Here’s hoping you and your families are well in this run up to Christmas. I am aware of the Christmas freneticness starting already – there seems more cars on the road and more people in the towns. I am also aware that it is not aways a happy time for everyone.
It is a time full of layers of different feelings. A lot of my friends seem to have lost family members recently and it has somehow reminded me of my own losses. But, before I get melancholy, I decided that this blog should be a celebration of some of my favourite reads of the year. Perhaps that is the answer – getting lost in a good book?
My Go To Reads When Feeling Low
This year I have re-read three of my favourite novels, so I will share these in case you too are in need:
Wintercombe by Pamela Belle
An English Civil War novel with one of my favourite heroes ever.
Amazon Link here
A Hundred Pieces of Me by Lucy Dillon
A novel about starting again and what is important in your life.
Amazon Link here
Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts by Lucy Dillon
Reading this one at the moment and loving it just as much as the first time I ever read it. About an unexpected legacy with lots of dogs and relationship complications. Also marvelling at the complex plot and wishing I could write something as good as this.
Amazon Link here
My Favourite Reads of 2025
It has been a difficult to choose as I’ve read some great books but I’ve limited myself to six titles:-
Mending Hearts at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett
I have read most (if not all) of Jo Bartlett’s books and can sincerely say I’ve loved them all. I enjoyed this title too. It is a great addition to the Cornish Country Hospital series. You always come to care about Jo’s characters as you read and I was firmly on the side of Eden, Drew and Teddie. Lovely to see an appearance and keep up with characters from other books in the series too. Looking forward to the next book already.
Amazon Link here
The Santorini Writing Retreat by Eva Glyn
I absolutely loved this book and it is my new favourite by Eva Glyn whose books I have enjoyed before. It really felt as if I was part of the writing retreat myself with its wealth of characters with challenges and interesting back stories. You quickly become involved with the dynamics of Karmela, her mother and Iain, Zina, Lambros and her mother, Jo with her secrets and the other participants on the retreat who all have their own reasons for being there. I was keen to read the book having encountered character Karmela in The Dubrovnik Book Club by the same author. Lots of words of wisdom for everyone in the pages of this novel too which have been noted for use at a future date. Thoroughly recommend this title.
Amazon Link here
A Fresh Start at Polkerran Point by Cass Grafton
A Lovely Read. I think it is a pleasure not to be underestimated to sink back into a series of books you have enjoyed from book one. A Fresh Start at Polkerran Point introduces new characters to this series but also revisits old haunts and familiar faces. It is usually the sign of a good book when I sneak off to read more during the day as I did with this title. I really enjoyed the story of Kate, her daughter, Mollie, Dev and his son, Theo as well as catching up with familiar characters such as Kate and Oliver and Mrs Lovelace. Polkerran almost feels familiar enough to walk around by now and I thoroughly look forward to the next episode.
Amazon Link here
High Hopes for the Bomber Girls – Vicki Beeby
There is something so lovely about beginning to read the next book in a series when you already know and care about the characters and can’t wait to find out what happens next in their journeys through life. High Hopes for the Bomber Girls is a very satisfying conclusion to Vicki Beeby’s Bomber Girl series. Although part of me would like to see a book written about these characters after the war and later in their lives too. This novel concentrates on the story of Jenny, who is much cleverer than she believes herself to be, even with her mispronunciations of words she has only seen written down not spoken. The novel illuminates the impact of some of the things our servicemen and women had to endure and do in the war years and how this potentially affected their relationships and future lives. Lovely to catch up with Edwin, Pearl, Greg, Thea, Fitz, Deedee and Thomas too. As always with a Vicki Beeby novel, I got carried away with reading and was eager to get back to the book whenever I had chance. Can’t wait to see what the author will treat us to next.
Amazon Link here
Over The Sea to Skye – Sue Moorcroft
I think this is my favourite of the Skye Sisters trilogy. The story of Valentina really captured my attention and I found myself picking up my Kindle often to continue reading, even in the middle of the night! There are so many strands to this story that it holds your interest and makes you want to know what happens next. Those who have read the first two books in the series will already be familiar with the characters from these stories and enjoy seeing further developments in their lives. I found myself invested in the outcome of the relationship of Valentina and Xander and feeling for Barnaby’s young troubles about his father. Issues around adoption and meeting blood siblings also provides an interesting angle to the book. An altogether lovely read which had me reading faster but not wanting the book to finish all at the same time.
Amazon Link here
Christmas with the Princes by Hannah Langdon
What an absolutely delightful book! I think everyone should read this before Christmas to get into the festive mood. I have already read Christmas with the Lords and Christmas with the Knights by the same author, but I think this new title is my favourite. Imbued with Christmas spirit and I love the idea for an advent calendar. Routed for Nick and Laura from the start. Adored the character of Marilise and even the less nice characters play their parts in the story wonderfully well. I found myself in tears at one point at the poignancy of the story and didn’t want the book to end. Bravo Hannah Langdon – a great book! (I was sad to learn that Hannah Langdon the author of this book died unexpectedly before it was published)
Amazon Link here
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Morton S. Gray - Author 