Bronagh in the magic shop had a theory that immaculately groomed, rich, working Edinburgh women with well- behaved children were all wFavorite Quotes:
Bronagh in the magic shop had a theory that immaculately groomed, rich, working Edinburgh women with well- behaved children were all witches, because there was no other way of doing it.
Phoebe had a frowzy face, always looking slightly suspicious of the world, as if she’d tried it all already and it hadn’t pleased her.
...he felt himself, misshapen and awkward, a paradox of desires, as the loose threads of the world pulled and stretched him every which way.
He was the kind of guy, Carmen thought, that if you disagreed with him in any way would, depending on how much he wanted to sleep with you, either call you “feisty” or ask if you were on your period. It seemed unlikely there was a middle ground. His eyes flicked her up and down in a way she couldn’t bear and made her want to kick him and run away, the way the children weren’t allowed to.
When someone is trying to wind you up and succeeds in winding you up it is one of the worst feelings on earth. You feel irritated and cheated all at once.
Every day, it seemed, she lost something. She hadn’t felt like this with the others; she’d always been excited to see them move on to the next stage: walking, talking, exploring. But if she could have a vampire bite Eric she would have.
It was Jackson McClockerty, of course, dressed in bright red Stewart tartan trousers that made his bum look frankly enormous, as if it was about to float into the air like a pair of balloons.
My Review:
Jenny Colgan always hits all the feels between generous servings of well-honed humor and acute observations. This one was as insightfully written as it was cleverly amusing. I was giggle-snorting with glee at the author's snarky humor and oddly fractured characters, with the frozen city of Edinburgh at Christmas also having a starring role. The writing was easy to fall into, emotive, and highly descriptive. I live in the tropics yet I felt the constant chill of their drafty rooms and Arctic winds as I read. ...more
And by the way, Jen, if you’re going to start dating again and having a whole Exciting Sexy Life with Multiple New Men, don’t expect tFavorite Quotes:
And by the way, Jen, if you’re going to start dating again and having a whole Exciting Sexy Life with Multiple New Men, don’t expect to turn up here and be able to go on about it. Staying married is hard enough without the single friends bragging about last night with Mr Musical Fingers they found on Tinder.
‘Alison, there is not going to be any dating yet, I can promise you that,’ I tell her truthfully. ‘Too soon?’ she asks. ‘Definitely too soon,’ I confirm. ‘I’m burned… it could be years before I play with those matches again.’
‘You need to take care of yourself, my girl…’ ‘Yes, thanks, Wattie, I’m trying to do that.’ ‘I’ve seen it so many times before with the sows…’ ‘The sows?!’ Alison says, astonished. ‘This is not the same! Wattie, please stop talking.’ ‘Well, no.’ Wattie rubs his chin, deep in thought. He hasn’t taken off his hat, which I suspect is not actually a hat but a knitted and very battered tea cosy. ‘But the sows,’ he goes on, ‘when their piglets go, they can get moody, even ferocious. I’ve even seen them attack other mothers and eat their young. Not nice. So you must be careful, Jennifer, you don’t want to let that happen to you.’ I nod solemnly. Maybe I should feel offended, but it’s too funny. ‘Wattie, I promise, I will not eat your children. OK?’
I’m already loving Elaine. She is beautifully dressed in 1950s vintage. Her orangey hair is even rolled up at the front into one of those 1950s dos. She looks like a wonderful mix of Doris Day, doll and alien space lady.
We kissed… and it was a bit weird,’ he says. ‘I mean the kissing itself wasn’t weird, that was really quite nice. It was the fact that we were kissing. It’s all been so long. I’ve forgotten how to do even snogging. I’m like a thirteen-year-old. I might need to practise on my hand. Like in primary school…
My Review:
I giggle-snorted, smirked, and hooted with glee while reading this delightfully witty tale. I have a new favorite author and her name is Carmen Reid. Her writing sparkled with clever and amusing inner musings as well as insightful revelations and observations. Her humorous descriptions pulled vivid visuals to my mind’s eye that had me barking a laugh more than once. ...more
Amber slowly dragged her gaze from her phone screen to meet mine, and she was so stony-faced that if she stayed there much longer, sheFavorite Quotes:
Amber slowly dragged her gaze from her phone screen to meet mine, and she was so stony-faced that if she stayed there much longer, she’d end up turning into a gargoyle and catapulting herself to live on the side of my father’s house.
“You’d be even more fabulous if you brought your mascara out of the spider-leg craze of two-thousand-and-seven, though.” She batted those spider-leg eyelashes at me. “I’m holding onto my youth.” “You’re seventy-six. I think your grip is slipping.”
“You’re not helping.” Grace prodded me in the shoulder. “Ah, see, you’ve mistaken me for someone who was trying to.”
When Granny heard it, she scoffed and said Gramps might have had her heart, but she also had a clitoris, and he was never very good at finding it. She had needs, and now he was dead, she could fulfil them without hurting his feelings.
“Granny,” Grace said. “There is no relationship.” “You say that, but you’re over here sucking his face like you’re in a desert and he’s the only cactus with any water around.”
“You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive. I’m just test-driving potential boyfriends by taking them for a spin around the bedroom, that’s all.” I grinned. “A very effective way of weeding out the weak.”
My Review:
Picking up an Emma Hart book has become one of my favorite indulgences, her tales generally result in multiple instances of giggle-snorting during perusal. Her vividly drawn, vibrant, and quirky characters enamor, delight, and entertain me like no other and never fail to include razor-sharp banter, clever wit, and ridiculous discussions. I adored this couple and enjoyed their conundrums and navigation of each other as well as their complicated family issues. ...more
Even the local scumballs were terrified of the woman who once caught a thief trying to break into her house and threatened to punctureFavorite Quotes:
Even the local scumballs were terrified of the woman who once caught a thief trying to break into her house and threatened to puncture his kidneys with her knitting needles if she ever saw him again. He was relieved when the police took him into custody.
And don’t forget to tell me how lovely my perm is. Extra points if you say I look like that Madonna lass. We’re about the same age, and I reckon underneath all those fillers and her leather knickers we’re dead ringers.
When I was having my Mark, the contractions stopped and started all day, and then all of a sudden, they came thick and fast and then he shot out like a can of Coke from a vending machine.
Age, darling. That’s all it is. There’s things growing where they shouldn’t be and there’s other bits falling off. There’ll be no two bits of us hanging the right way soon.
My Review:
I giggle-snorted and smirked my way through this delightfully penned missive. I adored these characters but my favorites were the well-seasoned Val and Nancy. I enjoyed their amusing escapades and rib-tickling banter, reveled in their confidence, found great pleasure in keeping them company, and felt a sense of familiarity as if I’d personally known them for years.
Shari Low is an all-time favorite and gifted storyteller. Her clever writing style has never failed to draw me into her engaging tales with an easy and smooth flow of perfectly chosen words. While the characters’ lives weren’t all sunshine and light, heart-squeezing issues were deftly tackled with agility and grace. ...more
That was showbiz. A year ago, Jizzo was washed up, almost a joke, a has-been with a bad weave who was desperately holding on to a fanbFavorite Quotes:
That was showbiz. A year ago, Jizzo was washed up, almost a joke, a has-been with a bad weave who was desperately holding on to a fanbase that had long ago swapped their leather trousers for pension plans and brochures for assisted-living facilities. Throw in a supermodel girlfriend, a hit reality show and behaviour that would get him arrested anywhere else in the world, and the result was the kind of homage that used to be reserved for state leaders and royalty.
She prided herself on being the last person in Los Angeles who still consumed carbs on anything other than birthdays, Christmas or the discovery that your partner was cheating on you with a twenty-two-year-old waitress.
Mellie unfurled her legs from under her and stood, her spiked heels and black leather trousers giving her a look that sat somewhere between Robocop and an occupation that demanded the use of a safe word.
Others saw a career that epitomized the very pinnacle of success. She wondered when he was going to get a real job and actually build something because ‘All you do is talk for a living. It’s not proper work, is it?’
My Review:
Another bitingly witty, cleverly plotted, complex, and multi-layered thriller full of twists, sensuality, scandals, and subterfuge. I lapped up every perfectly chosen and evocative word, snarky misdirection, and vibrant detail like a starving dieter on a binge. The characters were so fabulously flawed they were teetering on the edge of ruin yet I was fascinated by their work ethic and continued successes despite their jagged histories and poor choices. Shari Low is a skilled scribe and master storyteller while the synergy in pairing with Ross King has yielded a dynamic and explosive combination. I hope there is more to come as I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. ...more
This was the fairy tale, but she’d never liked fairy tales. Occasionally growing up she’d read them to Clemmie, but her sister had beeFavorite Quotes:
This was the fairy tale, but she’d never liked fairy tales. Occasionally growing up she’d read them to Clemmie, but her sister had been unimpressed by Alice’s version of the stories. The princess doesn’t punch the prince, Alice, and she doesn’t cook the frog in garlic butter.
Look at that. He’s as handsome as his car. Dark hair. I used to love a man with dark hair, although of course as you grow older your standards change. Now I love a man with any hair.
I want to spend all my todays with you.
My Review:
I love reading Sarah Morgan’s enticing and evocative tales any day of the year, but I have to admit that her holiday books are extra special. No one does Christmas better with contemporary women’s fiction. Snowed In For Christmas achieved the perfect balance of humor and tension with well-textured, complicated, and multi-faceted characters each with their own struggles, secrets, and family friction. My favorite character was the sassy and spry Nanna Jean, whose cleverness I can only aspire to emulate. ...more
Mimi immediately refilled her glass to the brim. ‘A good Chardonnay is like a good man,’ she said, taking a swig as the diners on the Favorite Quotes:
Mimi immediately refilled her glass to the brim. ‘A good Chardonnay is like a good man,’ she said, taking a swig as the diners on the next table turned to listen. Isabella agreed. ‘Both are best if they are transparent and expensive.
‘I was so keen on a hot romance and now it’s just too much like hard work, getting dressed up to go out and having to be on my best behaviour. I can’t be bothered. No…’ She shook her head. ‘I think I’d be better off with a dog. I’m getting quite attached to this young man.’ Heather rubbed Thor’s ears. ‘He’s loyal, no trouble and easy to manage.’
‘I’d dress up in my costumes and drink wine all evening. I called it my Chardonnay Show Time.’ She sighed. ‘Loneliness is a disease, Charlie. And it’s contagious– that’s why people stay away from you, in case they catch it too.’
...always is a very long time… All we have is now.
My Review:
I honestly revere and adore Judy Leigh. This was an insightfully bittersweet tale, written with profound inner musings and perceptive observations and laced together with clever prose that alternated between heart-squeezing tenderness and smirk-worthy humor.
Ms. Leigh magically conjures unusual yet lovable characters who never fail to endear as well as delightfully entertain. I treasure and covet her word skills. Book after book, I have reveled in her authentic characters and the thoughtful development of Mimi in this one was simply brilliant. And, of course, I totally agree with her about wine. ...more
There’s something about shiny things that appeals to Siobhan. Expensive jewelry, luxury lingerie, handsome men with perfect smiles. ShFavorite Quotes:
There’s something about shiny things that appeals to Siobhan. Expensive jewelry, luxury lingerie, handsome men with perfect smiles. She knows they’re probably too good to be true, but she just can’t help wanting them all the same.
Is it one of those hangovers where your insides are all burny, like they’re mad at you and inflicting their punishment from the inside out?
“He cheese-grated the whole of the front of his body on the trunk of a sycamore,” AJ tells Miranda, leaning forward. “You should have seen the state of the man’s dick after that, it looked like a half-chewed stick of pepperoni.” “Salami,” Trey says sulkily. “Not pepperoni. Big salami. Girthy salami.”
I’m ninety-six, Colin. When you get to my age you don’t give enough of a shit about anything to have ‘objections.’
It makes her itch to think that she’ll never know the why behind it all. Miranda is just one of those people: she picks the label off her beer bottle, she itches mosquito bites. She can’t leave things alone.
My Review:
This tale was full of surprises. I am now totally enamored with Beth O’Leary as she is a wily minx who led me astray, and now I’m feeling an April fool. Her engaging and cleverly amusing storylines were unpredictable and expertly paced to keep my curiosity primed. I thought I had Joseph pegged, but I was so far off the mark I wasn’t even near the target. I adored these complicated characters, each was uniquely quirky, multi-layered, and well-textured. This agile storyteller has climbed to the top of my favorites list. ...more
The truth was, she had still yet to hold so much as a formal tea at Henley Hall, even though she’d inherited it well over a year ago. Favorite Quotes:
The truth was, she had still yet to hold so much as a formal tea at Henley Hall, even though she’d inherited it well over a year ago. Not that she was antisocial; she often attended events at other estates, after all. It was just that having spent a lifetime abroad, she may have been perfectly comfortable tackling dangerous animals, and equally dangerous locals in far-flung places, but tackling the social niceties of England in her own home was a far more daunting prospect.
I hope sleep manages to creep under yer door before the dawn…
‘I did bring the ultimate make-everything-bearable-if-only-for-a-few-delicious-moments medicine.’ She tipped the tray, making the plate bearing an impressive display of chocolates nestled on an ivory napkin clink against the bottle of sherry and the two crystal glasses.
Exhaustion is fatigue’s elder brother, sickness be their parents.
My Review:
I continue in my dabbling of holiday-themed tales and have combined that with my adoration of Verity Bright, as I can proudly state I have read every book in this delightful cozy mystery series set in the 1920s. The engaging and amusing storylines are original and easy to follow yet unpredictable with a nuanced network of twists and turns while the gentle pair of an adventurous titled lady and her every prepared and brilliantly acquitted butler make their observations, ponder the possible suspects, and fine-tune their theories. This tale took the pair to the land of my forebearers in the clear and frosty air of Scotland during the holidays – oh, I do loves me a Scottish burr. The narrative also included a spot of whimsy with the inclusion of a selkie, a mythical creature I was compelled to consult Mr. Google for further edification. What fun! ...more
The man handed over a brown envelope. ‘Burns Funeral Crematory Services.’ Grace cocked an eyebrow. She knew she was now in Scotland anFavorite Quotes:
The man handed over a brown envelope. ‘Burns Funeral Crematory Services.’ Grace cocked an eyebrow. She knew she was now in Scotland and Burns was a popular surname around these parts, but she wasn’t sure that was the best name to use for a crematory service, though it definitely did what it said on the tin – or the urn.
It’s on the calendar and when any mum writes anything on the calendar it’s law.
My Review:
This was an entertaining and easy-to-follow women’s fiction story set in a small village in Scotland with substantial currents of family drama and a gentle undercurrent of a budding sweet and light romance. The storylines flowed with humor as well as real-life issues for a struggling single mother of three young boys fleeing an abusive situation. The characters were endearing and the storylines and writing style were engaging and lively. While this is the seventh installment in a continuation of a series, it could easily be read as a standalone ...more
Sometimes tourists stopped them in the street when they were on days out in Fort William or Inverness, wanting a selfie with a true reFavorite Quotes:
Sometimes tourists stopped them in the street when they were on days out in Fort William or Inverness, wanting a selfie with a true redheaded Scotsman of the clan warrior type. She’d come to think of it as the Outlander effect.
Years ago, she would joke with her girlfriends – thank goodness for girlfriends – about the need for regular marriage maintenance sex. Maintenance sex was a bit like sending your car for a service to keep it roadworthy… If Ruth’s sex life was a car, its road tax had well and truly expired and it was up on bricks in the driveway.
My Review:
This was a fun and satisfying women’s fiction read with clever wry humor and interesting twists on several familiar tropes with something to appeal to just about everyone. The book started with a dumped broken-hearted traveler hoping to save her career in the back of beyond who wasn’t all that sympathetic on arrival as she was aloof, self-serving, and acted like a snob, but she grew on me. I also enjoyed the empty nest couple with the exasperated menopausal wife hoping she could reconnect with her workaholic husband on their holiday. However, the majority of the storylines belonged to the loved-up innkeepers - an anxious older mother-to-be and her ever attentive and lovable Scottish weaver, the perfect BBF with a delicious burr in his voice. Rounding out the cast was a small village full of gentle and unique characters and family members. The storylines were engaging, the characters were endearing, and the writing was insightful, amusing, and easy to fall into. Sigh, I need more Scotsmen in my life. ...more
Sarah wondered how the whole world could turn itself on its head with a few small words. How in the space of a few seconds, joyful momFavorite Quotes:
Sarah wondered how the whole world could turn itself on its head with a few small words. How in the space of a few seconds, joyful moments could change to such devastating ones? She desperately wanted to say a million things… But her voice wouldn’t come, only the tears… there was nothing to say. Since they came from the soul, Hamish would understand her sentiments without the clumsy use of words, without the need to taint the feelings with adjectives.
Sarah sensed the strength of the voice but detected a tiredness within it. A voice that, she felt, could shatter glass if raised enough in volume, but one with a strained edge as if the owner were weary or disguising pain.
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!
My Review:
I am fervently enamored with R.V. Biggs's writing style and descriptive storytelling. I seem to fall into his narratives all too easily and find myself extremely reluctant and quite vexed in having to extricate myself from his tales when my avid perusal is rudely and brazenly interrupted by such frivolous real-life issues such as the need for sustenance, employment, or sleep. His characters are as intriguing and compelling as the storylines they inhabit. I am fully invested and raring to continue on with the third installment, Broken.
And, score! I have a new addition to my Brit Words and Phrases list with clever clogs, which Mr. Google informs, is a person who is annoyingly clever. I’m doubtful anyone could accuse me of that, as I’m just typically annoying. ;) ...more
This installment was far more tragic and complex with metaphysical elements than the earlier volumes, yet I found it just as gripping and shrewdly ploThis installment was far more tragic and complex with metaphysical elements than the earlier volumes, yet I found it just as gripping and shrewdly plotted. I’m typically rather lazy when it comes to reading this mix of genres due to all the world-building and the creation of otherworldly rules and skills, so due to my sloth, I seldom read them, but this one was well worth the effort and I'd gladly continue on with subsequent volumes if the author could be bribed to continue on.
The uniquely crafted and cleverly contrived storylines were engaging and actively building in tension and menace while keeping my curiosity primed. Yet I kept wondering why a policeman turned farmer living in the country and experiencing threats didn’t have a gun. I was fully invested and had several theories going while often holding my breath in foreboding dread as I was afraid of what was to be unearthed concerning Jamie, the vulnerable child with Selective Mutism, or was he? I worried there was a dark force around or within him as he had no discernible soul or aura to those who could see them. I never would have guessed his contribution to the conclusion of the story and found it quite appealing. R.V. Biggs is a wily one. ...more
Secrets. Everybody had them. The only people who didn’t were six feet under.
He’d helped me more often than I could remember; he had a Favorite Quotes:
Secrets. Everybody had them. The only people who didn’t were six feet under.
He’d helped me more often than I could remember; he had a good heart. But if you wanted to find it, you had to be prepared to dig.
She stepped back to look at him. ‘How do you manage to stay in such good shape?’ ‘Clean living. Avoid it at all costs.’
She rummaged in her bag again with the enthusiasm of a panhandler, except the silver and gold she was after were dried leaves and paper. Diane inhaled hard enough to suck the oxygen from the room; when she spoke, there was smoke in her voice.
When it suited him, Andrew was a paid-up member of the Awkward Squad.
My Review:
Owen Mullen is a master storyteller but he must have a dark and dastardly soul as his well-crafted storylines were dripping with gripping intrigue while raw, gritty, and cringe-worthy with violence and twisted cruelty. I found I was flinching and needed to take it in stages and periodically put my kindle down and walk away. Finishing took me quite a bit longer than expected yet I couldn’t leave it alone. I was hooked, ensnared, and addled by my unrelenting curiosity as the clever wordsmith wasn’t giving anything away. I had to know the who, why, and how as his well-honed mystery seemed unsolvable. The little pea in my brain was working overtime and although my meager gray matter failed to crack it, the beleaguered yet persistent bloodhound Charlie Cameron came through. I was so proud of him I now feel compelled to read all the previous books in this series.
In addition to a new addiction for crime thrillers, I came away from this book with a new entry for my Brit Words and Phrases List with wide boy – which is British informal for a man earning a lot of money in a nefarious or illegal manner. Not at all the image I had pictured ;) ...more
She wasn’t exactly friendless in the Metropolitan Police, but it surely felt that way. She was like a wounded lioness in a pack; the oFavorite Quotes:
She wasn’t exactly friendless in the Metropolitan Police, but it surely felt that way. She was like a wounded lioness in a pack; the others had smelled her weakness and were moving away from her. Hyenas were circling in the distance.
About twenty or so people were sitting, in various stages of undress, watching a widescreen TV with rapt attention. There was a lot of wrinkled flesh on offer. The baby boomers were not going gentle into that good night. She stared at what was going on in horrified disgust... The Mackinnon Arms hotel was obviously the centre for some sort of ageing island swingers group.
It stood on a street corner as a tired old prostitute might, soliciting trade, and not doing very well. Its sign was peeling; a chalkboard advertised ‘Exotic Dancers’ on Saturday afternoons. A poster said, ‘Food available’. In the Rob Roy that sounded more like a warning than a promise.
She watched his face redden; it happened from the base of his neck upwards like mercury rising in a thermometer. His normally pale face was flushed and she didn’t think it was from exertion.
The flat was sparsely furnished with cheap furniture. As well as the smell of the cannabis, there was a strong smell of poverty. The carpet was threadbare, the sofa had been fixed with duct tape. The armchairs were of the sort that old people were sometimes discovered dead in.
My Review:
This crafty wordsmith is flawless. I am totally enamored with and ensnared by his impressive word voodoo. The man has mad skills! His use of metaphors and descriptions was cleverly creative, vivid, and easily pulled keen visuals to mind. Plus, I cannot get enough of his complex and enigmatic kickass chick character of DCI Hanlon. I know it was mentioned in an earlier book but I honestly don’t recall her first name, everyone just calls her Hanlon, as does she when she introduces herself. She is deeply flawed and tough as steel-toed boots, yet still human and able to feel the occasional prickles of unease at how others relish her misfortunes and are enjoying her downfall, although she is surprisingly comfortable in her own skin. I will most likely always be striving for her level of self-acceptance. I adore her but wouldn’t want to have her laser focus honing in on me. ...more
“Bugglas Booker is awake,” she said with a sniff. “I think he’s a bad baby, Auntie Flora. He is very cross.” “Douglas,” said Flora forFavorite Quotes:
“Bugglas Booker is awake,” she said with a sniff. “I think he’s a bad baby, Auntie Flora. He is very cross.” “Douglas,” said Flora for the nine hundredth time. “His name is Douglas.”
“Turkey is ’orrible! Is huge dry chicken! Huge dry unhappy chicken!! … Do not eat unhappy animals!! Is unhappy! That is why”— he paused for emphasis—“ so many fights at Christmas.”
“Who is that new chap anyway?” said Mrs. Brodie suspiciously. “I’m just saying. He’s a bit of a ride and no mistake.”
They hadn’t had quite such an entertaining evening since Wullie Stevenson had gotten his false teeth stuck bobbing for apples at Halloween and scared the living death out of all the children by taking them out, apple and all.
“She is being the brattiest brat in the history of terrible brats… Would you like another kid? You’ve already got one, it shouldn’t be too much trouble.” “Most people wait till after eight A.M. on Christmas morning to try to give their children away,” said Flora… “Seriously, you don’t even have to keep her, you can sell her to pirates,” said Eilidh…
“But you make me not want to be a jerk,” he said. “Well, I’m not sure it’s working.”
My Review:
It is still close enough to Christmas with a nip in the air, so I see no reason to stop reading Christmas stories, and this one was good fun and hit all the feels from the lows of grief and humiliation to the highs of a freshly acquired sense of purpose and pride as well as new and deepening love affairs. Plus, I adore Jenny Colgan and I will read her any chance I get, regardless of the season. The cleverly constructed storylines were engaging and relatable and packed with wry levity and amusing observations from a large cast of compellingly quirky and complex characters. I giggled-snorted and gleefully laughed aloud several times during perusal and cannot recall ever enjoying a nativity scene as entertaining as this one.
And as a bonus I have a new addition to my Brit Words and Phrases list with blowsy; which Mr. Google tells me is course, untidy, and sluttish. Score! I have plans for that word, big plans… ...more
Heartcross sounds a bit like Hotel California as once people come, they “never leave.” I adored the character of Roman, of course, he could only existHeartcross sounds a bit like Hotel California as once people come, they “never leave.” I adored the character of Roman, of course, he could only exist between the covers of a book as he is too good to be true. I’m enjoying this sweet series as the storylines are relatable, the characters are likable, and each book can stand alone quite well with the previously featured characters and locals continuing on with updated storylines in subsequent volumes. And no obnoxious cliffhangers insight. This is how a series should be! ...more
‘He and his wife didn’t get on, and she moved to the other side of the island once their son was at the high school. And every day he’Favorite Quotes:
‘He and his wife didn’t get on, and she moved to the other side of the island once their son was at the high school. And every day he’d ride his bicycle over to visit her, and on Fridays he’d take a posy of flowers to her. They got on like a house on fire once they’d separated. It was quite the love affair, apparently.’ ‘And they never moved back in together?’ ‘And risk spoiling their romance? Goodness, no.’
I have a theory that nice, available Highland blokes who aren’t out grafting twenty-four-seven are like Brigadoon; one rises from the mists every one hundred years.
‘So, it’s manicure, facial, manscaping those brows and taming that chest wig that’s escaping his shirt?’ Beatrice whispered. Cheryl laughed. ‘Eee, I thought it was going to jump out and run up someone’s trouser leg when I first caught sight of that fuzz.’
Scottish tablet… A whole bag of sugar, large can o’ condensed milk, wee scrape o’ vanilla and a splash of whole milk. Then you boil it up until it looks like a raging furnace in the pan… You only know the stuff’s ready when the bubbles have risen to the top o’ the pan, your eyebrows are singed clean awf and you truly fear for your life… I’ve known folk lose fingers making the stuff. Melted, they were!
The girls at the Hub used to show me their dating profiles and the men they were matched to. They were a gruesome crop of middle managers with hairy backs, halitosis and three mobile phones and ten women on the go at once. Half of them have wives!
My Review:
Scotland is the land of my forbearers, so I do loves me a Scottish burr and this tale had lots of thick and juicy ones with an especially tasty one from a sexy redheaded knightly willow weaver. Atholl was divine!
I wasn’t sure if I was going to appreciate the main female character of Bea as at times she had been curt, critical, impatient, arrogant, and outright rude toward her Scottish hosts, and I was disappointed with her annoying and thoughtless behaviors. I didn’t seem to have that problem with the sexy Scotsman, he was a tender heart and a kind soul - and I adored him. The storylines and writing style were engaging, active, insightfully written, well-paced, and often cleverly amusing with unusual activities and misadventures by a cast of quirky and original characters.
I collected several fun new Scottish words to add to my British Isles Word List with ceilidh – a traditional Scottish social gathering usually with dancing, braw – fine, and birling – spinning around like the logs in their Highland games. ...more
By the time she’s done, I’ve only heard, and taken in, a fraction of what she’s said. But I have developed, in my head, a full technicFavorite Quotes:
By the time she’s done, I’ve only heard, and taken in, a fraction of what she’s said. But I have developed, in my head, a full technicolour adaptation of how, given the chance, I would inflict the slowest and most painful death possible upon her. This beast needs to be slain.
‘She is clever. With Aaron she is like butter that would not spread.’ ‘You mean melt.’ … ‘She is a real jacket and hype.’ ‘You mean Jekyll and Hyde!’
I don’t have time for men in my life… My rule is to enjoy looking, but not to touch. They never turn out to be as good as the fantasy anyway.
‘So, you are older. This is good. You can teach him. You can be his puma… You know.’ Reyes searches for the explanation. ‘The older woman who takes a young hombre.’ ‘The word you’re looking for is cougar,’ I say flatly.
‘You are not over this hill.’ Reyes swipes her hand through the air, causing me to instinctively duck. ‘You are only thirty-one. This world is still your oyster sauce.’ ‘Oyster,’ I correct her. ‘It’s just oyster.’
My Review:
This was a slowly developing character-driven novel of women's fiction with random yet frequent sparkles of amusing levity. I initially struggled with this one as I had difficulty working up much empathy for the main character as Liv came off as snobbish and just far too over-served with her own self-importance. Her goals were serious yet she lived a frivolous and shallow life while contemptuous of anything that appeared beneath her desired standing – Liv was not someone whom I would enjoy sharing my air. But I felt her devastation and inner turmoil and understood her issues once her history was revealed.
The secondary characters were an entertaining and interesting collection of likable personalities and the impetus of most of the humorous content with malaprops from an adorable English as a second language speaker. And the character's surreptitious blog posts were beyond clever with tasty gin pairings that I was eager to replicate and consume. However, I nearly spluttered my Tom Collins at the idea of Liv waking up and discovering her new blog had amassed over twelve thousand subscribers without effort, that and her expectation to make serious coin from said blog. I laughed and laughed…
I stumbled upon a fun addition to my British Isles word list while enjoying this highly fictional account - with stonker, which is something that is large or impressive. I had a stonker of a bill for bar supplies after reading this thirst-inducing missive....more
I can only hope you never have any problems in your life, Hazel, because no one will be at all sympathetic if this is how you treat otFavorite Quotes:
I can only hope you never have any problems in your life, Hazel, because no one will be at all sympathetic if this is how you treat other people going through a tough time.
I think that if you’re the kind of person who worries about not being good enough then you have nothing to worry about. The people who think they can do anything and everything are not always the people you want to be around, are they?
My Review:
This story needs a warning label for dieters as the delicious descriptions of divine baked goods had my mouth watering and ample stomach area groaning for sugar and butter. The tale was insightfully written from the first person POV of Emily, a character I often wanted to give a pinch and swat to the back of the head for being so indecisive, lily-livered, and easily manipulated by her selfish boyfriend, even after knowing he had betrayed her. ARG! But then again, maybe I’m too harsh, as I do tend to espouse to the Lorena Bobbitt School of Revenge. The engaging storylines were relevant, slowly paced, heartfelt, and highly caloric. But be aware - this book is a bane to dieters everywhere and apt to cause diabetes ;) ...more
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