Thursday, 30 April 2020

New Release Spotlight & Review: Barefoot on the Beach by Katlyn Duncan



Barefoot on the Beach by Katlyn Duncan
Genre: Contemporary romance/Women’s fiction
Publication Date: April 29, 2020
Publisher: HQ Digital


Renee Clarke is perfectly happy just the way she is…
Renee may be thrilled to be planning her sister’s wedding, but after witnessing her mother’s two failed marriages, she has always vowed that she is better off on her own.
But when Renee discovers that Luc Hardy has moved next door, her world is knocked off kilter. Luc was her whirlwind summer romance as a teen and, more importantly, her first love. Now he’s back in West Cove, looking more handsome than ever.
There is no escaping the romance in the air this summer. With the wedding planning in full swing, Renee begins to believe that she might be able to put her childhood reservations about marriage aside.
Yet when her mother arrives, she stirs a torrent of emotions in Renee’s heart.  She's up to her old tricks again–boasting about her latest conquests–reaffirming Renee’s lack of faith in love.
As Renee’s happily-ever-after hangs in the balance, will Luc be able to convince her that true love can last forever?


AmazonUS         Amazon UK


Full of sunshine and holiday spirit, Barefoot On The Beach is perfect for those wanting to read and create a holiday atmosphere with a cold fruity drink during these difficult times. 

After previously reading a lovely Christmassy novel by Ms Duncan, it was an easy decision to read her latest novel. 

Renee Clarke agrees to assist her sister Cait with her wedding plans but it's a bitter-sweet gesture because marriage is something she'll never do herself. So when she finds out Luc Hardy has rented the next-door holiday home, it brings back memories of the teenage summer romance they shared. The boy she remembers has turned into a handsome man she'd like to get reacquainted with, but is it worth getting involved in another holiday romance when he'll be leaving West Cove after a few weeks? 

Luc Hardy's never forgot the girl he met as a teenager and is thrilled to find she still lives in the house beside his aunt's. He's in West Cove for a short time and eager to get to know Renee again and discover if she's still like the girl he lost his heart to all those years ago? 

Barefoot on the beach is so much more than a second chance romance. Renee comes from a complicated family and has a toxic relationship with her mother. Her little sister, Cait turns her life upside-down when she comes to stay before her wedding. Her presence highlights the difficult relationships Renee has in her life. The author portrays her as someone who is the product of a dysfunctional family and how those close to her have caused her great pain. She overcompensated by letting her sister walk all over her when she should stand up for herself. Having Luc back in her life allows her to start seeing her life from a contrasting perspective, only it's her divorced parents who finally show her how their behaviour had a negative impact on how she views certain people. 

Everything ties up satisfactorily with a happy ending, although I felt this was a little rushed but overall, I enjoyed this summery novel with appealing characters set again a cosy coastal backdrop. 


***arc generously received courtesy of HQ Digital via NetGalley***

Coming from a small town, Katlyn Duncan always had her head in the clouds. Working as a scientist for most of her adult life, she enjoyed breaking down the hows and whys of life. This translated into her love of stories and getting into the minds of her characters.
When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’.
She currently resides in Connecticut with her family. Check out more about her writing and current TV addiction in her newsletter, on Youtube, and Instagram and Twitter!

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/katlyn-duncan


Wednesday, 29 April 2020

New Release Spotlight & Review: Art and Soul by Clare Huston



Art and Soul by Claire Huston
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publication Date: 23rd April 2020
Standalone Novel


There’s no problem Becky Watson can’t fix. Except her own love life…
 
Struggling single mother Becky Watson longs to revive her career as a life-fixer, working miracles to solve her clients’ problems, no matter how big or small. Since the birth of her two-year-old son she has been stuck preventing wedding fiascos for the richest and rudest residents of the Comptons, a charming, leafy area of southern England known for its artistic heritage.
 
So when semi-reclusive local artist Charlie Handren reluctantly hires Becky to fix his six-year creative slump, she’s delighted to set him up with a come-back exhibition and Rachel Stone, the woman of his dreams.
 
Though they get off to a rocky start, Becky and Charlie soon become close. But as the beautiful Rachel becomes Charlie’s muse, Becky is forced to wonder: will giving Charlie everything he wants mean giving up her own happily ever after?
 
A heart-warming, uplifting romance served with a generous slice of cake. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde and Cathy Kelly.




Art and Soul is a story which creeps under your skin and hooks you in.

Rebecca 'Becky' Watson is a professional fixer and Charlie Handren is a reluctant new client after his sister asks Becky to help out her sibling. It's a tough job, but with her trademark confidence, she's positive she can work her magic...she just has to convince the less than enthusiastic artist.

Charlie doesn't need anyone fixing his life and career, so when his sister contacts a professional fixer to get his life back on track, he's unenthusiastic and sceptical. On meeting the woman, he's pleasantly surprised by her positivity and energy and grudgingly agrees to employ her. He knows it's a risk but agrees anyway. Only her presence in his life creates far greater consequences even he could ever imagine.

When they meet, sparks fly but can Becky turn artist Charlie's career around so he can regain the success of his past? I sympathised with Charlie because Becky is a formidable whirlwind of productivity and ideas. She's a confident woman, but sometimes lacks insight as to how her skills will impact others. Her heart is one-hundred-per cent invested in the decisions she makes for Charlie but not all are clearly thought out.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours as one contract easily presents itself after another. Therefore it's admirable how Becky effortlessly floats between assignments yet, her work is unpredictable and equally challenging as she juggles her work and life as a single parent. It's also a common link she shares with Charlie and provides a foundation for their relationship.

Art and Soul is a stellar début novel by Ms Huston who has written a captivating novel with fascinating protagonists, intriguing secondary characters and a cleverly crafted narrative to keep readers engaged throughout. I liked how I was pulled into the story, feeling the emotions of the characters in the situations they get themselves into. All the while cheering them along to a happy ending.

To sum up, I can see Art and Soul ending up in my top five favourite books for 2020! 

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources***



Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire with her husband and two children. Art and Soul is her first novel.
 
A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for all the cakes mentioned in Art and Soul at www.clairehuston.co.uk along with over 100 other recipes. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.