Jessica Beam is a girl who knows how to party. Only lately she’s been forgetting to turn up for work on time. Or in clean clothes. Down on her luck, out of a job and homeless, Jess seeks the help of her long-lost grandmother.
Things aren’t going well for Matilda Beam, either. Her 1950s Good Woman guide books are out of print, her mortgage repayments are staggering and her granddaughter wears neon Wonderbras.
When a lifeline from a London publisher arrives, the pair have an opportunity to secure the roof over their heads – by invigorating the Good Woman guides and transforming modern, rebellious Jess into a demure vintage lady.
The true test of their make-over will be to capture the heart of notorious London playboy Leo Frost and prove that Matilda’s guides still work. It’s going to take commitment, nerves of steel and one seriously pointy bra to pull this off . . .
Starting today, it is Harper Impulse Fortnight! Two weeks of celebrating the wonderful authors and books from Harper Impulse.
Over the course of the next two week, myself and many other bloggers will be sharing some great reviews, interviews and guest posts all revolving around Harper Impulse. I will have the lovely Lori Connelly, Lisa Fox and Lynn Marie Hulsman joining me at the Book Nook, so keep an eye out and be sure to follow everything on twitter using the hashtag #HIfortnight.
For now, feel free to have a read through some previous reviews I’ve posted of Harper Impulse books. Nic Tatano quickly became one of my favourite authors of 2014 when I read his books Twitter Girl and It Girl – click the covers to read what I had to say about them.
A story of icing and flour…and how love doesn’t always go to plan!
Growing up, Pippa Pattinson’s summers were spent in the idyllic Greek island fishing village of Taxos. There she spent many long hazy days determinedly ignoring thoughts of the life her parents had mapped out for her (a dreary-but-secure banking job and obligatory sensible husband!) Instead she daydreamed of running her own tea shop – serving the perfect scones –with mocha-eyed childhood friend Niko by her side…
Arriving back in Taxos for the first time in years, with suave boyfriend Henrik, Pippa barely recognises the tired little town – but is relieved to catch glimpses of the quaint, charming village she’s always loved. Together Niko and Pippa put together a proposal to save Taxos from tourist-tastic ruin, and at the heart of their plan is Pippa’s dream project – The Tastiest Little Tea Shop in Taxos. It’s time for Pippa to leave her London life behind and dust off her scone recipe that’s guaranteed to win over both locals and visitors. And amidst the rolling pins and raisins, it seems romance is blossoming where she’s least expecting it…
If you’re a fan of Lindsey Kelk or Lucy Diamond then don’t hesitate to step into Samantha Tonge’s truly delightful tea shop.
Today is a pretty fab day in the world of book releases! Here’s some of my favourite picks:
The Cake Shop in the Garden, by Carole Matthews
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Goodreads
My Review
If you aren’t already convinced you need to read this from that delicious cover, do have a read of my review and allow my mushy gushings to convince you! You really don’t want to miss out on Danny Wilde.
One Small Act of Kindness, by Lucy Dillon
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Goodreads
My Review
A beautifully intriguing tale from Lucy Dillon, with two wonderful lead characters I couldn’t help but love. Highly recommended.
The Doris Day Vintage Film Club, by Fiona Harper
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Goodreads
My Review
A fun story about secrets and misunderstandings, I really enjoyed Fiona Harper’s new book.
It Started at Sunset Cottage, by Bella Osbourne (Paperback)
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Goodreads
My Review
A well-written and charming debut novel from Bella Osborne, definitely a worthwhile read for the chick lit lover.
Single Woman Seeks Revenge, by Tracy Bloom
Tracy Bloom’s second novel is being re-published, and though I haven’t read this one yet, I think it just looks fab! I’ve enjoyed Tracy Bloom’s humour in what I’ve read before, and think this one is set to be hilarious. It’s definitely on my wish list!
The Lie, by C. L. Taylor
Another I haven’t read but there is one hell of a buzz about this book! Everyone who’s read it is raving about it, so I’m certainly going to be getting my hands on this ASAP.
Which book releases are you excited about at the moment? Any of these make the cut on your wishlist?
What can you do to make the world a better place?
A vibrant and unputdownable novel of friendship, secrets and the kindness of strangers, from the bestselling author of A HUNDRED PIECES OF ME.
Libby helps a stranger, and transforms her life in the process.
Libby and her husband Jason have moved back to his hometown to turn the family B&B into a boutique hotel. They have left London behind and all the memories – good and bad – that went with it.
The injured woman Libby finds lying in the remote country road has lost her memory. She doesn’t know why she came to be there, and no one seems to be looking for her.
When Libby offers to take her in, this one small act of kindness sets in motion a chain of events that will change many people’s lives . . .
‘Sweet and romantic, a story guaranteed to have you smiling’ – Milly Johnson on The Little Shop of Hopes & Dreams
Claire Bixby grew up watching Doris Day films at her grandmother’s house and yearned to live in a world like the one on the screen – sunny, colourful and where happy endings with chiselled leading men were guaranteed. But recently Claire’s opportunities for a little ‘pillow talk’ have been thin on the ground.
Until she meets mysterious Dominic. Nic is full of secrets but their connection is instant. Could he help Claire finding the Hollywood ending she’s been searching for? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
Fay Merryweather runs her cake shop from her beautiful garden. She whips up airy sponges and scrumptious scones, while her customers enjoy the lovely blossoms and gorgeous blooms. Looking after the cake shop, the garden and her cantankerous mother means Fay is always busy but she accepts her responsibilities because if she doesn’t do all this, who will?
Then Danny Wilde walks into her life and makes Fay question every decision she’s ever made. When a sudden tragedy strikes, Fay’s entire world is thrown off balance even further and she doesn’t know which way to turn.
Can Fay find the strength to make a life-changing decision – even if it means giving up the thing she loves the most?
Life, love and family are about to collide in The Cake Shop in the Garden.
I am SO HAPPY that Rebecca’s delicious Gingerbread Cafe books are out as a trilogy box set today, so if you haven’t read them yet, now really is the time! Full of a loveable cast of characters and yummy foods that will assault your senses through her words, these books are a definite treat! You can read my blog posts about the series here. I read the first book on holiday last year, and loved it so much I rushed into the hotel to wonder around desperately trying to find wifi to download Rebecca’s next two books and read them immediately, so I’m super excited these now come in a perfect box set trilogy!
A gripping and unpredictable story of two young women running from their pasts. We defy you to guess the twist . . .
Annie has a secret. But if she’s not going to tell, we won’t either. It’s a heart-breaking secret she wishes she didn’t have – yet Annie isn’t broken, not quite yet. Especially now there’s someone out there who seems determined to fix her.
Kate has run away. But she’s not going to tell us why – that would defeat the point of running, wouldn’t it? It’s proving difficult to reinvent herself, however, with one person always on her mind.
Scratch beneath the surface and nobody is really who they seem. Even Annie and Kate, two old friends, aren’t entirely sure who they are any more. Perhaps you can work it out, before their pasts catch up with them for good . . .
Paris Baker's Book Nook 