Moonlight over Muddleford Cove - Kim Nash

About the book… 

When thirty-four-year-old Nellie Wagstaff loses her job and discovers her fiancé is a cheating scumbag in a single day, she feels like the world has come crashing down. And that’s before the solicitor’s letter, along with a request to visit a place she hasn’t thought about for a very long time.

Heartbroken, Nellie escapes to the beautiful seaside town of Muddleford in Dorset, where she discovers she’s inherited more than she ever bargained for. Nellie never knew why her mother stopped talking to her sister, but now childhood memories of Muddleford come flooding back: long hot summers, the sea glistening beyond the sandy cove... and a stolen kiss with a boy called Jack.

Jack, now a devilishly handsome vet, has the local pet owners swooning over him, and as Nellie and he become close once more, and she gets used to gossiping with the locals and sipping wine at her beach hut with sand between her toes, she’s sure she can feel sparks flying once more. But just as she thinks she might be able to open her heart again, her newest frenemy, the glamourous Natalia, tells her a secret about Jack that changes everything.

Nellie will never know why her mother and aunt parted ways. She’ll sell the house, forget about Jack, and get back to real life. Because there’s nothing for her in Muddleford... is there?

An utterly uplifting and completely hilarious summer read about learning to trust yourself and of finding love and friendship in the least expected places for fans of Jessica Redland, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin.

Buy Links: 

Moonlight Over Muddleford Cove: An absolutely unputdownable feel good romantic comedy 

Pre-order: 

UK: https://amzn.to/2NXKaJ7

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VHNLRML

About the author… 

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, feel-good, romantic fiction.

Her latest book, Sunshine and Second Chances, was shortlisted for the 2020 Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award.

She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter Roni, is Head of Publicity for Bookouture and is a book blogger at www.kimthebookworm.co.uk.

Kim won the Romantic Novelists Association's Media Star of the Year in 2016, which she still can't quite believe. She is now quite delighted to be a member of the RNA.

When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog, reading, standing on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering on Ollie and binge watching box sets on the TV. She's also quite partial to a spa day and a gin and tonic (not at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Cannock, Staffs.

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https://www.kimthebookworm.co.uk/

Amazing Grace was her debut novel with Hera Books and came out in April 2019.

Escape to Giddywell Grange is Kim's second novel and was published by Hera Books in September 2019.

Sunshine and Second Chances is Kim's third novel and was published in June 2020.

Moonlight over Muddleford Cove, Kim’s fourth novel is available to pre-order now and will be published on 30th March 2021.

You can read Kim's Blog here: www.kimthebookworm.co.uk

Contact Links: 

Twitter: (@KimTheBookworm) https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimTheBookWorm/

Instagram: @Kim_the_bookworm

My thoughts…

Oh my goodness, Moonlight over Muddleford Cove is Kim Nash’ fourth book and equally as dreamlike as each of the others. I was instantly transported into the pages of the book, totally invested in the plot and characters and felt like I was settling down for a catch up with my friends. 

Kim writes feel-good, uplifting stories written from the heart that centre around family and friendship and reading one of her books is like taking the best tonic a doctor could ever prescribe. The characters in a Kim Nash novel are diverse and all play an integral part to the plot, she digs below the surface, exposing real people who live their life the way they do because of past events - they're not overly simplistic or too complex and Kim covers emotional, roller coaster moments with tenderness and insight whilst moving the book along at such a pace that the positive moments are the main focus.

Moonlight over Muddleford Cove centres around Nellie, a girl who had it all - that is until her life is turned on its head when she loses both the love of her life, her job and is summoned back to Dorset for a will reading on the death of her Auntie Lil - all in the space of one short week. Nellie plans a quick trip but isn’t prepared for what greets her in Dorset.

You can’t help but feel for Nellie, she’s fragile and returning to Dorset means facing her past, what she doesn’t expect is quite what an emotional trip it turns out to be and finding herself the beneficiary of her Aunts estate means there’s decisions to be made. Dorset holds memories both good and bad and she’s not sure it’s a place she wants to be until childhood pal and ex boyfriend Jack enters stage left! Drool, drool!! There’s also Norman, adored by her Aunt but someone Nellie didn’t even know about, she’s not sure how she feels about that but upon meeting him becomes equally as attached and takes him straight to her heart, just as her aunt did.  In fact it’s Norman that is the catalyst for a lot of decisions Nellie makes about her future.

I loved how her friendship with Jack reverted back to their youth, their easy camaraderie and ease with each other but, there’s one problem they are both different people now and Jack is not a free agent, something he doesn’t seem to be all that clear about, this is something that causes turmoil for Nellie. She has settled into the community, loves the beach which gives her space to walk and think but not everyone is making her feel welcome! Should she pack up and return to the Midlands, the emotional juggling bounced off the pages. 

The turmoil and emotions were realistic to read, Kim took us on a rollercoaster of a ride as we lived the highs and lows of Nellies life. The hurt and anguish tempered with fun, laughter and humour. The highs and lows of the life changing decisions she had to make. Love and friendship outshining the greyer moments.

It was a book I didn’t want to end and another book that had me reaching for the brochures. Oh, to rent a cottage on the beach, to sit and drink fizz watching the sunset from a beach hut - to be part of a community that once they’ve took you under their wings always had your back would be just amazing. Kim you are both a travel agent and an estate agents dream - your descriptions sell locations, the pictures in my mind clearer than any image in a brochure I’ve ever flicked through. 

I have no hesitation recommending Moonlight over Muddleford Cove or any of Kim’s previous three novels for that matter. Within pages of opening any of Kim’s books I guarantee you will be totally invested into the lives of all the characters, you’ll feel the tension of your everyday life unfurl as you virtually join the characters on their journey and settle into the easy comradeship of long established friendships, sharing secrets, giving and taking advice and will forget that these are not your real friends but characters in a book. Kim not only creates strong, lead characters but also necessary, believable, supporting characters that add depth to every story.

She really knows how to give you a little bit of everything, her books will make you smile, at times laugh out loud, there are tender moments and some hard hitting scenarios too. But one thing that is common with each is that feeling of sadness as you reach the last few pages, not wanting the story to end, the wanting to go straight back to the beginning after you’ve turned the final page so you can re-live it all again. Oh and I forgot to mention, there’s usually a hunk or two to drool over too!

Books by Kim Nash:

The Cosy Little Cupcake Van - Annette Hannah

About the book… 

'A charming, heartwarming romance with a serious feel-good factor' Helen J Rolfe

'Brimming with friendship and romance, this lovely book will charm your heart' Milly Johnson on Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe

Camilla's delicious cakes are the talk of her little village. If you need a perfectly iced mouthful of joy, Camilla 'Cupcake' is your woman. But after losing her mother, she finds her home and her business in jeopardy. She needs a little helping hand...

Thankfully her friends are always there for her, and when she is given an old ice cream van, Camilla's dream of a cupcake delivery service is born. Now she can bring happiness - and buttercream frosting - to the whole town.

But when her ex Blake appears back on her doorstep, Camilla must decide if she can trust him again or if her heart might belong to someone else...

Bursting with romance and sprinkled with humour, this is a deliciously feel-good story about one woman putting her life back together, one cupcake at a time. Perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Ali McNamara and Rebecca Raisin!

Buy Links: 

Amazon UK: The Cosy Little Cupcake Van

About the author… 

Annette Hannah is a Liver Bird who relocated to leafy Hertfordshire in the 80’s and now lives near a river with her husband, two of their three grown up children and a crazy black cocker spaniel. She writes Romantic comedies in settings inspired by the beautiful countryside around her and always with a nod to her hometown.

She worked in Marketing for many years as a qualified Marketeer which she loved as it tapped into her creative side.

As an avid reader, she began to review the books she read, became a book blogger and eventually plucked up the courage to fulfil her life long dream of writing a book.

For four years she was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s new writers’ scheme, during which time she wrote a book a year. 

After signing a two book deal with Orion Dash in 2020 she graduated to full member of the organisation and is also their Press Officer.

She loves long walks along the river, travelling to far flung places and spending time with her friends and family.

Contact Links: 

twitter @annettehannah

www.sincerelybookangels.blogspot.com

www.annettehannah.com

My thoughts…

Awww, another absolutely, totally delicious book by Annette Hannah.  The Cosy Cupcake Van is her second book and features some of my favourite characters from Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe.   

Before I start, either book could be read as a stand-alone, but once you’ve read one you’ll ask yourself, why would you?  The central character in The Cosy Little Cupcake Van is Camilla, Lucy’s friend and maker of celebration and wedding cakes for the cafe.  That is until she suddenly loses her mum, her inheritance her car, home and business all at once.  She’s struggling mentally, has hit rock bottom, has lost her confidence but thankfully is surrounded by friends, not blood relatives, better than that - by the family we choose.  Adorable surrogate auntie Edie, best friend Lucy and friends Carrie and Ron. They hold her up like strings on a marionette.  

I absolutely loved how everyone rallied around Camilla, giving her the space and support, nudging her gently along - allowing her to move at her own pace, to rebuild her confidence and personal pride.  The way everyone had Camilla’s back was heart warming to read but, my absolute favourite part of this book was when Ron gifted Camilla, what was to become The Cosy Cupcake Van.  OMG I would love one of them in real life to be driving round the streets where I live, with a jingle jangle letting me know I could go out and get my cake fix.   The numerous flavours and combinations made me drool - I literally gained stones just reading this book. 

No romantic novel would be complete without a love interest, but Annette gave us not one, but two in the form of ex - Blake (ex broke my heart Blake) and Canadian heart throb Ged, the Irish god. They were as delicious as the cupcakes Camilla baked and both good for her in different ways - I swayed back and forth, fingers crossed second guessing who she would end up with in the end and if I say she got the best of both worlds, romance and a new best friend - total mushy heart stuff, I wouldn’t be wrong.

This really is the perfect antidote to the year we’ve all just lived, every part of the story eludes positivity, sunshine, colour and friendship.  It’s a total pick me up, heart warming and lush in every way - the descriptions of the cakes will make your taste buds tingle, you’ll wish you lived next door to the wonderful Eddie and her hilarious parrots -  they brought back memories for me of visiting my aunt and uncle - when you walked in the front room you had to cover your ears and duck as they were always flying around swearing!  Oh and Jackson, oh boy I love that kid.  If feel good was patented it would be called The Cosy Cupcake Van.

Follow the tour:

The Best Is Yet To Come - Katy Colins

About the book… 

When you feel invisible, friendship can offer a ray of hope.

Sometimes it’s the things we don’t say that we need others to hear the loudest . . .

Izzy has always taken everything in her stride but motherhood is proving more difficult than she thought. She keeps telling herself it’s just a phase but the dark clouds are starting to appear.

Neighbour and widower Arthur might be in the winter of his life but he’s not ready to be packed off to a care home. He’s determined to do things his way.

When Izzy hears about Arthur’s big move, she offers to help. But Arthur isn’t telling her the whole story. It takes courage to admit you need a friend and when you feel invisible, all you need is a ray of hope. After all, what if the best is yet to come?

Buy Links: 

About the author… 

Katy Colins is a bestselling author of uplifting, feel-good fiction.

The acclaimed travel blogger's experiences inspired her to pen 'The Lonely Hearts Travel Club' series and saw her labelled the 'Backpacking Bridget Jones' by the global media, when she sold all she owned, filled a backpack and booked a one-way ticket to south east Asia and never looked back.

Nowadays, Katy has swapped backpacking for writing books and trying to tame toddlers. If you want to find out more about Katy's new releases you can sign up to her newsletter at www.katycolins.com.

Contact Links: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Notwedordead

Website: https://katycolins.com/

Linktree: https://t.co/pOIZ0EdmAu?amp=1

My thoughts…

 

The Best is Yet To Come is a story about unlikely friendships, and centres around new young mum Izzy and Arthur, her elderly neighbour. Two of the loveliest book characters ever.  They live in the same cul-de-sac but and are only vaguely aware of each other, they don’t even know each other’s names.  Arthur is an octogenarian, widower and is leading a pretty reclusive life with little or no interaction with anyone other than his nephew Jeremy. He’s a man grieving the loss of Pearl the love of his life and has little joy in his life, she was his life. 

Izzy is married to Andrew and is on maternity leave.  She was always considered a strong, capable, organised and in control.  Fast forward a few weeks past the birth of daughter Evie and she is now feeling Invisible and utterly useless. Her gorgeous daughter is not playing ball.  Izzy spends all of her time feeding or changing the permanently screaming bundle of joy.  Izzy is at breaking point.

The author, Katy Colins has sensitively tackled the very real subjects of post-natal depression, loneliness, grief and loss, counter-balanced with friendship, love, laughter and new beginnings.  I smiled, laughed and was chocked up on more than one occasion reading about the lives of Izzy and Arthur. The descriptions played like photographic stills in my mind, I could clearly place myself in the book with them.

As I read about Izzy’s struggles as a mum, those feelings of not quite being good enough, the feeling that everyone else is coping better than you - the abject misery of not being able to settle your child chocked me up.  They are, I’m guessing imprinted into the memories of most new mums, I know they are in mine.   Nobody talks, nobody shouts for help, because we don’t want to appear failures, I would have been lost without my mum, I so felt for Izzy without hers, the emotions bounced off the pages and settled in my throat, a lump that I was unable to swallow.  Andrew, Izzy’s husband seems to be taking to parenthood like a duck to water - what baby?  His life hadn’t appeared to change - in fact he seemed to be working even more and still managed to live his life whist Izzy could barely have time for a cup of coffee.  It would be so easy to pass judgement at this point - I might have?!

I loved Arthur, what a character, I loved his grumpy, brusque manner - his rudeness and down to earth, say it like it is attitude.  He was beginning to struggle to live alone, something his nephew Jeremy was aware of and kept trying to push him towards a home - I was firmly in Arthurs corner on that subject and thought Jeremy was uncaring and all about ensuring the security of his inheritance and not having to be responsible for Arthur anymore!  

Izzy and Arthur meet when he delivers a parcel that had been mis-delivered to him and a connection is made. An accident occurs that see Izzy and Arthur drawn together and a tentative friendship begins, when Izzy offers to help pack up Arthurs house ahead of his move to a home. Their blossoming friendship was just beautiful to read - my heart melted as they each took strength from their time spent together.  I could have spent the whole book hugging them both.

The story ebbs and flows and watching Arthur and Izzy grow in strength and character was like a warm hug wrapping itself around my heart - such an emotionally uplifting read despite, or rather because of, the hard hitting subjects at the heart of The Best Is Yet To Come.  I totally loved this book and have no hesitation recommending it to anyone who loves a book that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling.

The Last Goodbye - Fiona Lucas

About the book… 

How can you ever move on, if you can’t let go?

‘A gorgeous book about second-chances, brimming with love and overflowing with hope’ Milly Johnson

A beautiful and poignant story of love, loss and finding hope where you least expect it, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Cecelia Ahern.

Anna’s world was shattered three years ago when her husband Spencer was killed in a tragic accident. Her friends and family think it’s time she moved on, but how can she when she’s lost her soulmate?

On New Year’s Eve, Anna calls Spencer’s old phone just to hear his voicemail greeting. But to her surprise someone picks up. Brody answers and is the first person who truly understands what Anna is going through. As they begin to speak regularly, Anna finds herself opening up and slowly she discovers how to smile again, how to laugh, even how to hope.

But Brody hasn’t been entirely honest with Anna. Will his secret threaten everything, just as it seems she might find the courage to love again?

Buy Links: 

About the author… 

Fiona Lucas is an award-winning author of contemporary women's fiction. The Last Goodbye is her first novel written under this name, but she's been writing heartwarming love stories and feel-good women's fiction as Fiona Harper for more than a decade.

During her career, she's won numerous awards, including a Romantic Novel Award in 2018, and chalked up a no.1 Kindle bestseller. Fiona lives in London with her husband and two daughters.

Contact Links: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FionaLucasBooks

    Website: https://fionaharper.com/

My thoughts…

Awwww, where to start with this one.  As the title would suggest The Last Goodbye is sad, poignant and heartfelt.  It’s an emotive read that Fiona Lucas has beautifully written, I broke my heart and sobbed throughout great chunks of the book - which is a huge testament to the writing.  I felt so engaged I could have been reading about a friend, not fictional characters in a novel.  

The Last Goodbye centres around the fragility of the central character Anna as she navigates a different path to the one she had mapped out with husband Spencer, who was tragically killed in an accident three years previous.

Her grief and sense of loss was utterly palpable, as a reader I felt, not just for her, but for her friends and family; all of which were doing their best to give her a reason to cling on, encouraging her in different ways to take a hold of her life and start to live again, something Anna is totally opposed to - the guilt she feels for being alive when Spencer isn’t, is very real and  moving.

The ripple effect of death travels wide, affecting not just Anna, her family and friends but also that of Spencer’s family and friends too.   Anna and Spencer’s family regularly meet for Sunday lunch where the author serves up grief on a platter for all to see and some of it is not palatable, but again sadly so very true.  Everyone is affected by grief differently and Anna’s struggles to have a voice and find a place in the family as a daughter-in-law without Spencer by her side are particularly sad chapters to read. 

When Anna is feeling particularly low she calls Spencers phone to listen to his answerphone message, she just wants to hear his voice and pretend for that few seconds it’s all a dream, he’s not really dead.  This is something that she needs to do but it makes her feel worse when he never picks up, he doesn’t answer until one day there is an answer.   It was at this point I had a near heart attack, as did she!  How could that be possible? All becomes apparent when she calls again, it isn’t Spencer at all - his number has been given to someone else,  a man called Brody.

As the book progresses Anna finds herself calling Brody whenever she is low, she found pouring her grief to a faceless person easier than to those close to her. I loved how the author described these interactions, the distance and anonymity allowed Anna to verbalise her grief and gain impartial, non judgmental insight into how she could possibly move forward.  I loved the friendship and connection that developed through these late night calls.  Brody finding he needed them as much as Anna.

There isn’t a template for grief, there isn’t a time frame but there seems to be a process and Fiona Lucas walked us through it admirably, highlighting the different needs and emotions for all of the characters. I came to love Brody as much as Anna, and wanted to know his background too, as his story unfolded I cried buckets - how could he help Anna so much with what he was going through too. The Last Goodbye was sensitively written, I hung off every chapter, muttering, praying and or crying - this book really should have come with a large box of Kleenex! I was totally captivated, breathless and broken as I walked in the footsteps of Laura, Spencer and Brody. An outstanding read that will stay with me for a long time, a read I have already recommended to so many friends, thank you.