This book can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone. The story centers on Jeannie, Kate, and Louisa, three young friends and coworkers at the Clarks Factory who are navigating life during the turbulent times of World War I. January 1916 after months on the front lines in France, Gerald, a pacifist Quaker, returns to live…
Rachel's Random Resources
Dashiki by Florence Wetzel | Book Review
I absolutely adored this cozy mystery! While I myself am now a huge jazz fan, I admit I haven’t listened to it much, Florence Wetzel’s passion for jazz shines through. I was immediately transported to a world of collectors and obsessive music lovers. I also really loved that this book takes place in Hoboken of…
Murder at Raven’s Hollow by Louise Marley | Book Review
Human bones are discovered at Raven Hollow, beneath the ruins of the Victorian greenhouse. Believing they are dealing with a cold case D.S. Harriet March and D.I. Ben Taylor find that the trail begins to hit far too close to home for some of the residents of Raven’s Edge village. Initially believe they’re dealing with…
Betrayal of Mercia by MJ Porter| Book Review
This story plunges readers into the intrigue and betrayal surrounding King Wiglaf, focusing on those closest to him who have turned against him. A medieval court trial takes center stage which left me pleasantly surprised by its gripping developments. Then just when it seemed like nothing significant would occur, there were unexpected twists. I will…
Maddy’s Christmas Wedding by Rosie Green | Book Review
Another delightful installment in the charming Little Duck Pond series! This time, we dive deeper into Maddy’s life as she prepares for her dream Christmas wedding and embarks on a magical hen do in Lapland. As someone who’s always dreamed of visiting Lapland, I found every description a joy to read—it was almost like being…
Christmas at Holly Tree Cottage by Eliza J Scott | Book Review
This heartwarming story weaves together two timelines, exploring Romy’s past and present as she returns to her childhood village and rents her former family home. It’s immediately clear that she and local farmer Finn Tindall share unfinished business. Despite the twenty-one years since Romy left, their undeniable chemistry lingers. Romy’s return reveals the struggles she…
Stuck in Second Gear by Carmen Reid | Book Review
This heartwarming story centers on family, resilience, and starting anew after divorce and loss. When Lucie’s daughter can’t make it to her father’s wedding in France due to a train strike, Lucie reluctantly agrees to drive her daughter and nephew, Deva, to the wedding. What starts as a simple road trip turns into an unexpected…
The Silver-Haired Sisterhood by Judy Leigh | Book Review
Judy Leigh delivers a heartwarming gem with The Silver-Haired Sisterhood, a celebration of living life to the fullest at any age. With a seventy-seven-year-old leading lady and a vibrant cast of similarly spirited friends—like the indomitable eighty-year-old Rose—this story reminds us that age is just a number and it’s our outlook on life that truly…
Mix-Up Under The Mistletoe by Margaret Amatt | Book Review
Rafe Harrington runs a successful travel company and enjoys a stylish city apartment. With a loyal and hardworking team by his side, he’s shocked to discover that a London-based rival is sending spies to undermine competing businesses. While investigating the company’s website, Rafe notices a captivating smile among the staff photos—that of Tilly Thorpe—and finds…
Pendragon by Peter Gibbons | Book Review
This is a much more realistic retelling of King Arthur. In this book Arthur doesn’t come across as a myth so much as as a regular man. If that makes any sort of sense. In other stories there is this unreal quality about him but here we see him more human than myth. Peter Gibbons…
