Nicola May

Wow, this book is fantastic. I thought it might be a sweet read, but it completely exceeded my expectations and, although it has some sweet bits in it, it's much more than that.

Rosa Larkin has inherited the Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay. Nothing that unusual really except that she has no idea who left it to her, or why. Rosa's had a tough time and it is a chance for her to make a go of something, especially as there is a condition that she can't sell the shop. So off she goes to show more Cockleberry Bay, leaving behind her landlord/flatmate/friend with benefits, Josh.

Cockleberry Bay is one of those places where everybody knows everybody else's business. That's hard for a girl used to London where so much is anonymous. But she makes friends and starts to settle in nicely. There are some great people and some not so great in the Bay, and I liked the fact that it wasn't all nicey-nicey. I have to say that one of my favourite characters was the one Rosa left behind - Josh. But he appears plenty in the story so I was pleased about that. I loved Mary, and also Jacob and Raffaele, who were all a massive support to Rosa. And Rosa herself is a fantastic creation - so feisty, so no-nonsense, so much fun and I can't fail to mention Hot, Rosa's sausage dog. What a fab little dog and friend to Rosa he was.

I love books set in and around shops so all the details about the Corner Shop were right up my street. There's a mystery for Rosa to solve regarding who left it to her and I loved how it all came together, particularly the fabulous ending.

This book was just a complete and utter pleasure from start to finish. It has a beautiful setting by the sea in Devon, a fabulously prickly protagonist, some gorgeous men for Rosa to fall for, a shop, a cute dog and some fab supporting characters. It has it all! I was sorry when it ended and would love a return to Cockleberry Bay, perhaps focusing on another character (one, in particular, immediately springs to mind). show less

Welcome to Cockleberry Bay, the sweetest little Devonshire village, that nothing is what it seems

I will not lie, I totally picked this book solely because it is set in Devon, and seen as I'm really homesick at the moment, books based in the UK are making me feel happy. But what I didn't expect was the rollercoaster of emotion that I would experience or that I was at chapter 43 before I blinked an eye! So maybe this book should come with a warning! This book is so addictive that you will show more literally lose 3 hours of your life, and you won't care!

The whole book revolves around Rosa Larkin, a girl who grew up in the foster system, and has suddenly been left a shop in Cockleberry Bay! After the bumpy start to her life, and losing her charity shop job, she left London with the blessing of Josh, her roommate/BFF with drunk benefits and her dog Hot, and headed down to the sunny skies of Devon.

But this Cockleberry Bay could give Midsummer Murders a run for its money! And nothing and no one is what it seems!

Now I'm not going to share any more of the story with you, as you really need to go out and read it, because it is SO freaking good! And I totally admit, I didn't see the ending coming.

This is the first Nicola May book I have ever read, but it certainly will NOT be the last! The writing is fantastic, the way the author made the characters come to life just blew me away! I truly haven't felt this much empathy for a character in such a long time, that it shook me to the core a little!

Now to sum up The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay it is fantastic, gripping, no holds barred amazing 5-star book! And one I recommend everyone read and enjoy. show less

Aww, this is a lovely, heart-warming novella set entirely over the Christmas and New Year period.

Evie has just been cheated on by her boyfriend and knows that she will struggle to stay in their home by herself. So she's feeling pretty down with Christmas round the corner and agrees to help out at a homeless shelter with Greg, a lovely man that she has just met. Whilst there, she meets Yves, a homeless man who, over the course of the next week or so, takes her on trips around London and show more encourages her to leave her unhappiness behind and take a step towards finding future contentment.

This is a delightful story of finding a way back to happiness. Evie is lovely and I hoped that she might get together with Greg. Whether she does or not is something you will have to read Christmas Spirit to find out. She has a friend called Bea who is extremely crude but lots of fun. And then there's Yves who is just so full of wisdom, a person who you would want at your side, being your friend and looking out for you. I loved the outings they enjoyed together.

I thought I had worked out what was going to happen at the end but I didn't. It completely surprised me and I thought it was a lovely way to conclude Evie's Christmas story.

Nicola May has a very engaging writing style and if you want a genuinely feel-good read for Christmas this year then this is perfect. It's only short so doesn't take very long to read, but it's brimful of charm. show less

How Do I Tell You? Is a surprising read that starts out as just another story about a woman looking for more from life and suddenly becomes heart-wrenching, heart-warming and almost impossible to put down.

Victoria has a family she loves even though they’re difficult, a job she enjoys but is not the job of her dreams, and a relationship that is good enough but doesn’t feel like true forever love. She just feels there’s something missing. Shouldn’t there be more? Isn’t at least one show more part of your life supposed to feel over-the-top wonderful?

The official description of the book is vague and I’m not going to introduce any spoilers in this review; let me just say that the one night Victoria decides to throw caution to the wind, to let loose and have a good time is a night that brings devastating consequences. Friends and family support her, but Victoria realizes that if she is ever going to be open to what if’s and new experiences, fate has made this that time.

I enjoyed Victoria’s journey through this beyond difficult time. At the beginning of the story she was curt, sharp, borderline rude and seemed on the verge of despair. Watching her rise to the occasion of her altered life and future with grace, strength and hope was uplifting. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of How Do I Tell You? I enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less