Victoria Cooke

Who wouldn't want to read a book about a woman managing a group of hot male exotic dancers on a tropical island?

Whew! Ms. Cooke knows how to reel you in from the start by throwing you into the wild fray of Kat prepping her "boys" to get ready for their next hot and sexy gig. Let me just say I wish I were there in the flesh. ;)

I really enjoyed the romance between Kat and Jay, the newest and oldest member of the Heavenly Hunks. Though Kat doesn't like to mix business with pleasure, they show more slowly become friends who open up about the pasts they would rather forget, but which still affect them when it comes to relationships. Kat is a strong, savvy manager who cares greatly for the guys and when she needs to make a decision that is best for all of them, she unselfishly sacrifices her happiness for theirs. It takes her some time to come to terms with her insecurities, but she finally makes the right decision. And Jay is someone every woman needs. He is compassionate, considerate, and oh, so hot. His past is heartbreaking and I would have snatched it up in a minute. As for Marcus, Sammy, Paul, Ant, and Hugh...what can I say? Yummy!!!

I relished this fun and romantic story full of hot men and a beautiful setting. I recommend you kick back, grab a Sangria, and immerse yourself in a great summer read! Also, pick up Ms. Cooke's A Summer to Remember for another fun summer read.

Thank you to Ms. Cooke for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less

Who hasn't wanted to take their hands off the wheel of life sometimes and just let go? Have you ever actually DONE it or even contemplated just how you might do it? Yeah, me neither...but Melissa gets that very chance and thanks to her enabling yet interfering boss, she'll stick to the approved plan to the letter. What plan? Oh, that...no technology for a FULL MONTH, meaning her dateless connection lacking life has to be built up through old-fashioned means. Remember handwritten notes, and show more letters? Remember actually paying someone a visit as opposed to tagging them on social media? Those were the days...or so I'm told. Hey, I'm not THAT old. Cell phones may not have been everywhere in my youth, but they did exist!

If you're thinking, woe is me, think again. While it's true, not everything is sunshine and roses for her as she starts out, and the lack of ability to update others in an instant definitely adds its challenges, the end result of her social/work experiment may garner a different ending than you might at first think. Personally, I think I could do it, but leave the romance aspect out because yeah, I'm hopeless at that end of the spectrum...and I would miss my "online life", but then again, I had to do without it for almost a month thanks to that blasted storm...talk about withdrawal and a rude awakening...but I think it would be refreshing to actually connect with people face-to-face once again. So...would YOU be able to do it? Think hard...or just read this fun-filled adventure for a potential "what if" fulfilled.

Recommended for Contemporary Romance and Chick-Lit readers.


**ebook received for review show less

You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews

It Started With A Note was beautiful French countryside romance, revolving around Cath, her trip to France retracing her great grandfather’s footstep by fulfilling his dying wish and finding a new meaning and perspective of life.

What I liked-

Plot was really interesting. 37-years-old, Cath was a single mother who lived life for others that included her lousy bother- Gray and unconcerned son-Kieran. She deserved more in life. All show more she needed was a ‘me-time’ in foreign country, a perfect way to get away from monotonous life and spend her employee of the year bonus. Tired of Gary’s unappreciative attitude, inspired by her great grandfather’s letters from WWI era, and after persistent persuasion of her work friend- Kaitlynn, Cath decide to take break and go to France and retrace her great grandfather’s footstep. But falling in love and holiday romance wasn’t in her itinerary.

This was different from all previous books I read by Victoria Cooke. Writing was amazing, flawless, taking me right into the setting of the book. Author brought out lifelike image of places, food and characters in it. And the heartwarming romantic scenes were the cherry on the top.

What I loved most about the book was, author covering the famous WWI memorials- Lochnagar Crater, Mametz Wood, Neuve Chapelle memorial, Menine Gate, In Flanders Fields Museum and many more- and all historical titbits on them in emotional and touching voice of Cath. Cath’s great-grandfather’s letters were another best part of the book. I loved to read them all. His love for his wife and daughter was heartfelt.

Cath’s sensitive and empathetic nature took her close to her great-grandfather who was long gone. She could feel what he might be seeing and experiencing. It changed her perspective and gave her strength to roam the streets of foreign land alone. Author expressed her feeling so realistically that I could feel it myself. Along with her it amazed me how her great-grandfather managed to learn French in dire situation.

Cath was funny, charming, practical, empathetic and sensitive woman. I loved how quickly she befriended other tourists at her hotel and how she met Olivier through them. Her bonding with American couples was unique and refreshing. I loved the ladies of the book, Martha, Kaitlynn, Cynthia and Jackie. They brought out the best in Cath and how they motivated her to live life better.

Cath’s relationship with Olivier and all other characters was charming to read. Her development was great. I loved how she turned out independent, strong woman. How she came out of her monotonous routine and embraced beauty and culture of foreign country, found her love for travelling, and her passion that she lost in raising her son alone.

Olivier was perfect gentlemen. He was everything you want in your partner- smart, knowledgeable, empathetic, funny, lively, handsome, rich and he could cook! He also had bad and dark past but I loved his honesty about it. He was real prince charming. It was crazy Cath took so long to accept her feeling for him. The time she took to decide about her relationship with Olivier and future was bit too much. From her perspective it was genuine but for me as a reader, it felt like she was over complicating things. Anyway, I loved how it turned out in the end.

The happily-ever-after ending was cherry on the top of all the wonderful things in the book.

why 4 stars-

It felt little slow in last 30% of the book. As I said I didn’t appreciate how long it took for Cath to decide what she want from her relationship with Olivier, even though Olivier was ready to work it out and coming up with all different option.

conclusion-

Overall, it was entertaining, engaging with beautiful writing and characters. A chic-lit, holiday romance in French countryside that I recommend to fans of this genre.

*** Note: I received e-ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. *** show less

Maybe your heart can be happy again on a different continent.

This is a fun story about lost love and finding happiness again.

Sam is lost without her husband and refuses to date anyone again. Ethan has lost his wife and tried to forget by dating too many women. Will they be able to move on with each other?

Why is it that when you want something bad enough and work hard enough for it, it doesn't come until the worst possible time?

Set in London, Boston and Cape Cod, the story brings Sam to show more Boston for her dream summer marketing job in Boston and on the way she meets new friends on a trip to the beach. Though Sam and Ethan don't hit it off at first, the slow build up of their relationship is sweet. When Sam breaks it off knowing she lives across the ocean, she is offered a permanent job in Boston. Will she stay or go?

Sam has been a widow for 8 years and her tendency to run away from everything is a bit childish and annoying. On the other hand, Ethan, who has been a widower for some time, is the calmness to her anxiety and his little girl Lexi is a smart cookie. Of course, I can't leave out Harry and Barney who are believers in true love and give a great lift to the story.

Thank you to Ms. Cooke for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review. show less