Tag: second

Book Review: The Second Love of My Life by Victoria Walters

the second love

Title: The Second Love of My Life
Author: Victoria Walters
Publisher: Headline Review
Date: April 7th, 2016
Pages: 320
Format: paperback ARC
Source: Won in a giveaway

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Victoria Walters’ debut novel is a powerful tale of love, grief and survival, perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Lucy Dillon and Miranda Dickinson. ‘Brilliant and superior women’s fiction’Heat

In the Cornish town of Talting, everyone is famous for something.

Until recently Rose was known for many things: her infectious positivity; her unique artistic talent; and her devotion to childhood sweetheart Lucas.

But two years ago that changed in one unthinkable moment. Now, Rose is known for being the young woman who became a widow aged just twenty-four.

Though Rose knows that life must go on, the thought of carving out a new future for herself is one she can barely entertain. Until a newcomer, Robert, arrives in Talting for the summer…

Can Rose allow herself the chance to love again?

Get lost in Victoria Walters’ immensely touching debut novel, and discover a world that will capture your imagination and heart.

*Amazon RISING STAR*

Readers are falling in love with THE SECOND LOVE OF MY LIFE:

‘A beautiful story – full of heart’ Giovanna Fletcher

‘A sobtastic story’ Red Online

‘Just darn brilliant’ Look

‘Brilliant and superior women’s fiction’ Heat

‘Heartbreaking and heart-awakening’ Lisa Dickenson

vrpca

Review:

„ But the problem with moments is when you know you won’t have any more of them, they become infinitely more significant.
…
I wish I had treasured the moments more at the time but that’s the problem with moments, you never know when you are about to have your last one.“

 

The Second Love of my Life is a story about a young woman named Rose who lost the man she supposed to spend her life with. Two years after the horrible accident that left her without her husband, she is still trying to pick up the pieces of herself.

Saying that I liked this book would feel like underrating it. Saying that I loved it would still feel like underrating it.
That is the problem when it comes to reviewing a book you feel like is one of the best pieces you have read in months.
No matter how hard you try to put your feelings out there, you just feel like there’s no review that could do it justice.

I am so grateful that I had an opportunity to read this book and to discover this amazing writer while she is still a debut author.
Victoria Walter’s writing style is so beautiful and I have a feeling we will read a lot of her work in the future. At least I hope we will.

She captured Rose‘s inner struggle in such a beautiful and yet realistic way, that I, as a reader, wanted to transform myself there, in an imaginary town called Talting, and be there for her.
It was hard at some parts reading how terrible Rose had felt, but at the same time, there was beauty in it.
Reading this book was a bautiful experiance.
Books like this one are the reason why I read.

I liked every character in this book, which is a rare thing for me.
I already read Walter’s short story The Summer I Met You (and I liked it) in which we follow Rose’s best friend Emma. Even though I liked her there, I can honestly say that I liked her here, as a side character, even more.

I loved the atmosphere in this book. Reading about small towns and it’s residents are what I usually enjoy and reading about Talting was no exception.

However, my favorite part in this book was the one that’s taking place in Scotland.
The reason for that is not the place, but the realisation that came to a certain character there.

Overall, reading The Second Love of My Life was an emotional ride I am glad I took.
I am so happy I discovered this author and I can’t wait to read her next book, even though I don’t know when that will be.
At this point, it doesn’t even matter, because this book convinced me that it will be worth waiting for it.
In the meantime, I am sure I will re-read The Second Love of My Life few times (or more).

4,75

Spring Reading: 10 books I want to read this Spring

Happy first day of Spring, everyone!!!

I did some blog hopping these days, and got an inspiration for this post.
I know this was a theme for TTT, but since I don’t do TTT and I still wanted to write about my Spring reads, I decided that first day of Spring would be a perfect day..

My main inspiration came from the post by Liv from curlyhairbibliophile .

Without further ado, these are 10 books I want to read this Spring:

 

  1. The Second Love of my Life by Victoria Walters

the second love

This book comes out on April 7th. I already read it’s short story prequel, The Summer I Met You (you can read my review here) and liked it very much, so I can’t wait to see what Walters cooked for us in her full-lenght debut.
I hear this women’s fiction story is a real tearjerker so I’ll make sure to prepare some tissues for myself.

 

2. The Winner’s Triology by Marie Rutkoski

winners

I want to read this series for some time now and, since the last book is coming out soon, I figured it would be the best to just marathon the whole series. I want to do it ASAP, so that’s the reason why I’m choosing to read it this Spring.

 

3. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

the raven

Another series I want to marathon. First thing that bought me as a reader is the gorgeous cover for the last book in the series (yes, I know, I am shallow like that).
Second thing is, one of my favorite booktubers, Daniella from Pixie Tonic chanel said this is the best ya series outthere at this very moment, and I trust her opinion more they anyone’s.

 

4. Summer Nights at the Moonlight Hotel by Jane Costello

Summer Nights at Moonlight hotel

My favorite author is coming out with her new book on March 24th. This book is the first one from this list that I’ll be reading, and I plan to do that on it’s releasing day, if TBD delivers it on time. I am too excited for this one!

 

5. The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

the glittering court

Another book I plan to read on it’s releasing day, April 5th (if TBD delivers it on time, that is!). Richelle Mead is also one of my all-time favorite authors and I can’t wait to see what she prepared for us this time!

 

6. Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen

warrior witch

My favorite on-going series is coming to an end and I can’t wait to see how it all’s going to wrap up, but am also sad to say goodbye to this world and it’s characters.
I am sure this series will be the one I’ll re-read many times in my life.

 

7. I heart London by Lindsey Kelk

I heart london

I am the worst reader ever, because this is my favorite chick-lit series and I still haven’t finished it.
I just HEART Angela Clark and Jenny Lopez and can’t wait to hang out with them again this Spring.

 

8. The Girl Against the Universe by Paula Stokes

girl against

I simply can’t wait for this ya contemporary to come out. It sounds like it is written for me and I hope it will live up to my expectations. This one comes out on May 17th.

 

9. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

anne

This classic is the one I want to read very soon. I never got the chance to read it in my native language, so I bought it in English. I can’t wait to see how I’ll like the book that is loved by so many people in the world.

 

10. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

pride

Once again I am the worst reader ever. This book that is loved by so many people in the world is the one that is still not on my “read” list.
I plan to change that this Spring in a hope that I’ll like it.

 

What books do you plan to read this Spring?
Tell me all about it in comments. 🙂

Bullet Short Stoy Review: The Summer I Met You by Victoria Walters

the summer

Title: The Summer I Met You
Author: Victoria Walters
Publisher: Headline Review
Date: February 11th, 2016
Pages: 65
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Escape to Cornwall and meet the characters of Talting in this wonderful digital short story and prequel to Victoria Walters’ captivating debut novel, THE SECOND LOVE OF MY LIFE.

This is a summer romance that will last a lifetime…

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Review:

„In that moment he made me as if we had lifted off from the ground and were dancing amongst the stars.“

What you need to know about this short story:

  • It is a prequel to Victoria Walter’s debut novel The Second Love of My Life, that comes out this April.
  • It is written in first person, from the perspective of a young girl called Emma.
  • Emma is telling the story in two different time periods: now and then, which are separated by the three months period.
  • The Summer I Met You is a story of falling in love.
  • Although Emma and her love interest, John, are main characters in this story, they are not main characters in the full-leight novel that follows this story.
  • Main character in The Secon Love of My Life is Rose, Emma’s best friend, and we get to meet her in this prequel.

What you should be warned about:the second love

  • It contains insta-love (which is not a bad thing, from my perspective).
  • Not all 65 pages of this ebook are an actual story, some of them are a part of an exclusive extract from The Second Love of My Life.

What I liked about this book:

  • The writing style is worth to be commended
  • The way the writer describes places is just so realistic and beautiful at the same time. I could’t help but imagine Emma’s room, the view to the sea and the smell of pigs and cows in the air, it was like being there partly.
  • Both setting were just amazing.
  • Characters were likeable, especially Rose and her husband Lucas.

What I’d like to change in this piece of work:

  • I only wish it was a bit longer so we could watch how Emma and John’s love was developing and how they spent time that Summer.

Overall, the purpose of this short story is to introduce us to characters from The Second Love of my Life. In that purpose, it succeeded.
When I say I can’t wait to read Walter’s debut novel, I mean it wholeheartedly. I really enjoyed this story and find the writing style so beautiful and appealing that I just can’t wait to see what the writer is going to present us in her full-leight book.

Even though this is a prequel, it can be read on it’s own and I think if you decide to give it a try, you will probably enjoy it. I know I did.

4

Book Review: A Merry Mistletoe Wedding by Judy Astley

judy ashtley

Title: A Merry Mistletoe Wedding
Author: Judy Astley
Publisher: Random House, UK
Date: October 22nd, 2015
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: from Publisher for a review

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads): It is almost a year since Sean and Thea met and it’s been a roller-coaster ride: they’re getting married on Christmas Eve!

Neither Thea or Sean want a big fuss – a simple wedding, with Christmas carols and just a few sprigs of mistletoe for decoration is all they need. But before they know it, things begin to get complicated. Trying to manage a long-distance relationship in the build-up to their Christmas wedding is one thing, but as one challenge after another comes their way, the happy couple begin to wonder if they’ll ever make it down the aisle…

With unforgettable characters, charming romance and lots of laughter,A Merry Mistletoe Wedding is a gorgeous Christmas read – perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Milly Johnson.

vrpca

Review:

A Merry Mistletoe Wedding is a continuation to a novel It Must Have Been a Mistletoe.
Although it can easily be read as a standalone, I do suggest, if you plan to read it’s prequel, to do it before you grab this one.
The reason: you will be spoiled for the most things that happened in the previous book.
But, if you’re just in a mood to read something quick and entertaining, or you don’t mind spoilers, then go ahed and read it.

The story is written in the third person and it follows three women: Thea, who’s getting married, her sister Emily, who gave birth recently and is dealing with postnatal depression, and Anna, who is selling her old house with the aim to buy a new one.

From all of three stories, I have to say that the one that kept me interested the most was Emily’s.
Since I didn’t read the first book, I didn’t know what actually happened to her in Cornwall and, because of that, I had a difficult time to understand her behaviour.
As the story progressed, I recognized her depression and anxiety.
At first I was looking at her as the one who’s acting rude, but later, I saw how people around her misunderstood her.

Thea (I love that name!) had some interesting things going on in her life. After all, she was getting married. I couldn’t help but wonder how come her preparation for it wasn’t as stressful as it is in real life (at least that’s the impression I got from those few weddings I was a part of in a preparation process), but the ex-boyfriend drama and unfamiliar girl in her fiance’s flat were enough on her plate.
I have a feeling her story is much more interesting in the first book.

Anna ‘s story was the least interesting to me but was still enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a warm Christmas read I have to warn you: this is not that kind of a book.
The most christmassy thing about this book is it’s title and the cover.
The plot follows the time period from summer to Christmas, when the wedding is happening.
There are a few scenes with Santa and, of course, mistletoe.

I really, really liked scenes in Cornwall. I am not even sure what was so good about them, but I am sure they made me want to visit that place.

What I didn’t like about this book is how Emily solve her problem just like that. I don’t think it works that way in reality.
I wish that aspect of the story was developed more realisticly.

Would I recommend this book?
Definitely!
Will I read It Must Have Been a Mistletoe even though I know most things that happened in it?
You know what? I think I will. I definitely will!

4

Buy this book: Amazon US* Amazon UK * Book Depository