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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...

Italy Ever After by Leonie Mack #Review

 

Here's a new Leonie Mack summer read fresh off the press. Published by Boldwood Books on 11th May, Italy Ever After is full of Italian sunshine. 


Escape to the sun and head off to Italy, with the wonderfully warm and ever-so-page-turning Leonie Mack!

 

TV journalist Lou feels battered and bruised after her divorce from Phil, the father of her daughter Edie. Her confidence and sense of fun have steadily been drained away, and she isn’t sure who she is any more.

When the opportunity arises to accompany Edie on a music camp in Italy for a month in the summer, Lou jumps at the chance for new adventures, new horizons and new friends. The hazy warmth of the summer sun, shining brightly over the stunning Lake Garda, slowly brings Lou back to life.

Nick Romano, Edie’s music teacher, loves being home in Italy, but coaching his students for their concert in Milan, is bringing back difficult memories. His blossoming friendship with Lou is the perfect distraction, although a summer fling would be easier to conduct without the scrutiny of his mother Greta, not to mention the interference of his extended Italian family.

As the summer passes, full of sunshine and breath-taking scenery, gelato and delicious feasts, Lou and Nick get ever closer. But as the time for farewell creeps up on them, will they be able to say goodbye and leave their memories behind in the Italian sun, or can a summer romance last a lifetime?

Leonie Mack is back with a sizzling, sun-baked love story, perfect for all fans of Mandy Baggot, Jo Thomas and Carole Matthews.


 

My Thoughts

 Almost from the start, I realised that there were some complicated characters to be found in this book. It really is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Lou certainly has some serious self-esteem issues but she is always likeable and you can see that the Lou others see is not the one she thinks she is. Phil, her ex-husband, likes to belittle people to bolster up his own view of himself. I certainly began to dislike him pretty quickly - Mr Romano on the other hand...

    Nick Romano  has to be the most complicated of everybody. It is no surprise to discover what has led him to be as he is but he has a sensitivity which makes him the pole opposite of Phil. Both Nick and Lou have to come to terms with what they want from their future and their journey is plotted with style. With a stunning setting in the Italian lakes, you sink into the story and breathe in the sights and sounds of Italy. What a great holiday read it would be. This is a delicious read.

In short: Escape to the Italian lakes


In short:

About the Author


Leonie Mack is a debut novelist whose first book My Christmas Number One was published by Boldwood in September 2020. Having lived in London for many years her home is now in Germany with her husband and three children. Leonie loves train travel, medieval towns, hiking and happy endings!

 

You can follow Leonie here:  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook                                                       |  Mailing List Sign up    |  Bookbub

Book link: Amazon UK

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

Check out the rest of the tour!

 

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