totallytales's Reviews (1.9k)

Set on a breathtaking Norwegian Fjord farm, a vast remote location with no luxuries - Perfect for professional wanderlusters Bo and Zac who crave cultural authenticity on their travels which they share with their almost 10 million Instagram followers. The farm is owned by mountain guide Anders and his grandmother Signy who soon been to see the cracks in the 'picture perfect lives' their guests portray to the world, but no one is perfect and they too have secrets. As their stories entwine love, lies and truths are discovered but who deserves a second chance?

The tale is told between Bo's present day winter Norway and Signy's 1936 summer Norway. I found the parallels between the two time frames intriguing as both females are experiencing uneasiness and are fearfulness of certain dangers. Signy is strong and fierce character with a wonderful sense of humour evident throughout the book whereas Bo is struggling to find her true sense of self and is running away from and hiding various issues. She soon begins to crave some private moments away from the public eye and the 'brand' that Zac and their relationship has turned into.

Swan's glorious descriptions of this frozen wilderness, the vast plains of snow, the violent waterfalls and the stunning Northern Lights will have you dreaming of Norwegian holidays in no time. Crammed with love, heartbreak and powerful secrets this Christmas story with substance not to be missed!

Thanks to NetGalley & Pan for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Just finished it! Oh my word... That was brilliantly creepy and mind blowing till the last page 😱

Suzanne McBride is excited to have her all three of her daughters home for Christmas. She is busy making sure everything is just right for everyone but things are far from perfect... Beth arrives home early, without her children, her husband and her luggage. Hannah also turns up early looking red eyed and hiding a pregnancy test in her bag and Posy wants to leave her hometown and go travelling but she feels obligated to stay and help her Mum run the local cafe. The three sisters are fiercely different but can they help and support each other or will past tragedy and secrets get in the way?

I loved this novel! Each chapter takes the point of view of one of these women, giving us the opportunity to learn how they see each other, how differently see the same situations and what their personal troubles are. I was absorbed into their worlds immediately, it has the perfect balance of funny, frustrating, romantic and heartfelt moments. As Morgan weaves the past tragedy though the pages slowly revelling what happened and why the rifts between the family exist. Can they breakdown the barriers in time to have a perfect cosy Christmas that Suzanne was hoping for? A fabulous Christmas read with heart, treat yourself, get cosy, put your feet up with a hot chocolate and be taken to the snowy Scottish Highlands with the McBride gang - I couldn't put it down until I turned the very last page.

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

Emmy dreams of being a fearless Lady War Correspondent. To do her bit in the war effort she applies for a job with the Evening Chronicle unfortunately there was a terrible mix up and she has in fact accepted a job to type up letters and advice for a problem page. The agony Aunt Mrs Bird refuses to answer most of the letters sent in as they are full of unpleasantness; Emmy resolves to make the best of it and help these poor women herself after all there can't be any harm in responding can there?

I utterly adored this light-hearted historical novel. The characters are infectious in with their make the best of it spirit, they all funny, sweet but not without their flaws. The premise is unique and engaging. Full of humour but far from glossing over the grief, loss and horrors of WWII Pearce tackles them perfectly through the letters sent to Mrs Bird and the well intentioned advice sent back my Emmy. This hugely enjoyable book is the perfect tonic for these long winter nights, sure to give to that warm fuzzy feeling! I can't to read more of Emmy adventures.

Lucy loves knitting, reading and is good friends with her 79 year old neighbour Brenda, she is content with her life though she wishes sometimes she could be more assertive - for instance one of the things she would do is tell her rather handsome neighbour her name isn't Lisa and of course she will look after his cat but would it kill him to say please?

Free spirited Brenda has got dementia and her final wish is to ensure her beloved friend Lucy is happy, confident and in the arms of her true love. Brenda has a plan to encourage Lucy in the right direction involving a very special locket, that handsome next door neighbour and a gorgeous black cat...but is Lucy ready to experience all the things life has to offer?

This novel is a delightful read! The characters are lovable with all their little quirks. There are moments to make you laugh-out-loud and others that will break your heart. The plot is slightly predictable but the message at it's core is beautiful, the friendship between Lucy and Brenda smashes ages barriers and the lengths each of them with go to ensure the other is okay is truly heart-warming. Throw in an adorable stray cat, a gorgeous neighbour (straight of the cover of a Mills and Boon book) and you have a charming read, perfect for a lazy weekend.

Thanks to NetGalley & Avon Books UK for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.