Anna Bell

This is light-hearted 'chicklit' with quite a serious theme - that of social media addiction. The opening chapter is rather salacious and full of innuendoes, and nearly put me off continuing. But I'm glad I did - and realised, much later in the book, that it was important as a kind of prologue.

The main story is about Daisy, a marketing expert who makes a huge mistake when she's out on a date and very tired... and this is the catalyst for a complete change in lifestyle, albeit a very show more reluctant one at first.

I didn't laugh out loud, despite the claims on the front, but once I got used to the informal present tense style, I did smile once or twice. And once I was about a quarter of the way through, I found it difficult to put down.

More bad language than I'm comfortable with, and a widespread acceptance of promiscuity that slightly shocked me... but a good story overall, with likeable main characters and some nicely caricatured minor ones. show less

Don't Tell Penny is a short story and prequel to Don't Tell the Groom, which I have yet to read. The story, about a much anticipated engagement ring, is told in the first person by Lou Talbot, the best friend of Penny, the expectant fiancée.

I found this short story rather amusing. I could imagine the lengths Penny had gone to, to look her absolute best for the evening, and her frenzied excitement at the prospect of Mark now being ready ready to pop the question.

I loved the secondary show more character Jane. I'm sure that everyone knows a 'Jane'. Jane's proposal story is bigger and better than everyone else's, but I felt she was more concerned with the material benefits of a marriage, and would never be as happy as Lou and Russell.

This is a quick, enjoyable read that has encouraged me to read Don't Tell the Groom. show less

The Bucket List to mend a Broken Heart is a heart-warming story of believing in yourself and pushing your boundaries to find a stronger you.

Abi is excited to be planning something special for her and Joseph’s one year anniversary. But when Joseph says “We need to talk” Abi’s whole world comes crashing down.
Abi’s time is now calculated in the number of weeks since the love of her life dumped her. However when Abi finds a list written by Joseph of ten things he would like to do show more before he turns forty she decides that completing this list is the perfect way to get Joseph back. Now her time is calculated in the number of weeks before she completes the list and gets Joseph back.

This was a fabulous story. Abi’s list was full of things that safe, cautious Abi would never have dreamed of attempting. It was touching to watch Abi grow stronger and more confident as she worked to complete the list.

The story is lighthearted and laced with humour. There is also an interspersed mystery of who is trying to sabotage Abi at work.
I really warmed to Abi. How can you not love a girl who likes to eat cake and not feel guilty about it? Sian comes in perfectly as the crazy friend who supports Abi but also tells her to be true to herself.

I won’t say whether Joseph comes back or not but I will say this has a HEA ending that will leave you smiling.

The novel ends with advice from Abi on making your own bucket list.

With my thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review. show less

Dit boek is luchtig en leuk geschreven en er zitten toch zeker een paar goede lessen in wat er nu echt telt in het leven.
Ten eerste wat gokken en andere verslavingen je leven kunnen gaan beïnvloeden maar toch ook zeker dat we steeds maar meer willen en verwachten in het leven,en dan heb je kans dat je je eigen wel eens tegen gaat komen.
Penny moeten een bruiloft regelen met het beetje geld wat ze nog over heeft na haar gokverslaving,maar leert dan wel wat echt belangrijk is.
Leugens die show more alsmaar groter worden,kan ze dit allemaal nog rechtzetten? show less