Book review: The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts (The Marlow Murder Club #5) by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club is a consistently great whodunnit series by author Robert Thorogood – in book form and on-screen – and I'm delighted that for the past few years I've been able to kick-off my reading year with a new instalment each time! The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts is another wonderful addition to the series, lifting the curtain on a part of our protagonist' life we've never seen before nor expected...

Book review: Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane by Holly Hepburn [blog tour]

I love Holly Hepburn's charming novels, from The Little Shop of Hidden Treasures to Return to Half-Moon Lane. She not only is a wonderful storyteller, but her books also always transport readers to the most magical places. And with Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane she has done it again: taking us on a romantic journey through beautiful Edinburgh. 

Book review: The Cat and the Christmas Kidnapper (Conrad the Cat Detective #4) by L.T. Shearer [blog tour]

I absolutely adore the "Conrad the Cat Detective" book series by L.T Shearer as it combines two of my absolute favourite things: cats and crime novels. And since adopting my own feline friend last month, diving back into this series felt even more special as we were able to enjoy the book "together" :)

Blog tour spotlight: Two's a Charm by Heather Spellman

There's nothing quite like a witchy read this time of year to ring in spooky season, so today I'm delighted to put the spotlight on Two's a Charm by Heather Spellman.

Book review: Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth [blog tour]

I'm a Julie Haworth super fan. Ever since she first transported me to the fictional village of Blossom Heath in her debut novel, Always By Your Side, I knew I was going to devour every subsequent book by her hand. So when I got my excited fingers on a proof of her latest novel, Bea's Book Wagon, at the start of the year I simply did not have the willpower to wait to return to this wonderful Sussex village, and I read – and reviewed – the book 6 months before it actually came out. #sorrynotsorry 

Book review: Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley [blog tour]

Ever since reading the delightful Phoebe Winchester series by Gretchen Rue, I've adored the whole "small town romance with a witchy twist" genre (yes, I'm calling it a genre). So I was delighted when I got my eager hands on Love's a Witch, especially when I realised it was set in beautiful Scotland (hello hunky Scottish men!). And, let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

Book review: All Wrapped Up by Heidi Swain [blog tour]

The "-ber" months have started, which can mean only one thing... (okay, two): time for my umpteenth rewatch of Gilmore Girls and the start of cosy reading season! 🎃 🍂 And what better way to kick this off than with the latest Heidi Swain book?! One which had me "all wrapped up" in its autumnal cover and heart-warming story. It's the perfect comfy read to curl up with with a cup of hot chocolate on the side (with an obligatory sprinkling of pumpkin spice on top, of course). 

Book review: Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine [blog tour]

While it may not *officially* be summer yet, it's certainly been feeling like it has been these past few weeks – and nothing quite beats a fun romcom this time of year. Whether reading on the beach, in a park, in the garden, or you just have as many doors and windows open to imagine being outside somewhere instead of reading on your sofa... romance fiction from Books and the City (part of Simon & Schuster in the UK) always hits just the right spot. And with Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine, they have another winning holiday read on their hands!

Book review: Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

I've been obsessed with Anthony Horowitz's books for 25 years and they just keeps getting better and better. The previous instalments in this series – Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders – introduced us to Susan Ryeland; a books editor turned sleuth as she discovers that the detective stories she's editing reveal clues to real-life murder cases. Horowitz masterfully writes both a golden age whodunnit and contemporary murder mystery and deftly connects the characters – and clues – between the two. In Marble Hall Murders he has managed to work his magic once again. And it's an absolute sensation. 

Book review: Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young [blog tour]

I absolutely adore the acoustic version of Out of the Woods by Taylor Swift. So when I saw the title of this book by Hannah Bonam-Young, and realised it's also about a romantic relationship that's on the rocks, my interest was instantly piqued...

Book review: Murder on the Marlow Belle (The Marlow Murder Club #4) by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood is one of the book series I recommend the most to friends and family (in fact: I chose it for my secret Santa last year!). They are fantastic murder mysteries and the main group of characters are also super hilarious; a winning combination. And, in the latest instalment, Thorogood adds a theatrical group into the mix. Needless to say, lots of drama ensues and not just on stage...

Book review: The Christmas Express by Isla Gordon

I cannot believe I've been reading this author for 10 years almost to the day (even if her books were published under a different name at the time 👀), but I'm so happy that she's still writing festive rom coms as they've always been some of my absolute favourites! And her latest one takes place in Canada, the most magical place in the world. 🍁

Book review: A Lively Midwinter Murder by Katy Watson

I adore Mr B's Emporium in Bath. It's my all-time favourite book shop with the best booksellers! They have recommended many novels to me that ended up being absolute favourites, including the fantastic The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson. Just two years after the release of this brilliantly clever take on the whodunnit, the series already comprises of four different titles. And the latest one is set at Christmas time; the perfect murderous read for the festive season. 

Book review: The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case (Conrad the Cat Detective #3) by L T Shearer [blog tour]

As a lover of both cats and murder mysterious, it was inevitable I'd fall head over heels in love with Conrad, a calico cat who is the companion of a former police detective and a clever investigator in his own right. I first read their adventured in The Cat Who Solved Three Murders and was thrilled when I saw that they were continuing in what is already the third instalment of the series: The Cat Who Cracked a Cold Case.  

Book review: Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts [blog tour]

Cosy season is here! 🍂🎃🍁 I'm thrilled that small town, autumnal reads have taken over the book community because it's been my personality for the past few decades (yikes, that's making me sound – and feel – old!). From witchy reads like Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood and Spell Bound by Gretchen Rue to cosy crime and even cosy fantasy (I'm looking at you, Travis Baldree) – I'm loving all of it. And now I've discovered another type of book that falls into this category that has stolen my heart: the spooky season romance.  

Book review: Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander [blog tour]

The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander is one of my favourite contemporary women's fiction novels. I initially caught my interest because the little free library in the story follows similar principles to The Book Fairies, which I'm a part of, but the book became mostly memorable due to the quirky cast of characters that made up the community in the English village it was set in. Needless to say, I was very excited when I saw that Poppy Alexander had written another adorable sounding story set in the same idyllic location. 

Book review: New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Café by Julie Haworth [blog tour]

Last year I was fortunate to be on the blog tour for Julie Haworth's debut novel Always By Your Side. It introduced me to a delightful new voice in women's fiction, not to mention a brand-new (sadly fictional) setting that I fell head-over-heels in love with. Blossom Heath is the ultimate picturesque English village, filled with charming characters and cottages – and as soon as I turned the final page I was already desperate to return again. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait too long as the end of the book teased the next Blossom Heath adventure: New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Café.

Book review: The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr [blog tour]

I've been in a bit of a reading funk this year, not many books truly gripping me in such a way that I cannot stop thinking about them and recommending them. But, The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by debut author Samuel Burr is a huge exception. I adored this quirky literary novel from start to finish and cannot wait for lots more people to discover the charming tale of Clayton and the Fellowship! 

Book review: Wild Treasures by Hannah Stitfall [blog tour]

After a cold and very wet winter, I'm sure I'm not the only one ready for spring and going out into nature again. The sun is tentatively peeking through the clouds and the garden is bursting into colour and birdsong, which is making me very excited to explore the countryside and see what other beautiful flora and fauna is making a reappearance. But while spring and summer are the most obvious seasons to find 'wild treasures', Hannah Stitfall's new book shows us there's wonderful wildlife to encounter in Britain every month of the year. 

Book review: Death In Nonna's Kitchen by Alex Coombs [blog tour]

As an avid lover of whodunnits, I was thrilled to be introduced to Alex Coombs' Old Forge Café Mysteries last year. The first book in the series – Murder on the Menu – was a delight for both crime lovers and foodies alike as it encompasses the perfect blend of gripping mystery and scrumptious cooking desciptions. In the second novel, there's a little less recipe testing but a whole lot more murder....