Another win from Audra! The series is seriously becoming a new comfort read. It’s hilarious and heartfelt, tender and romantic. With sweet romance andAnother win from Audra! The series is seriously becoming a new comfort read. It’s hilarious and heartfelt, tender and romantic. With sweet romance and strong friendships, what more could you want?!
Henry and Violet were darlings. Yes, dear Vi has a bent for being silly and naïve compared to Henry’s duty conscious, no-flirtatious-bone-in-his-body self. But they’re still cute. ...more
A collection of short stories featuring beloved friends like Hastings, Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence, and Miss Marple along with many new spectators. It’s A collection of short stories featuring beloved friends like Hastings, Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence, and Miss Marple along with many new spectators. It’s the perfect companion for a blustery mid-winter afternoon, cosied up around the fire with a blanket and a hot cuppa.
Naturally, some stories were better than others and some were just… balderdash (side-eyes “The Manhood of Edward Robinson” ...more
Hamlet holds a dear place in my heart. While this was my first time reading the play, I’ve seen my favourite stage production of it a dozen times.
It’Hamlet holds a dear place in my heart. While this was my first time reading the play, I’ve seen my favourite stage production of it a dozen times.
It’s dark. It’s gritty. And takes a huge mental capacity to decode. But it’s poignant and hauntingly beautiful. And don’t get me started on sassy Hamlet. ...more
Regency house parties were serious matrimonial battlefields! But I love it when they work out for the best.
Archie was a lovable, goofy golden retrievRegency house parties were serious matrimonial battlefields! But I love it when they work out for the best.
Archie was a lovable, goofy golden retriever, who’s a bit of a rake. Not so much that you despise him, but enough that he needs to charge course. Bridget was the cool, reserved black cat with her heart under lock, key, and deadbolt. I oscillated between loving her and wanting to shake her when she ran out of fear, but then I look in the mirror and see we’re very much alike in our gunshot attitudes. So I love Archie for her.
Also, shoutout to Wesley & Clara making an appearance, and the sweetest sister relationship between Bridget and Violet! So glad we will be getting Violet’s story! ...more
Everything about this book feels nostalgic. True, the American West is romanticised, complete with gunslingers, outlaws, and kidnapping. But the heartEverything about this book feels nostalgic. True, the American West is romanticised, complete with gunslingers, outlaws, and kidnapping. But the heart of the story is beautiful.
Ariana is a trooper. I love her faith and her trust in God. Laramie is a sweetheart; watching him come to faith and try to make right his wrongs was lovely. (And I always did like Sam, misguided as he was.)
Unlike some kidnapping stories where the girl falls for the guy while still kidnapped, I appreciated that the romantic feelings were distanced from the captivity part. Even if that twist at the end had me in a chokehold as a teen—I wasn’t prepared to be devastated, though it turned out fine.
All in all, such a charming read with a heartwarming message of trusting God. ...more
When the prologue is a smashing bit of cleverness, and then the first chapter leaves you chortling with hilarity!
A Christmas with Lord Edgington & ChWhen the prologue is a smashing bit of cleverness, and then the first chapter leaves you chortling with hilarity!
A Christmas with Lord Edgington & Christopher is a Christmas well spent. I loved seeing Christopher in the natural element of his hometown village, and his desire for a Christmas like it used to be when he was a child resonated deeply.
The overarching affair(s) plot line wasn’t my favourite although I did appreciate that it wasn’t something commended or encouraged. It was portrayed as wrong and made everyone uncomfortable.
That aside, the twists were invigorating, and I’m happy to say, I successfully called the murderer this time! All thanks to a handy little trick from my favourite FBI drama—it never steers me wrong, haha.
Content: the affair aforementioned between several married people; some mild innuendo/insinuations; mild language (d*mn)...more
The sweet story of a young woman who feels vastly under-qualified to be a preacher’s wife but lives a life of quiet & faithful service as she comes toThe sweet story of a young woman who feels vastly under-qualified to be a preacher’s wife but lives a life of quiet & faithful service as she comes to realise a willing heart—not showy acts—is what God desires most in His children.
Is it perfect? Of course not, but it’s a touching story to any heart that feels less than its calling. ...more
Lost on the moors on their way to Cornwall, Christopher & Lord Edgington crash a Christmas party and find three dead bodies in their wake.
I was trulyLost on the moors on their way to Cornwall, Christopher & Lord Edgington crash a Christmas party and find three dead bodies in their wake.
I was truly befuddled with this one! With this acting troupe, anyone was a suspect. Because when you’re regularly pretending to be someone else, it’s easy to deflect the truth when it matters most.
Lord “Ow” and Christopher “Christopherson” were once against a smashing success!
Content: no language; mentions of affairs; one of the actors is said to have slept with every woman save one in the theatre troupe; an almost kiss ...more
It was so fun catching up with Alice & Sullivan and Peter & Harper and of course Millie! This is definitely best read after book 3 of the Heirloom SecIt was so fun catching up with Alice & Sullivan and Peter & Harper and of course Millie! This is definitely best read after book 3 of the Heirloom Secrets series.
Clark always pens beautiful romance with soul-deep thoughtfulness. And that last plot twist gutted me in a way I wasn’t prepared for, though I was relieved there was something semblance of an HEA. ☺️...more
Growing up, the movies were for girls’ nights, with my mum or my cousin or my aunts and nana. As a teen, I read thThis series is so nostalgic for me!
Growing up, the movies were for girls’ nights, with my mum or my cousin or my aunts and nana. As a teen, I read the books, and the simple life & strong faith of these frontier families where neighbours relied on each other was every bit as enchanting then as it is now.
I heard the argument that these books were setting girls up for failure due to the unrealistic romance standards. But honestly, that stance misses the whole point of the book. Sure there’s romance—and it’s as squeaky clean as you’ll find short of no romance—but it’s about grief and community, finding Jesus and an everyday faith, weathering the hard times and finding joy in the simple things.
And when “that’s a good cup of coffee” in its own way means “I love you.” ...more
The story of where Lord Edgington & Christopher began….
It’s not quite as polished as the other 2-3 I read from later in the series. Edgington is sharpThe story of where Lord Edgington & Christopher began….
It’s not quite as polished as the other 2-3 I read from later in the series. Edgington is sharper of tongue in this one and always yelling, haha. But the mystery is compelling and very twisty.
I wouldn’t recommend starting with this one; it’s more palatable after getting a few other ones (namely the Christmas ones!) under your belt, but still an enjoyable read!
Content: more than in the other books from the series I’ve read, including… •1x of hell & 1 d*mn •Lord Edgington and Christopher walk in on a man and a woman in bed together in the morning (no details) •very mild innuendo about a man sleeping in a different bed every night & comments about Christopher not knowing precisely what a man and a woman do alone together romantically ...more
Feeling conflicted over this one. It was good but not great.
I absolutely LOVED seeing the late Queen Elizabeth II as a young woman, not just a queen.Feeling conflicted over this one. It was good but not great.
I absolutely LOVED seeing the late Queen Elizabeth II as a young woman, not just a queen. The peek into her private life of anxiety & struggles made her feel relatable, less far removed, and less like a figure head. Plus, the portrayal of her relationship with Prince Phillip was the cutest thing! Their flirting & banter & genuine care for each other despite the difficulties they navigated were so well done.
But there were 2 other main characters of the story—Jack & Olive. They’d been friends at the end of the war and then lost touch. But over 5 Christmases they find themselves reuniting. Personally, I found their story felt contrived, and I waffled between liking them and being indifferent. Since most of the book was told through their perspectives, I contemplated dnfing. It wasn’t bad… I just never felt a strong connection to the characters or their story.
It was the side characters who stole the show—Elizabeth & Phillip and dear ol’ Max.
The highest praise I can give any book is the historical attention to detail! It was MARVELLOUS. Webb & Gaynor know their stuff. From the ‘50s BBC atmosphere to the food descriptions, I could see the world coming to life off the page!
Content: mild language (but also includes several misuses of God’s and Jesus’ name); man gives another man the middle finger; a woman has a daughter out of wedlock; a man and woman sleep together offscreen and we get them waking up the next morning (they have no regrets about this then or later); a few casual mentions of sex and sleeping with someone...more
There’s just something about a matchmaking, meddlesome relative that tickles my fancy! (In the fictional realm, we can pass on it in reality, th4.5 ⭐️
There’s just something about a matchmaking, meddlesome relative that tickles my fancy! (In the fictional realm, we can pass on it in reality, thanks. ...more
Imagine you’re invited to Christmas dinner only to discover yourself trapped in a house by a snowstorm with nearly a dozen other guests and the murderImagine you’re invited to Christmas dinner only to discover yourself trapped in a house by a snowstorm with nearly a dozen other guests and the murdered host.
Brown gives us another tale of thrilling twists, hilarious humour, and a Christmas dinner menu that will make your mouth water! Or to quote L.M. Montgomery’s Phillipa Gordon: “That’s a book that always makes me hungry. There’s so much good eating in it.”
Content: no language; Christopher is scandalized by a bawdy tavern song (it’s written out and has some innuendo) ...more
time to rewatch The Sound of Music for the hundredth time because Julie Andrews is never a bad idea
I was expecting more poetry than short biographic time to rewatch The Sound of Music for the hundredth time because Julie Andrews is never a bad idea
I was expecting more poetry than short biographical snippets, but this was a lovely overview of the family whose musical prowess and heroic bravery stole our hearts 60+ years ago. ☺️...more
Turns out I read this years ago and never knew it was connected to Abby and Zach’s story, More Than Words Can Say! The whole way through Abby’s storyTurns out I read this years ago and never knew it was connected to Abby and Zach’s story, More Than Words Can Say! The whole way through Abby’s story, Rosalind’s secrets felt familiar. Like I’d read them in a book before but it was hazy, haha. Lo and behold, I had read Rosalind’s story before in a novella collection about the Harvey Girls.
Rosalind and Caleb are cute together, and there’s a good message of grace. It makes more sense if you read Abby and Zach’s story first otherwise it feels a bit too rushed. When you know the back story, the flow works better. ...more