The Roman Holiday Rule - Andra Loy

Oh how much I LOVED this book! It's worth a whole galaxy of stars!

I loved the humour, wit and competition. I loved the random 'not quite movie' quotes. I loved the comments on fonts! I absolutely loved it all and it's my favourite fiction read of the year to date.

There's a little nod to P.S. I Love You in this story of Lexi Walker, who embarks on the Italian adventure which she and her artist mother had planned for so many years - but which her mother dies before making. Setting off with a carefully constructed itinerary and four sealed letters from her mother, it's not long before her carefully planned trip starts to unravel - yet with touches of her mother's artwork mysteriously appearing in unexpected ways. 

Rashly, on the long trans-Atlantic flight to Italy, Lexi challenged architect Mark Russo, the man in the seat alongside her, to a photography challenge: whoever captures the heart of Italy in five days wins. Following her mother's letters, and her photographic challenge around Rome, Lexi runs into Mark time and again - sometimes literally. They both have reservations about romance, especially holiday romance, but can the magic - the heart - of Italy weave its way to their own hearts?

As already mentioned, there is SO much to love in this story. As well as being genuinely hilarious in several places (Lexi re-telling at dinner with Mark's family the story of what happened by the Trevi Fountain without giving away that it involved Mark and herself is laugh-out-loud funny and one of the best written scenes in the book), there is a lot of gentle depth here. You could see it as just a brilliantly written, clever, witty read, but it's so much more. Between the nods to Star Wars, Sense and Sensibility et al, there is plenty of quiet wisdom you might not expect. This is a perfect holiday/vacation read. Light yet with depth enough to give some points to ponder, entertaining, funny in a way which keeps the reader chuckling frequently, easy to read either in a good solid reading session (perhaps under an olive tree in Italy with a nice cool drink to hand?) or in mini-bites - picking it up and putting it down between on-tour activities.

Astoundingly, this is the debut published novel from author Andra Loy, whose earlier unpublished work has clearly honed her outstanding storytelling skills. The Roman Holiday Rule reads like a book from an author with a long-established track record. She is an amazing find for Haven, and her name has gone straight onto my must-read authors list.

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

A Love Once Lost - Jennie Goutet

I'm in somewhat of a conundrum with this second chance at love novel. I found myself greatly enjoying the author's skillful portrayal of 1700's Europe. She sets an enveloping scene of the place and the people, with interesting historical details about clothes styles and buildings woven into the fabric of her story. The characters are well described and I particularly loved Mr Bridwell with his eccentricities and his sometimes awkward consideration of his daughters. I also enjoyed meeting Amy's sisters, and look forward to getting to know them better in future books. Creative and vivacious Marianne reminds me of her namesake from Sense and Sensibility, and I look forward to finding out her future happy ending, and how she reaches it. 

And that, in a way, leads to why this book is for me a little bit disappointing in terms of the romantic leads. Amy, rather than having the appeal of the reserved Eleanor in the above mentioned classic, for me came across rather frustratingly at the start of this book, and James not much better. Perhaps partly because at that point I'd not really had a chance to get to know either of them. Of course I understand why the story begins as it does though. Then we meet Isabel. Although grasping and entirely self-obsessed, I ended up feeling rather sorry for her as I read. I wasn't very impressed by James' reasons for wooing her, especially as they were so obviously unsuited as to be heading to not simply an unloving but nonetheless contented and workable union, but rather towards what was very likely to be a hostile, unfaithful and actively unpleasant one. 

It's unusual for me to read a romance where I found the romances of those who AREN'T the leads more interesting, such as Morry and Miss Bainesworth and even Francis and Bertie! I don't dislike Amy or James, but I just didn't find myself as invested in them and their path to their happy ending as I expected as I read. The latter section works well overall however, although the twist about James' aunt felt superflouous and I felt the story would have been better without it, but perhaps I am weird! 

To summarise, I really enjoyed this novel's sense of place and time, which is richly described and thus absorbing. It's been interesting to find out what life was like in and around the Belgian town of Spa in the eighteenth century. The author is skilled at blending real historical facts, people and places with the fictional elements. Reading A Love Once Lost is almost like climbing into a time capsule for an evening! So despite a few snags along the way, I like the Bridwell family and am keen to read on in order to discover the stories of Hannah and Marianne.

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

In a Word, Yes - Kit Tosello

This is a book which earns all five of its stars effortlessly, in my humble opinion. It's perfect escapist, relaxing and completely engrossing reading which sneaks in themes of healing, renewal, faith, hope and second chances which linger well after you close the pages.

Firstly, I LOVE the mother/daughter conversations. I also love Chase, and the way his autistic challenges are written as simply being a part of who he is, rather than a condition he has to bear. Don't get me wrong, this doesn't sugar coat the fact that it's tough, but I really enjoy the way we see Chase becoming more of his 'own person', and his growing connection with people through the story is super.

This is a story which opens up in increments. We know that things are hard for Lucy and Chase, but it's a while before we know the details. And they're BIG. Equally, we know that things are shifting for Carly, and her role is very cleverly written. Initially it's easy to think of her as a distant mother, too busy with her own interests to care very much about her daughter and grandson, but we soon realise how very far from true this is.

And the way Lucy 'meets' (well, nearly meets) Wyatt is funny! There's plenty of humour through this story, but the moment at which I laughed out loud involved Carly's knee high lace up boots...! However, back to Wyatt, who is another character who is believably complex, and I do enjoy this kind of relationship building in a romance. The small-town 'cosiness' of Charity Falls works delightfully, too. I could easily imagine myself popping into one of the stores there, or visiting the Book Club. 

For a novel which generally I would recommend as an 'easy read', perfect for packing for a holiday or to dip into for a peaceful afternoon's escapism, I found it unexpectedly powerful. 'Shoudn't it be enough just to survive?' Lucy asks, in chapter one. And that 'digs' a little, as I've been asking the same thing lately. Much further in, she observes 'Just because a thing isn't easy doesn't mean it's not what we're called to.' Hmmm, that's very true, even if it takes reading a few times to sink in.

Early in the story Lucy feels 'stuck', and so, in a different way, does her mother Carly. And this story gently shows us how they each get 'unstuck'. It also teaches us in witty and thoughtful ways that first or even early impressions may be deceiving. There's a lot of Christian input in this novel, but it never feels awkward or preachy. 

I am wondering though: Can God prompt someone about getting on with writing a book on which they feel stuck, through the storyline in this book about Lucy getting stuck with her memoir? 

In a word, yes. Yes, He can.

UK Publication Date: 15 Sep 26

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.

Though the Valley - Patricia Johns

Miri is a girl who loves cows and the farming life. Which is unfortunate since her Amish family and community is very Traditional and expect girls to marry young and be homemakers rather than getting involved in the 'outdoor' work. A view which means Miri isn't keen on the idea of being married off since she's much happier outside. 

All her hopes and dreams look as though they've come true when she very unexpectedly inherits the farm of Old Tom Yoder, for whom she's been caring for months. But Tom's son and grandsons are equally shocked. And angry. And her community and family are also unimpressed by this turn of events. Moses, Tom's grandson, is asked by the Bishop to continue helping on the farm while Miri finds her feet, but he finds himself caught between his angry family and his fledgling attraction to Miri. Miri, however, does not want to be wooed just so the Yoder family can reclaim the farm, push her away from the cows and countryside she loves and shut her into the kitchen.

I enjoyed reading this but I confess that my 'English' (in fact, my ENGLISH!) viewpoint did make me exceptionally irritated at times! I found Miri's family frustratingly annoying in their reluctance to stand behind Miri in any real way and I was shocked by the realisation of WHY, much later in the book. I felt a bit short-changed by the way Miri's story panned out, although it was very well told, and I liked both Miri and Moses in terms of their characters individual struggles and progression throughout.

At the same time, we're following Tabitha and Jonas, who seem to be playing a dangerous game in terms of their emotions and desires. Tabitha has a broken relationship behind her, but divorce is not recognised in the Amish community to which she has returned. To the members of her community, she is still bound by her marriage vows to the man who betrayed and left her. Furthermore, Jonas is engaged to another...

A well told, easy to read story, which gives lots of opportunity to consider choices, reactions, faith, legacy and how life's path has many bends. 

NOTE: I read a pre-publication version supplied by the publisher. No review was required. All comments and opinions above are entirely my own.