Book Review: Maybe Next Time By Cesca Major @CescaMajor

Blurb: One Day meets Groundhog Day, in this heartwarming and emotionally poignant novel about a stressed woman who must relive the same day over and over, keeping her family and work life from imploding as she attempts to spare her husband from an unfortunate fate.

It is an ordinary Monday and harried London literary agent Emma is flying out of the door as usual. Preoccupied with work and her ever growing to-do list, she fails to notice her lovely husband Dan seems bereft, her son can barely meet her eye, and her daughter won’t go near her. Even the dog seems sad.

She is far too busy, buried deep in her phone; social media alerts pinging; clients messaging with “emergencies”; keeping track of a dozen WhatsApp groups about the kids’ sports, school, playdates, all of it. Her whole day is frantic—what else is new—and as she rushes back through the door for dinner, Dan is still upset. They fight, and he walks out, desolate, dragging their poor dog around the block. Just as she realizes it is their anniversary and she has forgotten, again, she hears the screech of brakes.

Dan is dead.

The next day Emma wakes up… and Dan is alive. And it’s Monday again.

And again. 

And again.

Emma tries desperately to change the course of fate by doing different things each time she wakes up: leaving WhatsApp, telling her boss where to get off, writing to Dan, listening to her kids, reaching out to forgotten friends, getting drunk and buying out Prada. But will Emma have the chance to find herself again, remember what she likes about her job, reconnect with her children, love her husband? Will this be enough to change the fate they seem destined for?

A moving “What if” story of what it is to be a woman in the modern world—never feeling we’re getting it quite right—about learning to slow down and appreciate life that is sure to resonate with women’s fiction readers.

Review: I want to start by saying I’m pleased to be sharing this review on publication day. Maybe Next Time is a truly gorgeous story that simply made me ugly cry. Thankfully I finished reading this beautiful tale in the comfort of my own bed. I read many a passage on a bus or train so that could have been embarrassing to say the least.

Emma and Dan are couple goals BUT that does not mean life is easy and that they are perfect. Far from it. Their story is beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming. It was just what I needed to get a bit of perspective on life. The Groundhog Day troupe is a new one that’s come up a bit but what Cesca has done is add a gorgeous spin. Not only does Emma go through her same Monday for what seems like an eternity. It’s a Dateaversy for her and Dan and a tradition they have always had is to write letters to each other.

This aspect filled my heart although the letters weren’t always what you expected them to be. I loved the rawness from them both but what spoke to me in volumes was the love.

Emma can’t imagine life without Dan until that becomes a potential reality. I absolutely loved the being in the moment and creating memories. Emma will make you laugh out loud with some of the things she gets up to. But she will also have you crying like a baby. There’s so much I want to say and so much I cannot say. What I will say is Emma and Dan taught me to be in the moment more. Even when you’re sad there are always snippets of lovely and I’ve needed that more than most right now. We all have troubles that’s what life is all about but it’s how we handle them that matter.

A gorgeous Groundhog Day novel that will pick you up and spit you out in the greatest of ways. So many supporting characters that deserve a mention but I don’t want to give too much away. This story has made me question aspects of my life in the best way and to honour publication day, I am only looking at the good and what I can change and not what I cannot.

Cesca you have floored me once again and given me a book boyfriend and couple goals in one hit. You’ll forever be a go to author for me, this baby is special.

Weekly Update #67

Here we are at Saturday once again, it’s been an interesting week to say the least.

Last Sunday I was reunited with my bestie we watched her beloved Manchester United head into the semi finals of the FA Cup alongside a few drinks before heading to The Royal Albert Hall to see Ronan Keating alongside the symphonic orchestra. It was the perfect way to spend a day off, stress free football as it didn’t matter to me ha a few much needed drinks friends and Ronan. We either take loads of photos or none at all. Although a selfie was had but haven’t seen it uploaded as yet ha.

This is more than likely one Emma sent me as my iphone doesn’t always look that great plus the lighting wasn’t great. Ro choose such a great balance of songs to be accompanied by the orchestra loved the Burt track.

On Tuesday I decided to get on the Exercise bike – ideally I want to get back into running more regularly but the weather has been so on/off of late.

I said to myself at least 30 mins. I started watching the final few eps of You. I was on there for an hour – it’s safe to say my legs were like jelly but I felt so good for it.

I had hoped to get on the bike again but the last few days my legs have felt so heavy. So instead of doing nothing at all I started to implement new routines. Some of them old being phased back in but I’ve felt good for it. Small changes make big impacts in the end.

On Thursday night I was working so I pretty much missed the England V Italy game. Harry Kane finally became England’s all time top goalscorer. I’m over the moon but a little part of me was sad it hadn’t happened on Sunday at Wembley.

So what’s been on the blog?

Last Sunday I brought back the Self Care Sunday post and you can read that here.

On Tuesday I shared a truly gorgeous cover reveal from the fabulous Holly Hepburn and that can be read here.

On Thursday I shared my thoughts on the fabulous Preloved By Lauren Bravo and you can read that here.

Yesterday I had to talk about Harry Kane. Sorry not sorry and that you can read here.

This week I’ve tried to implement some changes for the better and they have really helped so long may that continue. Seeing as my headache has eased and I have some time before I start work I may try and get some reading in.

Until next time…

Harry Kane…

I’m sorry to my bookish followers but I have to talk about this legend today. I don’t want any negativity about trophies and stuff.

Harry Kane is now England and Tottenham Hotspur’s all time top goalscorer and my god that feels so amazing to say. I’m getting super emotional just thinking about it. I was lucky enough to be at the game when Harry got that record for Spurs. As he hadn’t made the England record during the World Cup I had hoped it would have been at Wembley but that wasn’t to be as my captain took that pen and claimed that title in Italy last night.

Harry Kane will forever be a role model for resilience, consistency and loyalty and I’ll forever love him for that. Last season he put us Spurs fans through the mill with whether he would stay. I was so proud to be at the first game he played after that and that roar for him will never get old. Singing ONE OF OUR OWN will forever give me goosebumps. I had tried to stop having favourites but have you ever watched Harry Kane in action.

It’s safe to say when the time comes I’m going to be simply heartbroken more than ever before. Teddy Sheringham has always been my favourite and he’s the reason I’m Spurs. But Harry Kane well and truly stole my heart. If there’s one man I need to meet it’s him, and I’ll be a mess straight after and it will be worth it’s weight in gold.

He’s one of our own, one of our own. Harry Kane is one of our own. Will never ever tire of singing that. Love the absolute bones of him.

Look at those names….Harry you are a legend…

I won’t hear any hate on his name…. Harry Kane is a record breaker and what a joy he is to watch.

Book Review: Preloved By Lauren Bravo @laurenbravo @TeamBATC

Blurb: Gwen’s life has stalled. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the country and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around herbaceous borders and the council’s wheelie-bin timetable. Above all she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?

When Gwen’s made redundant from a job she drifted into a decade ago and never left, she realises it’s time to make a change. Over what might be the best – and most solitary – meal she’s ever eaten, Gwen vows to find something meaningful to do with her life, reconnect with her family and friends – and finally book herself a dentist appointment.

Her search for meaning soon leads her to volunteer in a local charity shop where she both literally and metaphorically unloads her emotional baggage. With the help of the weird and wonderful people she meets in the shop and the donated items bursting with untold stories that pass through its doors, Gwen must finally address the events and choices that led her to this point and find a way to move forward with bravery, humanity and more regular dental care.

Brimming with life, love and the stories bound up in even the most everyday items, Preloved is a tale about friendship, loss, being true to oneself no matter the expectations – and the enduring power and joy of charity shops.

Review: I know it’s so easy for book bloggers to say it’s so hard to do this book justice. But it’s not the cliche it sounds like because it actually is going to be super hard to do Preloved the justice it needs and deserves. The premise of this novel had me intrigued and then at the Blogger Showcase (which you can read or reread about here). I listened to Lauren read from the book and then in speaking to her I spoke of my time as both a volunteer and Assistant Manager for Cancer Research. So I knew that Preloved would bring back a whole host of charity shop memories.

So I was lucky enough to buddy read this book with Catriona although due to both our mad work schedules it’s taken us longer to read that expected. However, it’s been a truly wonderful experience all the same.

Preloved is a special read not only does it take us on the journey to the charity shop, but it shows how much a charity can be the heart and soul of a place.

I love that the story was split into the story itself and then there were passages for different items like a coat, a scarf, a bag, some shoes. From that we get an explanation of the life behind the item. It’s true a lot of the time charity shops are lucky with donations to the saddest aspect which is deaths but sometimes these items are just at the end of the road with that person. These passages were heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure and it really did make me think. I don’t think I always thought how deep this could go whilst I was working in that job, but now having stepped back and read this book it’s given me a fresh outlook once again.

There’s so much I want to say and discuss but I won’t as I don’t want to spoil any of the reveals along the way. What I will say is grief hits us all in different ways and how we choose to get through that isn’t always the right answer either. I loved the aspect of friends and of companionship and now sometimes we push away those we need the most.

Gwen is an extraordinary leading lady and little does she realise how much the charity shop will come to mean to her, plus the relationships she makes and helps along the way.

A truly gorgeous story that will have you thinking and overthinking in equal measure. It’s funny since reading this I’ve popped my head into a few charity shops on the look out for the continuing books from The Thursday Murder Club series. It’s brought back so many memories and brought to life aspects of this book.

This beauty is released on 27th April 2023 and I will be shouting about this one for a while.

Cover Reveal: Return to Half Moon Farm By Holly Hepburn

This evening the fabulous Holly Hepburn shared this gorgeous cover for the first instalment in her new series. I was compelled to share it with you. But before I give you the truly gorgeousness I want to tell you a bit about the book itself.

Blurb: When Daisy’s mother falls ill she is forced to return home. With her twin sons in tow, she moves back to Half Moon Farm, her family’s ancient hop farm.

But a new life in the Kent countryside isn’t necessarily as idyllic as it might seem. Daisy’s relationship with her mother is complicated and the tumbledown farm isn’t the only thing that needs rebuilding. Daisy and her sons must adjust to life with estranged family, a leaking roof, and no WiFi. 

Luckily for Daisy, she might yet find some distraction in silver fox farmer, Drew, or in the haughty heir to the nearby estate, Kit, who she can’t seem to avoid.

So without further ado I present to you…..

You can pre-order the first instalment here.

What do you think??!

Self Care Sunday #3

Self Care Sunday it’s apt that I haven’t posted one of these since the pandemic. You can read my last one right here.

Of late I’ve tried to do little things for myself amongst a busy work life and a mad ole world it’s not always easy.

Getting my nails done was definitely self care at it’s best.

Today I managed to sleep in an hour or so longer than the norm and that felt good and was obviously needed. As today is a me day I got up had a nice cooked breakfast and a much needed coffee felt nice.

It may well be Mothering Sunday but my mum is happy for me to be out and about. A bit of impartial football my mate supports Manchester United who are still in the FA Cup before we head to The Royal Albert Hall to see my most favourite man in the world perform alongside a Symphony Orchestra and I cannot wait. I think a good gig with good friends is exactly what my slightly weary soul needs right now.

Ronan Keating is definitely the man to get me out of any slump. Plus it feels like forever since I’ve seen my bestie. So a good Sunday all round.

On my travels I’ll be back to my buddy read also I cannot wait to share my thoughts with you on Preloved. This book is speaking to me in so many ways and following that I’ll be diving back into the second instalment of The Thursday Murder Club.

Weekly Update #66

Happy Saturday all.

It’s been a chaotic week and not in a way that’s full of pictures and fun stuff. In a way that work has been madness yet productive in some ways and sleep has been very little ha.

I even tried to sleep in this morning but bar 9am it just doesn’t happen. I did want to do a few things this morning so that was fine. My head has been a little off but I’m hoping to get back to my fabulous buddy read shortly.

I’m currently reading….alongside my fabulous bookish pal Catriona aka Fabulous Book Fiend.

It’s such a good read and it’s brought back so many memories of my time volunteering at the charity shop and then being an assistant manager at the charity shop. It’s also made me wistful about creative writing….

Last Sunday I was back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a league game this time against Nottingham Forest. It was a much better day with a much needed win. As ever it was lovely to see my Spurs family.

The blog was extremely light – I had a lot of good intentions but work kinda got in my way. So the posts I’m sharing are from Sunday and yesterday. On Sunday I shared a Six for Sunday post and you can read that here.

On Friday I was on the blog tour for Sarah Steele’s The Lost Song Of Paris and you can read that here.

I also managed to get the next in the Thursday Murder Club series.

That’s me until next time….

Blog Tour: The Lost Song of Paris By Sarah Steele @Sarah_1_Steele #TheLastSongofParis

It’s been a weird old week but today I am pleased to be a part of the blog tour for The Lost Song Of Paris. What a truly remarkable read.

Blurb: For a moment she closed her eyes and imagined she was perched on the diving board at the Piscine Molitor, the sun beating down on her bare shoulders and the sound of Parisians at play beneath her. All she had to do was jump.’

1941. Darkness descends over London as the sirens begin to howl and the bombs rain down. Devastation seeps from every crack of the city. In the midst of all the chaos is a woman gripping a window ledge on the first floor of a Baker Street hotel. She is perched, ready to jump. And as flames rise around her, she is forced to take her chances.

1997. Amy Novak has lost the two great loves in her life: her husband, Michael, and her first love, music. With the first anniversary of Michael’s death approaching, Amy buries herself in her job as an archivist. And when a newly declassified file lands on her desk, she is astonished to uncover proof that ‘Agent Colette’ existed – a name spoken only in whispers; an identity so secret that it has never been verified.

Her discovery leads her to MI6 ‘godmother’ Verity Cooper – a woman with secrets of her own – and on to the streets of Paris where she will uncover a story of unimaginable choices, extraordinary courage and a love that will defy even the darkest days of World War Two . . .

Review: Being a book blogger means from time to time I’m able to discover books I may have missed, this is one of those times. I don’t always get the chance to read historical and or wartime novels but this one well and truly packed a punch. I’m so grateful to be on the blog tour for this truly outstanding book. It’s one I may have missed and I’m so grateful to have been able to read Verity, Amy and most importantly Collette’s story.

The Last Song of Paris took me on not one but two rollercoaster rides. Amy is in the now, and she’s suffered a terrible trauma and a devastating loss. She’s researching Agent Collette who like Amy was a pianist and a strong woman. The parallels between Amy and Collette are huge and in searching for Colette’s story Amy learns a lot about herself. She also makes a new friend in Verity who also needed to let out a number of emotions especially that of guilt following the war and her part in that. Their shared grief meant each woman opened up to the other and that was powerful in overcoming the grief and guilt that has set them both back in very different ways.

Collette is super strong in many ways not only does she care wholeheartedly about those close to her, she also cares for her country men and women threefold. She puts herself in so many dangerous situations for the good of all and with the hope that when the war is over she can be reunited with her friends and loved ones. Her story is fascinating, inspiring and incredibly sad. A woman who would do almost anything for those she holds dear. I don’t want to say too much but there is an aspect where she can’t remember and that was hard to read as she doubted herself but she never doubted the love for Alec.

The love story is only part of the story but it brings a crossover to all involved that will have your heart well and truly in your mouth. I was captivated from start to finish.

As I say I don’t often get the chance to read historical books but this was a treat that informed and kept me engaged throughout. The mystery along the way had me eagerly turning the pages. Having loved Sarah’s writing I’ll be looking at reading more from this author. Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour.

If this sounds like a book you want to read tell me why and I may just send you my copy. This story needs to be shared.

Six For Sunday: Favourite Women in stories #SixForSunday

#SIXFORSUNDAY

WHAT IS #SIXFORSUNDAY?

#SixforSunday was a little blog feature I started in June 2017 for me. It’s a weekly blog post where you get to share 6 books which fill a certain prompt.

Originally, #SixforSunday was a post I did that I never thought I would stick with! It was my place to share 6 bookish things under a given prompt. (If you want to see my first post, you can check it out here!) I started it thinking it would fizzle out and that I would run out of things to use as prompts: I never imagined that it would transform itself into something OTHER PEOPLE JOIN IN WITH every week. 

HOW DO I JOIN IN WITH #SIXFORSUNDAY?

That’s entirely up to you! If you’re a blogger, you will find the prompts for January to March in this blog post and you can post a blog post with your six choices for that week’s prompt. If you’re not a blogger but want to join in anyway:

• post a tweet with your choices
• a picture on instagram showing us your choices
• reply to my post with your choices

Remember if you do create a post (whether it’s on twitter or instagram) to share your post using the hashtag #SixforSunday so I can see it, read it and share it! You can always leave your link in my post on a Sunday too and then others will be able to read it too!

Today’s prompt is favourite women in stories. I mean coinciding with international women’s day this is apt but where do I begin.

I still haven’t got round to this one but I do know Little Women so I’m going for Jo. Jo is a character you easily fall in love with, her love her stories wow what a woman.

I’m going in fresh as you can see now I am repping Esther from All My Love. She’s had such a hard time but meeting Archie changes her for the better. A kick ass female with a truly romantic heart.

Everyone needs a Jenny Lopez in there life. I really must get new headphones as I need to get on with this series.

Esther is the friend we all want. Although this novel did make me feel a bit seen for the wrong guy 😌

I absolutely loved the triplets in this book. So many feels.

This was such a fun book I cannot wait to start watching the TV series so Daisy is my final choice.

That concludes another Six for Sunday…..until next time…

Weekly Update #65

Happy Saturday all.

I’ve been a bit more organised this week and it’s helped. Granted when I have certain days off I really do lose what day it is. It’s been a mostly productive working week which is great and makes the days go by well. Following the last week being somewhat hectic it’s been a bit more chilled this week.

On Wednesday I attended the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the Champions League game against AC Milan. I won’t go into that too much as I have penned a post that tells all.

Received this beauty this week out in July..

So what’s been on the blog? It’s been another bumper week where I post every single day, see when I’m organised this happens. I even posted twice on Thursday but that was purely due to pent up energy and frustration. I needed an outlet and I’m very proud of that post I must say.

On Sunday I shared my review on Miranda Dickinson’s All My Love, a story that wholeheartedly stole my heart and you can read that review here.

On Monday I shared my March TBR I didn’t add too much and as it stands I haven’t rectified the lack of headphones. You can read that post here.

On Tuesday I shared a Top Ten Tuesday post that you can read here.

Wednesday was International Women’s Day and I had to mark that occasion in the only way I know how. You can read that post here.

On Thursday I ended up posting two posts as I was full of such pent up energy I needed to let those words out. So you firstly got a Throwback Thursday that you can read here. And then I shared my thoughts on The Beautiful Game that you can read here.

If you’re a regular here at Hayley Reviews you’ll know that Friday posts are a bit hit and miss. But this week I shared my thoughts on The Thursday Murder Club and you can read that here.

On my way again this time for a league game fingers crossed it’s a better one. The weather is so that’s a start.

I also have to just talk football a little bit more before I get back to my book and let you get back to your day. It’s outstanding the solidarity for Gary Linekar just proving how much football means. I feel like lots will tune in to see what happens for MOTD with no presenters and no Football Focus – would have missed that anyway as I’m on route to the Lane. Have a good weekend all.