Book Review: Perfect Match

By Sara Steven

Sophia Jones is an expert in all things online dating: the best sites, how to write a decent bio, which questions to ask and the right type of photos to use. The only thing she’s not so great at? Picking the guys…

After sitting through yet another dreadful date with a man who isn’t quite what she expected, Sophia is just about ready to give up on the whole dating scene. But her flatmate, Kate, persuades her to give it one more chance, only this time she must create a profile describing her ‘perfect’ man.

Yes, he must look like Robert Pattinson and needs to own a multi-million pound business, but there are a couple of other deal breakers, too! So, when a guy comes along who ticks every box, surely there’s got to be a catch? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I think it’s funny how the synopsis states that Sophia is an expert in online dating, given she seems to have zero luck in finding anyone worth her time. There’s even a scene where her best friend attempts to assist her in creating a better dating profile that will really reel them in, and even that turns comical. I don’t really have any personal knowledge of what it’s like to online date, but many of the responses Sophia receives really cracked me up! And I have to assume similar responses happen out in the “real world”, adding a fun and realistic element to what she experiences.

But when the Robert Pattinson look-alike responds to Sophia’s profile, I felt much like she did: is this too good to be true? A classic tale of two individuals from completely opposite sides of the tracks ala Pretty Woman, it was hard not to be enthralled by the lovely dynamic between Sophia and Daniel- the Pattinson look-alike. Suddenly, she’s whipped into a frenzy of fancy restaurants and the opera, nights spent in his quite unattainable penthouse in the sky. During moments like this, the reader begins to see the cracks in this relationship, and the distance between two opposing lifestyles can really be felt.

So much of what we see in media often comes with a tagline that signifies, “love can conquer all.” No matter what. I didn’t get that tagline from Perfect Match. What I saw was an honest look at two people who are making a go of things in spite of their differences, and we’re not sure of the outcome or in which direction we want it to go along the way. I really liked that. It kept me wondering. Along with that are decisions Sophia has to make in order to find happiness, in spite of what others think. In many ways there was a lot of growth, considering some of her preconceived notions on what’s acceptable, and who’s acceptable. It’s not so much about a perfectly written profile to attract “the perfect man”, but about finding someone who is perfect for her. Along the way we’re greeted by some standout characters, like her boss Ted and Sandra, and her close friendship with Lyn, an unconventional friendship with an older woman who lives close by. More groundwork that sets the stage for who we discover Sophia to really be, and what (and who) she needs.

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK * Amazon US

Zoe May lives in southeast London and writes romantic comedies. Zoe has dreamt of being a novelist since she was a teenager. She worked in journalism and copywriting before writing her debut novel, Perfect Match. Having experienced the London dating scene first hand, Zoe could not resist writing a novel about dating, since it seems to supply endless amounts of weird and wonderful material!

Perfect Match was one of Apple's top-selling books of 2018. It was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, with judges describing it as 'a laugh out loud look at love and self-discovery - fresh and very funny'.

As well as writing, Zoe enjoys walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading! She adores animals and if she's not taking a photo of a vegan meal, she's probably tweeting about the dairy industry. She is half Greek and half Irish and can make a mean baklava. Zoe has a thing for horror films, India, swimming, hip hop and Radiohead. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of handbags having spent several years working in fashion copy-writing and could probably win Mastermind if this was her specialist subject!

Zoe loves to hear from readers. Visit her online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram


More by Zoe May:

Samantha M. Bailey's edgy debut...plus a book giveaway

We're so excited to have Samantha M. Bailey here today! Her debut thriller, Woman on the Edge, recently published in print in Canada and as an e-book in the US (and will be available in print this spring). Melissa A. loved Woman on the Edge and will be reviewing it soon. All you need to know for now is that it will keep you up late at night because it's impossible to put down! She's also fortunate to have met Samantha a couple of times at Book Expos and had the chance to bask in her warmth and kindness. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada, we have one signed copy for a lucky reader!

Samantha M. Bailey is a Toronto-based novelist, journalist, and freelance editor. Her work has appeared in Now Magazine, The Village Post, and Oxford University Press, among other publications. She was a writer-in-residence for Kobo Writing Life at Book Expo America 2013 and is the co-founder of BookBuzz, a promotional and interactive author-reader event held in New York City and Toronto.

Her bestselling debut psychological thriller, WOMAN ON THE EDGE, is published in North America with Simon and Schuster Canada, and the UK with Headline. It will also be translated in seven countries world-wide, including with Garzanti in Italy, Roca Editorial in Spain, Heyne in Germany, General Press in Hungary, Euromedia in the Czech Republic, Ikar in Slovakia, and Znak in Poland.

Samantha loves reading as much as she loves writing so if she’s not tapping away at her computer, she’s probably curled up on her couch with a book. (Bio courtesy of Samantha's website.)

Visit Samantha online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
A total stranger on the subway platform whispers, “Take my baby.”

She places her child in your arms. She says your name.

Then she jumps...

In a split second, Morgan Kincaid’s life changes forever. She’s on her way home from work when a mother begs her to take her baby, then places the infant in her arms. Before Morgan can stop her, the distraught mother jumps in front of an oncoming train.

Morgan has never seen this woman before, and she can’t understand what would cause a person to give away her child and take her own life. She also can’t understand how this woman knew her name.

The police take Morgan in for questioning. She soon learns that the woman who jumped was Nicole Markham, prominent CEO of the athletic brand Breathe. She also learns that no witness can corroborate her version of events, which means she’s just become a murder suspect.

To prove her innocence, Morgan frantically retraces the last days of Nicole’s life. Was Nicole a new mother struggling with paranoia or was she in danger? When strange things start happening to Morgan, she suddenly realizes she might be in danger, too.

Woman on the Edge is a pulse-pounding, propulsive thriller about the lengths to which a woman will go to protect her baby—even if that means sacrificing her own life. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
This is such a good question. Anyone who tells me WOMAN ON THE EDGE made them feel something—scared, sad, intrigued, excited, compelled—is such a wonderful compliment because that’s what I hope for with every novel I write. To move readers in some way. Also, anyone who tells me they want to read my next book, because this is a long-held dream and a long-term career for me. To have readers stay with me through this journey is all I’ve ever wanted.

What were the biggest reward and challenge with writing WOMAN ON THE EDGE?
The biggest reward is everything I learned in the course of writing WOMAN ON THE EDGE, the people I met along the way, and also, the incredible reception it’s received in the UK, Canada, and the US. I’m incredibly lucky to have such dedicated, phenomenal publishing teams at Simon & Schuster Canada and Headline. And I’m so grateful for the very long path I took to get here, because it’s made the realization of my dream that much sweeter.

The biggest challenge was in writing it. This is my first thriller, after starting out writing rom coms then moving to darker women’s fiction. My agent and I spent years revising the book, draft after draft. Never once did I think about giving up because I’m too stubborn, but I must have done an entire tear-down and re-build of the manuscript at least twenty times. I was very scared it wouldn’t happen for me, but then it did, and in ways I could never have imagined.

If Woman on the Edge were made into a binge-worthy TV series, who would you cast in the lead roles?
A binge-worthy TV series would be a dream! I don’t visualize any one actor or actress, or anyone I know at all, as I write, though I do completely visualize the characters. If I had to, or got to choose, I think I’d love to see Charlize Theron, Rose Byrne, Stana Katic, Nicole Kidman, or Cate Blanchett as Nicole, and perhaps Mila Kunis, Jennifer Connolly, Naomi Watts, or Amy Adams as Morgan.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?
Now that we’ve just started a new decade, this question really resonates with me. In ten years, I’ll be fifty-six years old and an empty nester. That is shocking, and also a bit sad, to contemplate. Career-wise, I hope to have many more books out, to have had the chance to meet readers and authors in person at conferences and events and go to the places I have yet to travel to: Los Angeles, Hawaii, Western Canada, all the countries in Europe in which WOMAN ON THE EDGE will be translated and published. What I hope for most is health and happiness for my loved ones and me.

What did you do to ring in 2020?
I’m very close to my family, so I spent New Year’s Eve with my brother and his family. Every year, we eat, drink, dance, watch our kids hang out together, then we have a big sleepover. It’s low-key and exactly the kind of celebration I love. As the clock struck midnight, I took a moment to appreciate everything that’s happened to me this past year, this past decade, and to savor it because I know how blessed I am.

What is something funny that happened to you recently?
Many funny things happen to me because I’m a bit klutzy and awkward. Something recent that makes me laugh every time I think about it is my Canadian publication day. My amazing, rock star publicist, Jillian Levick, and I spent the entire day together. We started off in the green room for my spot on a morning television show, which was surreal. Then we went to a few Indigo bookstores—one of our beloved bookstore chains here that selected WOMAN ON THE EDGE as their Staff Pick of the Month for December at stores all across Canada—so I could sign stock. It was so exciting. I wanted to leave a message for my readers, along with my signature, so I started writing, “Happy Reading!” At the same time, Jillian and I were giddily chatting away. I looked down at one of the books I was signing and realized I’d written, “Happy Birthday!” We laughed until we cried. Then she bought that copy. And gifted me with a pair of reading socks, which was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Thanks to Samantha for chatting with us and to Simon & Schuster Canada for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends January 21st at midnight EST.

Book Review: Payback

By Sara Steven

In 1997 teenager Sophie White and her three girlfriends decide they want to lose their innocence before summer is over. Roping in her childhood buddy Gareth and his mates, Sophie holds a party to get 'the deed' over and done with, but the night doesn’t end as planned.

Twenty years later, the group are brought back together when Gareth is killed in a car accident and Sophie begins receiving threatening messages. It seems the party wasn’t as innocent as everyone thought and now someone wants payback. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

Payback was incredibly suspenseful! It took roughly three quarters in before I began to have a firm grip on who I thought might be the culprit, and even then I was never entirely sure. A classic whodunit with a unique twist, it was hard for me to take breaks and stop reading, so inclined in finding out what would happen next for Sophie and her childhood friends.

The premise behind Sophie’s story was definitely unique. It’s not every day we read about a teenage “deed” pact, which was unnerving and a bit disturbing, given the age I am now and my status as mother to two boys, one of which is a teenager. Those emotions propelled me forward, and I loved the two degrees between the past, and the present. I felt like I was right there with Sophie in 1997, and with her now when she’s trying to piece together the fallout from over twenty years ago.

The different dynamics and the years that change the course of a friendship had been accurately portrayed here. Sophie took me back to a time when friendships had as a young adult meant everything in life, with the slow progression of change and potential demise for bonds that at one time had been thick and never ending. I felt that struggle for everyone involved, adding to the chaos in determining who can be trusted, and who can’t. The messages and nefarious packages, not knowing where it’s safe anymore- this all compounded into an epic build up, an eventual truth.

In many ways, Payback was a reflection on the way our world works. In an age of social media and instant cameras on every cell phone, nothing done and posted is “safe”, forever there for the world to see, even after the delete button. With the two different time frames, it was understood that even our actions from the past aren’t safe, and ultimately, it can come back to haunt us. Those powerful elements really added a touch of realism to everything, particularly for Sophie, who has so much to lose. This gives us a moment of reflection on our own childhood fumbles, and when Sophie says, “This was something I’d done when I was a wayward kid over twenty years ago”, we believe her because we’ve all been there and can understand the frustration in that. Given the coming-of-age elements gone wrong, not to mention the moments full of suspense, this was a well-deserving five-star read!

Thanks to Boldwood for the book in exchange for an honest review. Visit all the stops on the blog tour.

Diane Chamberlain's latest work of art...plus a book giveaway

Photo by John Pagliuca

Introduction by Melissa Amster

In a short amount of time, Diane Chamberlain has become a favorite author of mine, and this is just after reading a few of her books. Her latest, Big Lies in a Small Town, which publishes today, is going to blow you away. It's such a powerful story about redemption. Check out my review.

I follow Diane's personal account on Facebook and have enjoyed seeing all the throwback photos she has been sharing. She's also really kind and gracious to her readers and I am honored to have her back at CLC today. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have one copy of Big Lies in a Small Town, along with a paperback of The Dream Daughter (one of my 2018 favorites) to give away.

Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 27 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small "books" as a child, she didn't seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor's appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master's degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.

Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole. (Bio adapted from Amazon.)

Visit Diane online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest

Synopsis:
North Carolina, 2018: Morgan Christopher's life has been derailed. Taking the fall for a crime she did not commit, she finds herself serving a three-year stint in the North Carolina Women's Correctional Center. Her dream of a career in art is put on hold—until a mysterious visitor makes her an offer that will see her released immediately. Her assignment: restore an old post office mural in a sleepy southern town. Morgan knows nothing about art restoration, but desperate to leave prison, she accepts. What she finds under the layers of grime is a painting that tells the story of madness, violence, and a conspiracy of small town secrets.

North Carolina, 1940: Anna Dale, an artist from New Jersey, wins a national contest to paint a mural for the post office in Edenton, North Carolina. Alone in the world and desperate for work, she accepts. But what she doesn't expect is to find herself immersed in a town where prejudices run deep, where people are hiding secrets behind closed doors, and where the price of being different might just end in murder.

What happened to Anna Dale? Are the clues hidden in the decrepit mural? Can Morgan overcome her own demons to discover what exists beneath the layers of lies? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What was the inspiration behind Big Lies in a Small Town?
I grew up in a town where large murals graced the post office walls. It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that I learned the origin of those huge paintings: they were part of the government program to put people, including artists, back to work after the Great Depression. I’ve never forgotten those murals and when it came time to think of a new story, I decided to put myself into the shoes of one of those government sponsored (fictional) painters. Only later did I decide to experience the mural from the perspective of an art restorer as well.

Which character did you feel more connected with: Morgan or Anna?
That’s a tough question! I have to say my connection to both Morgan and Anna was just about equal. Most of my readers seem to connect equally to them as well. They each have such an engaging and sympathetic story that my head and heart was with both of them throughout the book.

If Big Lies were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
It would be a very eclectic soundtrack, alternating between music from the forties and the 2010s, if you can imagine such a thing. “Tea for Two” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” interspersed with Post Malone and Ariana Grande? Hmm.

What is your favorite piece of artwork?
Oh, I have so many! I particularly love Klimt’s 'The Kiss’. That painting is vaguely the inspiration for the work of art that draws Morgan in and makes her want to be an artist.

Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
Generally I like somewhat heavy programs with very human characters (I loved Homeland and The Americans, for example), but right now, I’m deep in the world of Doc Martin. I love its quick moving storylines and kooky characters. I also can’t wait for Outlander to return!

What is something new you would like to try this year?
I’ve wanted to try a zip line for years. I love flying and anything that propels me through the air. We’ll see if it ever actually happens!

Thanks to Diane for visiting with us and to St. Martin's Press for sharing her books with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends January 20th at midnight EST.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Other Mrs.

Introduction by Melissa Amster

As you may already know, I really enjoy Book Coffee Happy. It's one of the blogs I frequent regularly. When I found out that Jenny Share is a Mary Kubica fan (like myself), I asked her if she'd like to do a joint review at one of our blogs. She readily accepted my offer, and now here we are! I hope you will check out Jenny's blog soon, as it's so much fun. She not only talks about books, but she also gets personal with her readers. She has inspired me to do the same, so watch for a new column series right here! In the meantime, see what we both thought of Mary's latest novel, The Other Mrs. and enter to win a copy, thanks to Kathleen Carter Communications.

Synopsis:
She tried to run, but she can’t escape the other Mrs.

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Melissa Amster:

I have two words that sum up The Other Mrs.: Deliciously creepy.

I couldn't put this novel down because I just had to know what would happen. I was trying to guess at various aspects of the story and ended up being completely floored by what actually happened. I didn't see that coming at all. I was so nervous for both Sadie and Mouse throughout the story. This is Mary Kubica's most intense novel to date and is on par with Don't You Cry for my favorite of everything she has written. It was very clever and well thought out. I already can't wait for her next novel!

I am curious as to how it will be made into a movie, as Netflix already has the rights to it. (I'm wondering the same about Sometimes I Lie being made into a TV series.) Here are some casting suggestions, in case they need them:

Sadie: Michelle Monaghan
Will: Daniel Gillies
Imogen: Ella Bleu Travolta
Fake Mom: Jodi Lyn O'Keefe


Jenny Share:

My name is Jenny and I'm the blogger behind Book Coffee Happy. I'm so excited to be guest posting on Chick Lit Central today!

Before I ever began writing my own blog, I loved reading Chick Lit Central and dreamed of the day when I would write my own book blog. About 16 months ago I took the plunge and Book Coffee Happy was born! Writing my blog has proven to be such a wonderful experience and I'm so thankful every day that I decided to follow my heart. Book Coffee Happy is a place where I review books, lead book discussions, and host book giveaways. Bits of my personal life get sprinkled in there as well :) I'm a former elementary school teacher and am currently a Stay at Home Mom, Wife, PTO President, and lover of all things books and coffee :)

I was ecstatic when Melissa reached out to see if I would be interested in joining her in a special side by side review of Mary Kubica's newest psychological thriller, The Other Mrs. I LOVE Mary Kubica and felt extremely fortunate to get my hands on an advance readers copy of her newest book before it's official release date (2/18/20).

It goes without saying that Mary Kubica is an absolute MASTERMIND at her craft. The writing in this book was amazing. The character development, the intricate storylines, the details...everything.

Admittedly this isn't my favorite book Mary Kubica has written due to the sheer amount of storylines and characters. So. Many. Storylines.

However...as all noteworthy psychological thrillers do...each character and each storyline all came together so brilliantly at the end.

This would be a perfect book to read in a short amount of time. I read it over the course of a few weeks and because of the vast amount of characters and storylines, it made remembering everything a bit difficult.

As each story was unfolding, I couldn't help but try to figure out how each would eventually get tied up (and I NEVER DO THAT). I probably thought of at least five different theories of how all of this was going to end and I'm happy to report that I was 100 percent wrong on every single theory :) The way everything tied together at the end completely blew me away! How does Mary Kubica even THINK of endings like that?!? Brilliant.

My heart was pounding throughout the last 100 or so pages and I couldn't put it down. That ending...wow.

Would I recommend this book? Yes! Would I recommend possibly creating a chart with characters and storylines to help you keep everything straight while you are reading? Yes! Would I recommend setting aside a large chunk of time to read those last heart pounding 100 pages all in one sitting? YES!

Thank you so much for having me today, Melissa. Collaborating with you on this has been such fun :)

I would so love to get to know each of you and would love to have you follow my blog, Book Coffee Happy! You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram (I'm obsessed with Instastories), and Twitter.

Happy New Year to all of you! May your 2020 be filled with lots of love, lots of smiles, and lots of books :)

Xo,

Jenny

Thanks to Kathleen Carter Communications for the book in exchange for an honest review and for sharing a copy with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Giveaway ends January 19th at midnight EST.

What's in the mail

Melissa A:
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle from Atria (e-book via NetGalley)
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid from Putnam
A Week at the Shore by Barbara Delinsky from St. Martin's Press
The Other Family by Loretta Nyhan from Kathleen Carter Communications
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord from Wednesday Books
The Orphan Collector by/from Ellen Marie Wiseman

We Came Here to Shine by Susie Orman Schnall from St. Martin's Press (e-book via NetGalley)
Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman from HarperCollins (e-book via NetGalley)
Perfectly Famous by Emily Liebert from Kathleen Carter Communications (plus swag)
The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms from Lake Union (e-book via NetGalley)
My One Month Marriage by Shari Low from Boldwood (e-book via NetGalley)
The Last Bathing Beauty by Amy Sue Nathan from Tall Poppy Writers (e-book via NetGalley)

Sara:
Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis from William Morrow
Erotic Fiction? by Hannah Lynn from Rachel's Random Resources (e-book)
Dreaming of Verona by T.A. Williams from Rachel's Random Resources  (e-book via NetGalley)

Becky:
Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop by Jenny Colgan from William Morrow
Where Have All the Boys Gone? by Jenny Colgan from William Morrow

Book Review: The Cake Fairies

By Sara Steven

1960's Somerset is no fun for cousins Polly and Annabelle Williams. Mourning their non-existent love lives, and the mundanity of village life, their only pleasure is baking - until a chance encounter has them magically transported to the bright lights of London... in 2019!

Promised a chance of love, first they must teach the people of the future about the simpler pleasures of life by becoming Cake Fairies. Over the course of a year they set off on a delectable tour of the UK, dropping off cakes in the most unexpected of places and replacing the lure of technology with much sweeter temptations.

But will their philanthropical endeavours lead them to everlasting love? Or will they discover you can't have your cake and eat it? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

The Cake Fairies had a few different genres- a Pay It Forward theme, mixed in with foodie delectables, wrapped up in a Quantum Leap bow. Even with such vastly different genres, when those three elements were stirred up together, it made for a fun and unique read!

In the beginning, there was no way of knowing just how Polly and Annabelle would project into the year 2019. And once they get there, I felt right at home with the experience. Sometimes as a reader, a moment that displaces characters from one era to the next might feel jarring, but it was well-written and cleverly done, considering where they find themselves once they make that leap and all that unravels from there. In teaching others about simpler pleasures, I felt a yearning for those days, too. A time before cell phones and electronics that are a constant time suck. It was a nice reminder in taking a break and getting back to those basic roots of existence.

Polly and Annabelle were contrasting characters, at times reminding me of The Odd Couple. Polly is the more conservative one, while Annabelle has the charisma. Yet, leaping forward fifty years can do a number on a person, as witnessed by character evolution for both ladies. We get to see each one do something unexpected and against the grain, which was a nice experience. While a primary goal is to work towards finding love, I felt as though that took a backseat to doing nice things for other people, and hopefully finding that it manifests into others doing the same thing.

I would have liked to see a bit more reflection on the differences of 1960’s Somerset, vs. London, 2019. While there was mention here and there about how Polly and Annabelle don’t look the part, I didn’t get as much of a sense of how they felt about the experience. It seemed they fit in pretty quickly, but I think it would have been interesting to hear more about their reactions to various electronics and contraptions that they’re not used to and don’t know anything about. Aside from that though, I enjoyed the quest for love, and the desire in doing something good and decent, particularly in a time when a lot of people have forgotten what that looks like, and what it means to look out for our fellow man. It was truly a sweet read!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US

Isabella May lives in (mostly) sunny Andalusia, Spain with her husband, daughter and son, creatively inspired by the mountains and the sea. Having grown up on Glastonbury’s ley lines however, she’s unable to completely shake off her spiritual inner child, and is a Law of Attraction fanatic.

Cake, cocktail, churros, ice cream and travel obsessed, she also loves nothing more than to (quietly) break life’s rules.

The Cake Fairies is her fifth novel.

Visit Isabella online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Visit the other stops on Isabella's tour: