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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...

A Scandinavian Summer by Helga Jensen #Review

 


I am delighted to be taking part in the celebrations for the publication of Helga Jensen's latest novel,A Scandinavian Summer. It was published on June 30th by Hera Books. 

 It's the right time for love, but is it the wrong place?

After the tragic, premature death of her husband Anthony, Martha has spent all her time focused on her teenage daughter Rosie in their small Welsh village.

But with Rosie leaving the nest, and Martha's own job on the line, it feels that life is passing her by.

Inspired by her love for Scandi-noir dramas, Martha impulsively books a trip to Denmark, determined to push herself out of her comfort zone - even if the thought terrifies her...

Her trip to the tiny island of Fano becomes something much more: in the form of handsome stranger, Lars. Can Martha find love under the Scandinavian skies... but more importantly, can she find herself?

A romantic, warm and uplifting read, guaranteed to leave you smiling. Fans of Jenny Colgan and Kathryn Freeman will adore this feelgood read!

My Thoughts

 This is such an enjoyable read. You cannot help but laugh with its main character, Martha and will her to see through a few people and make the right choices. There are some lovely moments with the characters who she works with in her library and her reactions to travelling abroad, alone, seem so credible. Family life certainly is a complication and although for most of the book, we do not meet her daughter, Rosie, you have to smile at the messages she sends her mother and the unrealistic view she seems to take of her Mum's life. 

    Lars is a super character with a certain charm and it seems, lashings of patience and kindness. I enjoyed the setting and the cottage Martha rents in Denmark sounds amazing. With engaging characters, a few surprises in the plot and many moments of fun and humour, I thoroughly enjoyed the read and can see that it would be an ideal holiday read. 


In short: quirky characters and much fun

 

 

About the Author

 

Helga Jensen is an award-winning British/Danish best-selling author and journalist. Her debut novel was a winning entry in the 2017 Montegrappa First Fiction competition at Dubai’s Emirates Literary Festival. Her debut was also a contender for the coveted 2021 Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Helga’s second romantic comedy, A Scandinavian Summer, went straight to number one on the Amazon Kindle charts for Danish travel on its publication day. Helga holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University. She is currently working on a PhD.

You can follow Helga here: Twitter  |  Instagram   |  Facebook 

Book links: Amazon UK   ||  Kobo  |  AppleHive

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

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