blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: One Christmas Eve – Shari Low


Three women, three decades, three Christmas Eve moments that change their lives forever.
On Christmas Eve, 1968, Cathy McLean receives a surprise visit from the lost love of her life and is forced to chose between the one that got away and the one that stayed.
On Christmas Eve, 1993, Cathy’s daughter Helena is overjoyed to hear that her boyfriend is about to propose, until a devastating encounter threatens to bring her heartbreak instead of diamonds.
On Christmas Eve 2023, an shocking discovery rocks Eve Quinn’s world. The only gift Eve wants this year is the truth. But will it take a Christmas miracle to unravel generations of secrets?
Unwrap this festive tale of complicated families, impossible choices, and an unforgettable love that lasts three lifetimes.
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Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 30 novels, including My One Month Marriage and One Summer Sunrise and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So.
She lives near Glasgow.

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My thoughts: I’m writing this during a very hot summer, which makes talking about a Christmas book seem a bit mad. But it’s from the lovely Shari Low, and it’s a totally heartwarming and sweet story of three generations of women, all of whom hit a point in their lives on Christmas Eve, years apart. Moments that could go one way or another. And as the women relive their pasts, the future is happening right there and it’s all connected.

So maybe hold onto this one for winter, it’s definitely more of a snuggly read with a mug of hot chocolate and some cosy socks than right now, when I’m trying to decide how best to cool off! But it is worth the wait, it’s a three generational love story and will make you feel all warm and melty, in a good way!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

books

Cover Reveal: The Bookshop by the Loch – Julie Shackman

You know I love a book featuring bookshops, libraries etc so I’m thrilled to share with you the cover of this upcoming book – The Bookshop by the Loch. Read on for all the details!

Lexie Dunbar is a book lover. And her favourite place in the world is her local bookstore, Book Ends.  So when she hears that it’s going to be sold, Lexie decides she needs to do something to help.

Lexie’s plan to save the ailing shop is fully underway until gorgeous-but-grouchy artist Tobias Black arrives on the scene determined to turn the bookstore into an art gallery. Lexie is horrified; the last thing the quaint town of Bracken Way needs is a pretentious artist, even if he does seem to charm everyone but her.

Tensions continue to rise until Tobias discovers a shocking secret that shows they might have more in common than they realise. As sparks fly, can Lexie and Tobias work together, or will opposing ideas get in the way of them finding their very own happy ever after…

Pre-order Links 

Amazon UK Amazon US  

Publication Date: 29th February 2024

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, Cooper. The Bookshop by the Loch is Julie’s tenth novel.

Julie Shackman Author 

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blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Always by Your Side – Julie Haworth

WINNER OF THE ROMANTIC NOVELISTS’ ASSOCIATION KATIE FFORDE DEBUT NOVEL OF THE YEAR 2023.

‘A warm, romantic story about community, friendship and following your heart, Always By Your Side is a feel-good delight, I adored it!’ HOLLY MARTIN

‘Always By Your Side engages the reader from the very first page, and immerses you into the lives of Rose and her aunt, in the delightful setting of Blossom Heath. I loved it’ PATRICIA SCANLAN

When school teacher Rose loses her dream job at a London primary school, her self-confidence takes a knock. Worse still, her stockbroker fiancé, Ollie, sees it as the perfect opportunity for her to join his firm, which only adds to the feelings Rose has that their relationship might be coming to an end.

An unexpected phone call, and an elderly aunt who’s taken a fall, means Rose must drop everything – including Ollie – and return to Blossom Heath, the Sussex village she grew up in.

With no job to rush home to, Rose decides to stay in Blossom Heath for the Summer, trading London for the idyllic countryside. Here Rose finds herself reconnecting to the village life of her childhood in more ways than one, including falling head-over-heels for local farmer, Jake.

So when her London life comes calling, Rose is faced with an impossible choice… to return to the high-pressure life of her past, or embrace the joy of a new life in the country.

Bursting with romance and charm, Always By Your Side is the perfect uplifting Summer read for fans of The Switch and Rescue Me, from an exciting new voice in women’s fiction.

My thoughts: I loved this, Rose rediscovers herself and the things that bring her joy while staying in her great-aunt’s cottage in Sussex. With Auntie Jean in hospital, Rose sets about sorting out the cottage, making new friends, meeting hunky farmers (just one really) and adopting a little dog called Scout.

She even gets a job at the local primary school, providing cover for a teacher off sick. It’s a massive change to her last teaching job and prompts her to think about what she wants from her career and her life. There’s always time to start over and she and fiancé Ollie definitely aren’t the same people they used to be.

A really delightful, uplifting and charming read. Just lovely.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Dating Little Miss Perfect – Cassandra O’Leary plus giveaway!


On an anonymous online dating app, LittleMissPerfect meets HotAussie007 and it’s love at first click.
In real life, a smart but spiky woman in STEM, research scientist, Dr Eden, meets a laid-back Aussie marketing manager, Finn, at the big pharma company where they both work in California. They’re forced to compete for special projects funding, and both their jobs are on the line.
Eden just wants to win at science and in life. It’s not happening! She can’t stand Finn’s too-cool-for-school, nice guy act, or his delectable forearms that keep invading her space. While Finn is stupidly attracted to Eden, when she’s not telling him off, he isn’t free to pursue her. He’s stuck in the worst position in his professional life, and doesn’t see a clear way out. He can’t tell her the whole truth about what’s going on at work or in his personal life. . . or it could all blow up in his face.
When they realise the truth about their online alter egos, dating is off the table. Can they ignore their inconvenient attraction, and work together to take down their unethical boss? Or will intense
rivalry cause their IRL work lives and online love lives to collide and explode like a science experiment gone wrong?

Note: Dating Little Miss Perfect is an updated take on You’ve Got Mail for lovers of online dating romcoms, with added science, cupcakes and old movie references! This new release from award-
winning author Cassandra O’Leary is a stand-alone contemporary romance novel of approximately 97,000 words.

Universal link Amazon US Amazon UK Kobo Apple Books Barnes & Noble Google Play Books


Cassandra O’Leary is an Aussie romance, romantic comedy and women’s fiction author, corporate communications escapee, avid reader, and film and TV fangirl.
In 2015, Cassandra won the global We Heart New Talent contest run by HarperCollins UK and her debut novel, Girl on a Plane, was released in 2016. Cassandra was also a finalist in contests run by AusRom Today, Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of Australia. She has indie published several titles including a romcom story collection, Hot In The City and standalone novel,
Dating Little Miss Perfect.
You’ll find Cassandra in Melbourne, Australia, chasing her two high-energy mini ninjas and drinking excellent coffee with her superhero husband.

She is a proud member of Romance Writers of Australia, the Australian Society of Authors and the Melbourne Romance Writers Guild.
Read more at cassandraolearyauthor.com

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Giveaway to Win 3 x ebooks of Dating Little Miss Perfect (Open Internationally)
Please note that the ebook will be distributed by BookFunnel.

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My thoughts: this was a really fun rom com set in San Diego, with glamorous scientist Eden finding herself pitted against annoying marketing man (and Aussie) Finn. Except they don’t have to be rivals, they could team up against their evil boss, who Finn is secretly investigating. Especially as they’re already flirting like mad online on an anonymous dating app.

Both are ridiculously attracted to each other, which is driving them crazy, in different ways. Eden digs down to find every reason why it would be a terrible idea, but Finn reckons he can win her over with his good looks and accent.

The corporate espionage storyline is fun, and gives Finn a reason to be a bit sneaky, and Eden’s sister and friends were entertaining as they try to get her to realise her feelings and do something about it.

This was a cute, enjoyable rom com and the ending was delightful. Definitely one to curl up with, warning; spicy 🌶🌶🌶

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box above. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will
not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random
Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Midsummer Magic at Midwynter Hall – Lottie Cardew

An enchanting, standalone, modern rom-com inspired by Jane Austen’s EMMA, about a matchmaking young woman whose heart may be in the right place… some of the time.
Emmeline – Em to her friends – has very little to vex her, except that she hasn’t left her beloved home, Midwynter Hall, in over two years.
But her isolation doesn’t stop her interfering in the lives of others, particularly when it comes to love.
As a romance writer, Emmeline obviously knows what she’s doing, increasingly plotting real-life matches rather than fictional ones.
When best friend Polly gets mixed up with the wrong sort of man, Emmeline has no choice but to swoop to the rescue. And when old family friend Jordi seeks solace after women and work troubles,
Emmeline has the perfect solution. You see, everything she’s written lately – pairing up lovelorn locals – has somehow (maybe magically) come true. So, if she pens a tale about Polly and Jordi despite their many protests, they’ll thank her eventually, once they’re blissfully happy together.
But no one is more surprised than Emmeline when she finds she wants to write herself into the story, especially if someone she cares about may get hurt in the process.
Because as it turns out, believing you’ve never been in love, doesn’t mean you’ve never (unknowingly) given your heart away…
Purchase


Lottie Cardew writes uplifting, contemporary romcoms set around the picturesque village of Pebblestow, and is an advocate for diversity in fiction.
Regarded as the bossy one at Novelistas Ink, Lottie often subdues the other members if they misbehave (they don’t really) including the popular authors Trisha Ashley and Sophie Claire. She is a
longstanding member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, scooping their New Writer’s Award in her twenties under a different pen-name. More recently, Lottie also joined the Society of Authors, where as an active participant in the ADCI group (Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses) she interviewed bestselling author Holly Smale in 2021 for the first ever Disability Issue of The Bookseller.
Lottie is diagnosed autistic with suspected ADHD. Her home in North Wales is overrun by husband, not-very-small children, and a ball of fluff masquerading as a Pomeranian, so Lottie frequently takes refuge at her desk.
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My thoughts: this was a fun and sweet rom com, loosely inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma. Emmeline is a former romance novelist, living back at the family seat, Midwynter Hall, with her dad, struggling with agoraphobia and unable to go beyond the gates of her home. The world comes to her in the form of her friend Polly who pops round with the local gossip, and the online writing group she’s joined, led by childhood pal Jordi, as well as visits from her mum.

When Jordi’s life falls apart and he comes to stay in the gatehouse, Em sees a chance to matchmake her two best friends. Only Polly’s got a casual thing going with a hunky gardener and Jordi seems to prefer someone else. Could Em be a bit oblivious to what’s staring her in the face? And could it be time to get some help with her condition?

As the friends hang out in the summer sunshine, and Em gets a few home truths, will there be romance and a potential new project to keep her busy? Charming and enjoyable, this is a gentle and heartwarming story.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: A Little in Love – Florence Keeling

The little village of Weddington is fast becoming THE place to get married. With its stately home, castle and two churches it has something for everyone, and now, famous after appearing in huge romcom movie hit A Little In Love, it’s hosting a monthly wedding fayre…

Rose Pedal is the proud owner of Pedals & Prosecco, a brand new business serving ice-cold fizz from a vintage bicycle, and she’s excited to be attending her first wedding fayre. But, on the way to Weddington Hall she’s involved in a near miss crash involving dashingly handsome James from Blume’s Florist.

Arriving at the beautiful stately home drenched and disheveled, Rose is horrified to find James is not only not sorry for nearly knocking her off her bike, but he’s gatecrashing her allocated spot on the lawn. His arrogance gets her back up and it’s definitely a case of hate at first sight. But as the wedding fayre season continues, James gently wins Rose over, and their relationship starts to bloom.

Can being just ‘a little in love’ help Rose and James find their own happy-ending…

A Little in Love is the most charming romantic comedy you’ll read this year, from a hugely talented author, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Phillipa Ashley and Cressida McLaughlin.

Florence Keeling LOVES weddings. She married the man she met when she was four months old, and 21 years of married bliss later, they are still VERY much in love. Her love of stories started with Mr Men and Topsy and Tim, she longed to attend Cackle’s Academy and spend days sharing adventures with the Famous Five. As a grown up, she wrangles two grown up kids, two mad huskies and three day jobs. A Little In Love is her third work of fiction. Follow her on twitter at @KeelingFlorence

My thoughts: I really liked the idea of Pedals & Prosecco, it’s cute and unusual, and Rose seems like a total sweetheart. I’ve been to a few wedding fairs, back when I was planning my own, and found them a bit overwhelming, the smaller ones were nicer, and most of the people seemed lovely, which is what Rose finds when she joins her local wedding fair circuit. Except for an obnoxious wedding planner and the florist who almost runs her over!

He turns out to be actually quite charming and kind, unlike his awful dad and brother, they were terrible. But Rose has great support in her mum and dad, grandparents and best friends. And when she hits a stumbling block in business and love, they’re there to scoop her up and get her back on her bike!

The path to true love is never easy and both Rose and James have to overcome a few tricky things to get there. But in love and in business, they might just make it with the help of those around them and some determination. A charming and enjoyable read, I was rooting for Rose all the way.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Claire and the Missing Heir – Amanda Nelson

Who loves a cozy mystery? Then check our Claire and the Missing Heir by Amanda Nelson!

KDP_Claire and the Missing Heir_Paperback_new-060923 (1)

Claire and the Missing Heir

Publication Date: June 19, 2023

Genre: Cozy Mystery/ Romcom

When Mr. Johnson, the abrasive and crotchety bank manager who was almost universally disliked, is found dead in his house under suspicious circumstances. Best friends CC and Claire decide the new sheriff doesn’t know enough about small towns, and the people who live there, to solve the case. They begin asking questions, and generally annoying the sheriff, but one person points the finger at another until there are no answers, just more questions. With lots of reasons to want Mr. Johnson dead, what finally caused somebody to kill him? Could somebody they know really be a killer?

Claire’s inability to keep her thoughts to herself cause hurt feelings, hilarity, and bodily harm wherever she goes, but that won’t stop CC and Claire from trying to find who might be a murderer. Nor do the sheriff’s hopefully idle threats, and pointed statements, to keep out of his investigation. As far as Claire is concerned, he doesn’t have much of an investigation.

To make matters worse every time Claire and the sheriff are in the same area, he ends up injured. She didn’t mean to hit him with her car, or slap him, or hit him with a door, or feed him dog biscuits, or run over his foot, or … well you get the idea. A smart person would avoid the walking hazard that is Claire, but the sheriff keeps turning up wherever Claire goes. Is it a coincidence, or something more? The sparks and injuries fly as Claire and the new sheriff both try to solve the suspicious death of Mr. Johnson.

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Available on Amazon

About the Author

Writing has always been a hobby for Amanda Nelson. However, it was not always something she thought she could make a living with. After years of teaching elementary school, she finally sat down and wrote her first book. A cozy mystery about best friends solving a murder in their small town.

Since turning her passion into a profession she is never happier than when she sits down at her desk and puts the opening words to a new book or story on paper.

Amanda lives with her husband of over 20 years, her two grown children, and a lot of pets. When not writing she likes to spend time with family and friends, walk on the beach with her dogs, read, and take photographs.

Follow Amanda on Amazon for notifications when new books release and connect with her directly at amandanelsonauthor.com.

My thoughts: this was a really fun book, Claire is very funny, very scatty and her inside thoughts never manage to stay there.

Thankfully her best friend CC lives next door with her husband Jake and their seven children, a multitude of pets and CC’s a brilliant cook too. Which is great as Claire doesn’t eat in her own house as there’s only pet food there.

When the local crotchetty bank manager dies, Claire’s boss at the insurance company can’t find out who the person he’s left his five million dollars to. And Claire and CC start looking into it.

There’s a hunky sheriff, a teenager off to college, Claire’s useless boss and creepy colleague, lots of cake to eat, dogs to pet and a cat that likes to take showers. It’s very funny and entertaining. I want more Claire!

Book Tour Schedule

July 31st

http://rrbooktours.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisa.reads.things/ – Review

https://www.instagram.com/niveditha_preeth/ – Review

http://ramblingmads.com – Review

August 1st

https://rissreviewsx.wixsite.com/website – Review

https://www.instagram.com/starsbooksandtea/ – Review

https://bookwormbunnyreviews.blogspot.com/ – Review

August 2nd

https://www.tiktok.com/@kristin17reads?_t=8d9CzY2hZio&_r=1 – Review

https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com – Feature

https://www.instagram.com/amanda_grins/ – Review

https://instagram.com/nvl_reads?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== – Review

August 3rd

https://www.instagram.com/novels.coffee.librairie/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D – Review

https://www.instagram.com/rantingbooklover/ – Review

https://www.instagram.com/read.raven/?igshid=NGExMmI2YTkyZg%3D%3D – Review

August 4th

https://www.instagram.com/adlynsreadingcorner/ – Review

https://www.instagram.com/ashleys_endless_tbrlist/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D – Review

https://bookscoffeehappiness.com/ – Feature

https://www.instagram.com/jen_lynn_c14/?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw%3D%3D – Review

Book Tour Organized By:

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*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own

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Book Review: Tough Crowd – Andi Osho

A NEW MAN ON THE SCENE.

Aspiring comedian Abi has always been told that she’s too much, but never felt like enough. Until she meets Will, who changes everything she’s been made to believe by men, the media and her mum. He loves her just the way she is.

HIS KIDS.

But Will is a package deal and comes with two daughters from a previous relationship. Suddenly Abi finds herself thrown into the spotlight, and not just on the stage…

CAN SHE WIN OVER THIS TOUGH CROWD?

Abi is used to playing to difficult audiences, but step-parenting, and winning over the girls, is going to be her toughest challenge yet. Can she finally prove her critics wrong and triumph at her biggest gig to date?

A fun and feel-good romantic comedy about love, friendship and family for anyone who’s struggled to feel like enough and find their place. Fans of Beth O’Leary and Ruth Jones will love this warm and witty page-turner.

My thoughts: this was very funny and I was highly entertained. I remember seeing Andi on TV and she’s really hilarious so of course the book is. I loved Abi, she’s a great character. Larger than life, but not so lucky in love, she’s just trying to get her comedy career going up a level, and meet the man of her dreams, like any woman.

Will might just be that man, one problem – he’s got two daughters and the teenage one doesn’t seem very keen on Abi at all.

Cue a silent war, attempts at friendship rebuffed, struggling with whether to say anything to her boyfriend, and getting super frustrated. Plus Abi’s mum is a nightmare, her sister is keeping secrets and she’s fallen out with her friends. Plenty of drama to go round.

Thankfully Abi realises she needs to put on her big girl pants and dig herself out of this rut, get her act (literally) together and be the grown up. But the journey is lots of fun to read!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my review but all opinions remain my own.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Love Quest – Camilla Isley


She didn’t go to the jungle to meet the man of her dreams. Luckily, Dr Logan Spencer is NOT the man of her dreams!

As epic meet-cutes go, travel photographer, Winter Knowles thinks finding a gorgeous naked man outside her Thailand villa is pretty perfect. But then she discovers the naked heartthrob is none
other than Dr Logan Spencer, her gruff standoffish (but sexy as hell) jungle expedition leader.
Dr Logan is on the mission of a lifetime. There’s a lost city of gold to discover and he doesn’t need any distractions – especially not the stubborn, sassy beautiful photographer type! His reputation is on the line.
These arch rivals get off on the wrong foot. But when the heat rises in the jungle, Winter and Logan are forced together in the face of danger. Is trusting someone with your life the best meet-cute of all?

A sassy, enemies-to-lovers rom-com perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood!
Please note that this title was originally published as From Thailand With Love.
Purchase

Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy and her first title for Boldwood, The Love Theorem, a Hollywood-meets-STEM romance, was published in June 2023.

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My thoughts: this series of interlinked romances is really fun. This time we’re swapping LA for the Thai jungle and a quest for a lost city of gold. Throw in a pretty photographer, a grumpy archaeologist, some dodgy mercenaries and a team of enthusiastic experts and you’ve got the adventure of a lifetime.

Winter Knowles wasn’t planning on getting lost in the jungle and having to put the skills she learnt on her grandparents’ ranch into use but when she and the oh so handsome and oh so annoying Dr Logan Spencer get stranded and need to rescue the rest of their team, just call her Lara Croft!

So much fun, and a bit silly, but I really enjoyed this rom com. Can’t wait for the next one.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told – Suzy K Quinn


YOU WILL CRY WHEN YOU READ THIS!
The funniest, happiest, saddest, happiest romantic comedy you will ever read. With a small twist!
What’s the ‘small’ twist? You’ll have to read it to find out. But let’s just say, you’ve never read anything like this before.
WARNING: Be prepared for many happy tears. And a lot of laughter.
READ THE REVIEWS to see why readers love this book.
For fans of: Jojo Moyes, Cecelia Ahern, Sophie Kinsella and Nick Spalding
FROM THE 1 MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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Suzy K Quinn writes edgy romantic comedy and has sold over 1 million books worldwide.
She is a bestseller in the UK, US and Germany and has plans for total world domination with literary love bombs in the near future. So watch this space. Then go read one of her books.
Suzy lives in Wivenhoe, Essex, with her husband Demi and two daughters. She is a twin, an incompetent parent of two and now fully decaffeinated. Her twin sister, Cate Quinn, is also a bestseller author.
Suzy loves her readers and is ALWAYS happy to chat on social media. You can find her @suzykquinn on most social media channels. Throw her an emoji ball, she is friendly. xx

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My thoughts: the blurb above doesn’t lie, I laughed out loud, i cried and I even shouted “No!” at one point. The cat was very confused. This is honestly a very charming story about love and about learning to be a better person.

The relationship between the main narrator, Callum, and Michael, who he’s telling his story to, is interesting. Callum might be younger but he knows a lot about life already, but isn’t precocious with it. Michael has struggled to fit in and to be around other people, but through listening to Callum, and by becoming his friend, he starts to open up and find a better version of himself trapped inside.

I don’t want to give away anything so I’m just going to say, I got more emotionally invested in the life cycles of four tadpoles than I thought possible, and you should read this book.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.