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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...

Before We Grow Old by Clare Swatman #Review

 

I am delighted to be on the tour for Clare Swatman's Before We Grow Old which was published on January 19th by Boldwood Books.


When seven-year-old Fran first met Will they knew instantly that they were made for each other. For eleven years they were inseparable, but then, at the age of eighteen, Will just upped and disappeared.

Twenty-five years later Will is back.

Is fate trying to give them a second chance?

Still nursing the heart break from all those years ago, Fran is reluctant to give Will the time of day. The price Will must pay is to tell the truth – the truth about why he left, the truth about why he’s back…

And Fran has her own secrets to hide. The time has come to decide what Fran and Will really want from life – before it’s too late.


 My Thoughts

Be prepared for an emotional read! As you soon find out, Will and Fran have known each other since childhood. Over the years their relationship has changed and there are some shocks and surprises which emerge from the past. Reconnecting after many years, you follow their story as they get to know each other again and face up to some terrible news.

    Fran struggles throughout to work out her feelings about Will. She carries a great burden of guilt and is also aware of the effect of her relationship on her family. You see some steadfast friendship throughout and also rifts within families and in contrast, strong sibling relationships. The past never stops having an effect on the present. Will and Fran learn that it is crucial to live for today and to cherish what you have.

In short: Starting over, moving on, forgiving.

About the Author


Clare Swatman is the author of three women’s fiction novels, published by Macmillan, which have been translated into over 20 languages. She has been a journalist for over twenty years, writing for Bella and Woman & Home amongst many other magazines. She lives in Hertfordshire.

You can follow Clare here:  Facebook

  | Twitter  | Instagram

Book link: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Clare Swatman, 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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