Skip to main content

Featured

See the Stars by Eleanor Ray #Review

  See the Stars by Eleanor Ray will be  published on February 5th 2026 by Piatkus .  Do you ever feel that life isn't going to plan?   When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life - steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city - isn't everything she'd hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn't fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.  Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother's best friend and Alice's teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?  Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel...

The Cornish Village School - Second Chances by Kitty Wilson ** Blog Tour Review**


Today I am happy to return to Kitty Wilson's The Cornish Village School series with Second Chances. You can read the first in the series, Breaking the Rules here.



Ex-ballerina and single mum Sylvie is in trouble. Juggling her ballet classes in the nearest town, preparing shy Sam for his first day at Penmenna Village school and trying to finally move out from the farm she shares with her cantankerous Uncle Tom means life is anything but easy.

Television Journalist Alex is facing challenges of his own. Seeking a calmer environment for his newly adopted daughter, Ellie, he’s swapped reporting in war zones for the school PTA in quiet Penmenna, where his best friend Chase has persuaded him to start laying some roots.

Fireworks ignite when Sylvie and Alex meet but as Ellie and Sam become instant best friends, will they be able to keep things strictly platonic for the sake of the children?

The second book in the feel-good and rib-tickling Cornish Village School series. Perfect for fans of Tilly Tennant, Holly Martin and Cathy Bramley.



My Thoughts

It felt lovely to return to The Cornish Village School Series and I was soon immersed back into village life. This is a relaxing read and full of the feelgood factor. I found Sylvie to be a well-drawn character and she seemed to be so relatable. I enjoyed getting the story from both Sylvie and Alex's perspectives which filled out the story and helped to explain why they reacted as they did in certain situations.

    One of the most enjoyable parts of the writing is the gentle humour to be found in some of the supporting characters. Marion is good value, as before and I found Sylvie's Uncle Tom with his slightly gruff manner to add a real human touch. The two children, Sam and Ellie, are full of fun and say aloud exactly what they are seeing and hoping for which is quite endearing. Ellie's story takes you far away from the confines of Cornwall. You find yourself rooting for Sylvie and Alex and hoping that they can put down roots in the village and create the family they both seem to be yearning for.

In short: A heart-warming read about friends and friendship.


 
About the Author
Kitty Wilson lived in Cornwall for twenty-five years having been dragged there, against her will, as a stroppy teen. She is now remarkably grateful to her parents for their foresight and wisdom – and that her own children aren’t as hideous. Recently she has moved to Bristol, but only for love and on the understanding that she and her partner will be returning to Cornwall to live very soon. She spends most of her time welded to the keyboard, dreaming of the beach or bombing back down the motorway for a quick visit! She has a penchant for very loud music, equally loud dresses and romantic heroines who speak their mind. 

You can follow Kitty here: Twitter 

Book links: Amazon UK | Kobo UK | Google UK | Apple UK 

Thanks to Kitty Wilson and Ellie Pilcher of Canelo for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Follow the rest of the tour!

 

Comments

Popular Posts