You Had Me at Merlot: Part 4

 

The final part in this hilarious four-part digital romantic comedy, from the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas - winner of the Novelicious Debut of the Year award.

Elle didn't plan on falling for anyone on this singles' holiday so it came as a huge surprise to her when she fell, hard, for her very own Italian stallion. But it seems he's not as perfect as he first appeared - especially now that his maybe-not-so-ex ex-girlfriend has turned up.

Elle doesn't want to believe that it was all a lie but it's hard to ignore the very real bombshell standing in front of her. Has she been taken for a fool? As the end of the holiday approaches, confusion and heartbreak threaten to ruin Elle's hard-fought peace of mind. Does Tuscany have enough magic left to fix her broken heart?

You Had Me at Merlot is the kind of love story that will have you crying with laughter one moment and nodding your head in agreement the next. Full of sultry summer nights, hilarious moments and plenty of wine, it will warm even the most cynical of hearts and have you believing in the magic of romance (and the power of a decent glass of Merlot).

 

My opinion: So this is it. The final installment. And after yet another heart stopping cliffhanger in part three, I had to know what happened next.

 

Elle had been getting in the spirit of romance at the Tuscan vineyard she had accompanied her friend Laurie to for a singles holiday. Only letting her guard down seemed to come back and hit her, hard. When Jamie's ex turns up at the vineyard and he doesn't turn her away, Elle doesn't know what to do. She turns to her new found vineyard family and confides in Laurie, Donna and George and finds herself needing to make bigger decisions than she ever thought she would need to when she left London. Can she ever return to her old life in London, and more importantly, is she over men forever?

 

Reading this last part of the story was bittersweet, as although I couldn't wait to pick it up, I knew that this meant that it was coming to an end. I think I have professed my love in all of my reviews for the location and the characters. I really want to enforce just how much I loved this book, and it was a perfect summer read to distract me from my post holiday blues over the last few weeks.

 

I really hope Lisa writes lots and lots more for us to enjoy and will create more fabulous characters to become my book friends! I had a proper book hangover when I got to the end of this final part, but felt content with how it ended. Although, I'd LOVE to read more about the outrageous Laurie!

 

Seriously, you should read this book, and if you haven't downloaded it by now I'm not sure we can be friends any longer. You will thank me when you read this hilarious yet romantic escape to Italy.

 

My rating: Five big shiny stars

 

This week I will be posting reviews of all four parts of You Had Me at Merlot, and will be culminating the week with a special interview with the author, Lisa Dickenson.

You Had Me at Merlot: Part 3

 

The third part in this hilarious four-part digital romantic comedy, from the author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas - winner of the Novelicious Debut of the Year award.

Elle, determinedly single Elle, isn't used to waking up next to a boy. And she certainly isn't used to being engaged. Thanks to all the (delicious) chilli wine she consumed last night, Elle has no idea how she's managed to get herself into this situation. And as fond as she is of the man lying next to her, and no matter how happy he looks by this turn of events, getting married has never been part of Elle's plan. No way. All that romance stuff just isn't for her . . . right? But the combination of this lovely man, the incredibly romantic Italian countryside and the feel of the early morning sun on her skin is starting to have an effect on Elle. Maybe, just maybe, she's not as anti-love as she thought . . .

You Had Me at Merlot is the kind of love story that will have you crying with laughter one moment and nodding your head in agreement the next. Full of sultry summer nights, hilarious moments and plenty of wine, it will warm even the most cynical of hearts and have you believing in the magic of romance (and the power of a decent glass of Merlot).

My opinion: So I've read the third part of four and after the cliffhanger of book two, I couldn't wait to get my teeth into this next installment!

Elle has woken up with Jamie, who is apparently her future husband. Only she has no recollection of the proposal thanks to all the chilli wine and chocolate she consumed the night before. She wasn't intending on finding a boyfriend in Tuscany, let alone a husband to be. Only the thought of this gorgeous Italian man in her life isn't quite as bad as she thought. Elle uses her skills to try and help the vineyard get more customers, whilst coming to terms with the fact that this hot man likes her. That is until she does a bit of research online and finds something that leaves a sour taste in her mouth.

This was another fab installment of You Had Me at Merlot, and another one I loved. I totally devoured this one, again reading it in one sitting. I really feel like I have got to know Elle and Laurie, and I think they are some of my favourite book characters. Again, the setting is amazing. I don't think a Tuscan vineyard will ever lose its charm as a setting for a book for me. Who couldn't feel romantic in a location like that!

The cliffhanger at the end of the book left me open mouthed, just as the last one did. I can't wait to find out what happens in book four, although I'm a little sad that I'm nearly at the end of this fab story.

If you haven't downloaded the series yet, why not?! You won't regret indulging in this singles holiday in Tuscany!

My rating: Five stars

This week I will be posting reviews of all four parts of You Had Me at Merlot, and will be culminating the week with a special interview with the author, Lisa Dickenson.

Poppy Does Paris

Paris. City of love, city of romance. The last place you want to go to on a work trip when you're in the middle of an epic dry spell. But that's where Poppy is headed, along with her colleague Charlie, who's shallow and annoying but very, very good-looking. During a white-wine-fuelled Skype session with her friend Alice in LA, Poppy concocts the perfect plan: work by day, and have some no-strings fun with Charlie by night. Of course, it might prove a little more complicated than that, but it's nothing Poppy can't handle - or is it?

My opinion: I love a book about Paris. Even better if it's full of romance.

Poppy has been going through one hell of a dry spell and decides that she is going to end it with some no strings sex. Unfortunately all the men about her are either taken or weird, so she comes to the conclusion that colleague Charlie is her only hope. When they get sent on a work trip together to Paris, she thinks it is the perfect chance to put her plan into action. Only things don't quite turn out as plannned...

I really enjoyed this short story and flew through it. It was funny, fast paced and full of loving and Kir Royales! I have another book by Nicola Doherty on my TBR pile and will certainly bump it up the queue as I really enjoyed this book and liked the easy to read style of writing. This book is the first in a series of five short stories and I have already preordered the rest of the books!

This short story is a good way to spend an hour and will definitely keep you entertained!

My rating: Four stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Here Come the Boys

Angie Silveroak and her husband are taking a much-needed holiday on the cruise ship Mermaidia, so the last person she hopes to bump into on the first night is her one-time best friend Selina and the man Selina stole from her and married twenty years ago.
And what she needs even less is to be marooned in Malaga with Selina when both of them manage to miss boarding the ship in port.
It will take three days for them to travel across Europe to catch up with the ship again in Croatia. And in the company of each other twenty-four/seven, a lot of old baggage is going to be unloaded.

My opinion: I am fast becoming a massive Milly Johnson fangirl. I have only recently discovered her writing and am yet to read a book that is less than fabulous.

This novella follows Angie as she goes on an indulgent cruise holiday with her husband Gil. They meet some characters on board, although poor Gil gets seasick, leaving Angie to go sightseeing in Malaga alone. She misjudges the time that the ship is due to leave and ends up getting left behind with only her handbag and ship boarding card to her name. However, she isn't left behind alone. Selina, her former best friend was aboard the ship as well, with her husband Zander. Who she stole from Angie twenty years ago. With three days until they can meet the ship in Croatia, they have a lot of catching up to do.

This is a very quick read, but still a great story. Angie still holds a candle for her ex and has never forgiven Selina. But of course, things are never as they seem. I read this in one sitting and only wish it was longer. I am hoping that we will meet Selina and Angie in a future book as I would love to know what happens next.

At the end of the book there is an excerpt from Milly's newest novel, The Teashop on the Corner. I have been lucky enough to read it already and can guarantee that it is another cracker! The Teashop on the Corner is published on the 19th June and I will review on the same date. It is available for pre-order now!!

My rating: Five stars

The Three of Us

The Three of Us is an exclusive short story introducing Zara, the village midwife whose story you can read in Follow Me Home, and bringing us up to date with what's happened to Tessa and Jack from The Village Vet

Tessa and Jack live at the animal sanctuary in Talyton St George. They had been friends for years, but it wasn't until Jack interrupted Tessa's wedding that she discovered his feelings for her were stronger than she ever knew.

Now, a year on, they could not be happier. And when Tessa discovers she's pregnant, it's as if all their dreams have come true.

But a scan shows that there are complications, and suddenly Tessa realises that Jack has always had doubts about having a baby. Supported throughout by Zara, the village midwife, Tessa and Jack have some tough decisions to make.


However, as the baby's birth draws closer, Tessa and Jack grow further apart. Will he feel differently when the baby is born? Or will having her wonderful child mean losing the man of her dreams?

My opinion: I have only read Cathy Woodman's latest installment in the Talyton St George series, Country Loving, but have bought all of the others as a result of loving that book and jumped at the chance to read this novella.

Tessa and Jack run an animal sanctuary and one day discover that she is pregnant. Despite their initial joy, when the going gets tough Jack finds it difficult to deal with. His behaviour changes and instead of sharing precious moments in the months leading up to the birth of their baby, Jack drifts further and further apart.

This book is a really quick read and we get to catch up with some of the characters from the series. I love the rural setting of these books and the interaction between the villagers is really lifelike and easy to follow. I really liked the character of Tessa, she is a tough old bird with a heart of gold and so brave too. Jack really wound me up with his behaviour in the book. It made me think whether I would put up with him and decided that Tessa must be a lot more patient than me!

Cathy's next novel Follow Me Home was published on 24th April and I can't wait to read it! I really must catch up on her earlier books too...

My rating: A fab four stars

I was provided with an advance review copy of this book by he publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Ivy Lane - Spring

Tilly Parker needs a fresh start, fresh air and a fresh attitude if she is ever to leave the past behind and move on with her life. As she settles in to a new town seeking peace and solitude, taking on her own plot at Ivy Lane allotments seems like the perfect solution. But the vibrant, friendly Ivy Lane community has other ideas and endeavour to entice Tilly into seedling swaps and Easter egg hunts. Can Tilly let new friends into her life, or will she stay a wallflower for good?

Ivy Lane is a serialized novel told in four parts - taking you from spring to summer, autumn to winter - which tell a charming, light-hearted and moving story you won't want to put down.

My opinion: I requested this book from Netgalley based on its beautiful cover. I know, how shallow?! But it paid off, so it only goes to show that sometimes it's ok to judge a book by its cover!

Tilly has made a new start. New home, new job and new hobby. She decides to take on an allotment at Ivy Lane as a way to help her pass the time and busy her mind. What she wasn't expecting was to make new friends at the allotments and become part of a tight knit community. She's not sure whether this is what she wants and something that has happened in her past makes her extremely wary of absolutely everyone around her. Unfortunately, she doesn't find the solace she was expecting at the allotment...

I was a little wary of the story when I first started as I wasn't sure whether Tilly was going to be a bit of a wet character who liked to wallow in her misery and feel sorry for herself. My fears didn't last long though and I soon got to know Tilly. We don't find out in this book what the mysterious thing is that has happened in her past to make her the person she is now, but I liked that. We know that this story is going to be in four parts and I like the fact that I am getting to know Tilly first without knowing her big secret.

There are some fantastic, colourful characters at the allotments and they really bring the story alive. All of the characters are well rounded and lifelike and I can't think of a single one that I hated. This was a very quick read and quite a feel good story. Definitely good for when you need a pick me up and brilliant writing. I've already pre-ordered the next installment and am looking forward to reading more about everyone at the allotments! It has even inspired me to sort my own garden out...

My rating: A fab five stars!

I received an advance copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review