, loyal, smart and you could so easily relate to her and she was SO clumsy, just like me! Learning that she was named after an Olsen twin took me right back to my childhood and made me instantly love her. There was nothing I didn't like about MK, she wasn't arrogant like you find in some girls in books and she wasn't selfish, she just wanted to do her job well and get her dream job. Also, even though she knows how rich and successful William is, she is not bothered about his money, she just loves him for the William he is away from being Mr Cumberland, successful business man. She reminded me a lot of Lucy from Aven’s other novel Waiting for Prince Harry (which I absolutely loved)!
Yet again Aven has written a gorgeous, smart, generous and kind male character in William who you fall in love with as quickly as MK does. I loved how he treated MK and how protective of her he was and it had me laughing out loud when he went into 'badass mogul' mode when standing up for MK.
I didn't take to MK’s friends Reese and Emily at all, they never seemed to have a good word to say to MK and were always bringing her down. I could see that they were concerned about her but they didn't give her a chance to be happy. 

I love how Aven added some banter between Mary-Kate and William by having them call each other names and laugh over English and American words, like trunk/ boot, cell/ mobile and especially aluminium, that is something that makes me cringe when I hear Americans say it haha! Sorry!

This book is not your typical romance novel, it is about finding love in an unexpected place. I loved how although MK was being warned off William nothing stopped her, she wasn't being stupid, she just knew it was worth the wait and the disapproval of her friends. The way Aven has the characters really develop and get to know each other before anything happens is what I love about her books, she never has her characters rush into sleeping together.

I liked how Aven wrote William and his and MK's trip to London. She seemed to have done a lot of research into Britain and the British and wrote about it so well. Aven is a brilliant writer and you can’t help but get sucked into her novels, they are just so cute, heart-warming and you find yourself smiling while reading them. Her writing style is just so intriguing and engaging and she makes you have to carry on reading.

I am so sad that this is the last Aven Ellis book I have on my pile to read, but I can’t wait for her next novel to be released! If you are looking for a light-hearted, cute, funny, romantic read I would definitely pick up this book!

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Finders Keepers by Kris Lillyman

Jake Sawyer has lost everything. His wife has left him for another man and taken their two young children with her, his business is in ruins and he is sinking under the weight of serious debt. He is at breaking point and ready to end it all. But as he prepares to jump from a bridge into oblivion, his fortunes suddenly change. A car crashes right beside him killing the driver instantly but in the wreck Jake finds a case full of priceless diamonds. Immediately seeing salvation and temporarily abandoning his sanity, he takes the case and escapes to Europe without barely considering the consequences of what he has done. A worldwide hunt for the diamonds ensues in which Jake has to evade both the police and the vicious mercenaries who are the true owners of the stones. Along the way, Jake encounters murder, heartache and love in his desperate quest to find redemption.

A breathtaking roller-coaster of a read that rattles along at blistering pace.

Thank you to Publishing Push for sending a copy of this book to me for review.

This is the first book by Kris Lillyman I have read but on doing some research I noticed that he has written many books, both thrillers and children’s books. So I had high hopes about this book before reading it, and I was not disappointed!

I have never read a book like this before, it is definitely not the usual type of thriller but that’s what makes it so great and definitely worth the read. It shows how one spare of the moment decision can change so much. I am not going to say too much about it because I want everybody that reads it to go into it knowing as little as possible about it, I did and it made the book so much better for me. 

This novel is about Jake Sawyer who has lost everything. His wife left him for someone else and took their two children with her, he is in a huge amount of debt and his business has failed. Things have gotten so bad for Jake that he is thinking about ending his life, he decides to do this by jumping off a bridge, Before he gets the chance he witnesses a car accident and Jake’s life changes. How? Why? You will have to read the book to find out.

I really liked Jake and connected with him and what he was going through, he is one of those characters that you’re not sure if you should like but you end up liking anyway. In the end you are really rooting for him.

Kris Lillyman is an incredible author, he has you hooked from just a few pages in and the story keeps changing that you just don’t know what is going to happen, just when you think you have worked out what is happening, Kris changes the story. This is so annoying yet so brilliant as you just have to keep on reading to see what actually happens.

I am definitely going to pick up other books from Kris as I need to experience more of his writing. If you are looking for a fast-paced, exciting, thrilling, attention grabbing book then this is it!

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Christmas With Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

Join Billy and Sophie for the next chapter of their story by bestselling author Giovanna Fletcher.

Christmas has come to Rosefont Hill and it's destined to be a particularly special festive season for Sophie May.

When a smitten stranger emails Sophie to ask her if he can propose to the woman he loves in her little teashop, the romantic in her finds it impossible to refuse. Even though Christmas is her busiest time of year she has her own sweetheart, Hollywood actor Billy Buskin, to lend a helping hand. How could she say no to making someone's dream come true?

As Sophie and Billy work together to plan the perfect fairytale proposal for this couple, excitement in Rosefont Hill is mounting. Who is this mysterious man? And who is the lucky lady he's about to get down on one knee for?

Since reading Billy and Me in 2013 I have longed for another look at what Sophie and Billy are up to and here it finally is! I couldn't wait to start reading this book! It is a short novella that you can get through in an hour and it is the perfect book to get you in the Christmas spirit! I love Christmas but wasn't quite in the Christmas spirit yet, I most definitely am now and I'm not even ashamed!

It is good to be able to catch up with one of my favourite book couples again further into their relationship and it's Christmas so its even more exciting! I am not going to say too much about this book because you have to have read Billy and Me to truly understand and appreciate this book, and I want everybody to feel the magic of the story without knowing too much.
I did think I had figured out the ending of this book about half way though and I have to say I was a little disappointed that this didn't happen but it was still so magical and I did have tears in my eyes, so it is definitely not a criticism!

Yet again we see what a talented author Giovanna is, she gets you hooked from the first page. Her writing is so beautiful and makes you so happy. She has the power to make you cry with anything she writes and I think that's why I love her books so much, you get so emotionally attached so easily and you feel as though you are in the book with the characters.

If you are looking for a brilliant, romantic, heart-warming, festive read I would recommend you pick this up!

Amazon UK 

You can read my review of Billy and Me here:

Mr Innocent by Angel Ray

Lexi Gifford is the editor-in-chief of a popular women’s magazine named Innocent. Lexi needs a new assistant and a new lover, and she finds both in Theodore Logan—a rather naïve and virginal farm boy from Iowa. 

At first, Lexi is hesitant about getting involved with Theodore—who goes by Theo—because of a bad previous relationship. There’s also the age difference, because Lexi is thirty-two and Theo is eighteen.

However, any hesitation on her part flies out the window when he winds up modeling for an upcoming issue of Innocent, when a model doesn’t show for the shoot. Unable to resist seeing his hunky farm boy frame clad only in a pair of form-fitting bikini bottoms, she ravishes Theo.

Their relationship blossoms both in and out of the bedroom, and eventually Lexi realizes that her passion for Theo goes beyond the merely sexual and that she has genuine feelings for him.

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for review. I read this book in less than an hour as it is only 37 pages long and it is definitely worth a read. 

I didn't read the blurb before I started reading this book, I went into it blind and I'm glad I did as I wasn't sure what to expect, which was much more exciting. 

I did enjoy this book, however I would of liked it to give us more of a background on Lexi and Theo as it just jumped straight into their relationship. I would of like to see them working together first and developing a friendship and working relationship. Having said that though this book isn't one where the characters relationship develops, it just happens so fast. So the author has purposely jumped straight in with them. Looking at it from this point of view it is a brilliantly written and thought out book. 

I didn't particularly like Lexi, she seemed so self obsessed and thought she could have any man she wanted. She seemed to me that she took advantage of people that she knew couldn't or wouldn't say no to her. I did warm to her at the end of the book though when she seemed to show a different side to her and her true feelings towards Theo, I wish the book had gone on a little bit longer for us to see more of this. 

I loved Theo from the start, he was so innocent and there were times in the book where I wanted to shake him for being so naive and times when I just wanted to scoop him up and give him a big hug. 

Angel Ray's writing keeps the book exciting, it is fast-paced and easy to read. He puts a lot of description into the scenes and characters that you feel like you are in the room with them (although it would be pretty awkward if you were most of the time haha)!

I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a short, sexy read. It is a book that you can immerse yourself in for an hour when you need a bit of a break from life. 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

An Imaginary House by the Sea by Cecily Gates

“Love is a messy thing. That hopelessly devoted, deep-in-your-bones kind of love we used to dream about when we were kids—it turns out that it’s hard. It aches. It takes time. Like a house that weathers the ages, it must be built, brick by brick.”

Snarky and ambitious Dawn Campbell almost had it all: a job producing lavish celebrity events, a hip downtown apartment, and a studmuffin of a boyfriend. But after losing all three in one fell swoop, Dawn finds herself resorting to the unimaginable: returning home to Bridgeport, an oceanside town where the air smells sweet but not much happens.

When a chance encounter brings her into the sturdy arms of John Brown, her childhood best friend, old feelings come rushing back. As the sparks fly, life finally starts to look up for Dawn...until she meets his wife.

Marguerite Brown has everything that Dawn doesn't a killer fashion sense, a breathtaking beauty, and a French accent—oh, and the kind of temperament that makes great white sharks seem docile in comparison. Determined to release John from an unhappy marriage, Dawn turns on the charm and makes a plan to finally win back her one-that-got-away.

But after Dawn stumbles upon a secret that, up until now, Marguerite has meticulously kept hidden, the two women are thrust into an unexpected friendship. An Imaginary House by the Sea follows Dawn’s journey towards self-rediscovery, finding purpose, and building a more complex, steadfast kind of love than she could have ever imagined.


Thank you to Cecily Gates for sending me a copy of this book for review. I ran a giveaway of this book on my blog a while ago and wished I had some way of winning so I could read it haha! So when Cecily contacted me asking me to review her novel I jumped at the chance. I thought it sounded exactly like my kind of book and the title and cover are so intriguing!

We join Dawn Campbell as she is packing up her life in the city to move back home to her childhood town of Bridgeport, after losing her job, apartment and life there. Straight away she reconnects with her childhood best friend and crush John Brown. hoping to start where she left off and thinking she feels the sparks flying again, Dawn thinks she will finally end up with John, that is until she sees the shiny wedding ring on his finger, and meets his beautiful French wife and two children to go with it.

I loved that at the beginning of each chapter we went back in time to Dawn’s childhood in what seemed like letters to John telling us what had happened but him how she felt. It was great to see a younger Dawn and be able to see how although some things have changed for her since then, a lot of things are still the same. Everything we see from the past is an important event and they shape the story and make us understand more.

At first I wasn't sure what to make of Dawn, she seemed nice but also had her selfish ways about her but I think as she got her life back in Bridgeport and after a few words with Marguerite, she started to see where she was going, she changed and I loved her.

Dawn and Marguerite’s relationship was great to read, at first they hated each other, which was understandable as anybody could see how Dawn and John felt about each other (or so we thought that was the reason), but as they got to know each other and Dawn learned Marguerite’s secret they formed a heart-warming relationship. Dawn makes some mistakes when it comes to John and his family but they shape the person she ends up becoming. Dawn was real and you could really connect with her, she wasn't perfect, but who is?
John I did like from the start, the love he had for his family was lovely to see, everything he did he put them first. As well as Dawn he makes mistakes but he does everything he can to try to fix them.

I thought the ending was going to be quite predictable and I thought I had guessed it from very early on in the book, but I was wrong! There are so many twists and turns that by the end of the book you actually have no idea what is going to happen.

Cecily is a brilliant author, her writing seems so effortless, the story just flows and you are hooked from just a few pages in. This story has a bit of everything, sadness, romance, anger, heart break, humour and drama, so you it keeps you hooked right the way through. It is the perfect emotional read that you can’t help but love. If you are a lover of chic-lit, romance, comedy or drama then I would recommend you pick up this book. I can't wait to read the next book in the Bridgeport series.

Amazon UK | Amazon US

The lovely Cecily Gates has given me 2 ebook copies of An Imaginary House by the Sea to give away, enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway