Cover Reveal: The Love Interest By Victoria Walters

Happy Thursday and today I am pleased to be able to share a gorgeous cover reveal. It sure has been a while since I’ve shared a gorgeous cover so much so that I’ve had to look back and see what the last one was.

The last cover reveal I was involved with was back in September for Rebecca Ryan’s next offering that’s out early next year. You can reread that post here. I somehow missed out on joining the blog tour for her next novel but I am so going to be reading and reviewing as soon as it’s physically possible.

Today I am so pleased to share Victoria Walters next offering. I love this lady although I do need to catch up on a few of her books. Before I share the gorgeous cover let’s see what the books about….

Blurb: No man can be as good as the one in your imagination…

Librarian Liv Thomas has always dreamed of writing a romance novel. But she’s stuck when it comes to creating a romantic hero – sadly – lacking anyone in real life to base him on.

When her brother suggests his best friend stay in their shared flat for a few weeks, she can’t believe her bad luck. Aiden Rivers is irritating and pushes all her buttons. Worst of all, he’s gorgeous, has a sexy accent and reminds her of her all-time favourite character Mr Darcy.

Liv finds herself unexpectedly inspired and the leading man in her novel begins to bear an uncanny resemblance to Aiden. He can never find out though: she’d never live it down. Because Aiden can only ever be her love interest in the pages of her book – and definitely not in real life… right?!

A laugh-out-loud enemies to lovers rom com, perfect for those who spend far too much time thinking about Mr Darcy coming out of the lake!

Now if that has piqued your interest let’s see the beautiful cover.

This beauty is currently 99p to preorder on Kindle and I’ve done exactly that and you can do the same here. It’s released in my birthday month too I cannot wait to read this…

Book Review: The Mysterious Affair at Styles By Agatha Christie

Blurb: A country house
A murder
A Belgian detective

After the Great War, life can never be the same again.

Captain Arthur Hastings is invited to Styles To recuperate from injuries sustained at the Front. It is the last place he expects to encounter murder.

Fortunately he knows a former detective, a Belgian refugee, who happens to be staying nearby . . .

Here, for the first time, meet Agatha Christie’s legendary creation: Hercule Poirot.

Review: When I first find a new author I’m truly captivated. Getting into Agatha Christie now has been an enlightening experience I thank the authors who wrote their own stories in Marple. For they paved the way for my curiosity and this is the second Agatha Christie book I’ve read and I’m so excited for what’s to come. I can now see why David Suchet is the perfect Poirot he pores off the pages in spades.

This is the start of the legendary Poirot and what a tale this is. So much intrigue and mystery and just when you think you have the murderer sussed bam there’s another twist that keeps you firmly on your toes. I loved every single second of this story. I also really enjoyed the fact that my copy had the original unpublished ending and the actual ending. This was enlightening and just shows how publishers can have such an influence on what is actually published.

As I’ve already said getting into an author with such a huge catalogue of work is always a bookworms dream and this experience has had me hooked. This was the last physical book I had read whilst I was awaiting my new lenses. I’m torn as to whether to read the second Tommy and Tuppence next or The Big Four which I believe is a collection of short stories. In saying that I cannot wait to see what else Poirot gets up to following his first instalment I’m most definitely a fan. Do let me know where I should go next? And if I already have it I’ll dive in.

Midweek Reading Roundup #17

Happy Hump Day beauts. It’s felt weird for me this week as I’ve had Tuesday and Wednesday off.

As ever let’s look at my last offering which you can read here.

Last: Point of Retreat By Colleen Hoover

Now: (Audiobook) Yellowface By R F Kuang

Now: (Ebook) The Happiest Ever After By Milly Johnson

Once I finish one of my offerings my yearly target will be complete. I’ve been so impressed by some of my months of reading.

Next: Audiobook November 9 By Colleen Hoover (although I should probably listen to the last of the trilogy I started)

If I go for my trilogy one it’ll be this one.

Audiobook: This Girl By Colleen Hoover

Next: (Physical/Ebook) which one should I choose?

Comment below with which I should choose I will be setting up a poll on Twitter.

Terry Venables a hero, an icon, my favourite…

For those of you just here for the books I cannot not talk about this man. He’s been on my mind since the news broke. Bookish chat will resume I may even post a review later as I didn’t yesterday.

I’ve said it before and this is me sat here saying it again Euro 96 was magic. If you were out on the street when a game was on it was eerily quiet as anyone and everyone was either in their homes watching the game or at the pub watching the game. You could call half time as the local shops would get a quick influx and then nothing. It was like a ghost town while the games were on.

That is what I remember and I have many a conversation with people too young to remember. I had watched bits of football and mum had introduced me to Charlton Athletic but Euro 96 changed it all for me. I discovered my team of players and my manager – Terry Venables. What he did with that team was outstanding and the belief we all had was magic.

This was also my first real understanding on the press and how quickly they can turn on the team and the manager. For me that was the hardest thing to see, we had done so well getting beaten by Germany on penalties was hard to take but penalties are never easy. For me we should have continued on what we started that team were a force and if we kept all of them and El Tel we could have been in a different position now, with a different history.

This was also the era of Three Lions a song that still makes me go cold. Back then as a kid I only ever watched England games on the TV now I’m lucky enough to be in the stands cheering them on win, lose or draw.

Yesterday when my brother sent me a message asking Are you ok? I had no clue what had happened. I had started work early and was in the motions of handing over my shift to leave and head to Spurs. When he said the words Terry Venables died I was in shock and dumbfounded. I hadn’t realised he was unwell, my first thoughts were a tribute and black armbands I needed to make it to the game for Terry’s tribute. Thankfully I got there with 10 mins to spare and Terry on the screen.

The clap and the fans singing Oh Terry Terry! Made me both extremely happy and oh so sad. It wasn’t our day yesterday but considering we played so well, we were outdone on decisions and how many off side goals 😦 Matty Cash don’t get me started that thug did that on purpose and I’m praying Bentancur isn’t too bad as he’s worked so hard to get back with yesterday as he’s first full start (I think, I could be wrong).

Obviously I wish we got something from the game. My boy Johnson ran a lot but wasn’t in the game but made me sad seeing as I wore my shirt for the first time yesterday. My boy Davies was ace and Le Celso was wicked yesterday and I wholeheartedly think he was one of if not our best player. I’m fully behind Ange and the boys I clapped them at the end it just wasn’t to be. We played so well and still got nothing we go again.

Rest easy Tel…forever missed.

Audiobook Review: Slammed By Colleen Hoover

Blurb: Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she’s losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbour Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

Review: Now this is the first in a trilogy from Colleen Hoover and one that’s been on my TBR for a while. As I was awaiting my new lenses I decided to listen to audiobooks as I wouldn’t be straining my eyes and I could continue to scratch my reader itch.

Slammed had me hooked almost instantly as it had all the elements you would expect from a Colleen Hoover novel. A meet cute that makes your heart sing, a forbidden love, a whole host of angst and families full of love, loss and grief. I’ve always been intrigued by poetry and it’s something I’ve always wished I was better at. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story and poetry from the heart definitely wasn’t what I was expecting from Will and Layken.

When Will and Layken meet again I was wracking my brains for where the story was going, and then the penny dropped. Will and Layken have so much in common and felt an instant kingship but their bond wasn’t to be and for good reason. Watching the pair go through the daily angst of being around each other but having to act like they didn’t care or wasn’t bothered by the others presence. It felt like a tiddle wave that would eventually burst.

That was just the start of their story and the perfect introduction to this trilogy. Each character had a reason and I truly loved listening to this one. So much so I had to almost instantly load the second book on my Libby library. So much happened in this first instalment that any and every reader will be itching for the next part, just like I was. This is a story that will truly captivate you in the ups and downs of life and love and how no matter what the world keeps turning.

Weekly Update #83

Happy Sunday all the last weekly update I penned was on 21st October and you can read that here.

So this should have been posted yesterday but as I left the bus and went into work it slipped my mind that I hadn’t published this my apologies.

So what do I have to tell you today….it’s been a pretty exhausting week so it’s going to prove a very different update. Since I last spoke to you I was suffering from headaches that meant I got my eyes rechecked. It seems my right eye prescription had changed, hence the lack of updates although in saying that I was listening to audiobooks and I finished two fab books.

I haven’t fully penned my thoughts on either. Although I have partially started my thoughts on Slammed. Looking forward to seeing where this series goes, I haven’t managed any reading in any form today.

Friday night after work I headed to Wembley for England’s last home game of 2023. The tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton was something else and to be in attendance for that was something else. Now can we wrap Sir Geoff in cotton wool please.

It wasn’t the greatest of games but I m always there to cheer on my boys and being able to cheer for Harry Kane again always makes me smile.

Today I’m not working but I am heading into work to watch the new Hunger Games film.

Midweek Reading Roundup #16

Happy Hump day beauts.

I’m sorry it’s been a few weeks again. As I said since my eye change and in the interim of getting my new lenses I’ve tried to limit unnecessary eye strain. So at the moment I’m just listening to audiobooks. Which has been fine but there’s a selection that I’m itching to get to. I received some gorgeous book post yesterday so watch this space.

Let’s take a look at my last Midweek Reading Roundup and you can read that here.

Last: The Wake Up Call By Beth O’Leary

I finished listening to this yesterday- so watch this space for my thoughts.

Now: Slammed By Colleen Hoover

I’m only a short way in but I’m intrigued…I do love a Colleen Hoover and this is the start of a series.

Next: The Contest By Karen Hamilton

I love Karen’s work and it’s been a while since I’ve read any of hers. This one I’ve had on my audible since publication so it’s time I boosted it up there.

Another update…I’m a few books off completing my GoodReads target for the year.

Question: When do you give up on a book?

I’m 52% into this and I’m just 🤷‍♀️

October wrap up…

Happy Friday all and I’m so sorry that I’ve been MIA a lot of late.

So it’s a short one just before the month ended I was plagued with thudding headaches. Having now seen the opticians it seems my right eye prescription has changed. So for now I’m just listening to audiobooks until my new lenses arrive. I’m hoping then I’ll feel myself again as these on/off headaches and constantly drinking water have been hell. Plus I’ve really loved delving into Agatha Christie and cannot wait to get back to that.

These are the two books I read in October.

I also did not finish a book and I’m potentially about to do that again. I hate doing that but sometimes it has to happen.

I’m currently listening to….

This is just what my weary head has needed.

So as it stands I won’t be doing a November TBR. I won’t get my new lenses until 15th so it’ll be audiobook time and then I’ll see what happens.