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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...

The Mix-Up by Holly McCullogh #Review

 

I loved Holly McCullogh's debut novel, Just Friends and looking at the views for the post, I'd say that many other people shared my view. I am delighted therefore to feature Holly's second novel, The Mix-Up, which is published by Corgi on 5th August in paperback. It will be available in digital form on 24th June.


Paige might bake wedding cakes for a living but that doesn't mean she's dreaming about her own perfect day. Far from it.

Trusting people is hard after she was badly let down by her family and boyfriend just when she needed them most. And to make things worse, her ex has justwalked into her bakery with his new fiancée...

Needing a little no-strings-attached fun, Paige goes to a party where her friend knows just the guy -the guy in the black top.

There's just one problem. There are two men wearing black tops.

Noah was meant to be her perfect distraction...instead, he wants more than just a bit of fun. But could the wrong guy turn out to be the right choice?


 My Thoughts

This is a delightful read with some hugely relatable characters who I liked from the very first. Paige has some demons in her past which you are slowly let into her confidence about. Most people she deals with on a need to know basis and buries herself in her work to avoid relationships. I don't include her family in the characters who I warmed to- quite the opposite and there are no easy fixes in her relationship with them. Luckily there are a few key people in her life who do support her.

    I enjoyed Paige's views on the wedding market and wedding cakes in particular.  This story is a real mixture of poignant moments and laugh out loud times and you are rooting for Paige throughout. There is humour and romance  but never of the sugary sweet variety. Quite where Noah gets his patience from, I'm not sure! I must add that I feel that a trigger warning for serious illness is needed.

In short: A witty romcom with a serious issue at its heart.

About the Author


Holly McCulloch lives in Oxfordshire and bakes beautiful (and delicious) cakes for a living. The Mix-Up is her second novel; her debut novel, Just Friends, is also published by Corgi.

 

You can follow Holly here: Twitter

Book link: Amazon UK



Thanks to Holly McCulloch, the publishers and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

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