mixingrealitywithfiction's reviews
271 reviews

A Christmas Wish at Woolworths by Elaine Everest

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Another fab book in The Woolworths Girls series. This book is set in 1953, 15 years on from the first book when we first met Sarah, Maisie and Freda. As always, Elaine never disappoints when it comes to her characters and their stories and this one is no different. 

Set in the heart of Erith, Woolworths faces closure if the December income fails to increase. With new faces and some ne'er-do-wells, this community of friends and family have a lot on their plate in the run-up to Christmas. 

I love these characters and feel sad that this book has come to an end but I know a reunion is on the cards as there's another installment out in the middle of next year, which I'm already excited for but it could well be the last as the lovely Elaine passed away in August. May she rest in peace. 

A Recipe for Christmas: The deliciously heart-warming new Christmas romance from the bestselling author by Jo Thomas

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Another brilliant book by Jo Thomas. Christmas and chocolate, 2 of my most favourite things. I love  that we had a group of characters who all had their own stories to tell but ultimately all find friendships with each other but I loved our main character and her her journey, especially given what she had initially set out to do but ended up finding more about herself and her passions. I also loved that 2 characters who you wouldn't necessarily put together actually were the whole heart of this story. This isn't a put your christmas tree up kind of christmas book but it is get the christmas chocolates out kind of book, I loved the setting, the snow and the slips and rolls, the whole dynamic, even the impact covid had and just how the effects of that can have on us and that sometimes you need a fresh pair of eyes to see things in a different light. This book had my whole heart and now I'm ready to make it my whole personality, it reminds us that christmas isn't just about what's under the tree, it's about who you spend it with and that to me, makes a christmas book all the more special. So please, if you see it, pick up and give it a read this christmas. It's delightfully delicious. 🎄🍫🥰

A Postcard from Puffin Island by Christie Barlow

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

What a fantastic book this was, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Sam and Verity, I also adored Pete. 🥰

Verity's granny always used to tell her stories about the island and the people on it but it wasn't until a chance encounter with an old postbox has Verity changing her plans after learning that the island is in fact a real place not just fictional. 

You have everything you could want in this book, fabulous characters with great chemistry, it's a CLEAN romance - none of the smutty descriptions here!, community, friendships, small town, secrets etc... it also deals with grief but it shows how it can affect people differently and how time can stand still rather than help heal. 

This was an easy read and definitely needed after a good run of spicy reads, a nice palate cleanser is good for the soul. 

I want the second book like now, please? 

Absolutely LOVED my journey on this island wit  these characters. 🏝

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief

Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this book but I much preferred Praise over this one.

Eyes on Me is Garratt and Mia's story, it touched on many triggers such as depression so please do check your triggers.

I'm not sure I liked the step-sibling trope, there is an age gap but it's a trope I'm becoming accustomed to but I just feel that step-siblings thing was a bit too much.... but strangely enough, I felt the connection between them. I know, it's too confusing for my little brain lol. 

I liked that it touched on the depression side of things because you feel like you can relate to that character and understand what they're going through, especially if you've been/going through it. 

Oh, plenty of spice for all your filthy minds and all that... 🤣

Praise by Sara Cate

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Fancy a spicy hot read?! This is for you. Praise kink?! This is for you. Forbidden romance?! This is for you.  Ex's dad?! This is for you.  Age gap?! This is for you.

Who knew I'd be into praise?! 'Good girl', those 2 words have never felt more HOTTTT than they do now. 

I'm usually a friends/enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine kinda girl but this book opened my eyes to tropes I never knew I needed in my life. 

I loved the dynamic, the plot, the scenery, the characters, the jealousy, the spice, just everything about this book, I loved.

Emerson and Charlotte are officially stuck in my head and I intend to keep it that way. I loved how they were together and how their characters grew with the book. 

My Rules by TL Swan

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My Temptation by TL Swan

challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an enjoyable second-chance romance. It's slow burn, but it's needed for Clara and Teddy.
 You feel the instant awkwardness between Clara and Teddy but I think Clara started overthinking things even before Teddy arrived as the visiting scholar, or rather the second she heard his name being mentioned. 
I enjoyed the dual perspective between them as teens to now, it showed just how far they've come whilst achieving their goals/dreams all the while putting everything and everyone before them and their feelings. But, how it all ties together is perfect in my eyes.  If you like nerdy humour, slow burn and second chances with a few spicy scenes, these characters and this book is for you. 

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My first Freida McFadden book and it won't be the last. You'll be second-guessing yourself throughout but will ultimately be shell-shocked when the twist comes. It's certainly an edge-of-your-seat book, one that will play with your mind. Certainly won't be forgetting this one any time soon! Highly recommend it if you like a good psychological thriller.

Falling by T.J. Newman

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

If anything this book has most definitely put me off going abroad... what a tense ride this was. I can't say I loved it but I liked it, was unrealistic in places but I think that added to the suspense and the uneasiness of the book in general - it is fiction after all!! Definitely need something lighter to read after that!! I do recommend it but if you're heading abroad soon, I'd wait to read it until after your holidays 😆