BOOK REVIEW: Christmas at Cranberry Cottage by Talli Roland

Having been a fan of Talli Roland since her very first novel, it’s always a treat to read her latest offering. I’ve always enjoyed her books (including Build a Man, Watching Willow Watts and The Hating Game) and novellas. Christmas at Cranberry Cottage is no exception.

When photographer Jess Millward hears of plans for a railway company to tear down her family home, she leaves her busy life in New York behind and rushes back to her quiet village. Despite her loving grandmother seeming fond of the idea to sell up and move into a nearby care home, Jess is intent on her mission to save Cranberry Cottage, the home which she grew up in. With Christmas approaching and only a short time before the new railway is built through the village, Jess sets out in her plight to persuade the railway company – which includes Tom, Jess's handsome childhood crush – to cease its plans.

Despite Christmas at Cranberry Cottage being quite a short read, I enjoyed every page. Talli conveys great characters and setting in such a short time and in turn has created a heartwarming, festive read. Jess was a very likable character and truthfully? I think this story would have also worked well as a full-length novel. As Jess spends her time working to try and put things right, the reality can often be that certain things simply don't need fixing.

This is the perfect story to curl up with on a cold night. And if you've already read and enjoyed Christmas at Cranberry Cottage, check out Talli Roland's other Christmas novellas: Mistletoe in Manhattan, Last Christmas, Married by Midnight and Miracle at the Museum of Broken Hearts.

Rating: 5/5

NEW RELEASES: Marriage to Measure by Talli Roland

Talli Roland's latest novel is now available from Amazon! After Build a Man and Construct a Couple, heroine Serenity Holland is back in Marriage to Measure, and things aren't exactly going to plan...

When Serenity Holland proposes to her long-time boyfriend Jeremy, she’s certain ‘forever’ is a perfect fit. As the wedding train steams forward, though, Serenity starts to wonder if they really are an ideal match. From a crusty old ring to a dilapidated house she’s left to renovate on her own – not to mention the appearance of Jeremy’s clingy ex-fiancée – engagement feels more like disengagement. 

Even worse, wedding planning’s like a bad hangover as Serenity juggles the wishes of family and friends with her bossy mother-in-law-to-be, resulting in a Frankenwedding nothing like the simple ceremony she envisioned. 

Can Serenity knit her relationship back together and fashion a celebration that suits, or will ‘I do’ become ‘I don’t’? 

BOOK NEWS: Perfect Girl by Michele Gorman - Trailer

Not long to go until Michele Gorman's new novel Perfect Girl is released! The novel, by the author of Single in the City and Weightless, is a modern-day fairytale about Carol, a woman who appears to have it all. Check out the trailer for Perfect Girl below...

Carol is perfect… at least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality she’s sinking fast – her family treats her like their personal assistant and her boyfriend is so busy with work that he’s got her single-handedly running their relationship. Not that her job is any easier. As the only woman on the bank’s trading floor she spends twelve-hour days trying not to get sworn at or felt up by colleagues who put the "W" in banker.

How long can she go on pleasing everyone else before she snaps and loses it all?

With humor and empathy, Perfect Girl lays bare the balancing act that working women face in a man's world.

COMING SOON: Dead Romantic by Ruth Saberton

Being a huge fan of Ruth Saberton's novels, which include Katy Carter Wants a Hero, Ellie Andrews Has Second Thoughts and Rearranged, it was exciting to hear about her latest release.

Ruth's latest novel, ghostly tale Dead Romantic, is released on 2nd October and we can't wait. Read on for the synopsis...

What do you do if you come face to face with a ghost? Put it down to a bump on the head and work stress if you’re a respected academic like Cleo Carpenter. With Christmas approaching, professional rivalry afoot and a best friend determined to interfere in her love life, the strain is clearly starting to get to her.

Guilt-stricken and deceased, Alex Thorne is desperate to make amends with his brother, Rafe, a tortured musician trapped in a spiral of destruction. When an encounter with Cleo forges a link between them she becomes his only hope. So what if the only person who can see him is a sceptic?

As Cleo starts to doubt her sanity, the safe world she takes for granted crumbles around her. Setting out to regain control and prove once and for all ghosts don’t exist, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and surprise, learning that love really does defy science, logic and maybe even death itself...

COMING SOON: Perfect Girl by Michele Gorman

Next month sees the release of Perfect Girl, the exciting new book by Weightless and Single in the City author Michele Gorman. Perfect Girl is a modern-day fairytale focusing on trader Carol, whose seemingly perfect life is about to unravel.

Carol is perfect… at least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality she’s sinking fast – her family treats her like their personal assistant and her boyfriend is so busy with work that he’s got her single-handedly running their relationship. Not that her job is any easier. As the only woman on the bank’s trading floor she spends twelve-hour days trying not to get sworn at or felt up by colleagues who put the "W" in banker.

How long can she go on pleasing everyone else before she snaps and loses it all?

With humour and empathy, Perfect Girl lays bare the balancing act that working women face in a man's world.