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A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas #Review #Dunbar HotelBook1

  I am delighted to introduce a new WW2 saga by Maisie Thomas. A New Home at the Wartime Hotel was published by Boldwood Books on 27th March. The first in a nostalgic and heart-warming WWII saga series by bestselling author Maisie Thomas, that readers of Ellie Dean and Lesley Eames will love. Manchester, 1941 Kitty learned early on in her marriage that her husband, Bill Dunbar, isnā€™t reliable with money. So when they inherit the Dunbar family hotel at the start of the war, she's hopeful that their financial worries are over... until the bailiffs turn up! With Bill away fighting, itā€™s up to Kitty to turn things around for her family, or risk ruin. Lily worked as a chambermaid at Dunbarā€™s before the war. She met Daniel there, but their relationship was complicated by class differences and the disapproval of Danielā€™s mother. Now Lily is pregnant ā€“and with Daniel away at sea, she is all alone. When tragedy strikes, will Kitty and Dunbarā€™s come to her rescue? Beatriceis in her forti...

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt #Review #StarrsFallBook2

 

I am delighted to feature the second in Kate Hewitt's Starr Fall series. Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall was published by Boldwood Books on March 21st.

 

Spring is in the air in Starrā€™s Fall, and for two people, love may be just a roll of the dice away...

As the frozen earth gives way to the first spring crocuses, pushing their way into the warmer air, Maggie arrives in Starrā€™s Fall. Sheā€™s looking for a new start, with her lovable but painfully shy teenaged son in tow.

It feels like the odds are against her, but sheā€™s determined to come out winning this time, and to fulfil her dream of opening up a board game cafĆ©. But not everythingā€™s a game, and when she finds herself attracted to a man whoā€™s known as a different sort of player, she worries sheā€™s setting herself up to lose.

Zach is funny, surprisingly geeky, and, most importantly, bonds with her son. But Zachis also drop-dead gorgeous, has a reputation around town, and is also ten years younger than her.

When he asks her out on a date, Maggie is totally thrown. She canā€™t deny sheā€™s attracted to him. But is she ready to risk her heart with another roll of the dice?

A totally gorgeous, unmissable, small town romance, perfect for fans of the Gilmore Girls andVirgin River, from million-copy bestselling author, Kate Hewitt.


 My Thoughts

 This was a delightful read with some interesting characters and a small town setting which welcomes you in. Maggie is putting the needs of her teenage son, Ben, first and foremost and has moved from her fashionable and modern mansion to open a board games shop in Starr's Fall. Both Maggie and Ben are dealing with trauma from the past few years and Maggie is coming to terms with the death of her husband a year ago. Ben is a withdrawn young boy with awkward social skills and  in many ways, both Mother and son just want to hide away from people they don't know. You witness Maggie take her courage in her hands and force herself to mix and to seek out new opportunities in Starr's Fall.

    When Maggie meets Zach, she finds herself attracted to him but wary of getting to know him. You discover that there may be misconceptions  about him amongst the town's folk and that there is more to him than her first impression. I found this to be an enjoyable read with  few surprising moments. The small town feel underlined the community and there are some interesting characters waiting in the wings for future stories, I am sure.

In short: new starts and new romances

About the Author

Kate Hewitt is the author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels have been called 'unputdownable' and 'the most emotional book I have ever read' by readers.

       An American ex-patfor many years, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two of her five children (the others are scattered across the globe!), and their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter to receive updates and giveaways, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate's Reads, to discuss all manner of books. (Links can be found on her website.  

Her latest releases are The Girl Who Risked it All, a WW2 novel based on the true story of the doomed refugee ship the St Louis, The Midnight Hour, the second in her dystopianseries Lost Lake, and Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall, the second standalone in her new heartwarming series inspired by the Gilmore Girls. There's something for everyone so do check them all out, and be in touch as Kate loves to hear from readers. You can discuss Kate's books as well as others on her private Facebook group, Kate's Reads or read her thoughts on Substack.

You can follow Kate here: Twitter   |  Website  |  Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign UpBookbub
 
 Purchase Links    
 

Thanks to Kate Hewitt, 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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