The Cat Share by Angela Jariwala

 

The Cat Share by Angela Jariwala.

Published 4th December 2025 by Simon and Schuster.

From the cover of the book:

Sometimes it’s as simple as meeting the boy next door.

Jenni lives alone with her cat Oscar – yes, she’s single but, after breaking up with her boyfriend, she’s more than content to be living alone. Sometimes she worries she might be playing things too safe, but she’s had enough of taking risks.

Ben is a firefighter and, if he’s honest, he’s finding life hard. The arrival of a small tabby cat, who Ben decides to call Fred, helps him feel less isolated. But then, one day, Ben decides to take a chance. Wanting to reassure Fred’s owner he’s not stealing their cat, he attaches a note to the cat’s collar.

As the two neighbours start corresponding via the cat, their notes to each other reveal the truths they are hiding from even their closest friends, and themselves.

***********

After breaking up with her boyfriend, Jenni has settled into a routine living the solo life. It just seems easier to avoid the risks that might come with a new relationship, and she is perfectly content with just her cat, Oscar, for company... most of the time. Ben is a firefighter, with a job that requires bravery, but on the inside he is struggling... until a small tabby cat, he calls 'Fred', decides to make friends with him. Suddenly Ben does not feel so alone. 

Ben is sure a cat of 'Fred's' calibre must have an owner in the neighbourhood, so he decides to attach a note to his collar to reassure them he has no intention of stealing him. Jenni finds the note on Oscar's collar (surprise, surprise) when he returns home to her. Soon the two strangers are sending notes to each other via cat-mail - notes which will change their lives for the better.

This warm-hearted twist on The Go Between (with a sprinkling of The Flatshare) has two strangers opening up their hearts to each other through the intervention of a very special postie - the delightful cat, Oscar (or Fred, depending on who he is spending time with).

It is easy to fall for this novel from the very first chapter, especially if you are lucky enough to have a cat friend in your life. Jariwala clearly knows a thing or two about being chosen by a feline friend, and she writes Oscar as just the right side of wayward - with characteristics that all cat owners will be more than familiar with. This introduces a lot of humour to the story, and I found myself frequently laughing out loud when it comes to his kitty antics.

As the story weaves back and forth between Jenni and Ben, via Oscar, the way they begin to open up to each other on paper is wonderfully touching, and they share the truths that they have kept secret from the world, and even themselves. Emotions flow, and a romance that neither of them knew they were looking for (even if crafty Oscar did) sparks into life. Ahh.

This is a gentle tale that manages to work its way right into you heart. I became deeply invested in the fate of Jenni and Ben, wanting everything good for them, all the way to the golden ending. Absolutely perfect comfort reading! 

The Cat Share is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review, and for inviting me to be part of this Books and the City blog tour.

About the author:

Angela Jariwala was born in West London to parents from Surat, India. She was a published author of two young adult novels, both published by Mantra Lingua Ltd, an award-winning publisher of multi-cultural and multi-lingual books for children and young people. Angela sadly passed away in December 2021.

 November 2025 Reading Round-Up

Twelve gems on the reading/listening pile in November!

You can find your way to my thoughts by clicking on the pics below...

Vengeful Women by Melanie Blake

The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen

White Raven by Maggie Ritchie

The Beauty of Living Twice by Sharon Stone

The Happy Hoofer by Celia Imrie

Escape to the Northern Lights by Carrie Walker

Scars of Silence by Johana Gustawsson

Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

The Samurai Detectives by Shotaro Ikenami

The Nancys by R.W.R. McDonald

Chef's Kiss at the Chalet by Sookie Snow

The end of 2025 is nearly upon us, but I am hoping to squeeze in a few more books yet...

Stay tuned to see how I get on!

Chef's Kiss At The Chalet by Sookie Snow

 

Chef's Kiss At The Chalet by Sookie Snow.

Published 6th November 2025 by Pan Macmillan.

From the cover of the book:

Torn between two worlds, can their love survive the season?

When Eleanor Evans lands a spot at London’s most prestigious culinary school, her dreams finally feel within reach. Desperate to scrape together the cash for her tuition, she accepts a last-minute agency position as a chalet girl, which whisks her away to Maplewood Creek, a quaint, snow-kissed town nestled in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Hired by the affluent Hawthorne family, Elle finds herself in a world of wealth, luxury and big egos, far removed from her humdrum everyday life. As she navigates the challenges of her new job, mastering gourmet dishes and catering to the whims of her discerning employers, she realizes there’s something she hadn't accounted for: Charles Hawthorne, the family’s charming and undeniably sexy eldest son.

Charles soon becomes an unexpected distraction for Elle – she can't deny the sizzling chemistry between them. But, with Elle’s career aspirations hanging in the balance and Charles's carefree lifestyle and family expectations putting a strain on their blossoming relationship, can this unlikely duo survive the season?

***********

Elle Evans gets a chance to follow her culinary ambitions when she is offered a place at a prestigious cookery school in London. Needing to get the funds to allow her to accept, she leaves her job at a Denver coffee shop to take a last minute opening as a chalet girl for the season in Maple Creek, a small town in the Rockies.

She knows the affluent Hawthorne family have a reputation for being difficult, but the hefty salary means she is willing to put up with a lot to make her dreams come true. What she does not anticipate is that she will find herself hot and bothered by Charles Hawthorne, the charming and sexy son of her employers, just when she really does not need the distraction...

With cosy, small-town loveliness, Snow spins a festive tale which is decidedly steamy in all the right places! Elle and Charles are attracted to each other from the off, but she is wary of blurring the line between work and pleasure, especially given how much she needs to keep her job. 

Gorgeous romantic suspense builds between the couple while Elle makes friends amongst the enchanting Maple Creek community, and cooks up a storm to keep Charles' demanding, privacy-obsessed mother happy. Of course, there are snowy bumps a-plenty on the road to happiness, but everything works out perfectly in the end - via an epic gingerbread cook-off, and an enlightening blizzard!

I loved all the small-town Hallmark vibes, the characters, the family drama, the generous portion of tasty dishes, and the spark between down to earth Elle and the more jaded Charles who wants more than his life as heir to the Hawthorne fortune. Swoonworthy stuff!

Perfect seasonal reading! 

Chef's Kiss at the Chalet is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you for Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Sookie Snow writes small-town, seasonal romance. A lover of all things cosy, sweet and spiced, she is at her happiest curled up by the fire with a hot chocolate and a swoon-worthy romance – HEA guaranteed.

The Nancys And The case Of The Missing Necklace by R.W.R. McDonald

 

The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace by R.W.R. McDonald.

Published 20th November 2025 by Orenda Books.

From the cover of the book:

Meet the Nancys…

Tippy Chan is eleven years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand – the town her Uncle Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum is on a Christmas cruise.

Tippy can’t get enough of her uncle's old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. So, when her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, it looks like Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club.

But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again. Whatever the cost…

***********

Eleven year old Tippy Chan lives in a small town in rural New Zealand, where nothing much happens - unless you count the recent death of her father. When her mum wins a Christmas cruise, Tippy's Uncle Pike steps in to look after her while his sister is away, bringing his flamboyant boyfriend, Devon, along to see the home town he escaped from as a teenager.

Pike and Devon are unconventional childminders, to say the least, even if their hearts are in the right place. When Tippy's teacher is found murdered, Pike and Tippy decide to emulate their literary heroine, Nancy Drew, to see if they can crack the case. Devon comes too, of course, and the sleuthing trio dub themselves The Nancys. But what begins as a bit of a lark, soon becomes a dangerous game...

In a hilarious twist on the Nancy Drew mysteries, this small town detective tale unfurls through eleven-year-old Tippy's narrative. McDonald does a fantastic job making her voice authentic for an innocent young girl trying to make sense of the world around her, while dealing with the grief she feels over the death of her father. The chaotic arrival of Pike and Devon, with their decidedly un-politically correct banter, sparks mayhem, and their outrageous shenanigans lead Tippy into perilous places. But fortunately, Tippy is not your average pre-teen - she has the sound advice of Nancy Drew to guide her! 

This is a highly entertaining crime novel, packed to the gills with mystery, clever twists, and more suspects that you can poke a bedazzling, Devon-styled stick at. Amidst all the whip-smart lines, fast-paced tension, and gritty situations, there is plenty to pluck the heartstrings too, as themes of family, friendship, and dealing with loss are handled beautifully. Have the tissues handy, because the tender moments will have you sobbing into your Tim Tams. I suspect you will need them to wipe away tears of mirth too, as the laughs come thick and fast.

It is easy to see why this book was the winner of the Ngaio Marsh Best First Novel, because it positively effervesces with nostalgia, style, wit, ridiculous characters, slapstick comedy, and a cracking good plot. Do not make the mistake of thinking this book is for a young audience though, even though it is a love letter to the Nancy Drew mysteries - the language used is definitely for adult eyes only!

This was such fun. I cannot wait for more adventures from The Nancys.

The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace is available to buy now in paperback and ebook formats. You can support indie publishing by choosing to buy direct from Orenda Books HERE.

About the author:

(Rob) is an award-winning Kiwi author, living in Melbourne, Australia with his two daughters and one HarryCat.

Author of the award-winning Nancys series, The Nancys and Nancy Business, Rob is also a creative writing tutor and host of QWS Podcast.

Rob now writes picture books by day and whodunit mysteries by night — except all his characters seem to be completely out of control and pay no attention to him, or any rules.

The Samurai Detectives by Shotaro Ikenami

 

The Samurai Detectives by Shotaro Ikenami.

Translated by Yui Kajita.

Published 30th October 2025 by Penguin.

From the cover of the book:

It has been half a year since Akiyama Daijiro became a samurai; half a year since he left his father Kohei – once the most skilled swordsman in the land – to set up his own blade school by the cool of the river. Ever since, amid the swaying bamboo groves, he waits patiently for his first disciple.

But his serenity is soon disrupted by the visit of a mysterious samurai with an unhonourable offer: in exchange for a vast sum of gold, he must attack and injure the daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor. Troubled by the proposal, Daijiro, alongside his father and Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, soon set out into the underworld of Edo-era Japan to uncover the conspiracy, before quickly finding themselves embroiled in a series of increasingly perilous adventures . . .

Widely considered to be the greatest work by Shotaro Ikenami, the master of Japanese historical fiction, The Samurai Detectives is a twisting, page-turning portrayal of one of the most intriguing, evocative periods in the history of Japan.

***********

It has been six months since Akiyama Daijiro became a samurai, and left his father Kohe to establish a dojo of his own. He hopes to become as famous and skilled as his renowned father, but even though he is already an accomplished warrior in his own right, he must wait patiently for his first student. Daijiro's hopeful meditation is interrupted by a visit from a mysterious samurai who offers him a fortune to take on a mission to break the arms of an unknown target. He feels in his bones this is not an honourable task, so refuses, even though his funds are running very low.

Upon consulting his father for advice, they discover that the target would have been Mifuyu, a female warrior without match, who has vowed to only marry a man who can best her in combat. Subsequently, Kohe makes a point of helping her save herself from the disreputable attentions of the politically motivated suitor who aimed to tip the odds in his favour. This twist of fate brings Mifuyu, daughter of the Shogun’s most senior counsellor, together with Daijiro and Kohe, and embroils them in a series of adventures that take them deep into the corrupt heart of Edo-era Japan.

Volume one of The Samurai Detectives unfurls from the perspectives of a sprawling cast of characters, who immerse you beautifully in its sinuous meanderings, and bring alive time and place in Edo-era Japan - where bribery, corruption, and murky machinations have been allowed to fester beneath the veneer of an age of peace.

The going is slow, very much in keeping with a classic Japanese adventure, wreathed in cunning moves and counter-moves, punctuated with mysteries to be solved  and bursts of samurai action - living up to its tag-line of Shogun meets Sherlock Holmes. Its episodic format gradually delves into the lives of its characters as they go about their adventures, with lashings of detail about what makes them tick in a time ruled by tradition and honour (on the surface at least).

The central characters do hold your attention, and gain your affections (Mifuyu was my favourite), nevertheless this is a book you need to give your full attention in order to appreciate every nuance of the translation from Yui Kajita. I promise your dedication will be amply rewarded by this fascinating glimpse of Japanese history.

The Samurai Detectives is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Penguin for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Shotaro Ikenami (1923 – 1990) was a bestselling Japanese author famed for his multi-million copy selling series of historical fiction novels. Over his lifetime, he won the Yoshikawa Eiji Literary Award and Naoki Award for popular literature. Over a dozen of his works were adapted for film and television, and his work remains exceptionally popular in Japan.

About the translator:

Yui Kajita is a translator , illustrator and literary scholar, originally from Kyoto, Japan, and currently based in Germany.

Life Begins At The Cornish Cottage (Sandpiper Shores Book Two) by Kim Nash

 

Life Begins At The Cornish Cottage (Sandpiper Shores Book Two) by Kim Nash.

Published 31st October 2025 by Boldwood Books.

From the cover of the book:

When life gives you heartbreak 💔, sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 💕

When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.

The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.

As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.

Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

***********

Emma is slowly negotiating the heartache that has come with the loss of her husband, Ben, with the help of her close friends and the community of Sandpiper Shore. But her world is rocked when Tom Sullivan, the man who broke her teenaged heart when they were cast as Romeo and Juliet in their school play years ago, returns to the quiet little village that is her haven.

She is unwilling to rake up the past, but when she is reluctantly persuaded to take on organising the local amateur dramatic panto, in support of the air ambulance service that helped Ben, Emma finds she cannot avoid Tom as she had hoped. As rehearsals get underway, she is unable to ignore the connection that still thrums between them..

This uplifting story is the second book in the Sandpiper Shores series, but can easily be read as a standalone. 

Emma is picking up the threads of her life, following the fatal heart attack of her husband Ben, and, having done lots of good work supporting others with the events she has arranged for The Lonely Hearts Club, Nash now weaves a tale that gives her her own second chance at love.

Enter stage left silver-fox Tom, who sends Emma into a spin, torn between the torch she clearly still holds for him, even with the unforgettable pain of disappointed first love; and the lingering grief for Ben that holds her fast. Against the background of pantomime shenanigans, raw emotions, and the awkward presence of an unexpected love rival, the plot weaves tenderly around the couple, as well as their friends (big praise for the lovely friendship between Emma and her pals Jo and Michelle), family, and the community as a whole. Themes of loneliness, loss, and relationship trauma are handled with sensitivity, particularly around the way Nash has Emma and Tom reflecting on their past marriages - and I loved how Emma rediscovers herself and her confidence after all she has been through.

The panto at the heart of the story injects plenty of Christmas magic, making it a perfect festive pick, and the enchanting snowy ending ticks the heart-warming spot nicely. Always good to see older protagonists taking centre stage too!

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Compulsive Readers Blog Tours for sending me an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review, and for inviting me to be part of this epic collaborative blog tour with Random Things Tours, Rachel's Random Resources Tours, and Zooloo's Book Tours.

About the author:

Kim Nash is the bestselling author of uplifting, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. Her other dream, is to live in a home that has a view of a golden sandy beach and the sea sparkling in the sunlight. Until that dream comes true, she’ll continue to write second chance romances about women who live or move to the seaside on her behalf. She is published by Boldwood Books.

One of her greatest writing achievements is to be nominated for the Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020, and she was delighted when Claudia Winkleman had read her book and said it was 'Totally warm and absolutely lovely.'

She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Author Community Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and, as an avid reader, started her career in the publishing industry as a book blogger.

When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading and binge-watching TV. She's also quite partial to a spa day, lemon drizzle cake and a gin and tonic (not all at the same time!).

Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events.

Scars Of Silence (Lidingö Mysteries Book Two) by Johana Gustawsson

 

Scars Of Silence (Lidingö Mysteries Book Two) by Johana Gustawsson.

Translated by David Warriner.

Published 20th November 2025 by Orenda Books.

From the cover of the book:

Twenty-three years ago, a young woman was murdered on the Swedish island of Lidingö.
The island has kept its silence.

Until now…

As autumn deepens into darkness in Lidingö, on the Stockholm archipelago, the island is plunged into chaos: in the space of a week, two teenaged boys are murdered. Their bodies are left deep in the forest, dressed in white tunics with crowns of candles on their heads, like offerings to Saint Lucia.

Maïa Rehn has fled Paris for Lidingö after a family tragedy. But when the murders shake the island community, the former police commissioner is drawn into the heart of the investigation, joining Commissioner Aleksander Storm to unravel a mystery as chilling as the Nordic winter.

As they dig deeper, it becomes clear that a wind of vengeance is blowing through the archipelago, unearthing secrets that are as scandalous as they are inhuman.

But what if the victims weren’t who they seemed? What if those long silenced have finally found a way to strike back?

How far would they go to make their tormentors pay?

And you – how far would you go?

***********

Autumn, 2023. The body of a teenage boy is found in the forest on the island of Lidingö, bearing all the hallmarks of the murder of a young girl twenty-three years ago - right down to the corpse being clothed in the white tunic and candle headdress associated with Saint Lucia.

Commissioner Aleksander Storm is given the unenviable task of trying to solve the horrifying murder, and he is struggling to see how this can possibly be related to the one so long ago. His job is made doubly difficult when another teenage boy is murdered soon after, his body also dressed up like St Lucia.

French detective Maïa Rehn has fled to Lidingö to leave family tragedy behind. At a literary event on the island she meets Sophia Ackerman, whose grandson Gustav was found guilty of the notorious rape and murder of his girlfriend, Jenny, twenty-three years ago. Gusav later committed suicide, followed by his mother taking her own life too. Sophia always considered him guilty of the crime, unlike his mother, but now she is questioning if he might have been innocent. She asks Maïa to investigate on her behalf.

As Aleks searches for a murderer in the here and now, Maïa begins to delve into the past. The threads of their separate endeavours start to crossover, and they decide to work together. They gradually realise that all the deaths are connected by someone's quest for revenge...

Johana Gustawsson is one of my favourite crime authors, cleverly blending French and Scandi noir elements in one delicious package. And this book, the second in the Lidingö Mysteries series (but can be read a standalone), contains everything I have come to know and love about her writing. 

Lidingö is a small, and deliciously claustrophobic, island community haunted by the brutal murder of a young girl dressed as Saint Lucia twenty-three years ago. Every year, when the annual celebration of Lucia comes around again, they cannot help but be reminded of the tragedy. Although the crime was considered an open and shut case, there are people here that know more about past events than they have shared, and when more murders happen amongst them their silence is eventually shattered.

The secrets that lurk here are gradually uncovered through the mutual efforts of Aleks and Maïa, whose narratives drive the story in equal measure. Although Maïa is no longer a serving officer, her investigative contributions add beautifully to the police procedural work of Aleks. They make an impressive double act, caught between their determination to get to the truth of a complicated mess of dark deeds here in Lidingö, and their own shares of personal heartache.

Characteristically of Gustawsson it is not easy to see how all the threads of the story relate to each other at first, but as they weave together you find yourself immersed in a tale that bleeds effortlessly between past and present, and echoes with dark undercurrents of folklore - something she always does with aplomb. The twists and turns are divine, and the whole piece thrums with rich and heartrending themes around the many facets of silence and how their impact leaves scars. I am particularly impressed with the way Gustawsson explores conspiracies of silence and consent when it comes to victims of sexual assault. She uses loss, grief, shame and guilt to great effect too, and examines the complex feelings of parents with powerful insight.

This book is nothing short of a dark and chilling noir masterpiece, best consumed whole. I loved it! 

Scars of Silence is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats. 

Thank you to Orenda Books for sending me an ecopy of this book in return for an honest review, and to Random Things Tours for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the author:

Born in Marseille, France, and with a degree in Political Science, Johana Gustawsson has worked as a journalist for the French and Spanish press and television. Her critically acclaimed Roy & Castells series, including Block 46, Keeper and Blood Song, has won the Plume d’Argent, Balai de la découverte, Balai d’Or and Prix Marseillais du Polar awards, and is now published in nineteen countries. A TV adaptation is currently underway in a French, Swedish and UK co-production. The Bleeding – a number one bestseller in France and the first in a new series – will be published in 2022. Johana lives in London with her Swedish husband and their three sons. 

About the translator:

David Warner translates from French and nurtures a healthy passion for Franco, Nordic and British crime fiction. Growing up in deepest Yorkshire, he developed incurable Francophilia at an early age. Emerging from Oxford with a Modern Languages degree he narrowly escaped the graduate rat race by hopping on a plane to Canada – and never looked back. More than a decade into a high-powered commercial translation career, he listened to his heart and turned his hand to the delicate art of literary translation. David has lived in France and Quebec, and now calls beautiful British Columbia home.

The Happy Hoofer by Celia Imrie

 

The Happy Hoofer by Celia Imrie.

Published 14th April 2011 by Hodder Books.

Audio book narrated by Celia Imrie.

From the cover of the book:

One of our best-loved actresses, Celia Imrie would rather have been a dancer. As a child she planned to join the Royal Ballet and marry Rudolf Nureyev. Now she has become one of our finest and funniest performers, on stage, TV and screen - adored for her roles in 'Acorn Antiques' and 'dinnerladies', as well as films including 'Calendar Girls' and 'Nanny McPhee'.

In her hugely entertaining autobiography, Celia Imrie recounts a life hurtling (not always intentionally) into adventures both on stage and off. Whether it's finding herself on stage with half the scenery stuck to her cardigan, or being kidnapped on her way to location, she somehow emerges from the chaos that can lie in her wake almost unscathed.

Acting, she admits, is a mad, chaotic profession and it is her refreshing honesty, sense of mischief, fun and almost unruffled determination in the face of it all that makes this autobiography a never-ending delight.

***********

I anticipated Celia Imrie's book to be a light hearted listen, but how wrong I was. The narration may be delightfully gentle, but, my goodness, what a life!

Imrie holds nothing back about her experiences (except the odd real name here and there), going into depth about her background, family, dark and sunny times, romantic attachments, and every role up to her part in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

There are many shocking and salacious moments, alongside lovely anecdotes about her personal life, and as an actor on stage, tv, and the big screen. There are fabulous travelogue sections too that had me laughing out loud.

She is a marvellous narrator, full of wit, and I hung on her every word. I was sad to reach the end of this one.

The Happy Hoofer is available now in hardcover, paperback and audio formats.

About the author:

Celia Imrie is an Olivier Award-winning and Screen Actors Guild-nominated actress. She is known for her film roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls, Nanny McPhee, Bridget Jones, Absolutely Fabulous, Finding Your Feet, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Good Grief. 

Celia Imrie is also the author of her autobiography, The Happy Hoofer, and the top ten Sunday Times bestselling novels in the Nice Trilogy – Not Quite Nice, Nice Work (If You Can Get It) and A Nice Cup of Tea – Sail Away and Orphans of the Storm.

Escape To The Northern Lights (Holiday Romances Book Three) by Carrie Walker

 

Escape To The Northern Lights (Holiday Romances Book Three) by Carrie Walker.

Published 6th November 2025 by Aria Fiction.

From the cover of the book:

High-powered lawyer Sara thought she had life figured out – until her whirlwind marriage ends in divorce, her dream promotion slips away and a burnout diagnosis forces her to take a break.

Desperate for a reset, she books a four-week spa retreat in Norway, imagining a luxurious escape. Instead, she finds herself in the rugged wilderness of Firefly Forest, knee-deep in reindeer droppings and stuck with an annoyingly bohemian – and ridiculously attractive – outdoorsman, Henrik.

What starts as a nightmare turns into a journey of self-discovery as Sara swaps designer heels for bare feet, legal briefs for tree-hugging, and fleeting flings for something far deeper...

***********

Barrister Sara Pearson thought her life was on track, until her marriage ended in divorce, and the promotion she was sure would happen failed to materialise. Stressed like she has never been before, panic attacks lead to her being signed off work for some rest and recuperation. Reluctantly, she books herself into a wellness resort in Firefly Forest, Norway, having heard stars like Emma Stone flock there.

But when Sara arrives, she realises this is not the luxurious celebrity haunt she thought it was. Instead, she is stuck in the snowy wilderness, very much off-grid, with nowhere to show off her Jimmy Choos. She plans to leave as soon as the weather allows, but gradually the complete change in tempo makes her begin to see things differently - especially in the company of annoying, but ruggedly handsome, retreat guide Henrik Nilsen...

Welcome to Carrie Walker's delightful third rom-com in the Escapes series, where we meet barrister Sara - and reconnect with some familiar faces too. Sara is used to life in the fast lane, but personal and professional troubles are taking their toll. When Firefly Forest proves to be another disasterous turn, Sara is fed up, but her mistaken booking proves to be just the medicine she needs.

Walker brings the natural beauty of rural Norway alive, and it was a joy to revel in the simple pleasures Sara discovers through being thrown into the deep end of a very different sort of life. Sara feels her body and spirit transform in this magical place - filled with surprising characters, who she finds she can help too, when her conniving ex-husband intrudes into her haven. Weaving throughout, there is the lovely suspense of a delicious romance between Sara and Henrik that hits the heartwarming soft spot to perfection!

Absolutely enchanting. I loved it! 💙

Escape to the Northern Lights is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Aria for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Carrie Walker is a Brummie born rom-com lover with a lifelong passion for travel. She has lived in a ski resort, by a beach, in the country and the city, and travelled solo through Asia, South America and Europe. Her own love life was more com than rom until she met her husband a few years ago and settled down with him and her dogs in a small pub-filled village in Essex.

The Beauty Of Living Twice by Sharon Stone

 

The Beauty Of Living Twice by Sharon Stone.

Published 3rd March 2022 by Allen and Unwin.

Audio book narrated by Sharon Stone: 7hours 24 minutes.

From the cover of the book:

Sharon Stone, one of the most renowned actresses in the world, suffered a massive stroke that cost her not only her health, but her career, family, fortune, and global fame. In The Beauty of Living Twice, she chronicles her efforts to rebuild her life, and the slow road back to wholeness and health. In an industry that doesn't accept failure, in a world where too many voices are silenced, Stone found the power to return, the courage to speak up, and the will to make a difference in the lives of women and children around the globe.

Over the course of these intimate pages, Stone talks about her pivotal roles, her life-changing friendships, her worst disappointments, and her greatest accomplishments. She reveals how she went from a childhood of trauma and violence to a business that in many ways echoed those same assaults, under cover of money and glamour. She describes the strength and meaning she found in her children, and in her humanitarian efforts. And ultimately, she shares how she fought her way back to find not only her truth, but her family's reconciliation and love.

Stone made headlines not just for her talent and beauty, but for her candour and her refusal to "play nice," and it's those same qualities that make this memoir so powerful. The Beauty of Living Twice is a book for the wounded, and a book for the survivors; it's a celebration of women's strength and resilience, a reckoning, and a call to activism. It is proof that it's never too late to raise your voice, and speak out.

***********

I was expecting to be quite juicy. Instead, it was a very reflective and thought provoking book for a lot of reasons.

The book covers her background, personal highs and lows, and has many tales about her acting roles - but really it is a story of two parts, defined by the times before and after the severe brain bleed that very nearly killed her (hence 'living twice').

She shares a lot about her philosophy on life, the tenets of her Buddhist faith, and the lessons she has learned about herself, fame, and the acting profession. There are times when you feel there are things she isn't saying about the controversial episodes she mentions, and she does tend to overplay her 'worthy' acts a bit, but there are lots of emotional moments, oodles of fascinating info, and chuckles too.

There is a lot more to her than I realised, and her story is very uplifting. She's a courageous woman.

The Beauty of Living Twice is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook, and audio formats.

About the author:

Sharon Stone is an actress, human rights activist, artist, mother, daughter, sister, and writer. She has been honoured with a Nobel Peace Summit Award, a Harvard Humanitarian Award, a Human Rights Campaign Humanitarian Award and an Einstein Spirit Award, as well as many other accolades.

She currently lives in Los Angeles with her family.

White Raven by Maggie Ritchie

 

White Raven by Maggie Ritchie.

Published 15th November 2025 by Scotland Street Press.

From the cover of the book:

Bored with life as a teacher in an Edinburgh girls’ school, artist Rosie recognises Alex Kuznetsov from her previous life as a decoder at Bletchley Park. Alex, a war hero and anti-Soviet intelligence officer, is running a Russian language school for National Servicemen to put Britain’s best and brightest young men through intensive training as translators and intelligence operators in the event of a third world war.

During an ardent courtship, Rosie joins the JSSL as an art teacher, but she soon finds out that there is more to her role as Alex gains her confidence and persuades her to take on a daring undercover espionage mission in a Highland country house.

Rosie discovers that the world of spies is full of treachery, manipulation and deceit, and that what started out as a thrilling game can have deadly consequences.

Faced with a choice between duty and love, and between stability and adventure, Rosie must decide where her loyalties lie.

***********

Scotland, 1956. Artist Rosie has settled into life as an art teacher at an Edinburgh girls' school, but is finding her job less than exciting. On a painting holiday in Crail, she bumps into war hero, Alex Kuznetsov, the handsome Russian she admired from afar during her time as a code-breaker at Bletchley Park. The anti-Soviet intelligence officer is now running a Russian language school (JSSL), turning bright young servicemen into spies in preparation for another world war, and he invites Rosie to spend the summer teaching art to his pupils.

During the summer at JSSL, Rosie and Alex embark on a passionate affair. As she finds herself falling for Alex, he persuades her to take on a more active role in pursuit of the school's aims - a mission protecting secret documents from falling into the wrong hands at a Highland country house. Rosie agrees, but she soon realises that the world of espionage is one of deception and betrayal, and she will eventually have to make a choice about where her loyalties really lie.

In this deliciously crafted novel told through the eyes of artists Rosie, Ritchie weaves a compelling tale based on the existence of the very real JSSL, the Cold War Joint Services School for Linguistics, where promising candidates (including the likes of writers Dennis Potter and Alan Bennett) were put through their paces by White Russian émigrés and Soviet defectors.

Ritchie makes the JSSL a school for spies, where its pupils and staff all seem to have murky agendas of their own - not necessarily for the good of their British intelligence paymasters. But what makes this so engaging is that it is beautifully character-led, with Rosie at the middle of several plotlines that encompass love, loss, friendship, and family - alongside the sinister thrills and spills that an authentic Cold War espionage tale calls for.

Rosie, with her fierce intelligence and loyalty holds you attention throughout. Her romantic history, complicated family situation, and utter trust in Alex lead her into deep waters, and Ritchie keeps her cards close to her chest about where all this will lead her heroine. I was hooked on every twist and turn, with my heart in my mouth, totally immersed in Rosie's dilemmas.

Evocative themes run through the story, and Ritchie excels at writing about time and place, particularly the heightened atmosphere of fear of a nuclear arms race ending in another world war - this time with Britain caught between the super-powers of America and Soviet Russia. The cast of characters gives a lovely glimpse of many other aspects of 1950's life too, including the world of theatre, the attractions of Hollywood glamour, complex feelings around post-war recriminations, the class divide, the role of women, and sexuality... which all add to the mix in creating a satisfying and thought provoking story action-wise and emotionally.

I loved this gem from start to finish, and thoroughly enjoyed looking at the world of spies through a Rosie tinted lens!

White Raven is available to buy now in hardcover.

Thank you to Scotland Street Press for sending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review, and to Folk PR for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the author:

Maggie Ritchie’s novel, Looking for Evelyn, was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for Best Published Novel 2018. Her debut novel, Paris Kiss (2015), won the Curtis Brown Prize, was runner up for the Sceptre Prize, and longlisted for the Mslexia First Novel Competition. Daisy Chain was published by Two Roads/ Hachette in 2021 following a Society of Authors funded research trip to Shanghai.

Maggie graduated with Distinction rom the University of Glasgow’s MLitt in Creative Writing. A journalist, she lives in Scotland with her husband and son.

The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen

 

The Winter Job by Antti Tuomainen.

Translated by David Hackston.

Published 23rd October 2025 by Orenda Books.

From the cover of the book:

Sofas, secrets and a snowbound road to trouble…

Helsinki, 1982. Recently divorced postal worker Ilmari Nieminen has promised his daughter a piano for Christmas, but with six days to go – and no money – he's desperate.

A last-minute job offers a solution: transport a valuable antique sofa to Kilpisjärvi, the northernmost town in Finland.

With the sofa secured in the back of his van, Ilmari stops at a gas station, and an old friend turns up, offering to fix his faulty wipers, on the condition that he tags along. Soon after, a persistent Saab 96 appears in the rearview mirror. And then a bright-yellow Lada.

That's when Ilmari realises that he is transporting something truly special.

And that's when Ilmari realises he might be in serious trouble…

A darkly funny and unexpectedly moving thriller about friendship, love and death – The Winter Job tears through the frozen landscape of northern Finland in a beat-up van with bad steering, worse timing, and everything to lose…

***********

Helsinki, 1982. Postal worker, Ilmari Nieminen has a problem: he has promised his daughter a piano for Christmas, but the financial demands of his recent divorce mean the coffers are bare. With only a few days to go until Christmas Eve, he is determined not to let her down, but how is he to lay his hands on the money he needs at such short notice? Then the perfect opportunity come his way when he lands a job transporting an antique sofa to Kilpisjärvi, the northernmost town in Finland.

With the sofa secured in the back of an old van, and plans to take in a couple of stops on the way to deal with unfinished business, Ilmari sets off into an increasingly heavy snow storm. Stopping off at a petrol station for assistance with his broken windscreen wipers, he meets up with childhood friend Antero, who fixes the problem in exchange for a lift.

As the pair head north, they notice that they are not alone. A mysterious green Saab 96, and an almost luminous yellow Lada seem to be in hot pursuit... and when they inspect the contents of the van, they realise that this is no ordinary sofa, and no ordinary job.

How I love an Antti Tuomainen book, and this brand new gem was an absolute festive delight. The story follows the progress of Ilmari and Antero's deliciously absurd road trip to Finalnd's icy north, cutting back and forth from their slow-burn, buddy story to the darkly comic agendas of their pursuers - a misfit pair of communist revolutionaries (one of whom is obsessed with the soap opera Dallas), and a violent outlaw with major anger issues.

Along the way, there are oodles of thrills, spills, and hilarious cock-ups as the assassins on their trail do their very best to wrest the precious sofa from Ilmari, against a cracking (mostly) 1980's soundtrack, and Antero proves his worth in his role as 'shotgun' (quite literally on occasion). Pitch black humour Tuomainen style is the order of the day, which gave me lots of chuckles, and the story is flooded with lovely themes about friendship and loneliness that strum mercilessly on your heartstrings in the way he does so well. Have the tissues handy for the touching moments, because you will need them.

David Hackston does a wonderful job translating this novel, as anticipated, and he pulls an absolute blinder when it comes to the choice words and phrases he uses to hit Tuomainen's farcical mark - particularly when it comes to the opening lines of the chapters about Otto, the wrathful outlaw, which are a riot!

Quintessential Tuomainen madness with a heartfelt core of pure gold, and with the magic of Christmas too. Perfection!

The Winter Job is available to buy now in hardback, ebook and audio formats. You can also support indie publishing by buying direct from Orenda Books HERE.

Thank you to Orenda Books for sending me a proof of this book in return for an honest review, and to Random Things Tours for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the author:

Antti Tuomainen was an award-winning copywriter when he made his literary debut in 2007 as a suspense author. In 2011, Tuomainen’s third novel, The Healer, was awarded the Clue Award for Best Finnish Crime Novel and was shortlisted for the Glass Key Award. In 2013, the Finnish press crowned Tuomainen the ‘King of Helsinki Noir’ when Dark as My Heart was published. With a piercing and evocative style, Tuomainen was one of the first to challenge the Scandinavian crime-genre formula, and his poignant, dark and hilarious The Man Who Died became an international bestseller and has been released as a TV series, shortlisting for the Petrona and Last Laugh Awards. Palm Beach Finland (2018) was an immense success, with The Times calling Tuomainen ‘the funniest writer in Europe’, and Little Siberia (2019) was shortlisted for the Capital Crime/Amazon Publishing Readers Awards, the Last Laugh Award and the CWA International Dagger, and won the Petrona Award for Best Scandinavian Crime Novel. The Rabbit Factor, the prequel to The Moose Paradox and The Beaver Theory, will soon be a major motion picture starring Steve Carell for Amazon Studios.

About the translator:

David Hackston is a British Translator of Finnish and Swedish literature and drama. Notable publications include The Dedalus Book of Finnish Fantasy, Maria Peura’s coming-of-age novel At the Edge of Light, Johanna Sinisalo’s eco-thriller Birdbrain, two crime novels by Matti Joensuu and Kati Hiekkapelto’s Anna Fekete series (which currently includes The Hummingbird, The Defenceless and The Exiled, all published by Orenda Books). He also translates Antti Tuomainen’s stories. In 2007 he was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Translation. David is also a professional countertenor and a founding member of the English Vocal Consort of Helsinki.

Vengeful Women (Falcon Bay Book Three) by Melanie Blake

 

Vengeful Women (Falcon Bay Book Three) by Melanie Blake.

Published 6th November 2025 by Piranha Publishing.

From the cover of the book:

Power. Passion. Revenge. Nothing is off-limits in Falcon Bay.

From Sunday Times bestselling author Melanie Blake comes a gripping new chapter in the Falcon Bay series - where showbiz glamour collides with dark secrets, and women who've lost everything are ready to fight back.

On a private island off the coast of England, five powerful women sit in jail, awaiting trial for manslaughter: a world-famous soap star, an ambitious talent agent, a ruthless producer, a brilliant screenwriter and a cougar casting director.

The man who put them there, their long-term nemesis Jake Monroe, is cashing in - turning the island they once ruled into a twisted theme park crowned by the world's tallest skyscraper. While the women plot revenge, old secrets that could change everything begin to surface.

The glossy veneer of their showbiz world was shattered when they were incarcerated and the rot beneath the red carpets and studio lights is beginning to show... and meanwhile, a journalist chasing the truth behind an American serial killer is uncovering stories that could destroy everything - and everyone.

As the body count climbs and the women's trial date looms, Jake's empire teeters. Because one thing is certain. Hell has no fury... like vengeful women.

***********

Not long ago, five powerful women were at the top their game, lauded for their contributions in making the soap opera Falcon Bay an international success. Now, the world-famous soap star, ambitious talent agent, ruthless producer, brilliant screenwriter and cougar casting director are languishing in jail awaiting trial for manslaughter.

Meanwhile, their nemesis Jake Monroe, happy in the belief that he has brought their worlds crashing down, is turning the home of Falcon Bay from a peaceful private island into a brash theme park - resplendent with the highest skyscraper in the world. 

But the women are not done yet. They are plotting their revenge, and there are plenty of secrets still be unearthed before the end is nigh...

Melanie Blake is back with her third epic Falcon Bay book, and it is more gripping, glamorous, and gloriously sexy than anything that has come before! You can read this one as a standalone, but I highly recommend you take in the first two best-selling books beforehand for the ultimate reading experience.

After the shark-infested shenanigans of Ruthless Women, and the surprising fall from grace of our audacious ladies in Guilty Women, Catherine, Helen, Sheena, Amanda & Farrah are out for revenge - and they are not the only ones. The plot is just as seductively sinuous as I was hoping for, with multiple threads weaving together around their fight for freedom, Jake's nefarious plans for St Augustine's, a bloody trail of murders in America, a hard-faced hack after a scoop to top them all, and familiar faces in unexpected guises hiding in the shadows.  

In an orgy of twists and turns that you leave you in danger of suffering from whiplash, the story gathers pace, building up to an action-filled finale fitting of a blockbuster movie. I was knocked sideways by how much there was still to reveal about the players in this power game! There are cleverly wielded themes about corruption, sexism, and abusive relationships to revel in, and our author pulls no punches when it comes to cold ambition, gut-wrenching violence, and X-rated encounters - which added enjoyable grist to the love-and-loathe mill.  Brava, Ms Blake!

I blasted through this tasty little romp, and cannot wait to see what comes next for the Falcon Bay gang. The age of the modern bonk-buster is alive and well, and Melanie Blake is doing a great job keeping the sultry fires burning. Lots of fun... more please!

*****

I am delighted to bring you some luscious Bonus Content too:

Who is Melanie Blake's favourite character from Falcon Bay and why?

It's got to be Madeline Kane. I'd love to pull off some of her rivalrous vengeful plots from season 1. Like me, she's super-loyal and very loving until she's been crossed – and then she's an absolute ball-breaking bitch.

*****

Vengeful Women is available to buy now in hardcover and ebook formats.

Thank you to Tiger Team Creative for sending me a gorgeous hardcover edition of this book in return for an honest review, and for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.

About the author:

MELANIE BLAKE is the internationally bestselling author behind the sensational trilogy that began with Ruthless Women, the Sunday Times #4 bestseller that sold 250,000 copies in its first month, and its bestselling sequel, Guilty Women. She's also a successful playwright, having adapted her first novel The Thunder Girls into a play which broke box-office records for a new work - a credit she still holds to this day. Melanie's books have been translated into nine languages and have captivated more than a million readers worldwide.

Melanie's stories are exhilarating rollercoaster rides packed with all the glitz, glamour, passion, and intrigue of the blockbuster novels of the eighties, yet reflective of the world we live in today. When Melanie was asked to write a foreword to a new Jackie Collins edition, it was a dream come true; Jackie's bold and fierce characters have always inspired her. When the Daily Mirror anointed Melanie 'Jackie Collins for a new generation,' the journey that started with devouring Jackie's steamy novels as a teenager was complete.

 October 2025 Reading Round-Up

What a month!

Some seriously good books amongst this lot, which will certainly be making my books of the year list!

You can find your way to my reviews of these gems by clicking on the pictures below:

Deadman's Pool by Kate Rhodes

Moscow Underground by Catherine Merridale

No Safe Place To Hide by Murray Bailey

Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth

The Blue Of You by Amanda Huggins

Let The Bells Ring Out by Millie Johnson

Rainforest by Michelle Paver

Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson

The Witness For The Prosecution by Agatha Christie

Black As Death by Lilja Sigurdardottir

Silent Bones by Val McDermid

House Party by Chloe Ford

The end of 2025 is approaching, but there are still great books on my reading pile!