My “Adventure” Buying From LookFantastic

With the festive season upon us and gifts being a theme at this time of year, I was thinking of my experience buying online this year. For the most part, it went well on the sites I usually use. As a shopaholic always on the hunt for a bargain and best prices, I wasn’t sure where to get my birthday present from. Sephora only had in-store pickup for the products I wanted and Urban Decay’s site was the most expensive for the product itself and the amount spent to qualify for free shipping. Ulta did not have international shipping and Boots did not have the product. Cult Beauty had the product at the standard price, as did House of Fraser. After a very “international” search, I found the best price on LookFantastic. Sephora had the best price overall, just over 21 euros which is AMAZING for an Urban Decay palette, but as I mentioned before it was available for in-store pickup only. And on Black Friday? And during a pandemic during which I am considered high risk for getting ill? No thank you As much as I love shopping, the only responsible thing to do is stay at home and stay safe now. So, not even the best price in the world would lure me towards a shop at this time. LookFantastic had the product I wanted, Urban Decay’s Naked Honey palette for 29.45 euros, and since this usually costs 54 on the brand’s official site, that is good. I was amazed to find Urban Decay’s Party Favor palette which is “limited edition” for 16.95 euros. The usual price for that is 30. I had been wanting to try out the NYX Professional Makeup range for a long time and the store near us seems tiny and would not be accessible for me since it gets full often. I wanted the Soft Matte Lip Cream in Madrid and London, but they only had the Madrid one so I bought that which cost 5.74 euros as I was able to use the code for new site members after I created my account. The last product I bought was Barry M’s Lip Scrub in Apple. They had it in Mango and Peppermint flavours but I thought the apple one sounded nice. I have been searching for lipscrub for a while and have tried many from other brands that I like. I like Barry M’s nail paint and Dazzle Dust and was surprised to find the lip scrub as part of their brand offerings. That cost 4.45 euros. Ordering was simple, just like on any other site. I placed my order on the twenty eighth of November and as I did I felt happy but also a bit nervous as to how the rest of the process would go because it was my first time using the site. That same day, I got an order confirmation email and I was glad I created an account on the site as I was able to use the account to track my order. All good so far. My happiness quickly turned to concern when four days passed and my order was still processing. I thought it was Black Friday delays in orders. When those four days turned into a week and I had still not received my order, I emailed LookFantastic and explained my situation. They then sent me an email saying that my order would be with me as soon as possible. I was emailed by the shipping company on the ninth of December who said they would deliver that day. They didn’t and so I called them and they said I could collect it at their office the next day or wait til Saturday when they could deliver to my home. I chose to wait. It turned up and I was really happy that I had three products. Some days before, they had emailed telling me to expect two packages as they were going to send the Urban Decay Party Favor palette separately. That never arrived so I emailed them as they never explained what happened with this product. I was advised to either wait for new stock which they could not guarantee was ever going to arrive or get a refund. Two minutes later, they emailed to say they had refunded my order of the Party Favor palette. So, what an adventure! And as an apology for all the hassle caused, they gave me a discount coupon for ten euros. Would I buy from them again? If I find something I really want to spend the voucher on, then yes as they have a good selection of brands. Although they are not brands I can’t find anywhere else either on drugstore or official brand sites. The amount that you need to spend to get free shipping is good as it’s less than other sites, but also the same as my drugstore site which has good brands (and now also NYX but not Barry M or Urban Decay). But based on my experience with shipping and delays I wouldn’t. The email option is fine but their live chat was never available and on other sites I have got very quick replies on live chat. It’s hard to know, as it was my first experience buying from them if the delays were to be expected because of the Black Friday period but many reviews online state these are common with this company. I am very glad my experience has not been as bad as other peoples’. Some people get sent the wrong product or products that are half open. The products I got were well sealed, especially the lip scrub which was surrounded completely by cellophane wrap. The Urban Decay palette and the NYX lip product are excellent and I like the lip scrub too. In total, my order took 2 weeks and 4 days to arrive and the website claims 3-7 days. It would have been quicker had my order not been processing for a week. Pros: Selection of products Best price for Urban Decay with home delivery option (paramount at this time).   Low Minimum Spend (25€). Cons:  No live chat Support replies pretty standard and scripted.  I was sad my Party Favor palette did not arrive. Delays Reviews of all products coming soon. Have you ever bought from LookFantastic?

How We Spent the Best Christmas Possible in 2020

This year, Christmas is different, there’s no doubt about that. Each year, we usually eat our Christmas meal on Christmas Day, but this year we ate it on Christmas eve. Mixing Spanish, Peruvian and English customs is a thing for us, so we have Christmas cards and a Christmas stocking from my parents. Our Christmas breakfast is always pannetone and hot chocolate, and we never forget fruit either. Since this year it’s more important than ever to be as healthy as possible. Fortunately, I’m lucky enough that Alfredo is a great cook. Yesterday, Pay It Forward was on TV. This is one of my favourite films. We made the best of the day but still had a great time and today The Holiday is on. I adore that film, too.   I finished The Christmas Swap. Thanks again to the publisher.  This year, I’m reluctant to say “happy” or “merry” Christmas. But I do hope you have the best Christmas possible.  Things that filled my heart with joy today:  How my husband Alfredo always makes the day so, so special.  Thinking of those I have loved and lost over the years. My grandfather Terrence, Grandmother Lily, aunty Susan, aunty Jane and of course Natalie. And my mother in law Rosa.  Our day is for you, too.  Somehow, the warm, fuzzy feeling I get is still there today. It’s one of hope that next Christmas will be better. 

My 39th Birthday

It’s here. My birthday. 39 years have passed since I was born with my twin sister Natalie in London. Every year, I think about what I’ve been told about my birth and how I survived against all odds. This year has been a very different one and I am very thankful to be here. Today is happy, but so different from last year. Birthdays are meant to be celebrated in any way possible. No shops or going to the movies for us this time because we are being safe. On the spur of the moment, Alfredo styled my hair in a different way, and of course my makeup was an important part of making me feel good today. I made a start on Jodi Picoult’s new novel The Book of Two Ways, which was something I had been saving for today and this time of year. And we had a delicious meal. So, despite how this year is being, my day was still good. Thank you to everyone who thought of us and thank you to everyone who sent me a card or gift.

Cien Shiny Pearl Lip Balm

I bought this because I wanted to try it and see what it was like compared to others from the range. 

I also wanted to find out if it lived up to its name of shiny pearl. 

I wasn’t impressed with it.  It has a harder, less creamy texture which makes it difficult to apply and it is very matte.

The colour is a very pale baby  pink and I found it too drying for my lips. 

I won’t be buying this again. It may be fine for those who do not have very dry lips and are just looking for a wash of colour. 

This baln comes in a pack of three for 1.99€ which is a good price but the product is not for me. 

Review: My Sign by Revolution Capricorn Complete Eye Wheel and Lipgloss

Some years ago. Revolution Beauty released a collection of Zodiac sign-themed lip glosses and complete eye palettes.

I’m  a Capricorn.

Their Capricorn lipgloss is a mid- brown shade. At first, I admit I wasn’t sure about the colour and I hoped the texture would be good, but it’s creamy and non-sticky. It is also unscented.  

The packaging is nude-coloured cardboard but it’s strong. I like that it has three words that characterise  people who are capricorn as resilient, driven and responsible.

Personally, I identify as all those so this is really accurate.

The complete eye wheel  has three eyeshadows. In the Capricorn one, there’s  a shimmery bronze, a shimmery brown and a matte navy blue eyeshadow. They all coordinate well and so far I have used the shimmer shades most. The least pigmented is the shimmery brown. It’s a mid-toned brown and just good enough for a base shade in my opinion. My favorite shade is definitely the shimmery copper. The navy blue is OK too.

Also in the eye wheel is an incredibly pigmented highlighter, an eyeshadow primer which is slightly greasy as a lot of bloggers said, but I used it anyway, Lastly, there’s   a two – tone brow powder which is fortunately brown, the same colour as my brows. I have some brow powders and was given them all (I was given one free at a time when Makeup Revolution as it was then gave free products with orders) and I also have this one in the eye wheel. 

 The complete eye wheel also comes with a  horoscope overview for the year the range was released. This is a good idea and it makes a great  gift. I was given it for my birthday the year it came out, and I’m still using it. It is very versatile and compact, easy to store and take everywhere. 

I was given the eye wheel and lipgloss as a gift and as some time has passed, I don’t know how much the Capricorn products cost originally. Many My Sign products were on sale afterwards, but they were star signs I am not or colour combinations I didn’t like. 

Overall, I like the Capricorn complete eye wheel. The shadows are pigmented and they and the brow powder are soft and blendable. The highlighter is the same. I always use primers but very sparingly. I find that it’s best if it is not too dry so the shadow sticks and lasts better. 

I think the addition of a primer in this eye wheel is a win for me as that makes it even more complete and eliminates the need for a separate tube of primer. Maybe the primer could be better, I don’t know, but I think it’s good for one found in a palette. And I do not have any other palettes with primer included. 

Clearly, I think a lot of thought has gone into this collection. I like some shades in other eye wheels but did not think there was any point in me buying another one since I only have one star sign. I am on the cusp of Capricorn and Saggitarius, so I could have bought that too, but it wasn’t on sale when they did have a sale and neither was Capricorn (I did consider buying another Capricorn eye wheel). 

I am happy with how long the Capricorn one is lasting and I have used it every December and January  since it was given to me in keeping with the Capricorn zodiac sign dates. 

I recommend this if you are curious about star signs, and love makeup to be as compact and multipurpose as possible. 

I would love Revolution Beauty to bring this collection back or use new shades!

One Snowy Week in Springhollow by Lucy Knott

One Snowy Week in Springhollow, Lucy Knott

Publication date: 5^th November 2020

About the Book:

Tomboy Scarlett thought Devon would be her best friend forever. He was the only person in Springhollow who supported her ambitious artist dreams. But then one winter, Devon and his parents disappear without warning to start a new life in NYC and a devastated Scarlett is left alone to face her high-school bullies and overbearing mother.

Fast-forward ten years: Scarlett is playing it safe in her childhood village with a dull PA job and a wardrobe that passes her mother’s old-fashioned standards. Meanwhile, Devon is a Hollywood heartthrob, starring in the latest superhero blockbuster. And he’s finally coming home for Christmas…

Scarlett can’t help blaming her former best friend for the way her life has turned out, but Devon’s cheeky charm and gorgeous smile prove difficult to resist. Devon always did make her feel on top of the world, but Scarlett knows her heart isn’t racing just because she has her friend back – is it mistletoe madness, or is she seeing Devon in a completely new light?

Scarlett hasn’t taken a risk in years… but this Christmas of second chances could finally be her time to shine.

Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jo Thomas and Holly Martin.

About the Author:

Lucy Knott is a former professional wrestler with a passion for storytelling. Now, instead of telling her stories in the ring, she’s putting pen to paper, fulfilling another lifelong dream in becoming an Author.

Inspired by her Italian Grandparents, when she is not writing you will most likely find her cooking, baking and devouring Italian food, in addition to learning Italian and daydreaming of trips to Italy.

Along with her twin sister, Kelly, Lucy runs TheBlossomTwins.com, where she enthusiastically shares her love for books, baking and Italy, with daily posts, reviews and recipes.

Follow Lucy:

Twitter: @TheBlossomTwins

Facebook: @TheBlossomTwins 

Instagram: @theblossomtwins

Pre-order links:

Amazon

Kobo

Google

Play 

iBooks 

My Review:

Scarlett and Devon share everything in childhood and adolescence. They are besties and confidantes and always there for eachother. Superheroes are their thing, and they spend many a day reenacting stunts which often land them in hospital. They are strong through thick and thin. Or so they think. 

Until the day Devon drops his bombshell at the worst possible moment. Scar is convalescent in hospital but he has big plans to go to the USA and act in Hollywood. He’s distraught at having to leave Scar, and this part was heartwrenching. 

I felt for them but felt he was insensitive to tell her when and how he did. 

Springhollow is all Scar has now. Can she rebuild her life? 

Years later, her PR job is boring and the village quaint but claustraphobic. She’s in a rut. 

Then, one day she sees someone…..it can’t be. Devon’s back…..but is he still the same? 

Can they pick up the pieces of their shattered adolescence and make something of it now? 

This novel really evokes those moments of hoping things will be the same as they once were. That people won’t change. I identify with that as I am pretty nostalgic for the past at times and wish I could rekindle some of my own friendships. 

Will moving on be easier said than done for Scar and Devon or will they bury the wounds of the past? Will there be romance? I found I wanted there to be and wanted them to be “OK” again. I wanted them to have a Happily Ever After. 

One Snowy Week in Springhollow is nostalgic, dreamy and will bring out your inner syuperhero. 

Thanks to Lucy Knott and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. 

Lucy Knott captures childhood memories and feelings well and the settings were quaint. 

5 stars.

Follow Aria: 

Aria website

Twitter: @aria_fiction

Facebook: @ariafiction

Instagram: @ariafiction

Excerpt:

December Present Day

I step in from the cold, pulling my hoodie over my head, and shake off the chill. Though the weather is wonderfully wintry outside, my brow is sweaty, my body hot from my walk around the village trail. ‘Christmas is in the air, Eddie,’ I say to my goldfish as I make my way into my cosy living room after a quick pit stop in my kitchen to fill up my watering can and a tall glass of water for myself. I balance my sketchbook and my glass in one hand before carefully placing them both down on my coffee table and turning on my Christmas tree lights. I stand back for a moment, just staring at how they sparkle, and take a deep breath to calm my breathing. The fresh air has done me some good, but the walk certainly quickened my heart rate. It was one way to get my adrenaline pumping these days.

I water my potted cacti, which are strategically placed either side of my pink accent wall to give the room a beautiful pop of colour and natural vibe, before I take a seat on my couch to see that I get enough water myself. I nudge my sketchbook as I place down the glass and see Eddie looking at me through his little glass tank. ‘I got nothing but trees, Ed. I tell a lie; I did draw a bird today too,’ I tell my curious goldfish. He gives me a disapproving pout before swimming away. ‘Well, that’s not very nice.’ I let out a small sigh at how well he knows me. ‘It’s just a teeny bit of a rut, Ed, that’s all,’ I say trying to justify myself. ‘We’ll be out of it soon,’ I add quietly, more to myself than to my tiny golden friend.

By the time the sky has turned navy, my sketchbook is safely stowed away, I’m showered, fed and curled up in my bed, going through my final idea for the Springhollow Christmas fair. Every company gets a stall each year to use as they desire. Our village likes to get creative. Where I work, at The Village Gazette, my boss encourages her employees to get involved to help decide what our stall will be. We each put forth our proposal and then put it to a vote.

I’m the person who has been planning and preparing since the beginning of November, allowing the excitement of the festive season to guide me. I’m feeling confident in my vision for this year, not least because I have won the last three years in a row, but because I truly think this is my best idea yet to really bring the community together. With visions of gingerbread and fondant Santas dancing in my head, I place my notebook on my bedside table, glance out of my window and say a prayer for a white Christmas. It’s been a while since we had a white Christmas and a little magic in the air.

In Persuit of Happiness by Freya Kennedy

In Pursuit of Happiness

‘A lovely escape that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Just what’s needed at the moment’ No1 bestselling author Jane Fallon

The world is waiting…but just outside of your comfort zone.

Jo Campbell is perfectly content in a perfectly structured life. Nothing ever changes in Jo’s life, and she likes it that way. Or at least, she tells herself she does. Most of the time, she manages to push down the tiny voice that tells her to chase her dream and maybe, just maybe, open her battered and bruised heart up to love. But to chase her dreams she needs to take chances that are way out of her comfort zone and learn to not put other people’s happiness above her own. Most of all she has to learn to trust her heart, which may just be the biggest challenge of all.

BUY HERE

About the Author:  

Freya Kennedy lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, with her husband, two children, two cats and a mad dog called Izzy. She worked as a journalist for eighteen years before deciding to write full time. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, cleaning up after her children (a lot) and telling her dog that she loves her. 

She has met Michael Buble and even kissed him. It was one of her best ever moments.

She believes in happy ever afters.

Freya Kennedy is a pen name for Claire Allan, who also writes psychological thrillers.

My Review:

Jo used to work as a holiday rep in Spain but is back in Derry, Northern Ireland and is living her predictable cosy life again with her mum and six -year-old sister. 

Libby is her best friend and owns a bookshop with writing nooks and lots of coffee and sweet treats. Having reviewed, and loved, The previous novel The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn, I thought “I recognise that name, it’s Libby Quinn!” I felt a warm, tingly feeling inside at having her featured in a book again. I can remember I asked the publisher for a sequel during an Instagram Live event and I am so happy she’s back. 

She is a memorable character and I have never forgotten her story which I reviewed earlier this year. She did well for herself with the creation of her bookshop and so I was intrigued to find out Jo’s story. 

Jo seemed more vulnerable in a way than Libby and I felt for her. I think the way Freya Kennedy showed this difference in the characters’ personalities was a great contrast and it was important even though this book focuses on Jo as a main character as I felt I knew them both better. 

Being Jo’s best friend, Libby wants to lend a hand once in awhile. Jo is writing a book and the manuscript is sat there. She’s scared of rejection and her family is kindly supportive of her work. She wants more constructive, challenging criticism, but is not sure she can take the result. What will happen when Libby submits the manuscript? 

I identified with her as I felt the same when I was working on my first book. but fortunately I have learned to take the rough with the smooth and I accept what people feel. I loved this plotline, I felt like I wanted to know if Jo would succeed and get published. It was very original. 

The twists and turns of the plot and the fun cast of characters made In Persuit of Happiness another unforgettable novel by Freya Kennedy. 

I recommend both The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn and In Persuit of Happiness. They are good together and as standalone novels. 

Thanks to Freya Kennedy, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. 

5 stars.

Contact Claire: 

Author website

Claire Allan Twitter

Freya Kennedy Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Bookbub Newsletter Signup

Extract:

But Jo, who had once been so fearless in everything she did, wasn’t sure she was quite brave enough for kind and constructive yet. Secretly, she was afraid that Libby would tell her it was all awful and she’d been kidding herself that she had anything remotely resembling talent. Maybe, she thought, if she just tweaked it a little more, she would find the courage she was lacking. Her phone pinged with a message from Erin at 5.01 p.m. exactly. Erin, along with all of Jo’s friends and family, had been warned not to message her on Thursdays before five unless it was a matter of life and death. They all knew better than to ignore that directive, but it did normally lead to Jo’s phone being flooded with messages and calls as soon as her self-imposed isolation ended. JC, thank God it’s five. We need to chat. Before I brain someone with a skillet pan and serve them for tomorrow’s lunch special with a red wine jus. Everyone knew that Erin could be a little hot-headed when it came to her work. She made Gordon Ramsey look like Mary Poppins when she really got going, but rarely went so far as to actually threaten murder and subsequent cannibalism. Jo knew, however, that just as Erin could be enraged at a speed of knots, her anger also burned out quickly and quite often she just needed to shout a bit, or smash something, to restore her equilibrium. Thankfully it usually wasn’t someone’s brain with skillet pan but woe betide a ball of dough or hunk of lamb that crossed her on a bad day. Jo tapped a reply into her phone. Come over to Libby’s. There are still some chocolate brownies left and we can chat. Leave Phil in charge for twenty minutes. The kitchen could and would survive without Erin for twenty minutes, even if Erin wasn’t at all willing to believe that. Jo packed up her things and moved to a table in the coffee bar, before she made two lattes and placed two gooey, delicious chocolate brownies on plates. There were, she noted, certain perks to also working a few shifts at a bookshop which had a coffee bar attached, and being one of the owner’s best friends. When Libby asked her if everything was okay, she simply replied with ‘Erin’ and no more needed to be said between the two. Libby smiled. ‘You might need cream with those brownies.’

Property of the U.S. Army by Edward B. Adams

A Rare Perspective on Service, Resiliency, and the Lasting Impact of the Wounds of War

Book Details

December 15, 2020
136 pages
978-1-7345642-0-4, paperback; $18.95

BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Military

BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs

Property of the U.S. Army

A Vietnam Veteran’s Story of Survival and Recovery

Edward B. Adams

“PROPERTY OF THE U.S. ARMY”

They had stamped it on his T-shirt, his footlocker, and the plastic stock of his M-16. Decades later, he’d find they’d stamped it on his soul.

Ed was just twenty years old when a Vietcong landmine ripped off both his legs below the knee. After only four months and four days in combat, Ed found himself in a hospital bed fighting for his life — a life he would barely recognize when he returned to his small-town Ohio home.

After five decades of struggling through alcoholism, drugs, failed marriages, and physical abuse, Ed shares his story for the first time, processing the lifelong impact of combat … of coming home to a nation that didn’t want him … of physical and mental wounds that never fully healed.

As Ed reveals his truths to readers, he discovers something for himself: that war is hell but that life and liberty are always worth fighting for.

My Review:

Property of the US Army is a very honest and open memoir about Ed, who lost part of his legs in the Vietnam war. Immediately atmospheric and I felt like I was there. His resilience and bravery shine through. 

I enjoyed the informative yet informal writing style and what he went through is a lesson for us all. 

As a person with multiple disabilities from birth, I am no stranger to having to fight and be resilient but this is an excellent account of coming to terms with sudden disability and life lessons from an amputee. 

Thanks to Edward B. Adams and KiCam projects for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. 

4 stars

Critical Praise“Eye-opening … An insightful book for those who have not served and therapeutic for those who have.”— Keith Maginn, author, (Extra)Ordinary: Inspirational Stories of Everyday PeopleNews Tie-ins and Core MessagesThis book is candid and raw — a story told by a double amputee with no previous writing experience — and offers insights and camaraderie for a growing population of wounded veterans and their loved ones and caretakers.Highlights the need for all veterans, especially those who are ill or injured, to have access to counseling and therapy to process their combat-related traumas Demonstrates the long-term effects of PTSDIlluminates a rarely discussed topic: physical abuse of a disabled male spouse, and the resulting fear, shame and secrecy Provides an inside look at the realities of life in addiction, including codependency and toxic relationshipsContextualizes current events and sociopolitical topics through the eyes of a Vietnam veteranAudience: Primarily Boomer men and women who experienced the Vietnam era, as well as Millennial readers whose generation has been marked by the longest ongoing war in U.S. history.

About the AuthorEdward B. Adams is a U.S. Army veteran and double amputee who was awarded a Purple Heart for his sacrifice and service in Vietnam. Following his injury, Edward returned home to Ohio and graduated from Wilmington College with a degree in business education. A father of three and grandfather of seven, Edward still lives near his family in Wilmington.

Sunday with a Sassy Shopaholic: Urban Decay, NYX and Barry M.

Yesterday. most of what I bought on Black Friday finally arrived. I love Urban Decay and have quite a few palettes by them. 

I ordered their Naked Honey palette which cost 29.45€ instead of 54€. 

NYX is a brand I heard of a few years ago and I really wanted their Soft Matte Lip Cream. I bought it in the shade Madrid,  and it cost 5,24€. 

Barry M is a brand I have used and loved since I was a teenager. I wasn’t sure which of their products to buy but knew I needed a lip scrub as I have dry lips in the winter. Their lip scrub was available in Apple. Peppermint and Mango and I bought the Apple one which cost 4.95€. 

I still don’t have everything as I also ordered Urban Decay’s Party Favor palette which I hope will be with me soon.

I bought all these from Lookfantastic. 

The Villa of Dreams by Lucy Coleman

About the Book:

‘Beautifully written, comforting and utterly uplifting, Lucy Coleman’s stories are the perfect tonic when life is a little grey.’ Holly Martin

Seren Maddison left behind a rainy Britain to follow her dreams and live and work in Lisbon. The vibrancy, the beautiful scenery and the sunshine, made her fall in love and she knew, instantly, that it would be her forever home.

International artist Reid Henderson has homes in Lisbon and London. Following his painful divorce, his dream is to turn his luxurious home into an art school and gallery.

When Seren and Reid first meet there is an instant attraction, but they are both people who have been hurt, and each have dreams that are so far apart, they aren’t even on the same page. 

Can they enjoy one summer of happiness together, as life bestows a gift of memories to cherish for the rest of their lives? Or is their destiny to chart a path into the future, in a home where dreams can come true?

Seren and Reid may be about to discover that love is as much about what you are prepared to give up, as what you are prepared to keep hold of.

Let Lucy Coleman transport you away to sun-drenched Portugal where true love really can conquer all, and home is where the heart is. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Sue Moorcroft.

BUY HERE

About the Author:

Lucy Coleman is a #1 bestselling romance writer, whose recent novels include Summer in Provence and Snowflakes over Holly Cove. She also writes under the name Linn B. Halton. She won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award and lives in the Welsh Valleys.

Contact Lucy:

Twitter

Facebook

Author website

Instagram

Bookbub

My Review:

I have reviewed a lot of Lucy Coleman’s books and thoroughly enjoyed them. 

The Villa of Dreams is set in Portugal which is a new setting as the others were in France and Italy, even England. 

Lucy Coleman excells in descriptions of scenery, setting, food drink and customs and I imagined I was in Lisbon with Seren. 

I enjoyed the dialogue and felt there could have been more romance but liked the fresh nature of a book set in Portugal, as many in this genre are set in France, Italy and Greece. 

Villa of Dreams is perfect for these cold days and for a reprieve from how this year has been. 

Pure escapism. 

I would love to visit Portugal one day. This is a lifelong wish but it’s reinforced by this novel. 

Thanks to Lucy Coleman, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. 

5 stars. 

Excerpt:

The sound of tinkling bells makes me snatch up my iPad and swipe right, placing it on the table next to my breakfast plate. The familiar face of my best friend, Judi, comes into view. We met on our first day at pre-school and being naturally shy and timid little souls, we gravitated towards each other. To this day, we have an unbreakable bond.

Judi had little support from her fractured family, who were all too caught up in the constant battle between warring parents and stepparents. I, on the other hand, was being moulded by a father who wanted to control every aspect of my life. We were at opposite ends of the spectrum in one respect and yet we were spiritual sisters and confidantes in another. Judi had freedom but no advantages; I had advantages but no freedom. Helping each other through the tough times made us realise that everyone’s personal battles may be unique, but we all have them.

Now, here we are, about to begin the next exciting phase of our lives – nearly two-thousand miles apart.

‘Well?’ I say, excitedly. ‘Are you ringing with good news?’

‘A good morning would have been nice.’ She gives me a little wave.

‘Sorry. Good morning, Judi. How’s the weather in wonderful Wales?’

The smile on her face dissolves into a grimace. ‘There’s a bitingly cold frost this morning, but it’s supposed to warm up a little. Snow is forecast later today and well into tomorrow. If it’s heavy, then I’m stuffed, because I have a meeting in Birmingham this afternoon and then I’m off to London in the morning.’

Giving her a sympathetic smile, I ignore the bed hair and the fact that she’s still in her pjs. Normally she’s in the shower, dressed and ready to go before most people have even opened their eyes.

‘It’s funny you should call right now, as I was just thinking about our little jaunt to the Loire Valley. I still smile whenever I think of our bonne année – it was the best Christmas and New Year ever, wasn’t it?’

‘Ha!’ she laughs. ‘Well, it was certainly a brilliant way of avoiding our families at the worst time of the year. We must make it an annual pilgrimage, as it already seems like an eternity ago. So much has happened in the last three weeks and I’m flagging already.’

She sounds maudlin and that’s not like her. When we booked the gîte, this time last year, I had no idea I’d be living in Lisbon by then. But the holiday had turned out to be the perfect answer to all our problems. I had a legitimate reason not to go back to the UK to spend Christmas with my parents; Judi avoided a house crammed with people and the risk of being drawn into personal squabbles with unforgiving kin.

‘Has something gone wrong? You sound a bit down.’

There’s a moment of hesitation before she clears her throat. ‘The promotion is mine if I want it.’

I stop nibbling on my toast and lean forward, unable to contain my delight. ‘But that’s brilliant news!’

Judi shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly and I’m struggling to understand why she’s not punching the air.

‘What’s that saying? Be careful what you wish for… Well, everything comes at a price, I suppose. I should know that by now.’

I’m totally confused. Judi has been working hard towards this promotion for over two years now and she’s been almost obsessive in her dedication. As the social media coordinator for a company making eco-friendly cosmetics, she never switches off because it’s her dream job. Normally, she’s bouncing off the walls, her head full of crazy ideas which frequently turn into ‘aha!’ moments.