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sams_fireside's reviews
248 reviews
Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin
Evie has lost her job and joins her eccentric grandmother in Santorini, where she has married for the ninety-millionth time. I loved all the characters. Each had their own quirky ways and were delightful to read about. The dogs were all brilliant! Especially Houdini, who loves stealing wallets and hiding them from his owners!
Evie is trying not to fall for Georgios, Granny is trying not to get into anymore debt and Evie’s mum and sister are trying to find out all about what is actually happening in Santorini, but no one is telling them anything! In the meantime, Granny and Evie are running the bookshop and planning the opening of a cute evening cocktail bar.
Once you’ve read this, I guarantee you’ll want to jump on a plane and whisk yourself off to Santorini for your next holiday.
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Books, sunshine, cocktails, sea, beaches, dogs and handsome Greek men - what’s not to love?! Well, to be honest, Greek men are far too hairy for me but I’m sure others love them!!!
Evie has lost her job and joins her eccentric grandmother in Santorini, where she has married for the ninety-millionth time. I loved all the characters. Each had their own quirky ways and were delightful to read about. The dogs were all brilliant! Especially Houdini, who loves stealing wallets and hiding them from his owners!
Evie is trying not to fall for Georgios, Granny is trying not to get into anymore debt and Evie’s mum and sister are trying to find out all about what is actually happening in Santorini, but no one is telling them anything! In the meantime, Granny and Evie are running the bookshop and planning the opening of a cute evening cocktail bar.
Once you’ve read this, I guarantee you’ll want to jump on a plane and whisk yourself off to Santorini for your next holiday.
Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Summer at the Santorini Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin.
Timeslayers by Colin Sephton
The Book of Consciousness is the book that everyone seems to want to get their hands on, some to make their existence better, some to make others’ existence worse. Ignatius and Indigo are just a couple of humans who stumble upon the reality of demons, gods, dragons and super-beings, and that maybe there really is something beyond the world in which we live.
Once you get past the world-building, who is who and what is what, Timeslayers is a fascinating, thought-provoking read. I actually read it twice, almost immediately. The first time to figure it all out, and the second time to settle down and enjoy the story. In my head, Ignatius and Indigo are a couple of strange eccentrics who just don’t want to be the same as anyone else, and they’re not, they’re really not! Indigo, in particular, has no qualms about killing or maiming anyone who crosses her and her newfound allies. While Ignatius is trying to work out how the universe works!
“Shadows are like doors. Doors to dark prisons.... You should never play in the shadows, you never know who... or what... may be there waiting to cross the threshold of that particular door!”
If you’re a fan of Terry Pratchett or of what the world might consist of outside of our planet, then I would recommend Timeslayers, the debut novel from Colin Sephton. I can’t wait to discover what happens in the next book in the series.
Thank you to Cinnabar Moth Publishing and Colin Sephton for the opportunity to read and review Timeslayers which is published on 7 May 2024.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
“There are only two types of being with such power - those who have no vested interest in the contents contained within the artefact, completely ignorant of its contents, of its worth, a rare being indeed; and those born of the Elder God! So, which are you?”
The Book of Consciousness is the book that everyone seems to want to get their hands on, some to make their existence better, some to make others’ existence worse. Ignatius and Indigo are just a couple of humans who stumble upon the reality of demons, gods, dragons and super-beings, and that maybe there really is something beyond the world in which we live.
Once you get past the world-building, who is who and what is what, Timeslayers is a fascinating, thought-provoking read. I actually read it twice, almost immediately. The first time to figure it all out, and the second time to settle down and enjoy the story. In my head, Ignatius and Indigo are a couple of strange eccentrics who just don’t want to be the same as anyone else, and they’re not, they’re really not! Indigo, in particular, has no qualms about killing or maiming anyone who crosses her and her newfound allies. While Ignatius is trying to work out how the universe works!
“Shadows are like doors. Doors to dark prisons.... You should never play in the shadows, you never know who... or what... may be there waiting to cross the threshold of that particular door!”
If you’re a fan of Terry Pratchett or of what the world might consist of outside of our planet, then I would recommend Timeslayers, the debut novel from Colin Sephton. I can’t wait to discover what happens in the next book in the series.
Thank you to Cinnabar Moth Publishing and Colin Sephton for the opportunity to read and review Timeslayers which is published on 7 May 2024.
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
This gave me Fourth Wing/Iron Flame vibes, and I adored it right from the beginning. This isn’t something I’d have chosen myself, but it was a book club pick of the month for February, and I’m so glad Carissa Broadbent is now at the top of my ‘favourite authors’ list.
As the weather slowly starts to improve in the UK and I spend more time outside, I find myself listening to more and more audiobooks. I love that I can keep up with my TBR as well as lose myself in someone else’s life for a few hours while I’m outside.
Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb and full of energy, passion and excitement, this book had all the weirdness of Hunger Games, the fantasy of Harry Potter, plus so much more. Oraya was awesome, feisty and wasn’t taking any shit from anyone, and quite frankly Raihn was an ass and I couldn’t work out what was in it for him? Why he befriended Oraya and why he was going out of his way to help and protect her? There is so much more of this story to come and I can’t wait to buddy-read part two with some amazing people.
Thank you to #acrossthepondbookclub for choosing The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent as February’s read of the month.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
'Human or vampire, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart'.
This gave me Fourth Wing/Iron Flame vibes, and I adored it right from the beginning. This isn’t something I’d have chosen myself, but it was a book club pick of the month for February, and I’m so glad Carissa Broadbent is now at the top of my ‘favourite authors’ list.
As the weather slowly starts to improve in the UK and I spend more time outside, I find myself listening to more and more audiobooks. I love that I can keep up with my TBR as well as lose myself in someone else’s life for a few hours while I’m outside.
Narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb and full of energy, passion and excitement, this book had all the weirdness of Hunger Games, the fantasy of Harry Potter, plus so much more. Oraya was awesome, feisty and wasn’t taking any shit from anyone, and quite frankly Raihn was an ass and I couldn’t work out what was in it for him? Why he befriended Oraya and why he was going out of his way to help and protect her? There is so much more of this story to come and I can’t wait to buddy-read part two with some amazing people.
Thank you to #acrossthepondbookclub for choosing The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent as February’s read of the month.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
An easy listen, enemies-to-lovers romance, with two main characters who you can’t help but adore. Olive lacks in confidence, thinks the world is against her and can’t understand why Ethan, the best man at her sister’s wedding, hates her so much. Amy is Olive’s twin, and can’t see that the man she’s married is a prize knob. What will it take to show her just how disrespectful he actually is?
I loved that Amy paid for her entire wedding by entering, and winning competitions, from the disastrous catering to the incredible honeymoon in Hawaii which Amy never actually goes on!
The story was full of fun and humour, and listening to the audiobook probably made me fall in love with Hawaii even more so than if I had just read the book. The luxury hotel, picturesque setting and great characters definitely made this an enjoyable read.
Thank you to #bookstabritsbookclub for choosing The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren as February’s read/listen of the month.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another audiobook listen for me; this time it was The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, chosen as February’s read for one of my book clubs.
An easy listen, enemies-to-lovers romance, with two main characters who you can’t help but adore. Olive lacks in confidence, thinks the world is against her and can’t understand why Ethan, the best man at her sister’s wedding, hates her so much. Amy is Olive’s twin, and can’t see that the man she’s married is a prize knob. What will it take to show her just how disrespectful he actually is?
I loved that Amy paid for her entire wedding by entering, and winning competitions, from the disastrous catering to the incredible honeymoon in Hawaii which Amy never actually goes on!
The story was full of fun and humour, and listening to the audiobook probably made me fall in love with Hawaii even more so than if I had just read the book. The luxury hotel, picturesque setting and great characters definitely made this an enjoyable read.
Thank you to #bookstabritsbookclub for choosing The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren as February’s read/listen of the month.
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs' Home by Sarah Hope
I loved most of the characters in the book. They’re warm and friendly, and I felt a part of their lives from the very beginning. I wanted cuddles from all the dogs that were staying in the dogs’ home and I loved the Nemo puppies the best!
To be honest, the human characters were just a sideline to the dogs who were one hundred per cent the stars of this book. I think you'll like this one if you love dogs, great characters and a warm and easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Anything with ‘wagging tails’ in the title has to be a good book, right? As soon as I saw the title, I knew I wanted to be included on the blog tour for A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. This is the third book in the series and I haven’t read any of the others. This can be read as a standalone, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and read the others.
I loved most of the characters in the book. They’re warm and friendly, and I felt a part of their lives from the very beginning. I wanted cuddles from all the dogs that were staying in the dogs’ home and I loved the Nemo puppies the best!
To be honest, the human characters were just a sideline to the dogs who were one hundred per cent the stars of this book. I think you'll like this one if you love dogs, great characters and a warm and easy read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home by Sarah Hope.
Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley
An enemies-to-lovers romance, Addie and Logan have that spark from the offset, you know the one? Everything that a certain person is doing annoys you, but you can’t get enough, and your entire day consists of that back-and-forth banter that results in the desire just getting stronger, despite your head protesting!
The author immerses you into the heart of Scotland itself, with its many castles, stunning scenery and oh-so-much history. The more I read, the closer I could feel myself becoming to Logan, Addie, and Elyse. Elyse was kind and funny and but I think she’d make a good friend!
With Outlander vibes, amazing descriptive writing and warming characters, I’d one hundred per cent recommend adding Kilt Trip to your reading list for this summer.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Kiley and her publishers for the opportunity to read and review Kilt Trip.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When Alexandra Kiley asked readers to express their interest in her book, Kilt Trip, I jumped at the chance. After all, who doesn’t love the wilderness of Scotland and a Highland Coo?!
An enemies-to-lovers romance, Addie and Logan have that spark from the offset, you know the one? Everything that a certain person is doing annoys you, but you can’t get enough, and your entire day consists of that back-and-forth banter that results in the desire just getting stronger, despite your head protesting!
The author immerses you into the heart of Scotland itself, with its many castles, stunning scenery and oh-so-much history. The more I read, the closer I could feel myself becoming to Logan, Addie, and Elyse. Elyse was kind and funny and but I think she’d make a good friend!
With Outlander vibes, amazing descriptive writing and warming characters, I’d one hundred per cent recommend adding Kilt Trip to your reading list for this summer.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Kiley and her publishers for the opportunity to read and review Kilt Trip.
Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman
I loved, loved, loved Granny Isla so much! She was hilarious, with her many malapropisms, including her WhatsUp messages, she was just brilliant. I found myself smiling more often than not as I devoured this book in just a day. In fact, with the exception of Kerr (aka Kermit according to Granny), and Aiden, all the characters were absolutely cool and loveable.
Lisa Hobman writes with such humour and fun, bringing the characters, the dogs and the Scottish scenery straight into the readers’ imagination. I spent numerous happy moments drinking tea and eating cake with Bella and Harris, walking along by the loch with Beau, and taking a tour of the castle with Olivia.
Do yourself a favour and add this book to your reading list for your holidays this year. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Now I’m off to close my eyes and make believe I’m being whisked away on a motorbike around the highlands of Scotland by my very own Sergeant Donaldson!
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Easily one of my favourites so far for 2024, Chasing a Highland Dream was just a delight to read. Set in Inverness in Scotland, Bella works as a Personal Assistant to her best friend Olivia, who has just inherited a castle. However, Bella has aspirations of becoming an interior designer and certainly has the skills to achieve her dream.
I loved, loved, loved Granny Isla so much! She was hilarious, with her many malapropisms, including her WhatsUp messages, she was just brilliant. I found myself smiling more often than not as I devoured this book in just a day. In fact, with the exception of Kerr (aka Kermit according to Granny), and Aiden, all the characters were absolutely cool and loveable.
Lisa Hobman writes with such humour and fun, bringing the characters, the dogs and the Scottish scenery straight into the readers’ imagination. I spent numerous happy moments drinking tea and eating cake with Bella and Harris, walking along by the loch with Beau, and taking a tour of the castle with Olivia.
Do yourself a favour and add this book to your reading list for your holidays this year. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Now I’m off to close my eyes and make believe I’m being whisked away on a motorbike around the highlands of Scotland by my very own Sergeant Donaldson!
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read Chasing a Highland Dream by Lisa Hobman.
Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton
This was a delightful book to immerse myself in for a couple of days and I really enjoyed it. Full of kindness and love, hilarity and fun, Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm was a joy to read.
I don't think there was a character I didn't like and it was a pleasure to join them in their lives for just a while. In my head I was helping Phoebe in her vet's practice, riding alongside Sam as he took his horse Ninja out and helping Maggie with her wedding preparations. The animals are all incredibly entertaining and each and every one had their own part to play in the story.
If you're an animal lover and enjoy romance and fun in your stories, then I would definitely recommend you read Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm. I'm off to grab a cup of tea, one of Maggie's wonky mince pies and settle down with my next read for a few hours.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
This was my first trip to Puddleduck Farm and it wasn't until the end that I realised it was the fourth in the series, so now I need to go back and read the others!
This was a delightful book to immerse myself in for a couple of days and I really enjoyed it. Full of kindness and love, hilarity and fun, Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm was a joy to read.
I don't think there was a character I didn't like and it was a pleasure to join them in their lives for just a while. In my head I was helping Phoebe in her vet's practice, riding alongside Sam as he took his horse Ninja out and helping Maggie with her wedding preparations. The animals are all incredibly entertaining and each and every one had their own part to play in the story.
If you're an animal lover and enjoy romance and fun in your stories, then I would definitely recommend you read Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm. I'm off to grab a cup of tea, one of Maggie's wonky mince pies and settle down with my next read for a few hours.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Living the Dream at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton.
The Perfect Parents by J.A. Baker
This was such a good read, and I devoured it in only a couple of days. There is so much I want to say, so much I want to tell you about, but that would just spoil it, so you will just have to trust me and read it yourself.
Written primarily from two viewpoints, that of Flo and Jess - two of the Hemsworth children, the story alternates from one to the other with the odd curveball thrown in every now and again. There are lots of secrets, and lots of hushed whispers and gossip throughout the village, but is there anyone at all that knows the whole truth? Maybe, or maybe not?
If you like a good thriller, that will keep you turning the pages and get your brain cells working overtime that I would recommend you go out and buy yourself a copy of The Perfect Parent.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Perfect Parents by J.A. Baker.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Full of twists and turns, and a million and one loop-the-loops, The Perfect Parents is a rollercoaster of a book with so many plot angles I didn’t see coming - and just a few that I did!
This was such a good read, and I devoured it in only a couple of days. There is so much I want to say, so much I want to tell you about, but that would just spoil it, so you will just have to trust me and read it yourself.
Written primarily from two viewpoints, that of Flo and Jess - two of the Hemsworth children, the story alternates from one to the other with the odd curveball thrown in every now and again. There are lots of secrets, and lots of hushed whispers and gossip throughout the village, but is there anyone at all that knows the whole truth? Maybe, or maybe not?
If you like a good thriller, that will keep you turning the pages and get your brain cells working overtime that I would recommend you go out and buy yourself a copy of The Perfect Parent.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review The Perfect Parents by J.A. Baker.
A Wartime Welcome From The Foyles Bookshop Girls by
I loved Ellen and the friends she made at Foyles but I hated some of the characters she met working at the newspaper office. The author did a great job of helping us hate the villains and love Ellen and her friends and family.
Even though it's wartime, these types of books always make me feel like curling up with a cuppa and immersing myself into the character's lives for a few hours. With a bit of mystery, lots of friendship and some great writing, I would definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Wartime Welcome From the Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I began reading this book without knowing it was the fourth in a series. I don't think it matters though and I think they can all be read as a standalone. Will I be reading the others? Absolutely! I loved it and the fact that Foyles bookshop is a real place, with seven shops throughout the UK is just brilliant.
I loved Ellen and the friends she made at Foyles but I hated some of the characters she met working at the newspaper office. The author did a great job of helping us hate the villains and love Ellen and her friends and family.
Even though it's wartime, these types of books always make me feel like curling up with a cuppa and immersing myself into the character's lives for a few hours. With a bit of mystery, lots of friendship and some great writing, I would definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Wartime Welcome From the Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts.