The Lost For Words Bookshop. Stephanie Butland

Published: St Martin's Press
Date:  19th June 2018
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 304
Genre: Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Rating:
                      

Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never, ever show you.

Into her hiding place - the bookstore where she works - come a poet, a lover, and three suspicious deliveries. Someone has found out about her mysterious past. Will Loveday survive her own heartbreaking secrets?

I chose this title for the word bookshop, it will I think always catch a reader's eye. And it did mine. The cover for The Lost for Words Bookshop is kinda cute but it wouldn't have really pulled me in. However the character of Loveday Cardew was the gem within the pages that caused me to fall in love with this story.

The story begins at a gentle walk, then moves to a trot and finally a gallop you might say. There is a slow revelation to begin with as the book seamlessly moves between present day and Loveday's childhood. Slowly we find out why our Loveday is like she is.

And what is she like?  Well prickly... a loner kind of figure, and a great lover of books. She loves to work in the second hand bookshop, and mostly hide out from customers. She also loves poetry and wait for it... writes a bit of her own.  I liked how very occasionally Loveday addresses the reader, just enough for me to sit up with a jolt because I wasn't expecting it!

Archie is the bookshop owner, we only see him really through Loveday's eyes so we learn about him slowly, but everything we learn about him I loved. He has the perfect heart, well almost anyway. 

Archie isn't young so he isn't the love interest. Leave that to Rob and ....   Rob doesn't last too long and as you read you'll see very soon why. But.... now quite a different person comes into the picture, he's a keeper but will Loveday keep him?

This is a touching, quirky, delightful story. It does tackle the difficult subject of domestic violence so if that's a trigger for you maybe avoid, although it is mostly off stage. 

Often when I read I skip words/paragraphs. No word was lost while reading this book!

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All Night With The Cowboy. Soraya Lane

Published: St. Martin's Press
Date:  29th May 2018
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 304
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Rating:
                              

Tanner Ford has been riding bulls and busting broncos his entire life. So when he takes a hard spill—and sustains serious injuries—he refuses to believe his rodeo days are behind him. He’s determined to restore his body and revive his career. There’s just one problem: the finest physical therapist in town just happens to be the only woman he’s ever loved.

Lauren Lewis knows she made a huge mistake when she walked away from Tanner. But she was young, ambitious, and focused on her medical career. Now, after all these years, Tanner’s back—and, in spite of his injuries, looking better than she allows herself to admit. She agrees to work on Tanner’s big bruised muscles until he’s back in bull-riding shape again. But how can Lauren resist the smoldering attraction between her and her old flame. . .and find a way to live without him?

All Night With the Cowboy starts with a vivid piece of writing of a cowboy experiencing a very brutal ride that ends in him being severely injured. A great piece of writing that hooked me into the book.

Tucker is the cowboy and unbeknown to him his sister Mia sets him up with a physical therapist who is excellent at her job and very professional. Only trouble is... Tucker and Lauren go way back to when they were young and they broke each others hearts.  Tucker comes from a wealthy family and there is some tension there as his family would love him to give up his dangerous but adrenaline producing bull riding.

In Fiji Tucker and Lauren renew their acquaintance and the sparks fly. Can they just enjoy a bit of a fling while they are there and then go on there way? Come on, these two loved each other and they still could have feelings for each other. But... are they slow about coming to realise that they really matter to each other. So its a little tortuous as they get through all their challenges and past hurts and doubts.

Soraya Lane's writing is very good although I have to admit I am more of a reader for her women's fiction books which have a lot more character development and delve in more depth into life. 

However if you are an avid contemporary romance reader then this book would suit you well.

The Things We Keep Sally Hepworth

The Things We Keep
Sally Hepworth
Published: St Martin's Press
Date: January 19th 2016
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 352
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows there's just one other resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.

When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.

The story of two young people with early onset alzheimers. It breaks my heart to read such a story, but warms it at the same time. 

It is also the story of Eve and her recovery from a husband who has through shady financial dealings deprived Eve and her daughter of their home and through a subsequent action  -  a husband and father.  Through his financial dealings he has left many others penniless  as well. One of those awful stories you read about in the paper. In this story we catch a glimpse of those left behind dealing with the fall out. 

Being robbed of memory, life as one might expect - so many losses and most of all the loss of dignity - being treated as if you aren't there. Carers who don't really care and treat you not like the person you are. Being left in the hands of people who are mostly trustworthy but what of those who are not? However thank goodness for those with the eye of compassion and realisation of what really matters. My heart also went out to Jack (Anna's brother) and his family as they struggle to find their way through Anna's illness.

I liked the varying points of view - especially that of Anna before she loses her memory considerably. It adds a sadness and a realisation of the person lost in the illness.  It also gives us the truth, the truth that other characters don't have. Eve who has had a huge challenge thrown at her, but brings a compassionate pair of eyes to the situation at Rosalind Home. Clementine the daughter of Eve - the eye of innocence and charm that can relate to the people of the home in a way others can't and also experiences the cruelty of the school playground. And must struggle with the loss of her father and who he was for her.

I disliked Eric the manager of Rosalind House from the get go and have to admit, suspected him of more than what he finally is brought down for.

Once I started reading this book I had to keep going, I felt sad as I reached the final page, and yet thankful for the gift of the story.