Book Review Christmas at the Cat Cafe by Jessica Redland #romance

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Well, this book just wowed me. I have to say it was probably one of the best books I read in 2025, though technically I finished it at the beginning of 2006.

Blurb

It’s the most wonderful time of the year on Castle Street, and there’s a paw-some new business opening….

It had always been Tabby’s dream to work with cats and an inheritance from her beloved nanna has finally made that a reality. Idyllic Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay couldn’t be a better place for pastry chef Tabby to open a cat café with her boyfriend, Leon.

But when Leon leaves her in the lurch, the pressure mounts for Tabby. With Christmas fast approaching, she has to open the café on her own – a daunting prospect, especially when she’s been hiding her health issues from the ones she loves.

Faced with local resistance to the café – and somebody seemingly determined that she won’t succeed – Tabby will need her friends, family and cats more than ever to recover her broken Christmas spirit and pull together for a Christmas miracle.

Will the cat café bring the festive joy to Castle Street as Tabby had hoped or will it be a cat-astrophe? And can the magic of Christmas on Castle Street mend Tabby’s broken heart as well as her business?

My Mini Review

I loved every moment spent with Tabby and her trials with both her health, heartache and opening a very special cat cafe. The slow burn romance, friends to lovers trope and lots of furry friends made for the purrfect festive reading!

I really enjoyed the friendship and chemistry between Tabby and Tom, and loved their cute nicknames for each other; Tabby-cat and Tom-cat. The cats were all stars of the story as well.

Learning about Tabby’s chronic heath condition was interesting and felt completely believable and integral to the storyline. At no point did I find it too much, it made the story more interesting and made the relationship between Tom and Tabby even more special. I loved their connection. I shed tears quite a few times reading this book, Jessica is a master at getting to you feel the character’s emotions.

It really was a top read for me and I highly recommend it.

Check it out on Amazon.

Book Review A Mistletoe Miracle Emma Jackson #romance #romcom

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I know it’s not Christmas time anymore, but I still enjoyed reading this festive story. Well, actually I loved this book and it led to some late nights staying up reading.

Blurb

A Mistletoe Miracle is the cosy festive romance from best-selling author, Emma Jackson, guaranteed to have readers feeling the joy amidst the chaos of Christmas, and the heady rush of falling in love.

Heartwarming and hilarious, get ready for a generous sprinkling of snowflakes, mayhem and kisses…

Nestled in the sleepy, snow-covered village of Holinton, the Everdene Hotel should be the ideal setting for a perfect Christmas… But for Beth, returning to her childhood home looking for a chance to heal in peace after a disastrous break-up, it’s more of a fiasco than a festive fantasy.

With her mum stranded in a blizzard and most of the hotel staff off sick, Beth is forced to take the reins, impress a mystery hotel reviewer, and figure out if her attraction to Nick, the very grumpy – and very gorgeous – pilot who is staying for the holidays, is the real deal or a rebound headed for disaster.

Between mince pie emergencies, deadly decorations, and two dozen disgruntled guests, Beth needs to find a miracle under the mistletoe if she’s going to survive this Christmas…

Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Heidi Swain and Tarah DeWitt.

Mini Review

I loved the story of Beth and Nick, from the way they literally bumped into each other, right up to their last moment on the page together.

Beth has to cope with running the hotel when her mother is stranded miles away because of the snow. She does an amazing job of juggling a dozen tasks at once and still somehow manages to find the time to fall for one of her grumpy guests.

The festive feel to the story lifts your spirits any time of year. And as the blurb states so perfectly, there are plenty of mishaps to keep everyone, especially Beth, on their toes.

I’m pleased to find out there will be a sequel following two of the other guests, though I shall miss the Everdene Hotel and all of Beth’s antics.

This is my first read by Emma Jackson and it won’t be my last!

5 star read!

Check it on Amazon here.

Book review A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas #romance #netgalley

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

My Review

I loved this book, just as I have loved every one of Jo Thomas’ books.
It was a beautiful story of second chances at love, and at times it was very emotional.
I loved Thea and her children, and of course, Giovanni, who comes to their rescue as soon as they arrive in town. There are some real characters, and great backstory to unravel both amongst the townspeople and for Thea and her young family. Plus, it has a renovation theme, which I always love. Everything about this book had me hooked. I’d love another story set in the same town in Tuscany.
In fact, writing this review makes me want to read the book all over again!

It’s never too late to find where you belong…

Thea knew the holiday house her late husband Marco bought in Tuscany wasn’t pristine. But when she relocates to Italy for the summer with her children, she’s shocked by how much work Casa Luna needs. And she only has six weeks to fix it up ready to sell! Her only option is to ask the tight-knit Italian community for help.

In return, Thea and her children become involved in the community kitchen, working alongside handsome chef Giovanni and three very competitive nonnas. Gradually, Thea begins to open up to the people around her for the first time in a long while. But just as she’s beginning to wonder whether this small Tuscan town could become a new place to call home, a surprise visitor turns everything on its head . . .

Check it out on the Amazon book page.

Book Review Over the Sea to Skye by Sue Moorcroft #Netgalley #romance

Posted on November 12, 2025 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

My Review

This is the third book in the Skye sisters trilogy. I’ve enjoyed every one of the Skye sisters’ books equally, and I don’t think I can pick a favourite.
What I have loved is being able to follow each sister and still keep in touch with their siblings. Valentina’s story is just as engrossing as her siblings, and in some ways more emotional as she has a young son and broken marriage to juggle whilst falling in love. Xander has his own issues, but he is the perfect match for Valentina – if only life, family and location issues didn’t get in the way for both of them. This was a lovely end to the trilogy, and I highly recommend the series – just as I recommend every one of Sue Moorcroft’s books.

One summer on a beautiful island could change everything…

Valentina Taylor’s life has been upended. With her marriage over, and unsure of what her future holds, she heads to the Isle of Skye for the summer with her young son, Barnaby.

But the journey there sets her on a new path, when she meets Xander Courage on the train – a charming American, running from problems of his own. After sparks fly, they go their separate ways. But on this small island, they’re never far from one another…

Skye offers Valentina the refuge she needs as she whiles away the long summer days at her beachside cottage, enjoying visits from her sisters, Thea and Ezzie. But when bad news from home throws her Scottish idyll into turmoil, Valentina finds herself pulled away from the place – and people – that she loves.

Valentina knows she must confront her heart’s desires – but can she let go of the past and embrace the future she deserves?

Here’s and link to the Amazon book page

Book review Bella’s Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston #romance #RespectRomFic @ClaraVal

Posted on December 24, 2024 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I loved Bella and Jack’s story, from the moment they meet over a falling Christmas tree in a church, right up to the last page. It was a very entertaining read for any time of year.

Bella was a great character to follow. She has a big heart and puts family above everything else. This causes a few issues in her life, the biggest losing touch with Jack after a magical few hours together. I was desperate to read on to see if the couple would get their happy ever after.

I enjoyed being back at Halleybrook, and getting little glimpses into characters lives from the previous books in the series. This can be read as a standalone without an issues, though I highly recommend all the books, whichever order you read them. Oh, and I just found out last night that Claire’s book ‘Clues to You’ won the book bloggers novel of the year 2024 competition. I loved that story and think you should definitely check out all of Claire Huston’s books.

Finally, the cover has a really festive feel.

Check it out on Amazon.

Blurb

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

This standalone festive romance is set in the village of Haileybrook. The Haileybrook stories can be read in any order.

***

Happy Christmas everyone.

And happy reading!

#Christmas book reviews #netgalley reads by @SueMoorcroft and @jo_thomas01

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’ve read a couple of Christmas / winter books over the last month or so and thought it was the perfect time to share a little book love.

These were both Netgalley reads kindly given to me by the publisher, and are by two of my favourite authors;

Sue Moorcroft – A Skye Full of Stars

Firstly I love the title, Coldplay is one of the best bands in the world!

It was wonderful to get back to Skye and pick up with the three sisters and their lives. I love the set up in the country house estate, and it’s also a pleasure to experience the island in winter this time.

This story is packed with family, emotion and love.

Ezzie is a great character with her fair share of issues, and Mats is suitably swoon worthy.
The difficulties the leads face to love seem impossible to overcome, and I couldn’t stop reading to find out how a happy ever after was possible with so much against it.

Mats young kids were adorable. And Ezzie meeting her birth family led to plenty of teary moments.

A brilliant read and I’m looking forward to the last story in the trilogy next year (though it will be a shame to leave the Isle of Skye).

Next up

Jo Thomas – A Recipe for Christmas

This was another great cosy Christmas read by Jo Thomas. And with lots of chocolate – what’s not to love!

Clara was such a lovely character who seems to naturally help everyone she meets and brings people together. Gabriel was the perfect, brooding leading man.

I loved the Swiss location with all the vivid descriptions of the snowy conditions, and especially the chocolate school and Gabriel’s farm.

It was a stay up all night kind of read and I just didn’t want it to end.

Both books are 5 star reads – I’m never disappointed with a Sue Moorcroft or Jo Thomas book!

I’m hoping to squeeze in a few more Christmas reads this year, and am already 80% through Claire Hutson’s new book – Bella’s Countryside Christmas. Another book that is most definitely worth a read.

Enjoy your Sunday reading.

***

#Bookreview The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft #netgalley

Posted on December 17, 2023 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Heart warming and at times heart wrenching, but so, so good!

Blurb

A secret romance was just the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she’d thought it was…

My review

I really loved this book, as I do with every one of Sue Moorcroft’s stories. She has earned her title ‘Queen of Christmas feelgood novels’!

The characters were great and the situations they were in gave plenty of opportunities to tug at the heart strings. I found myself needing tissues quite a few times throughout this story.

Maddy is a strong woman, she’s had to be after her husband disappeared and left her in debt. She’s caring and always puts others above her own happiness, but with Raff there seems a chance for her to find love and happiness.

I loved Raff as the hero of the story, and I especially loved that he’s an author. A fantasy author at that!

The setting really came alive and the vivid depictions of winter in Nelson’s Bar transported me there. The supporting cast were excellent, Great Auntie Ruthie especially. It’s her backstory woven through the book that leads to so many of the emotional moments.

I love an epilogue and this one rounded off the wonderful tale perfectly.

Another excellent Christmassy 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC, the publishers and of course thanks Sue Moorcroft for another fantastic story.

***

Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories

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Blog Tour ‘This Christmas in Paris’ by Sophie Claire #bookreview #tuesdaybookblog

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I’m excited to be on the blog tour for This Christmas in Paris by Sophie Claire.

Blurb

What could be more magical than Christmas in Paris?

When Carys is offered the chance to run a little French café, she leaps at the chance to discover an exciting city where she can dream big.

Meanwhile, struggling journalist Mat is living in the City of Love – but he’s never found romance himself.

Then, a chance encounter changes everything, and it feels like the start of something wonderful. But Carys and Mat are both keeping secrets . . .

Can they open their hearts to one another – and maybe even find love, just in time for Christmas?

My review

I was drawn into the story from the first page and didn’t want to put the book down.

I liked first meeting Carys in Willowbrook, her small hometown with a tight-knit community. It’s quickly clear why she feels she must escape to find herself. She jumps in at the deep end and takes a job in Paris running the Red Cat Café while the owners have a family emergency. She might not be qualified but she does a great job of it, until a bad review knocks her confidence.

Away from the café, Carys meets Mat and forms an instant connection with him. They know nothing of each others lives, but over the course of a few months they regularly meet and begin to fall in love. But there are secrets between them, which could get in the way of a relationship.

I have to admit there were several times I wanted to stop reading and beg the characters to make different choices. However, I ended up reading on avidly to see the twists and turns in their relationship play out.

I loved all the scenes in the café as Carys does her best to increase custom and challenges the chef to be more experimental. The food descriptions are mouth-watering, but I especially loved the evening talent shows she organises and the mix of customers we meet along the way.

Carys and Mat are great leading characters and deserve to find happiness. You’ll have to read it for yourself to see if they do find love together, or if the secrets tear them apart.

Note – I love the added extras at the end of the book, especially the recipe for ‘Cake aux Olives’ which I hope to try making very soon.

Don’t forget to check out the other reviewers taking part in the tour.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC copy and to the author for writing another brilliant festive read. FYI – this is my honest review.

#Bookreview Summer at the Ice Cream Cafe Jo Thomas #netgalley #romance

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

The word heart-warming was made for this book. In fact it doesn’t do it justice!

And look at the sweet cover.

Here’s the blurb…

A dream home
Beca Valentino is ready to escape the city. When she sees the perfect house for sale in her hometown, it seems like fate. Is this her chance to build the foster family she dreams of, on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast?

A big mistake?
Returning home isn’t as easy as she thought, however. Her family’s beloved ice cream café is gone – turned into a soulless wine bar by her hateful ex-boyfriend. Reconnecting with her oldest friend, fisherman Griff, isn’t straightforward either. And when, instead of the children she expected to take in, two wary teenage boys appear on her doorstep, Beca fears she’s made a terrible mistake.

A recipe for change
But an old family recipe book is just the inspiration she needs. Soon, with a little help from friends old and new, Beca is selling mouth-watering homemade gelato from a pop-up café on the beach.

Then disaster strikes. Will the Valentino family legacy be lost forever? Or can Beca create a new recipe for happiness?

My Review

I can’t quite explain how much I loved this story. It was such an uplifting book to read, with so many moments that had me smiling and wiping away happy tears. Of course it had it’s sad moments too, and moments where I wanted to grab Beca and talk some sense into her.

The supporting cast were brilliant, especially the two teenage boys who came to stay. Watching them come out of their shells was a joy to read. And I love how Griff, Beca’s best friend from childhood, is always there to lend a hand, a shoulder to cry on, anything that Beca needs.

I think this has to be one of my top favourite Jo Thomas books. Give it a read, I’m sure you will love it too.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC copy. The book comes out on 27th April 2023, but you can pre-order it now on Amazon.

***

Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories

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Monthly round up – reading and writing #amreading #amwriting

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

I am not great at sharing reviews, which is a shame as I know how important they are to authors, so I’ve decided to try a monthly wrap up post to share what I’ve been reading through the month. I also plan to share any progress on my writing projects as well as trying to stick to a quarterly plan.

January Update

Reading

I’ve made a good start to the year and my Goodreads goal of 26. Reading 4 books this month has set me up well.

The Fifth Sun Series by Talis Jones has kept me entertained and I’m looking forward to the final installment.

Writing Romance Novels and Love Stories has given me plenty to think about and work through with The Mermaid Hotel Series.

Rules for dating a Romantic Hero was a quick read and enjoyable. A good choice to get someone into reading who is daunted by bigger books.

Christmas Kisses by Alison May was a great read. I loved how the three novellas were interlinked and how it all came together at the end. Very enjoyable.

Writing

My new audiobook came out in January – Love, Loss and Life In Between. I have free audio codes available for reviewers, so please get in touch.

Romance series

Book 1 has a new title (formerly known as Evie’s Song) – Secrets and Love Songs at The Mermaid Hotel. It really fits the story and the genre. Feedback so far has been brilliant. What do you think?

I’ve also decided that I’ve been mentally putting the book in the wrong category – thinking of it as Contemporary Women’s fiction when it’s closer to the Cosy Seaside Romance genre.

I’m still editing the above and have quite a bit of work to do on the descriptions and layout of the novel.

Other Writing

Starlight Prophecy – No progress

Other writing – Nothing to report.

Other relevant writing news

I have joined the Romantic Novelist Association’s New Writers Scheme, which turned out to be easier than anticipated. It means I can send ‘Secrets and Love Songs at The Mermaid Hotel’ to a reader in March and get new professional eyes on the story.

I have subscribed to Mslexia, the women’s writing magazine and taken out their special Salon membership which has various perks throughout the year.

I have signed up to the RNA’s course ‘Writing a series with a coastal or countryside setting’ taught by Jessica Redland (I’m reading one of her books for the first time and loving it!). I think this course will be really helpful as I plan the rest of The Mermaid Hotel Series.

Plans for February

Books I hope to read this month