Tropical Girl Reads

The Woman on the Beach – ARC Book Review

The Woman on the Beach: A totally gripping family drama with a heartbreaking twist by [Julia Roberts]

was so sure I saw Sophie on the beach that day. But it couldn’t be her. Sophie’s dead…

Ever since we swore to be best friends at school, Sophie was there for me. When she married my brother, she became family. We shared everything.

At least I thought we did.

After she died, I was devastated. Everyone else has moved on, but I can’t. She was so quiet, those last few months. I’m sure there is something I don’t know…

Now I’m standing on the beach we visited when we were younger, and there’s a woman with long blond hair a few metres away, playing with a dog in the sunshine. She turns, and I see Sophie.

Heart racing, I run after her, but before I can reach her she’s vanished, leaving only footprints in the sand.

It can’t be Sophie… Can it? And do I want to know, if the answer will destroy everything?

No. of pages:- 255 pages

Date published:- will be published on 19th August 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Women’s Fiction

Rating :- 4.5/5

How would you feel when you see a woman on the beach in Mexico, who looked exactly like your best friend who died years ago? Shocked and wondering if your best friend was alive or not. That’s how Liv felt and that’s where the story starts.

Liv and Sophie have been best friends since school and they were so close that Sophie ended up marrying Liv’s brother Tom and Liv was the bridesmaid. But the train crash in Spain supposedly killed Sophie with a funeral being arranged. But in truth, it was Grace, their friend who died in the crash and Sophie is in Mexico starting a new life.

The synopsis of the book fascinated me and I decided to try out the book though I was a bit skeptical of how this book will end up. But to my surprise, I actually enjoyed, devoring the book! The plot sounds interesting and emotional and is told from the perspectives of Liv and Sophie. Through this book, I could see the close friendship bond between Liv and Sophie and the author’s writing actually captured my attention. What was Sophie escaping from? Domestic abuse? But as you continue reading the book, you would find a heartbreaking and emotional twist that you did not expect in the end! But luckily, the ending was a happy one with everyone living happily and moving on with their lives. This is actually the first book I have read from this author and kudos for the author’s style of writing!

Overall, an emotional and heartbreaking book, quiet unputdownable that you would finish this in one go–worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Julia Roberts self-published her first novel in 2015, Life’s a Beach and Then, the first part of the Liberty Sands Trilogy, followed by books two and three in the trilogy and the stand-alone, Alice in Theatreland, before signing a three book deal with Bookouture, under the name J G Roberts, for a detective/crime/thriller series centred around DCI Rachel Hart.

Little Girl Missing, was published in June 2019, followed by What He Did and Why She Died. She has now re-signed with Bookouture as Julia Roberts for two emotional heartbreakers; the first one, My Mother’s Secret, is publishing in January 2021 and is available now on pre-order.

Born in Nottingham, Julia travelled the world working as a professional dancer, singer and TV presenter, experience she was able to call on when developing the character of travel blogger, Holly, for her Liberty Sands trilogy.

Following roles as a hostess on the The Price is Right and a member of the Beadle’s About hit squad, she auditioned as a presenter for QVC, and launched the American shopping channel in the UK where she still works full-time.

She has two grown-up children who are in part responsible for her becoming a novelist. On Mother’s Day 2013, they gave her a notebook with words ‘Hold On People… I’m Having An Idea’, on the cover. On the first morning of a much-needed holiday in Mauritius, following a year of treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, Julia had just that – the idea for her first novel.

Aria’s Travelling Book Shop – Book Review

Aria’s Travelling Book Shop: An utterly uplifting, laugh out loud romantic comedy for 2021! by [Rebecca Raisin]

This summer will change everything!

Aria Summers knows what she wants.

A life on the road with best friend Rosie and her beloved camper-van-cum-book-shop, and definitely, definitely, no romance.

But when Aria finds herself falling – after one too many glasses of wine, from a karaoke stage – into the arms of Jonathan, a part of her comes back to life for the first time in years.

Since her beloved husband died Aria has sworn off love, unless it’s the kind you can find in the pages of a book. One love of her life is quite enough.

And so Aria tries to forget Jonathan and sets off for a summer to remember in France. But could this trip change Aria’s life forever…?

A heartwarming, uplifting and hilarious novel of friendship, love and adventure! Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson and Holly Martin.

No. of pages:- 257 pages

Date published:- April 8th 2021

Publisher:- HQ Digital

Genre:- Romance

Rating:- 3.5/5

Last year, I have read and rated Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop which I actually enjoyed it very much. So I was excited to try this book out, which is almost the continuation of Rosie’s Travelling Shop, this time, the main focus on Aria, Rosie’s bookworm friend. To be honest, I was more excited to read about Aria as she is kind of related to me in one thing– we both love reading books and consider books as a safe haven!

So, Aria’s husband TJ died few years ago and Aria didn’t believe in having a romantic relationship, until she meets Jonathan, an author, after she accidentally kissed him at a karaoke place. Rosie and Aria then embark on the traveling expedition, this time in France, where they explore the romantic country and its scenic countryside and Aria meets Jonathan again. And she receives her late husband’s diary from his mother and she starts reading his diary.

I did enjoy this book but not much. I think it’s a cute romantic story but the descriptions used to describe the French places made me imagine myself in France. However, I do like the character of Aria–she knows she has to move on but deep inside her heart, she still loves TJ. This story is a bit similar to Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop–friendships are formed, discovering the new places and I did like Aria’s friendship with Rosie. I also liked how Aria slowly began to accept Jonathan into her life, trying to move on when reading TJ’s diary. I liked reading extracts from TJ’s diary, knowing how much he cared about Aria’s happiness.

Overall, I would say this is a cute romantic book–worth three and a half stars!

Rebecca Raisin is a true bibliophile. This love of books morphed into the desire to write them. She’s been published in various short story anthologies and in in fiction magazines, and is now focusing on writing romance.

Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with. People with big hearts who care about relationships, and most importantly believe in true love.

Come say hello to Rebecca on her Facebook page : https://facebook.com/RebeccaRaisinAuthor

Lost Angels – ARC Book Review

Lost Angels: A nail-biting crime thriller packed with suspense (Nikki Hunt Book 3) by [Stacy Green]

On her hands and knees, Nikki moved to the other side of the body. She couldn’t stop her fingers from trembling as she brushed the dark hair off the victim’s face. She couldn’t look away. “I know her…”

When Special Agent Nikki Hunt is called to the Boundary Waters near Stillwater, Minnesota, it’s not just the cold that shocks her to her core: the body of a young woman has been found frozen beside a remote lake. Nikki is devastated to see the victim is her childhood friend Annmarie, and she recognizes the velvet ribbon tied in her hair as the hallmark of a serial killer who she has been hunting for years.

Desperate for justice, Nikki throws herself into the case. But she is shaken by what she finds at Annmarie’s home: a dead-bolt on her front door and a map in the spare room, with the locations of murdered women circled in thick, red marker. Did Annmarie know she was next? Then Nikki finds out that the killer has left a clue in Annmarie’s bedroom: a photo of Nikki’s mother that no one has ever seen. Has the murderer at large been in Nikki’s life since she was a child?

Nikki soon realizes that the key to unlocking this case is in her own family, but digging up the past could put her own daughter in danger. She has spent her whole life protecting the ones she loves, but to find this killer Nikki might have to risk everything…

No. of pages:- 236 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published on Augsut 27th 2021

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Clip Art Customer Review Star Stock - Black Transparent Background 5 Stars , Free Transparent Clipart - ClipartKey

FBI Agent Nikki Hunt is back!

In Books 1 and 2, Agent Hunt was hunting for an infamous serial killer called Frost and the third book is solely focused on Frost when Agent Hunt’s former classmate and friend Annmarie was murdered in Frost’s signature style.. Now determined to catch this serial killer, Nikki Hunt along with her FBI team must work together to carach this guy for good. In the mean time, she finds a deep secret about her mother…

Like the previous book, this book is one heck of a roller coaster ride! From the first page to the end, the book is packed with twists and turns, fast paced that I was literally hooked into the book! I felt like I was watching an episode of Criminal Minds when I was reading the book that I couldn’t literally wait to find out who this Frost is and what Nikki’s mother’s secret was! As always, Nikki Hunt is a great character though there were some tits and bits of emotional scenes in the book with the death of loved ones. Overall, I have got nothing but good things to say about this book! Unputdownable and will keep you up all night reading this book!

This book worth five stars! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Stacy Green is a USA Today best-selling author of more than a dozen mysteries and thrillers. Her books include the award-winning Lucy Kendall series, the Cage Foster series, and the USA Today best-selling Nikki Hunt series. Stacy has bachelor’s degrees in Journalism/Mass Communication and Sociology from Drake University. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America.

Stacy lives in Iowa with her husband, daughter, and fur babies. Find her on stacygreenauthor.com or http://www.facebook.com/stacygreenauthor.

With the Fire on High – Book Review

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

From the New York Times bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning title The Poet X comes a dazzling novel in prose about a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to feed the soul that keeps her fire burning bright.

Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions—doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela.

The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness.

Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.

Plus don’t miss Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land!

No. of pages:- 395 pages

Date published:- May 7th 2019

Publisher:- Quill Tree Books

Genre:- Latin American Fiction

Raintg:- 4/5

This book had been in my TBR list for a long time and finally got a chance to read this gem!

I actually adore the book cover design! It’s artsy, colorful and perfectly suited to the story. Emoni became pregnant during her freshman year in high school and while juggling with her motherhood, looking after Emma “Babygirl” with the help of her grandmother, Buela, and school work, Emoni’s dream is to become a chef one day and attend a culinary school. But she realizes that her dream is futile with her struggling the responsibilities of being a mother. Then her school has a special culinary program in which she joins during her senior year and along with applying for colleges and taking SATs, she is also experimenting with her own cooking.

I actually enjoyed reading this book. The chapters are short and sweet which made it easier and faster to read. The story is mainly told from Emoni’s point of view and as a character, I actually liked Emoni. I am not very familiar with the Latin American culture and as Emoni is half Puerto Rican and half Black, I learned some bits about the Puerto Rican culture and traditions in general. I actually adored her mother daughter relationship with Emma and the growing romantic relationship with Malachi, a new student who attends to their high school. From the beginning of the chapter to the end of the book, I was engrossed into the book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it! The writing was really good and I have to say, the author did a good job capturing the reader into the story. I must say, this book is adorable filled with rich flavors and cannot wait to read more books from this author.

Also, I like the fact that there are recipes which I am thinking of trying it at home.

Overall, this was a cute and adorable story about a teenage girl struggling with motherhood and trying to achieve her goal of becoming a chef. Worth four stars!

The Final Girl Support Group – Book Review

The Final Girl Support Group by [Grady Hendrix]

A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

In horror movies, the final girl is the one who’s left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?

Lynnette Tarkington survived a massacre twenty-two years ago, and it has defined every day of her life since. And she’s not alone. For more than a decade she’s been meeting with five other final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives back together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynnette’s worst fears are realized—someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.

But the thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up.

No. of pages:- 372 pages

Date published:- July 13th 2021

Publisher:- Titan

Genre:- Horror/ Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 3.5/5

So this book was chosen for one of the buddy reads I joined on Instagram and I was interested in the plot as well. And boy! I felt like I was watching a horror movie! I’ll be using a lot of GIFs in this review

Are you a fan of horror movies? If you are, then this book will be one for you.

Black Christmas (2019) - Black Christmas Fan Art (43131719) - Fanpop

Lynette Tarkington survived a massacre more than twenty years ago and joined a group, known as Final Girl Support Group. The group consists of six members–Heather, Adrienne, Dani, Julia and Marilyn along with Dr. Carole and each of these girls survived a massacre of their own.

Adrienne was working as camp counselor and survived a massacre at the camp (reminiscent of Friday the 13th if you have watched the movie)

friday the 13th part vi jason voorhees gif | WiffleGif

Dani’s older brother tried to kill her by wearing a mask which is reminiscent of Halloween

halloween - la maldición de michael myers gif | WiffleGif

Marilyn’s massacre sounded eerily similar to Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Texas Chain Saw Massacre GIFs - Get the best GIF on GIPHY

And Lynette’s own experience sounded like Black Christmas

The story starts with one of their members being brutally murdered, which led to a fact that the other remaining members are also in danger and that someone knows about this secret group. The story is mainly told from Lynette’s perspective as she finds herself in great danger as she starts running and spending the night away from danger and trying to save the other members of the team. The plot is a reminscent of a horror movie and it was intriguing to read as well. Though the first part of the book was a bit boring, the story took a turn and got interesting and fast paced towards the middle. I used the audiobook to listen to the book and I must say, the author did a good job making the reader feel like they are on the sets of a horror movie.

Though I should say the story may not be realistic, nonetheless, I felt like I was watching the horror movie as I was listening to the audiobook! Initially, I thought of the main character Lynette as annoying but the character grew into me by the middle of the book. So many twists started to show and turns as well and the ending was dramatic and unexpected! This was the first book I have read from this author and would want to try out his other books in future as well!

Overall, it was a heck of a thriller and roller coaster ride I had with this book–simply couldn’t stop listening as I yearned what is going to happen to the remaining final girls in the end! Worth three and a half stars!

New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix makes up lies and sells them to people. His novels include HORRORSTÖR about a haunted IKEA, MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM, which is basically “Beaches” meets “The Exorcist”, WE SOLD OUR SOULS, a heavy metal horror epic, THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES, and THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP, coming on July 13, 2021. He’s also the author of PAPERBACKS FROM HELL, an award-winning history of the horror paperback boom of the Seventies and Eighties. He wrote the screenplay for, MOHAWK, a horror flick about the War of 1812, and SATANIC PANIC about a pizza delivery woman fighting rich Satanists. You can discover more ridiculous facts about him at http://www.gradyhendrix.com.

Coming Soon to the Blog!

Currently I am reading these books along with ARC books! But I am not putting the ARC books I’ll just put the list of books I am reading these days.

The Final Girl Support Group – Grady Hendrix

2. With the Fire on High – Elizabeth Acevedo

Amazon.com: With the Fire on High (9780062662835): Acevedo, Elizabeth: Books

3. Aria’s Travelling Book Shop – Rebecca Raisin

Aria's Travelling Book Shop by Rebecca Raisin

4. Firekeeper’s Daughter – Angeline Boulley

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

5. One by One – Ruth Ware

One by One: The snowy new thriller from the queen of the modern-day murder mystery: Amazon.co.uk: Ware, Ruth: 9781787300415: Books

Greece Actually – ARC Book Review

Greece Actually: A perfect feel-good beach read by [Sue Roberts]

Take one sea-view villa, add two dates with a Greek God, a few glasses of wine, a dash of accidental nudity, and a heavy dose of sunshine. Recipe for a perfect getaway… or an absolute disaster?

Small, shy, safe. That’s how Becky lives ever since her last romantic calamity landed her in hospital. Her comfort zone is as confining as her tiny bank balance, and fiercely guarded by her totally over-the-top mum. But the news that her ex is back sniffing round is the final straw. In a very un-Becky move, she packs her bags for the Greek island of Skiathos. Maybe the setting of her favourite ABBA movie will be just the break from reality Becky needs…

Stepping aboard the Mamma Mia! boat tour, Becky leaves her fear in the port as she sings… out loud… in public, and cries Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! to everything the Greek life has to offer. She befriends locals young, old, and absolutely perfect (hello, sizzling hot restaurant-owner Kyros!), dines on freshly baked bread drizzled in golden olive oil on a starlit date, and walks barefoot along silky sandy beaches.

When Kyros asks her to stay longer, Becky is stunned. Could she really create a new life for herself here, and trust her heart with this smooth-talking charmer? But just as she’s thinking about putting down roots, her troublesome ex makes a dramatic return, begging for her back. Will she go back to playing it safe, or will she take a chance on Greece and embrace her true dancing queen?

An absolutely laugh-out-loud summer rom-com guaranteed to give you THAT holiday feeling! Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella.

Date published:- will be published on August 13th 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Romance/ Travel

Rating:- 3.5/5

Many books I have read of Sue Roberts is so far based in Greece that I actually feel like I have visited Greece through the book though I have never visited physically there.

Shy Becky owns a shop that sells handmade lotions and soaps and after a disastrous romantic relationship which ended up with Becky in the hospital and her ex-boyfriend in prison, Becky was a bit skeptical about romance. That is until her uncle, Uncle Henry asks her to look after his villa in a small beach town in Greece. Becky along with her friends Paige and Abby goes to Greece for the vacation. And while in Greece, she meets a handsome Greek man named Kyros who owns a restaurant. The book is filled with the adventures in the island including a cruise, a party and a romantic candlelit dinner.

Just like all her books, I felt like I was in Greece while reading this book–the vivid descriptions and the Greek words and names of mouthwatering food (I had Greek food before at least). The writing was good but the ending was predictable as always, just like in case of romantic books. Becky is a likable character as the story is told mainly from Becky’s point of view. I also like the friendship between Becky, Abby and Paige and the growing budding romance between Becky and Kyros. The only thing was as I mentioned earlier, the story is way too predictable as I know this is what was going to happen in the end and that there is going to be a happily ever after ending.

Overall, this is a cozy romantic novel that will make you feel like you are in Greece for the vacation–worth three and a half stars! Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

My Sweet Girl – ARC Book Review

My Sweet Girl: The most shocking thriller of 2021 with an UNFORGETTABLE narrator by [Amanda Jayatissa]

A girl in a new country.

A dark secret left behind.

A dead body which might tell all.

Ever since she was adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka, Paloma has led a privileged Californian life: the best schools, a generous allowance and parents so perfect that Paloma fears she’ll never live up to them.

Now at thirty, Paloma has managed to disappoint her parents so thoroughly that their relationship will never recover. Unemployed and friendless, the only person still talking to her is Arun – the Indian man subletting her spare room. That is until Arun discovers Paloma’s darkest secret, one that could jeopardize her fragile place in this country, and the next day is found face down in a pool of blood.

On finding Arun’s body Paloma flees her apartment. But by the time the police arrive, there’s no body to be found or signs of struggle – and no evidence that Arun ever even existed in the first place.

The police may be quick to dismiss everything, but Paloma knows what she saw. Is this tangled up in her childhood in Sri Lanka and the desperate actions she took to leave so many years ago? And did Paloma’s secret die with Arun or is she now in greater danger than ever before?

No. of pages:- 384 pages

Date published:- will be published on 16th September 2021

Publisher:- Hodder and Stoughton

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 4.5/5

Que Sera, Sera…. whatever will be, will be? The future’s not ours to see…

When I found out that there is a psychological thriller written by a Sri Lankan author, I was so excited! I have never come across a thriller written by Sri Lankan author (there may be but maybe I am not too familiar) so this was my first thriller book written by a Sri Lankan author. And boy after reading this book, I was surprised at how good this book really was!

Paloma Evans was adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka by a Mr. and Mrs. Evans and moved to America to start a new life. Eighteen years later, living in San Francisco Bay Area, her parents have cut Paloma off from their trust fund and she had sublet her apartment to a person named Arun from India. But soon, Arun starts blackmailing her, saying that he knows about a dark secret of Paloma and soon, Paloma finds Arun lying in a pool of blood in her apartment. But when the police arrive at the crime scene, Arun’s body was no where to be found. Set between alternate time lines between Sri Lanka and San Francisco.

From start to finish, I was so engrossed into the book! I must say, the author’s writing was really good and witty and did a good job keeping the reader into the story. This was actually a fast-paced thriller, with chilling ghost folk tales shared among the children in the orphanage at night and towards the middle of the book, begins the twists and turns, so dark and unexpected! The main protagonist, Paloma seems to be witty and probably a bit unlikable character and I kind of had a love hate relationship with Paloma–at one moment, I liked her funny witty attitude and the other, I hated her for her personality. As a reader, I was curious what Paloma’s secret was but with the twisted and unexpected end, when the secret was revealed, I was so shocked that I had to take a breather!! Totally unexpected. The book was also realistic in many ways, particularly about Paloma’s life in San Francisco. Having lived in Ohio for five years, I got to experience some racism and the fact that people call Sri Lankan language Sinhalese as Sri Lankan and many Americans are a bit clueless about Sri Lanka is all realistic and the author has captured it beautifully, making it realistic as possible. Life in the orphanage and the corruption was all too realistic as well.. Overall, I completely enjoyed this book, staying up all night just to finish this book!

Overall, My Sweet Girl is a heck of a thrilling ride that will keep you up all night! Worth 4.5 stars!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

When she isn’t recovering from a self induced book hangover, Amanda runs corporate trainings on Communication Skills Development, and works tirelessly as the Chief Taste Tester at the cookie shop she co-owns. She grew up in Sri Lanka and has lived in the California bay area and British countryside, before relocating back to her sunny island, where she lives with her husband and two Tasmanian-devil-reincarnate huskies.

The Summer Villa – Book Review

The Summer Villa: escape with this romantic, feel good and perfect summer novel about friendship, love and family from the bestselling author by [Melissa Hill]

Three women. One summer reunion. Secrets will be revealed…

Villa Dolce Vita, a rambling stone house on the Amalfi Coast, sits high above the Gulf of Naples amidst dappled lemon groves and the fragrant, tumbling bougainvillea. Kim, Colette and Annie all came to the villa in need of escape and in the process forged an unlikely friendship.

Now, years later, Kim has transformed the crumbling house into a luxury retreat and has invited her friends back for the summer to celebrate.

But as friendships are rekindled under the Italian sun, secrets buried in the past will come to light, and not everyone is happy that the three friends are reuniting… Each woman will have things to face up to if they are all to find true happiness and fully embrace the sweet life.

An epic summer read about food, friendship and the magic of Italy, perfect for fans of Jill Mansell and Sheila O’Flanagan.

No. of pages:- 383 pages

Date published:- August 8th 2019

Format – Audiobook

Genre:- Romance/Friendship

Rating:- 4/ 5

Any romance book set in Greece or Italy will be my favorite–I have never been to Europe but reading these types of books will give me a glimpse about Europe and make me feel like I am in Europe with the characters.

And so this book, the story based in a scenic and beautiful villa in Italy and is based on three friends–Kim from U.S. Annie from Ireland and Colette from England. The story divides between the present day when Kim buys the villa from the owner and renovates it and the past, based six years ago when the three women meet in the villa and become close friends. The descriptions and surroundings in the book made me feel like I am in Italy with the characters and the narrator did a good job switching the accents from American to British, as the story is told from the perspectives of these three women. Initially, the first part of the book was a bit boring but gradually, towards the end, it got interesting particularly an unknown love triangle between Annie, Colette and Ed. I also like how Kim seems to be the one in the middle who didn’t get involved in any love drama while in Italy. Overall, it was actually a cozy romantic holiday book.

Worth four stars!

Melissa Hill is a USA Today and international bestselling author living in Ireland’s beautiful County Wicklow. Her page-turning contemporary novels of families, friendship and romance are published worldwide and have been translated into twenty-five languages.

She is the author of Irish Times bestsellers The Summer Villa, The Charm Bracelet, Something from Tiffany’s & more.
Her novel A Gift to Remember has been adapted for TV by Hallmark Channel USA, along with a sequel, Cherished Memories.
The Charm Bracelet has also been made into a film in the USA and multiple other titles are in development for movies and TV.

For more info, visit her website at http://www.melissahill.ie

Facebook: facebook.com/melissahillbooks
Instagram: @melissahillbooks

Beyond the Olive Grove – ARC Book Review

Beyond the Olive Grove: An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking WW2 historical novel by [Kate Hewitt]

The place seemed utterly still, the only sound was the wind rustling high in the pines above. Standing there, realizing she didn’t even know which house had belonged to her grandmother, Ava wondered just how crazy and desperate she’d been to come all this way with no hope or plan.

When Ava arrives in Greece, it’s with a heart that’s shattered into a thousand pieces. But as she pulls up in a tiny village nestled on a cliff above the glittering Ionian Sea, and steps out in front of a tumbledown house that once belonged to her grandmother Sophia, everything changes.

At first Ava almost wants to laugh at this bizarre inheritance—a home that has been uninhabited since the Second World War—that appears as close to collapse as she herself feels. But with nowhere left to run to, her only choice is to start putting the house together again.

What Ava doesn’t expect is for pieces of her grandmother’s story to emerge, as a local survivor from the war begins to share her secrets. Ava can’t help but be drawn to Sophia’s hidden past… even though the truth could change her own life forever.

Because Sophia’s story is one of devastating choices she had to make during the Nazi invasion of her beloved country. It’s a story of bravery, betrayal and tragedy. But most of all, it is a story about love…

An utterly unforgettable story of two remarkable women who find the strength to persevere against all odds and find hope, courage and light in the darkness. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, The Lilac Girls and Victoria Hislop’s The Island.

No. of pages:- 232 pages

Date published:- will be published on August 13th 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Rating:- 4.5/5

This is the second book of Kate Hewitt I have read and when I got fascinated with The Edelweiss Sisters, I decided I will read all her books!

Beyond the Olive Grove sets during the turmoil time of WWII and talks a story between two women–Present Day Ava who comes to a small town in Greece when she inherited a house from her Greek grandmother and 1940’s WWII era, Sophia, who is Present Day Ava’s grandmother. Ava settles down in the small village, getting acquainted with the villagers and making new friends and at the same time learning more about her grandmother’s life during WWII. Sophia is a shy girl working in a coffee house who was asked to join a resistance movement during WWII. The writing was engaging and I was so hooked into the story, I particularly like reading about Sophia’s part! Those parts seemed intense and I was so worried about Sophia getting caught, though in the end, it was a bit emotional and tear-jerking. for Sophia losing her family members in the war. The author did a good job and she has done tremendous research about the Greek history and the story felt realistic to me. I also like the scene of the Greek village, Ava’s growing friendship with Helena and Eleni as they tried to help her to find more about her grandmother. Overall, the ending was so good and I actually enjoyed this book so much!

Overall, this book is quiet unputdownable, will keep you awake all night and will give you an emotional ride! Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion.

Kate Hewitt is the bestselling author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. She particularly enjoys writing contemporary issue-driven women’s fiction, and her novels have been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers.

An American ex-pat, she lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter for monthly updates and giveaways at http://www.kate-hewitt.com, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads, to discuss all manner of books, movies, music and cooking.