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The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander #Review

  The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander was published by Avon Books on September 25th.  A charming literary-themed novel about a young woman determined to save her great-aunt’s beloved bookshop from extinction by the shiny new competition—which also happens to be run by the handsome son of her family’s rivals. The cute, seaside town of Portneath has been the home of Capelthorne’s Books for nearly a hundred years… The shop, in the heart of a high street that stretches crookedly down the hill from the castle to the sea, may be a tad run-down these days, but to Jules Capelthorne, the wonky, dusty world of literary treasures is full of precious childhood memories. When her great-aunt Florence gets too frail to run it alone, Jules ditches her junior publishing job in London and comes home to make the bookshop’s hundredth birthday a celebration to remember. Jules quickly discovers things are worse than she ever imagined: The bookshop is close to bankruptcy, ...
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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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