Soooooo excited here- it’s the cover reveal for Jodie Homer’s Autumn at the Sweetshop of Second Chances (btw have to add it had me at sliding doors … any of you who know Sliding Doors will know what a treat this will be-Jodie’s magical romance books have me unable to stop reading)!!
What they say: Abby is a workaholic television executive producer, obsessed with ratings, deadlines, and climbing the corporate ladder. Meanwhile, Tom, a down-on-his-luck scriptwriter, has just inherited his beloved grandfather’s quaint sweetshop after being fired from his job.
One hectic morning on her way to the studio, Abby slips and suffers a concussion, waking up in the hospital to find Tom at her bedside. To her disbelief, he insists that she’s not a TV executive at all – but his partner at the sweetshop. Confused and disoriented, Abby goes home with him, only to find herself in a life she doesn’t recognize yet one that strangely feels like it fits.
As she slowly adapts to her new role, Abby uncovers the shared history between their grandparents, whose special hot chocolate recipe made the sweetshop locally famous. The once-bitter duo begin to bond over sweets and stories, eventually discovering that perhaps fate has been stirring the pot all along.
When Abby is finally given the chance to return to her high-powered old life, she must choose between the success she built and the unexpected sweetness of a slower, more meaningful existence with Tom.
Isn’t it just so gorgeous? As you all know Jodie is one of my fave authors so I really can’t wait for this one!! And it’s out the 1st October so perfect time to settle into the cosy vibes!!!!
So off you go, get preordering-your future cosy, scarf wearing October self won’t regret it!!!
Isaac is a contestant on The Wow Factor and Naomi is assigned to look after him. As they spend more time together their feelings for each other deepen. Isaac trusts Naomi with his biggest secret but it finds its way onto national TV and forces them apart.
Using her ornament making hobby as a distraction, Naomi escapes the pain of what’s happened by flying across the pond to New York whilst Isaac is in the UK. But when Isaac suddenly quits the show and returns home, staying away isn’t an easy task. Can Isaac forgive and forget in one of the biggest cities in the world or will fate bring them back together?
About the author
Jodie lives in a small village in Solihull with her husband and two children. She loves nothing more than dancing around embarrassingly to 90s music and eating mint chocolate. Jodie enjoys reading and writing books full of romance and swoon-worthy fictional men.
The review: Anyone who knows me will be fed up by now of how much I rave about Jodie Homer’s books but honestly, it has to be done! I loved this, the story of Naomi, who has a not very easy job in the world of music, one that has more than a little drama even though it’s the last thing she wants.
From the off I was hooked as fate shoved her with Isaac, causing her to fall hard in more than one way!!
The thing that struck me the most was the brilliant way the different worlds of the two existed, the fab homeliness pitted against the superstar New York life. As always the Christmas tone was stunning, the characters perfect (in particular I loved her family), and the romance spot on.
Really enjoyed for some pure escapism. All in all I’d say this is one to LEAP for! Beyond beyond recommended!
Rating: 5/5
And don’t forget to check out the rest of the blog tour …
Sorry everyone, waaaayyyyy too late to the fab party that is the amazing Anita Faulkner (head of the Chick Lit and Prosecco Facebook group and author of the gorgeous Gingrbread Cafe and the vibrant A Colourful Countty Escape) ‘s cover reveal!!!!
🎃💙🎃 It’s COVER REVEAL Day! 🎃💙🎃
I’m excited to be on the cover reveal team for Anita Faulkner’s next romantic comedy novel – You Had Me at Pumpkin Patch.
This gorgeous autumnal read is out on 28 August 2025 (on paperback, eBook and audio) – but if you’re determined to get your hands on it, you can pre-order yours today! (Link below.)
Anita is thrilled to be working with HQ (HarperCollins) to bring you what she’s calling her quirkiest romcom yet. (Shh – don’t tell the others!)
She hopes you’ll find it brimming with cosy autumn vibes, cheeky humour and characters that will take a piece of your heart and demand to stay with you.
And of course – there’s a whole lot of pumpkin antics…
🧡 HERE’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!
When life gives you pumpkins…
Rosie’s life is not turning out as planned. She dreams of becoming a novelist, but she’s lost her writing job to an AI chatbot and discovered her boyfriend cheating …
Rosie sets off for a fresh start, only for her car to break down at Autumn Meadows Farm in the Cotswolds, where she is mistaken for a job applicant and finds herself planning ‘Pumpkin Retreats’ to save the farm from developers.
Embracing farm life, Rosie rediscovers her passion for writing – and begins to fall for the gruff but undeniably handsome pumpkin farmer, Zain.
But when Rosie learns Zain has been using the same AI chatbot that replaced her to plan their dates and script romantic lines, her happiness is threatened.
Can Rosie and Zain patch up their differences to write their own happy ending?
🧡 PRAISE FOR ANITA’S BOOKS:
‘A heart-warming and uplifting romance!’ HOLLY MARTIN
‘I absolutely adored this book. Fresh, funny and upbeat’ KITTY WILSON
What they say: Isaac is a contestant on The Wow Factor and Naomi is assigned to look after him. As they spend more time together their feelings for each other deepen. Isaac trusts Naomi with his biggest secret but it finds its way onto national TV and forces them apart.
Using her ornament making hobby as a distraction, Naomi escapes the pain of what’s happened by flying across the pond to New York whilst Isaac is in the UK. But when Isaac suddenly quits the show and returns home, staying away isn’t an easy task. Can Isaac forgive and forget in one of the biggest cities in the world or will fate bring them back together?
Isn’t that an absolute stunner? And I am privileged enough to have read an early edition of this and can’t recommend enough, an absolutely fab book! I’d say look forward to this one, which would fly into your kindle 17th July.
Emma wants one last summer with her childhood best friends to honour the death of Drew, her teenage sweetheart.
Once they get there, the nostalgia comes rushing back and brings up a lot of the past, which Ricky, Ted, Harri, Jim and Fliss are trying to forget.
As summer continues, the friendships in the group grow. But what happens when secrets are exposed and cracks start appearing between the friends that could destroy everything?
Can they all forgive and forget or is there too much water under the bridge?
The Review: New Jodie Home book alert!!!! Well, everyone, it’s been a while since I blogged, but nothing will get me back into a chair quicker than a new Jodie Homer book! As you’ll know she’s one of my favourite authors, and I’m thrilled to announce her new book is everything I always hope for!
Emma
This is a story of a group of friends who return to a place that holds special memories and from the start I was nodding and getting myself comfortable. The group pulled me in and I walked alongside them enjoying the fun and feeling the pull of the memories as they also felt a person who wasn’t there (yes there were a few tears!)
This is a beautiful book, filled with so much fun and lightness and some madness and cheekiness too! I got to know all of the characters, smiled and laughed along with each of them (and actually Emma was one of my favourite lead characters, it’s not often I feel for them and like the lead as much as everyone else!), the summer setting was glorious, the imagery and romance perfectly done … one to sit and properly gobble up this Summer!
Rating: 5/5
Ps: a little embarrassing note: The word ‘Emma’ seems to have stuck itself into this blog post and I can’t cut it out!
Anyhoo, back to the blog tour- make sure you follow on to all of these locations to read more about this fab book!!
Is there anything better than a cover reveal? Not just that, but how about a rom com book by the fab Bettina Hunt about rival parents? Cannot wait!!!
What they say:
When rival parenting influencers Ava and Hugo land on a luxury island competing for the ultimate brand deal, their battle for content soon turns into a battle with their own self-control—because the only thing more heated than the competition, is their undeniable attraction…
No Selfie Control is out on Ebook 24.04.2025
And now time for the cover …
Isn’t that fab? Get that date marked into your calendar!
Is there anything better than a cover reveal? Not just that, but how about a rom com book by the fab Bettina Hunt about rival parents? Cannot wait!!!
What they say:
When rival parenting influencers Ava and Hugo land on a luxury island competing for the ultimate brand deal, their battle for content soon turns into a battle with their own self-control—because the only thing more heated than the competition, is their undeniable attraction…
No Selfie Control is out on Ebook 24.04.2025
And now time for the cover …
Isn’t that fab? Get that date marked into your calendar!
What they say: Can an accidental marriage between opposites end up in wedded bliss?
Hazyl Burns knows that her thirty-third birthday will be unforgettable. And she’s not wrong. She wakes up the morning after in Noah White’s bed and they discover they’re married! After a failed attempt at getting their accidental nuptials annulled, Hazyl and Noah are sentenced to three months of ‘hard-marriage’. They have to prove they put effort into their unexpected union before the judge will annul it.
How can two people, who are barely friends, live together and prove they put actual work into their fake marriage?
With pregnant goats, chickens, yoga and complete opposite personality types, they have to learn to put their differences aside and become friends. When disaster strikes, will it bring them closer together or tear them further apart?
Will they call the whole thing off, or will their accidental marriage become the real deal?
The review: There’s times when you not only need feel good reads in your life- you crave them, and this, the second in the Lockhart Falls series, was a book I jumped for!
Opening with the treat of treats, a map for us to see the area, and giving us quotes from Oracle cards, this was a book that had everything needed to give you positive vibe
The book starts with a drunken night and a wedding that is officiated by an actual celebrant, and next thing we know we are standing with Hazyl and Noah as the judge who they had assumed would annul the marriage is deciding to teach these young ones a lesson!
I loved the setting, filled with farm loveliness, the yoga and peacefulness, the goats (cuties!), the community (a great friendship book!), the innocence and sweetness paired well with genius wit and well done drama. The romance was lovely, the settings fab and all in all the feel good so, we’ll feel good! This can definitely be read as a stand-alone but to be honest I’d jump back to book one!
Thanks so much to the author, all opinions are definitely my own!!
So excited to be part of this blog tour showing you this extract- I have the previous book of this on my kindle and the author is a social media great! Plus they sound so homely, like a big hug- handy in this weather (it’s nippy out!)
What they say: It’s 1982 and the residents of Whitlock Close have an exciting few months ahead of them. The Lincolnshire village is looking forward to two weddings!
Former school teacher Sarah Willington is set to marry Mark Thomas, guitarist of the successful boy band The Unflappables, and no expense is being spared.
The second wedding will be a quieter one, but who exactly is Norman marrying – Nora or Mabel?
Twelve-year-old Louise has to decide about her gymnastics career, following a shocking development with her friend Jayne’s health. Plus what on earth is going on with her boyfriend Toby?
Meanwhile, there are people moving in and moving out, cats going missing and a big Christmas trip away to the new Silver Sands Holiday Camp.
The extract: It was a Saturday evening later that month when the weather forecast predicted the next day to be unseasonably warm in Lincolnshire. For a change, all three of the Thorpe family were in the lounge watching the TV. There was usually a good night on the BBC on a Saturday, and they had just watched Blankety Blank and Juliet Bravo.
“Why don’t we go to Ingoldmells tomorrow? Get another day at the sea in, before it gets too cold?”
He was greeted by an excited screech from Louise in reply and a heartfelt sigh from Sandra, who had earmarked a day of ironing and complaining. She knew she would be outvoted. It wasn’t really worth starting an argument. “Okay,” she replied, without an ounce of enthusiasm.
“Excellent!” said Robert.
Louise stood up. “Can I see if Toby wants to come?”
“Of course!”
“I’ll give him a ring.”
Being an only child, Louise was often allowed to take a friend with her on day trips.
The next day did indeed impress with its warm weather and the Thorpes set off to Ingoldmells in the car, Robert driving, Sandra in the passenger seat, Louise and Toby in the back with Lady Olga sitting on Louise’s lap. The dog was also a big fan of the seaside. She loved running around on the sand and sniffing the sea.
“Have you brought your buckets and spades, kids?”
Louise and Toby exchanged a look. “We’re too old for that, Dad.”
“Just as well your dad brought his then!” laughed Sandra. She wasn’t joking, it was in the boot along with Sandra’s survival kit – a deckchair, windbreaker, book, thermos flask and several towels for everyone to dry off. Plus, a water bowl for the dog.
It was only just over an hour’s drive from New Barnham to Ingoldmells, though Robert wasn’t known for fast driving, and they were there in almost two hours. They parked in their usual car park and Louise took Olga off for a wee on the patch of grass there.
“Where first then, gang?” asked Robert. “Arcade, beach or chippy?”
“Beach!” shouted Louise and Toby together, the dog jumping up excitedly too as she realised something fun was about to happen from the sound of their voices.
They trekked up the steps and along the promenade until they found a suitable place to set up camp, finally feeling the soft warm sand beneath their toes. Sandra set up her deckchair and Robert sorted out the windbreaker while the kids rolled their trousers up to their knees, threw off their shoes and set off towards the sea, Olga not far behind.
It was only a couple of minutes before Louise and Toby ran back again, complaining the sea was “flipping freezing” and they decided to help Robert with the sandcastle he was building. Sandra turned over a page in her romance novel, muttering something about “the biggest kid of all…”
About the author
Karen Louise Hollis was born in Lincoln, England in 1969. She began writing from an early age, being the daughter of two journalists. She is a mum to five children and has three grandchildren. She has had over twenty-five books published and has written about a variety of topics including motherhood, poetry, Doctor Who and gymnastics. The Whitlock Close Weddings is her fourth novel, following Welcome to Whitlock Close (2022), Starting Again in Silver Sands Bay (2023) and Over The Garden Fence (2023).
What they say: Can a kiss under the mistletoe lead to something more?
Erin Grant has worked hard to build a life she loves. With a wonderfully quirky flat in London, a supportive group of friends and a fulfilling job, she has everything she needs.
But a festive escape to the Cotswolds leaves her questioning what she’s been missing.
Between enchanting Christmas markets, ice-skating beneath twinkling fairy lights, and cosy chats by the fire, sparks fly with Lewis, the charming hotel manager.
But Lewis has a secret, and as the festive season unfolds, it becomes harder for him to explain everything to Erin. Opening up might shatter their fairy-tale romance.
For their budding relationship to last beyond the Christmas season they’re both going to have to decide what they really want. And what they’re willing to risk to get it.
The Review: You’ve all got to know by now my love for Hannah Ellis’ books, with swoonerific romance, the loveliest touches of humour, fab characters and gorgeous settings, and so I jumped for this, a standalone Christmas novel.
Erin’s mother decides to gift her what every singleton needs, a romantic getaway in a couples retreat type scenario! From he get-go I was ready to really wit down with this, being pulled in by the gorgeous hotel, the characters of the other couples and of course the Christmas vibes and romantic potential of the lovely Lewis, who I was wondering about.
The way they end up being slightly pushed together throughout, the activities, the general sparkliness and festivities all had me, as did the wonderings of how they could end up together given that they were from slightly different worlds. When I say I devoured it, it’s more that I savoured it, it was my ‘sit down over Christmas read,’ when the kids were gone to bed, sitting next the fire, something I am sad to say I don’t really get to do anymore but will make more time for this year.
As stunning as the cover and as beautiful as many of the Hannah Ellis books I’ve fallen for in the past. Beyond recommended.
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