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'Tis the (damn) Season by Fiona Gibson #Review

  Festive reads continue with Fiona Gibson's 'Tis the (damn) Season, published by Boldwood Books.   This year, their families can deck the bloody halls themselves... Old friends Shelley, Lena and Pearl have reached their limit with the festive preparation that has always fallen to them, and five days before Christmas, they’ve booked a mini break… without their families. Up until Christmas Eve, they’ll be sipping prosecco in the Highlands while their kids wrap bacon around 100 chipolatas and their partners brave the supermarkets. It’s exactly what they need… until they’re snowed in. Facing the prospect of Christmas 500 miles from home, each woman is forced to confront her real reasons for needing to escape: the fiance with the obnoxious family; the son’s new girlfriend who is taking over their home; the family who take their mother for granted all year round… Will the friends make it home before Christmas day? And if they do, can they really go back to their old lives?

The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn by Freya Kennedy #Review


Freya Kennedy's The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn was published on 5th May by Boldwood Books.
 
A gorgeous new romantic comedy about taking chances and realising your dreams.



Libby Quinn is sick and tired of being sensible.



After years of slogging her guts out for nothing at a PR company, she finds herself redundant and about to plough every last penny of her savings into refurbishing a ramshackle shop and making her dream of owning her own bookshop become a reality.



She hopes opening 'Once Upon A Book' on Ivy Lane will be the perfect tribute to her beloved grandfather who instilled a love of reading and books in her from an early age.



When her love life and friendships become even more complicated – will Libby have the courage to follow her dreams? Or has she bitten off more than she can chew?


My Thoughts

 For a lovely heart-warming and uplifting read, look no further. This romantic comedy has all the ingredients. Not only are the main characters thoroughly likeable and relatable, there is also a great cast of secondary ones who could all carry their own story. Family and friendship are put under the microscope and the central theme of Ivy Lane, of looking out for its inhabitants, gives the whole story an inclusive and friendly feel.

    Libby's desire to open her bookshop is a great testament to her late grandfather but she shows some strong attributes of loyalty, determination and creativity. She has to find the courage to follow through with her ideas but also has to work out how to leave room in her life for other things. I can see that there is potential in this community for subsequent books and I hope to visit Ivy Lane again to see how Once Upon a Book is getting on.

In short: Escape into the ultimate book shop.

Look out for #LibbyQuinnBingo on social media!

About the Author




Freya Kennedy lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, with her husband, two children, two cats and a mad dog called Izzy. She worked as a journalist for eighteen years before deciding to write full time. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, cleaning up after her children (a lot) and telling her dog that she loves her.


She has met Michael Buble and even kissed him. It was one of her best ever moments.


She believes in happy ever afters.


Freya Kennedy is a pen name for Claire Allan, who also writes psychological thrillers.

You can follow Freya here:  Website  |  Twitter/ClaireAllan
  |  Twitter/AuthorFreya |  Facebook   |  Instagram  |   Bookbub 

Book link:   Amazon UK

Thanks to Freya Kennedy, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

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