Blog Tour: Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner

I'm so excited to be taking part in my first. ever. blog tour - how exciting! When I started blogging, I never really thought that anybody would be interested in what I had to say, but apparently I was wrong. There are a few people out there who actually like reading what I have to say - who knew? 

Enter the Starlight Diner... This hilarious ebook is by the lovely Helen Cox, published by Avon 4th July. I've never read a story like this - from the minute I started it, I couldn't put it down! As part of the blog tour for 'Starlight Diner', Helen has put together a guest post - a list of her favourite diners around the UK. Hopefully you might find a new favourite place to eat, or you may have already been to one! Let me know what you think...

Restaurants in the UK have become increasingly diverse in the past twenty years or so and this is great news! It means you don’t have to travel across the Atlantic in order to eat American Diner food. Below, I’ve suggested five diners on British soil you might like to visit. Some of them I’ve already experienced and some are on my wish-list because well, I’m writing a book series here so my research is sort of ongoing. Is that a convincing enough excuse to continue eating diner food? Yes it is! Don’t be mean.

1. In London, there’s a small chain of Good Life Diners (they had about nine branches on my last count) but my favourite branch is in Islington. I spent perhaps more time than I should have in there when I first met my husband as he rented a room nearby and I’m not a woman known for my will power. These diners all boast traditional booths and neon lighting, and have an extensive menu that includes everything from pancakes and hotdogs to cheesecakes and banana splits. Not one to miss if you find yourself in the capital.

2. The Smoke Haus in Swansea, as you might glean from the name, has a lot to offer people who are big fans of barbequed food. That said, the menu is pretty extensive and offers options for both vegetarians and vegans who also want to join in the diner-inspired fun. The Smoke Haus chain has two other branches in Cardiff and Birmingham and in each branch there’s an impressive liquor menu to work your way through.

3. If you’re in Edinburgh and enjoy American culture, the New York Steam Packet offers a twist on the American diner format. The restaurant is not set out with booths and has a ‘Bring Your Own Booze’ policy, but it also has a range of American-inspired decorations adorning the walls and offers an American menu with some Scottish dishes mixed in. Is this sounding a little odd? Well, it is but we prefer the term ‘original’ and it’s a little foodie adventure that’s well worth a look.

4. Pixie’s Diner on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough is, without a doubt, one of the most vibrant diners you’ll ever set foot in. Lined with bright red and turquoise booths, and complete with a traditional counter area, this is definitely one to visit if you find yourself in the North East.

In true American style, there’s even a food challenge set by the staff. Can you finish everything on your plate in less than 30 minutes? No drink. No help! Sounds a little bit daunting…

5. The last diner on the list is one I discovered only a few weeks ago while on the bus to Scarborough, as you do. Situated about two miles outside York, Huckleberry’s diner promises traditional American meals, Fifties-inspired decor and excellent service. The chain have two other branches on the outskirts of Leeds and Darlington and their restaurants have been featured in films and TV programmes. Seems about time I paid them a visit and found out what all of the fuss is about…

You can buy Milkshakes and Heartbreaks at the Starlight Diner here. Also, you can follow Helen on Twitter - make sure you say hello!

Escape to the Riviera... by Jules Wake

I've been in a bit of a reading slump these past few weeks and I've finally come out the other end.. Go me! I've heard a lot about Escape to the Riviera on social media and so when I saw it available on Netgalley, I just had to request it. Having read it, I'm now adding Jules Wake to my 'automatic buy' list of authors. I'm currently sat in bed at 2.30am drafting this review having literally just finished it - that's how much I enjoyed this story!

Here's what the blurb says:

Carrie Hayes has a job she enjoys and a perfectly nice boyfriend. She's sorted. Isn't she?

But Carrie's life wasn't always like this. As a young, wild drama student, she married fellow actor, Richard Maddox, after a whirlwind romance. Life back then was full of possibilities, but when Hollywood beckoned Richard, Carrie was left behind.

Now an A-list superstar, Richard's life couldn't be more different to Carrie's, so when their paths cross in glamorous St. Tropez, she can't help by wonder what might have been.

But with lovely, sensible Alan in tow , Carrie knows that she needs to do the right thing. The only problem is, Carrie and Richard never quite got found to getting a divorce...

Here's what I thought:

I think the fact that I stayed up until 2am two nights in a row to finish this story will give you an idea of how much I thoroughly enjoyed it.. I haven't read anything by Jules before this so I wasn't really sure what to expect, all I knew was that the description sounded interesting and it sounded right up my street!

The story centres around Carrie, her sister Angela and niece Jade, on a trip to the Riviera. Not only that, but Carrie's husband Richard is filming his new Hollywood movie in St. Tropez, so Carrie sees that as the perfect opportunity to track Richard down after eight years (!) and finally get the divorce they never got around to. In typical chick lit style, thinks don't go to plan and Richard will only go through with the divorce if Carrie agrees to spend time with him over the next two weeks.

As a reader, I was constantly intrigued and really excited to turn the next page - I honestly couldn't put this one down, which I haven't had in a little while..

The relationship between Carrie, Angela and Jade was one of my favourite aspects of the story. Individually, I didn't looove Angela and Jade, but linked together along with Carrie, the dynamic of their relationship shines through and adds a lot of depth and reality to the whole story. Being a sister and an aunt gives me a great understanding of the ups and downs they face, I think.

I adored the banter and relationship between Carrie and Richard and really found myself rooting for them to make it as a couple, which might be why I devoured this ebook so quickly! Jules has written a fantastic story here with real, lovable, and relatable characters - which, in my opinion, is a great sign of a fabulous page-turner!

You can buy Escape to the Riviera here. And make sure to follow Jules on Twitter!

The One We Fell In Love With.. by Paige Toon

Its that time again - Paige Toon has recently released her newest book and I've finally got my hands on it. It arrived at my house yesterday afternoon and here I am writing my review less than 24 hours later! Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know that I love all of Paige's stories and wait eagerly every May for a new release - The One We Fell in Love With did not disappoint..

What the blurb says:

PHEOBE is caught between a rock and a hard place. Settle down and get married, or return to the French Alps to pursue her passion?

ELIZA is in love with someone who is no longer hers. In fact, he probably never was... And her dream of becoming a successful musician seems to be vanishing before her eyes.

ROSE is out of a job and out of a boyfriend. To make matters worse, she's been forced to move back in with her mother...

But these very different girls have one thing in common. ANGUS. The one they fell in love with...


What I thought:

I've always really enjoyed reading Paige's books and this one is no exception. My favourites of hers are mostly the earlier of her collection but this one has really jumped up to top three!

One thing the blurb doesn't mention is that Pheobe, Eliza and Rose are identical triplets, and Angus is the boy who moved in next door when they were teenagers. The story is set when they're adults but there are a few flash backs so the reader can gain a bit of perspective and understanding..

As one of four sisters, I love reading stories that show that dynamic and Paige has done it really honestly. I can't ever imagine being so connected to another person the way a twin/triplet would be but even just being a sister, I understand the bond and connection that these girls feel toward each other. I really liked the fact that they fought, argued, probably even hate each other at moments, but you always know that they love each other and will be there for one another - exactly like real sisters!

Angus is a lovely character and maybe one of my favourite guys in Paige's extensive collection. He's a real honest guy and only wants to do best by everyone in his life. Usually when there is a love triangle (or in this case, square) in a book I'm reading, the guy can be quite cocky and really play up knowing that there is more than one woman swooning over him - but Angus was sort of oblivious, and when knowing, was respectful and kind. I really found myself rooting for him to be happy!

Now, the real grittiness.. Throughout the promotion of The One We Fell in Love With and on Paige's Twitter, Facebook etc, I kept seeing people talking about IT. When things like that happen I'm usually rolling my eyes a little bit because 'how can something be that much of  a surprise?' I know, quite cynical of me. But with this story I was really eating my words, I was SHOCKED. Never has Paige got me with a twist the way she did this time. I was literally on my last chapter before bed, then it happened and I knew there was no way I was going to sleep any time soon. I ended up staying awake until 3am finishing it - that's how impossible to put down this story is!

As you can probably tell from all the gushing, I really loved The One We Fell in Love With. I enjoy all of Paige's stories but this is the first in a few that has really left me gobsmacked and wanting to go straight back in a read it all over again! I'll be handing it straight over to my sister for her turn and she loves this collection as much as I do..

Have you read The One We Fell in Love With? If so, let me know what you thought! You can buy it here. Make sure to follow Paige on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also subscribe to her newsletter The Hidden Paige, for previews and competitions!

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Me Before You... by Jojo Moyes

Hello my loves, I've been super busy lately but I have a new review for you (yay!) so I hope you enjoy! Me Before You is one of those books that I've been hearing about a lot of over the past while and with the publishing of its sequel, Me After You, and the imminent release of a film by the same title - I thought it was about time I gave it a go. I had absolutely no clue what the story was about until I looked it up on Amazon to order, I then read the description and thought I would actually really enjoy it.

Here's what the blurb says:

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now, and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. 

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time. 

Here's what I thought:

Sob. Sob. Sob. By the time I finished this book I was an absolute mess. I had three hundred tissues surrounding me and the worst Panda eyes you can imagine! I had no idea what to expect with this story as I hadn't heard much beforehand (only that it was a must read), so the big dramas really snuck up on me. What an experience!

The story of Lou and Will is beautifully written, and as a first time read of Jojo Moyes I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, After You.Lou is the typical quirky twenty-something that you meet in a lot of chick lit, but that doesn't stop you from falling for her happy-go-lucky personality! She's the best friend that you have always wanted (maybe that's just me).

Lou is exactly what Will needs in his life right now, after his accident he has lost the will to get up and live each day - all he wants is to wallow in self-pity and remember the life he used to have, instead of adapting to the new life he has. Enter Lou, and Will's daily life is changed. For the better.

I love the relationship between Lou and Will in this story, they are polar opposites yet somehow they balance each other and are always finding new ways to get under each other's skins, which adds continous depth to their relationship.

However, as you can tell from my introduction, Me Before You is not all sweetness and light. There are some real, deep issues that impact a whole lot of lives and some parts of this book won't be for everyone. I really enjoyed every aspect of this story, even the not-so-happy parts that ended with me in floods of tears, I only hope After You will live up to the greatness of Me Before You.

You can buy Me Before You here, and the sequel, After You, here. Don't forget to check out Jojo Moyes' other books on her website and be sure to follow her on Twitter too!

Thanks for reading,

Orlagh

xoxo

The Sun In Her Eyes.. by Paige Toon

I've reviewed a few of Paige's books on here before and since she has released her new novel, The Sun In Her Eyes, I thought it was only appropriate for me to review it. Paige Toon is one of only a few authors that I will pre-order their new books and sit patiently waiting on the post man for.

Here's what the blurb says:

Blinding sunshine... A bend in the road... What became of the little girl with the sun in her eyes?
Amber was three when a car crash stole her mother's life. She doesn't remember the accident, but a stranger at the scene has been unable to forget. Now, almost thirty years later, she's trying to track Amber down.

Amber, meanwhile, is married to Ned and living on the other side of the world in London. When her father has a stroke, she flies straight home to Australia to be with him. Away from her husband, Amber finds comfort in her oldest friends, but her feelings for Ethan, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she once fell for, have never been platonic.

As Ethan and Amber grow closer, married life in London feels very far away. Then Amber receives a letter that changes everything.


Here's what I thought: 

Well its no surprise really that I loved this book by Paige as I love all of the stuff that she writes. One of my favourite things about Paige's stories is that the characters are usually based in more than one city and love to travel - as someone who loves to travel and especially loves Australia (where most of The Sun In Her Eyes is based) I love the idea that I could be living the life of a Paige Toon novel.

Amber's story is one that I think everyone will be able to relate to in some way as the story is so diverse and has so many different dimensions to it, Whether its her relationship with her dad, her husband or her friends - most people will understand the struggles.

The mystery behind what Amber's mother told the stranger before she died is one that you forget a little bit about until half way through which is when Amber receives a letter. When they both finally meet and Amber learns what her mother said is moment of true unexpectedness - you really aren't prepared for what it is. So many theories are thrown about that when you do find out, you realise that you never even considered that possibility.

Amber's relationship with both Ned and Ethan kept me hooked the whole way through. Having a love triangle is common in chick lit novels but Paige found a way to make this one unique and stand out so that the reader wouldn't be bored. Not knowing who or where Amber would end up is what made me devour this story in one sitting.

And in true Paige Toon fashion there was a character that we've met before - Josh from Pictures of Lily! Paige always incorporates a previous character into her new stories, sometimes in minor roles, sometimes as prominent characters.

You guys can check out The Sun In Her Eyes here. Make sure to follow Paige on Twitter and learn about her other books on her website.

Thanks for reading, 

Orlagh

xoxo

Things I Want My Daughters to Know..

This is one of my ALL TIME favourite books - I've probably read it about 10 times. I'm not even kidding...

Here's what the blurb says:

How could you say goodbye to those you love most in the world?

Barbara must say a final farewell to her four daughters. But how can she find the words? And how can she leave them when they each have so much growing up still to do?

Take Lisa, in her thirties but terrified of commitment - or brittle, unhappily married Jennifer. Amanda, the traveler, is always a little apart from her sisters and Hannah faces adult life without a mother at her side. 

Barbara's answer is to write each daughter a letter, finally expressing the hopes, fears, dreams and secrets she couldn't always voice. These words will touch the girls in different - sometimes shocking - ways, unlocking emotions and passions to set them on their own journey of discovery through life. 

Here's what I thought:

This book really has a character for everyone - no matter who you are, you'll be able to connect with at least one character.

Lisa - Barbara's eldest - is smart and sassy with a gentle heart and a great love for her mum and sisters. Then there's Jennifer - stoney and cold - is facing more internal battles of her own that even Barbara isn't aware of. Jen really just needs a bit of TLC but is the kind of person who doesn't know how to ask for the help of others.

Amanda - the wanderlust middle child - is always away travelling as a way to avoid her problems at home and her struggle to find a place within her family. Barbara's illness is Amanda's biggest problem that she wants to avoid. Lastly, Hannah - only 15 - is scared about the fact that she wont have a mother present for the landmarks in her life that are still yet to come. Hannah is also worried about her dad, Mark.

The novel surrounds the struggles of the girls and Mark after the death of their beloved matriach - and although Barbara has already passed away when the novel begins, she is a prominent figure from the onset and throughout...

This story speaks to me on a really personal level and there's never been a time that I've read it and not cried my eyes out. Anyone that has a close relationship with their mother and/or sisters will relate to this novel in someway.

Elizabeth Noble writes in the most beautiful way and has such a magical way of connecting with her audience. And as it says on the back of of my novel: "Elizabeth Noble. So good you have to share her."

You can buy Things I Want My Daughters to Know here and check out Elizabeth's website and other novels here. 

Thanks for reading,
xoxo, Orlagh

An Offer You Can't Refuse..

Jill Mansell is one of my favourite writers and so when I came across one of her novels I hadn't got around to reading in a local charity shop, I just had to snap it up! Is it just me that thinks there's something really nice about reading a book you know someone else has already experienced before you? I love it!

Here's what the blurb says:

Ten years ago Lola Malone was offered £10,000, and what seventeen-year-old wouldn't be happy with that?

But there was a catch. The person doing the offering was her boyfriend Dougie's mother, and it was on condition that Lola broke up with her beloved son. Lola was outraged. Nothing - nothing! - could tear her and Dougie apart. Until she discovered a terrible secret, and sudden;y she had no choice but to take the money and run.

Now a twist of fate has brought Lola and Dougie together again, and her feelings for him are as strong as ever. But she broke Dougie's heart - and he's about to discover that she was paid to do it. She can never tell him the truth, so can she get him back? Well, Lola likes to think she's irresistible. But even she's got her work cut out this time...

My thoughts:

This is the kind of story that I'm instantly drawn to and it did not disappoint. Right from the beginning you get the opportunity to click with Lola, the main character, and you're instantly on her side the whole way through.

After being reunited with Dougie 10 years after breaking his heart (in the weirdest situation, might I add) Lola is instantly determined to have him back in her life, but after learning of Lola deceptiveness Dougie can't get away fast enough. In walks Sally, Dougie's older sister, who befriends Lola and even becomes a neighbour - and even embarks on her own little love story.

Throughout the novel, Lola makes herself look a bit silly as she continues to pursue Dougie and he continues to knock her back. The thing is though, you never feel embarrassed for Lola when she's embarrassing herself - its more of a "that's exactly what I would've done" kind of thought.

Another focus of the novel is Lola being reunited with someone else. A lovely twist and its really heart-warming seeing pieces of Lola's life that she never understood fit back into place. And I like that Lola and Dougie aren't the only people in the book experiencing love troubles - its nice that Mansell includes the secondary characters just as much as the main ones.

My favourite part of the story is that Lola never, ever reveals her secret as to why she took the money from Dougie's mother. To anyone. Not even Dougie himself. The reason she did it was totally understandable and going through with it really showed her strength of character - it would've been so easy to tell everyone why she took it but she stuck to her guns. I love that and I think it says so much about Jill Mansell as a writer that she can allow Lola to keep it to herself but still have everything fall into place.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and like all Jill's other books, I couldn't put it down when I started and wanted to pick it back up when I'd finished.

You can purchase An Offer You Can't Refuse here and be sure to have a look at Jill's other novels.

xoxo
Orlagh