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If you would like to know more about Hive, the first book in the series, you can find my spotlight post here.

(media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Thursday, 12 February 2026

The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn - #bookreview

Prologue

He raises his head from the sink and looks in the mirror. Sunken eyes, stubble. The bruise a livid purple-red on his cheek...

The Blurb

In a tiny bookshop in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Town, a book club begins…

Newly arrived on the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Claire Thomson’s life is about to change forever when she starts working at a local bookshop. With her cousin Vedran, employee Luna and Karmela, a professor, they form an unlikely book club.

But when their first book club pick – an engrossing cosy crime – inspires them to embark upon an investigation that is close to the group’s heart, they quickly learn the value of keeping their new-found friends close as lives and stories begin to entwine…My Review

Each chapter is the name of the book which the book club is reading each month. At the back of the book the author provides a list along with the author of each of these books in case the reader would like to read them for themselves.

Helpful glossary at the beginning of the book which translates some of the words used throughout the novel.

My Review

As a member of two book clubs myself, I am often drawn to books which have a book club as their setting.

The titular book club is set in Croatia, within the walls of The Welcoming Bookshop. This book uses this setting to introduce the readers to a lovely array of characters.

The book is told from the perspectives of main characters Claire and Luna. Claire has left England to join her grandparents in Dubrovnik for a year. She has had long Covid and as a result has lost her confidence and fears groups of people. Her grandmother is convinced that working in the book shop will help her regain it.

Luna works with Claire in the bookshop. She comes from a rural Croatian village where she finds the community small-minded. She is hiding a secret of her own but finds a friend and confidante in Claire.

Setting up the book club allows the author to introduce an array of other characters, who each have an important part to play in the story. Vedran is Claire's cousin. He is a lawyer who has been through a tough time – and then there is Karmella, an academic who retreats to a place of safety behind her books.

These characters all come together within the book shop and find an emotional support circle. The book has much to say about friendship, self-acceptance and facing our fears.

The author depicted the charm and history of Dubrovnik beautifully without shying away from the hardships that the residents faced during and following the war. In fact, having read this made me want to hop on a plane so that I could stroll around its streets and have coffee outside a café, whilst reading a book.

This was a gem of a book to read. It had me absorbed by every page. It was a life-affirming book which made for wonderful reading. In fact, I already have the next book in the series, The Santorini Writing Retreat, waiting to be read.

I highly recommend this book. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Book Details

ISBN: 978-0008648114

Publisher: One More Chapter

Formats: e-book, audio and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages: 384 (paperback)

Series: Book 1 in the Bookish Escapes series

Purchase Links

About the Author

Over the last couple of years Eva has become adept at writing with two hats on; under her own name Jane Cable it’s romance with a twist, and as Eva Glyn she creates escapist relationship-driven fiction. MHer inspiration comes from the nuggets of history she discovers both at home and abroad, and the beautiful places she finds them.

Eva Glyn’s books are mainly set in Croatia, a country she fell in love with in 2019. Her friendship with tour guide Darko Barisic has proved invaluable to gain an insight into Croatian daily life that few foreign authors can dream of. Her first book set in the country, The Olive Grove, was inspired by Darko’s experiences of the war in the 1990s. Both An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator's Daughter are dual timeline looking back to a little known period of World War 2 history.

Eva is published by One More Chapter, a division of Harper Collins and has been contracted to write two books about unlikely friendships... and books under the title of Bookish Escapes. The first, The Dubrovnik Book Club, was published in March 2024 with The Santorini Writing Retreat following a year later and The Croatian Island Library in early 2026.

Although she is Welsh she lives in Cornwall with her husband of more than thirty years. Unless, of course, they're off on their travels!

You can also find Eva at:

Bluesky

(media courtesy of the author's website)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

The Resistance Knitting Club by Jenny O'Brien - #bookreview #blogtour

2010 - Guernsey

"I think she's coming round, Anna. I'm sure I saw her blink. Mum. It's Liz and Anna... your granddaughter. You're in the hospital."

She raised her voice a little, leaning closer to her mother's good ear.

"Everything's fine. We're with you and it's all going to be okay..."

The Blurb

Inspired by the true story of a woman who used knitting patterns to encode intelligence during World War Two.

Guernsey, 2010. After a stroke, an elderly woman shocks her family by speaking perfect French – a language they never knew she possessed. As her granddaughter unravels seventy years of silence, a hidden wartime story emerges...

Paris, 1941. After her brother is declared missing in action at Dunkirk, eighteen-year-old Lenny Gallienne vanishes into Churchill’s secret army. In a bookshop on Rue de la Pompe, she poses as a simple shop girl while encoding intelligence from Nazi headquarters into knitting patterns. Each sweater smuggled to prisoners contains flight paths. Each scarf holds radio frequencies. Each mistake means execution.

Fellow agent, Harry Dennison is the only person who knows her real name. But when the SS close in, Lenny faces an impossible choice in the Metro tunnels beneath Paris – one that will haunt her family for generations. Because in the resistance, the most dangerous secrets are the ones you keep from those you love most.

My Review

I have read that the author of this book wrote it as it combined two of her greatest pleasures – reading and knitting. That resonated deeply with me, as they are also two of my favourite things to do and were what initially attracted me to this book.

Leonore (Lenny) and James grew up on Guernsey. The brother and sister were close, so when Lenny hears that James is missing in action following the battle of Dunkirk, she is understandably devastated. However, she cannot quite bring herself to believe he is dead, and so enlists in Churchill's Secret Army.

During her training, Lenny is the only woman there, and retreats into her faithful knitting. However, when she has the idea to knit Morse code messages into her knitting, she comes to the attention of Harry Dennison, an old friend of her brother's and fellow agent, who sees an opportunity to use her skill to pass messages.

Based on fact, I was already aware that Morse code was used in knitting to aid the war effort. However, it was wonderful to read more about it in this book. I admired the way the author brings this to the attention of the reader through this story. Knitting was the domain of women during this time period, making it easier to avoid detection. However, I loved the chapter where she attempts to teach her fellow agents to knit.

Lenny finds herself in France, working as part of the French Resistance. This is where we see Lenny demonstrate her bravery and courage. She is an excellent character throughout and was easy to engage with.

The bulk of the story is set during the war years, but part of the book is dedicated to the present day and told from the perspective of Lenny's granddaughter, Anna. This added something to the book, as it is only here that we realise that Lenny has kept her wartime secrets with her throughout her life.

This was a well-written book which completely drew me in. The author is a great storyteller who has the ability to engage her readers from the very first page. I have not read anything by this author before, and am so pleased that this is the beginning of a series as I would love to read more.

I was also very satisfied with the ending of the book. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. What more could we ask for but a story which has been well researched, includes knitting, has a fabulous narrative and a bit of romance thrown in. A fabulous book in my opinion, and I would love to hear your thoughts if you read this book.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1837002566

Publisher: Storm Publishing

Formats: e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages: 324 (paperback)

Series: Book 1 in the Threads of Resistance series

Purchase Links

About the Author

Jenny O’Brien writes complex thrillers and heartbreaking historical fiction, as well as intriguing romances. Silent Cry, initially self published, topped the Amazon kindle chart in both the UK and the USA. Most of her books have followed suit.

Jenny has over 40 years experience as a qualified nurse. She turned to creative writing as a hobby when her children were born.

Born in Ireland, she now lives in Guernsey with her husband and children.

BOOK NEWS

The Resistance Knitting Club came out in February, 2026. A blend of Jenny’s two hobbies - knitting and reading. For more check out The Resistance Knitting Club Facebook Page. Join the conversation as well as share your crafting projects.

You can also find Jenny at:

Facebook

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(author photo courtesy of her Instagram page)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Fireflies in Winter by Eleanor Shearer - #bookreview

The Trial - 1798

Halifax County Court is a stage waiting for its players. The judge's place is empty, as is the dock, enclosed on all sides but one. This is where the accused will stand...

The Blurb

Nova Scotia 1796. Cora, an orphan newly arrived from Jamaica, has never felt cold like this. In the depths of winter, everyone in her community huddles together in their homes to keep warm. So when she sees a shadow slipping through the trees, Cora thinks her eyes are deceiving her. Until she creeps out into the moonlight and finds the tracks in the snow.

Agnes is in hiding. On the run from her former life, she has learned what it takes to survive alone in the wilderness. But she can afford no mistakes. When she first spies the young woman in the woods, she is afraid. Yet Cora is fearless, and their paths are destined to cross.

Deep among the cedars, Cora and Agnes find a fragile place of safety. But when Agnes's past closes in, they are confronted with the dangerous price of freedom - and of love...

With evocative prose and immersive storytelling, a powerful novel about love - love for the wilderness in all its unforgiving beauty, and love between two women who risk everything to be together.

My Review

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication. Publishing today, Fireflies in Winter by Eleanor Shearer is an atmospheric and compelling book.

Set in Nova Scotia at the end of the 18th century, it is the story of Cora and Agnes. Cora is an orphan from Jamaica and Agnes is on the run and hiding in the forest. The book tells the story of how their lives come together and they find a love neither of them ever imagined.

The book is beautifully written. I wanted to slow my reading and savour every word. This wasn't a book I wanted to read speedily. This was a book to read at a gentle pace. The author immerses her reader in the time and place in which it is set and it made me want to wallow in each paragraph.

The harshness of the winter came to life on the page. It made me very grateful that I have the luxury of a centrally heated home in which to read this book. The author skilfully creates a world on the page and then drags the reader in. It was an immersive read and I absolutely loved it.

Ms. Shearer is an excellent storyteller who not only describes her characters, but inhabits them. She clearly understood their needs and desires extremely well.

The book deals with some challenging issues, particularly about the meaning of freedom, and what price we have to pay for love. It also considers the strength of the human spirit and resilience through the harsh brutality of her characters' lives.

This is a book which will remain with me for some time to come. It is a beautiful book and one which I can imagine myself reading again.

I haven't read the author's previous book, River Sing Me Home, but rest assured, I already have a copy on order. If it was half as good as this novel, then I already know that I am going to enjoy reading it.

I highly recommend this book and it is one of the best I have read in a while.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1472291462

Publisher: Headline Review

Formats: e-book, hardback and paperback

No. of Pages: 320 (hardback)

Purchase Links

About the Author

Eleanor Shearer is a mixed-race writer and the granddaughter of Windrush generation immigrants. She splits her time between London and Ramsgate. Her debut novel, River Sing Me Home, sold in 20 territories. It was named as one of Time Magazine's 100 Must-Read Books of 2023, was a finalist for the 2024 Dayton Literary Peace Prize Fiction Award, shortlisted for the Grand Prix des Lectrices ELLE 2025 in France and also shortlisted for the Prix Fragonard 2025 in France. It was a Good Morning America Book Club pick, and has been optioned for TV by AL Films and BBC Films.

You can also find Eleanor at:

(ARC and media courtesy of the publisher)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Friday, 6 February 2026

The Heart-Shaped Box by Lucy Kaufman - #bookreview #blogtour

Constance never discovered when or where she caught his eye. But caught it she must have, for on the fifth of January she received his letter.

The Blurb

The page-turning psychological thriller novella about infatuation, revenge and the lengths we will go to for love.

“She pressed her nose gingerly to the glass, peering unblinking through the viscous liquid at her gift.”

Victorian, rural Sussex. When headstrong daughter of a rector, Constance Timothy, receives a flurry of gifts in pretty little boxes from the charming, smouldering student doctor Smith Williams, her whole family anticipates a future betrothal.

Yet beneath the exquisite pastel lids and satin bows lie macabre secrets that entice Constance into a private world of obsession and darkness, where morality becomes blurred, loyalties are tested and unthinkable acts are possible.

One secret will shake the genteel world she knows to the core...

My Review

This novella was a quick and excellent read.

Set in a Sussex village, Constance remains single, despite her parents parading a number of suitable young men before her. One day she receives a letter from a man, Smith Wilson. She has caught his eye and is keen to meet her. Her parents are as excited by this as she is herself. Could this man become her suitor?

Initially, it appeared that this short novella would be a romantic tale. However, Smith Wilson is studying to be a doctor, and while they are apart he sends Constance a stream of gifts which begin as romantic and become eerily bizarre.

Constance is an odd character herself. She revels in the nature of the gifts that she received from Smith Wilson which I found unsettling, and highly surprising in a woman of her class and nature.

This is an unusual story and is different to my usual reading fare. That said, I enjoyed it very much despite it's dark quality. The author told her story well and succinctly and it made for compelling reading.

The first book of The Carousel of Curiosities series, this haunting novella is perfect for readers of Sarah Waters, Laura Purcell, and Angela Carter. I am keen to read the next in the series when it is published.

Book Details

ISBN: 978 1919277202

Publisher: Sepia Ink

Formats: e-book and paperback

No. of Pages: 120 (paperback)

Series: Book 1 in the Carousel of Curiosities series

Purchase Links

About the Author

Lucy Kaufman is an award-winning author, playwright, audio dramatist and poet. 40 of her plays have been performed professionally around the UK and Australia, to critical acclaim. She has lectured in Playwriting and Screenwriting for Pen to Print and Canterbury Christ Church University and is a mentor at The Writing Coach. Originally from London, she now lives by the sea with her husband, sons, dogs and cats.

You can also find Lucy at:

Bluesky

(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Journey to the Scottish Highlands by Julie Shackman - #bookspotlight #blogtour

I am delighted to be shining the spotlight on this book today. Journey to the Scottish Highlands by Julie Shackman looks like a book I would love to read. The cover alone has been hooked.

The Blurb

Daisy’s career hasn’t exactly been going to plan and the last thing she wants to do is stay home and wallow in self-pity. So, when an opportunity arises to escape her London home, and make some money working a fancy event at a stately home, she jumps at it.

Determined to make the most out of the situation, she decides a road trip to the Scottish Highlands would be the perfect way to reset and take control of her life.

When devilishly handsome Evan finds himself stranded at the event following a cancelled flight to Scotland, Daisy does the kindest thing she can think of and invites him to join her. As they embark on their journey north, will the scenic trip help them rediscover themselves, and possibly even find something they weren’t expecting…

Book Details

ISBN: 978 0008728014

Publisher: One More Chapter

Formats: e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages: 384 (paperback)

Series: Book 10 in the Scottish Escapes series

Purchase Links

About the Author

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 has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, Cooper.

Journey to the Scottish Highlands is Julie's fourteenth novel.

You can also find Julie at: