Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson

About the Book

Welcome to Spring Hill, home to a square of independent shops and cafes, a thriving local community and nearby the newest venture, Ray’s Diner. Here a group of women meet once a week over a cup of something warming. 

Amanda is primary carer to her elderly mother and one of the only women in a male-dominated company. Used to being second-best all her life, is this her time to finally break ranks and shine?

Sky works at the repair shop, patching up old teddy bears, and their owners’ hearts. But her heart beats for the one man who is strictly off-limits.

Mel has been a loyal and loving wife to Steve for thirty years. Then when he goes to his old school reunion, life as she knows it will never be the same again.

Erin is trying to get over a traumatic loss where her guilt weighs more than her grief. Can she find the first step to healing lies in sharing an hour with strangers once a week? 

Astrid is feeling in need of a change and a challenge. But when a fantastic opportunity presents itself, who is around to convince her she is worthy enough to take the risk? 

Can these women find the answers to their worries, acceptance, courage, support here? Join them at the same time next week to find out…

Title:  Same Time Next Week

Author:  Milly Johnson

Published By: Simon & Schuster 

Publication Date: 27th Feb 2025

Links:   UK:   Amazon   WHSmith: Hardback   Paperback  Waterstones  Hardback   Paperback

Our Review

Well first of all this book got me right away and had me crying just at the dedication because I know that Milly has really been through it lately and as usual she has poured her heart and soul into every word of this story. The emotions are so strong they're almost tangible.

Same Time Next Week follows five women who are brought together in a friendship group in the hunky Ray's Diner. They meet weekly and as they navigate their way through life, whether that be through the menopause, illness or having a cheating bastard husband, these characters are certainly put through the mill but they soon come to realise they are not alone and they find a strong friendship with each other but there are still plenty of people to hiss and boo at on their behalf.

Milly has a magical touch to creating characters and getting you to embrace and champion them right from the word go. It was brilliant to watch their layers peel away and get to the nitty gritty of what makes them tick and as each one manoeuvres their way through life's journey and overcomes their individual struggles you just want to cheer for them. The themes of the story were so unusual and interesting and I loved how the chapters moved forward with updates on each of the main characters as you were left on tenterhooks with each one.

I think we can safely say that everyone got absolutely what they deserved in this brilliant book and Milly's unique humour, insight into the human psyche and her ability to see the extraordinariness of seemingly ordinary, everyday people will have you laughing, crying and raging all in one chapter. 

Heart-breaking, emotional yet tremendously uplifting, Milly has woven her magic once again in between the pages of another compelling read.

Sincerely

Book Angel x 

About the Author

Milly Johnson was born, raised and still lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. She is the author of 22 novels, 4 short story ebooks, a book of poetry and a Quick Reads Novella ('The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe') and was an erstwhile leading copywriter for the greetings card industry. She is also a poet, a professional joke-writer, a newspaper columnist and a seasoned after dinner speaker.

She won the RoNA for Best Romantic Comedy Novel of 2014 and 2016, the Yorkshire Society award for Arts and Culture 2015, the Romantic Novelist Association Outstanding Achievement award in 2020, the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2021 and the Richard Whiteley Award for Inspiration to the County of Yorkshire in 2022.

She writes about love, life, friendships and the importance of community spirit. Her books champion women, their strength and resilience and celebrate her beloved Yorkshire.

Her 22nd novel 'Same Time Next Week' out 27th Feb 2025 is about five women all negotiating big changes in their lives. Will coming together in a friendship group at the new Ray's Diner help them overcome what fate throws at them? Full of blueberry pie and cookies (don't blame me if you start craving them) 

Do check out Milly's website - it's easy to find if you search for her name. She has a monthly newsletter with insider info, competitions and even birthday celebrations.

Follow the rest of the tour here...

Simon & Schuster UK TeamBATC 2025 Showcase

 Wow what a fabulous day and I can't believe it's been ten years since I went to my first ever Books and the City Showcase and met my favourite author Milly Johnson, it was Heidi Swain's (another fave of mine) debut at the time and I'm lucky enough to have attended every single one since. 

L - R    Milly Johnson, Me and Linda Hill

The afternoon of the TeamBATC2025Showcase started with lunch with the fabulous Milly Johnson, did I mention she is my favourite author? and my lovely blogger friend Linda Hill, we chatted for hours and put the world to rights. Milly signed my copy of My One True North for me, it's very special as it has my quote in there which I'm thrilled about. She also very kindly gave us one of her Same Time Next Week planners and pens which we were thrilled with. Thanks Milly. xxx

We then strolled down to Simon & Schuster head office where there were a lovely group of bloggers waiting.

Then we were met by the fantastic hostess with the mostest Sara-Jade Virtue,

Brand Development Director at S&S who led us up to their offices. We had a snack table which included delicious Lola's Cupcakes and lots of prosecco and cocktails on offer too. 

I had a cosmo which was delish. It was lovely to mingle with blogger friends and I met Caden Armstrong, owner of Book Lovers Bookshop in Edinburgh which is the first bricks and mortar Romance bookshop in the UK.

Me with Caden Armstrong

There were lots of cheers as the eight fabulous authors came into the room. In order from left to right, Eva Verde, Julie Haworth, Kate Lord Brown, Laura Wood, Lizzie Huxley Jones, Lucy Vine, Milly Johnson and Sophie Loxton.

We were then treated to each author giving us a little pitch before reading from their books, from there we had a Q and A session with the authors and Molly Crawford who is Editorial Director at S&S. 

The books all sound absolutely amazing and there was lots of laughter in the room so I have a feeling they are going to be very entertaining.

We were then given the most fabulous goody bags and instructed to help ourselves to the book table as well which is a symphony to book lovers ears. 

The authors very kindly signed our books and it was lovely to get to speak to them, some who've been there a while and some new ones.

Then like Cinderella at the ball the clock strikes and alot of us have to leave to catch our trains, as ever the time goes far too quickly, I then walked to the station with fab bloggers Julie Boon and Dawn Crooks. Thank you so much to Sara-Jade who was presented with a gorgeous bouquet by Publishing Director, Clare Hey for all her hard work. 

Thanks also to all the Books and The City Team and all the fabulous authors and bloggers etc. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone again.

I unpacked my goody bag and just look at this sensational array of books. Can't wait to read them all.

For details and links of the above books please see below

Them Girls by Eva Verde 

   

       Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth

 

   The Golden Hour by Kate Lord Brown

   Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood

   Reality Check by Lizzie Huxley Jones

   Book Boyfriend by Lucy Vine

   Same Time Next Week by Milly Johnson

   Wild About You by Sophie Loxton

If you would like to read my very first ever blog from the very first ever Team BATC Showcase then click here.

Love

Sincerely

Book Angel x

Wife Mother Liar by Sue Watson

About the Book

She’s perfect. Too perfect…

Wife: For twenty-five years, my husband and I have been the ideal couple. I’m shy, but he’s always been the life and soul of the party, a charmer, so I didn’t worry the first time I caught him a little too close to my best friend, Wendy.

Mother: Then our darling son says he’s taking Wendy’s daughter to prom, the girl I never trusted because she’s too much like her mother. As I snap photos of them, I have a smile plastered on my face, but inside my head I’m screaming at him to stay away from her.

Liar: As flashing lights slice the darkness around our home, my worst nightmare comes true with the shocking news that one of our children is dead. And I can tell my husband, my best friend are both lying about where they were. But none of their secrets compares to mine.

And nobody knows just how far I’d go to protect my family…

Title: Wife Mother Liar

Author: Sue Watson

Published By: Bookouture

Publication Day: 10th January 2025

Links: UK: Amazon

Our Review

 I managed to read this fast paced thriller in one day because I simply could not put it down. 

Jill and Wendy are next door neighbours and have been best friends for years along with their husbands Tim and Robert. 

When Jill’s son and Wendy’s daughter's friendship becomes a little closer they go to the prom together but tragedy strikes and only one of them returns. This sets off a catastrophic series of events when the mother of the dead child (I’m not saying which one because I don’t do spoilers,) is determined to find out exactly what happened as she doesn’t believe it was an accident. 

The bereaved mum invites the other to stay in a cottage for a weekend so they can retrace their children’s footsteps at the place where things began to go wrong and to get their friendship back on a firm footing, or so she says. Things get quite creepy around the cottage as the old landlord appears and makes them feel uncomfortable. The setting sounded absolutely amazing especially with the view of the stars. It was such a shame because the weekend could have been an amazing bonding experience but distrust kicked in and put an end to any hopes of that especially as one of the mums had an ulterior motive and was prepared to kill to get what she wanted.

However things don’t quite go to plan for the grieving and vengeful mother and as she eventually learns the truth she also unearths more secrets and lies. 

This page turning thriller will have your heart pounding as you race through the twists and turns of the story to get to the truth and you will not be disappointed.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Sue Watson was a journalist on national magazines and newspapers before becoming a TV producer with the BBC.

Now a USA Today bestselling author, Sue explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists.

Originally from Manchester, she now lives with her family in leafy Worcestershire where much of her day is spent writing and procrastinating. Her hobby is eating cake while watching diet and exercise programmes from the sofa, a skill she’s perfected after many years of practice.

Follow Sue on Twitter @suewatsonwriter and Instagram @suewatsonbooks.

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Sue Watson here: https://www.bookouture.com/sue-watson/

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

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That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain

 

Holly has the place to herself this Christmas. It’s not her place, though – she is house-sitting for friends who live on Nightingale Square – just there to keep the place warm and cosy and only for long enough for her to sort her life out. Newly single and finding herself unsure about next steps for her career, she plans to hunker down and make some life decisions.

To clear her mind, she sets off on early morning walks around a nearby lake and bumps into May, an older lady who is also new to the area, and her dapper Dachshund Monty. Quickly, a firm friendship blossoms. Then when Holly meets Bear, a rather large and rather attractive man, at the local pub, and his rescue dog Queenie, her stay at Nightingale Square suddenly feels even more appealing.

As the community comes together for the season’s festivities, Holly must start thinking about where her life will take her next. Some big decisions need to be made, but distractions close to home make thinking about the future more tricky than ever…

Will she get that festive feeling this Christmas…?

                                                                            *****

Title: That Festive Feeling

Author: Heidi Swain

Published By: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 12th October 23

Links:   UK:   Amazon       US:   Amazon

WHSmith

Waterstones

                                                                          *****

Our Review

Heidi Swain has done it again with this cracker of a Christmas Story. I loved my trip back to Nightingale Square where Holly is house sitting for friends of hers. After a relationship break up she needed somewhere to lick her wounds and plan for the next stage of her life and Nightingale Square provided the perfect solution.

On a walk she rescues a little dog from the mud and gives his owner, an elderly lady called May a lift home. They quickly become firm friends and confide in each other a lot.

On a trip to the pub Holly accidentally steps on a dog’s paw and when she tries to pet the dog she is told off by the grumpy owner, a very handsome man called Bear.

Holly really wants to keep herself to herself  but reluctantly becomes immersed in the village life, in doing so her and Bear’s paths cross regularly and she finds herself falling for him but his relationship to someone she has become close to prevents them from getting together so she has to nip it in the bud. But love very often doesn't behave as we would like it to and as the saying goes, it always finds a way.

I loved every aspect of this book, the relationship with Holly and May and watching that friendship grow, the pain of her feelings for Bear which she can’t give in to, the descriptions of Bear’s home which was a converted horsebox and the camaraderie around the square even if Holly does find it a bit difficult to have people knowing her business.

Talking of business, Holly is at a standstill in her career as an illustrator and is just not feeling it any more and I loved how May and Bear’s dogs really piqued her imagination and I could see the drawings in my mind really clearly.

Heidi paints a wonderful picture of all the beautiful settings she’s created and this one features everything you need for the perfect cosy Christmas. I recommend you grab a chunkie mug of hot chocolate, a warm blanket and snuggle up in front of the fire to read this fabulously festive treat. 

Sincerely

Book Angel x

About the Author

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three locations - the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast, as well as summer standalone titles.

Heidi lives in beautiful west Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website or on social media.

The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash

Dare to dream big…

When Nancy opened her dream bookshop overlooking the golden sands and shimmering waters of Driftwood Bay, she may have taken on a little too much. She might know all about books, but doesn’t know the first thing about business! She did however, want to do something meaningful with the inheritance money she got from her beloved Aunty Theresa.

When Dennis, visiting grandson of one of her dearest friends, offers to help, Nancy knows she can’t say no. Dennis is a high-flying businessman, with a fancy London job and a successful banking portfolio to prove it.

Trouble is, he makes the worst first impression. Nothing short of an insufferable know-it-all, Dennis takes every opportunity to remind her how out of her depth she is.

But Nancy knows her strengths, and just as much as she needs Dennis, he needs her too. There’s plenty she can teach him, and the more she shows off her world of Driftwood Bay, where the pace of life is slower and the morning sunrises are the most beautiful thing you can witness, perhaps they could become more than just business partners?

An utterly gorgeous romantic read set by the beautiful Cornish coast, perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley and Heidi Swain

Title: The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove

Author: Kim Nash

Published By: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 28th October 2024

Links:  UK:   Amazon     US:   Amazon

Waterstones      WHSmith (Hardback)

Our Review

There are so many things that are absolutely gorgeous about this book, the title for one, the cover, Driftwood Bay and this cosy little bookshop.

Nancy is a lovely character but not so good in the business department so it's no surprise to discover that her idyllic bookshop, her life's dream come true, is not doing so well in the financial sense.

Enter Dennis, her friend Vi's grandson who is a bit of a stuffy accountant type it seems. He certainly doesn't impress Nancy either with his choice of words or actions however she does think he's a bit of a hunk despite all that.

Nancy has an official launch party coming up and needs all hands on deck and Dennis appears to be just the man for the job. Once they begin to understand each other their working relationship becomes a whole lot easier, that is until someone causes trouble for them further down the line.

I really loved Nancy and her little hobby of painting shells and felt she so deserved a happy ending. I felt as though I was in the bookshop with her alot of the time as it sounded like such a lovely place to be. I'd already fallen in love with Driftwood Bay from reading Kim's other books so it was exciting to pop back for a visit to see how everyone was getting on.

I really enjoyed the relationship that Nancy had with her brother, the easy way they spoke to and tormented each other was such a joy and showed another dimension to Nancy's character, it also provided lots of humour in the book as well as sentimentality and family loyalty.

Packed with friendship, romance, (I mean what could be more romantic than meeting in a bookshop,) and a cast of interesting characters, this book is a perfect, uplifting and cosy read to get you through the long cold winter nights. I thoroughly recommend but I guarantee you will be wanting to open a bookshop of your own.

Sincerely

Book Angel x 

About the Author

Kim Nash is an author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction and has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. The Cornish Cove series is set in the fictional seaside village of Driftwood Bay in Cornwall and is published by Boldwood Books. The Bookshop at the Cornish Cove is her latest book. 

She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and is a book blogger. 

When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading, binge-watching box sets on the TV, and dreaming of living by the sea! She's also quite partial to a spa day, lemon drizzle cake and a gin and tonic (not all at the same time!) Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events. 

Follow the rest of the tour here...

 

Home for Christmas by Heidi Swain

Bella is living her best life in Wynbridge, with her beloved Spaniel, Tink. She’s found a way to keep the house she inherited from her grandparents while expanding her dream business – Away With the Fairies – and she’s ecstatic that Christmas is on the horizon!

 

In fact, everything is perfect until family friend, Catherine Connelly asks Bella if she’d be willing to rent part of the house to freelance author, Jude who is researching the history of the Connelly Clan and Wynthorpe Hall ahead of turning his findings into a book. The plan had been for Jude to stay at the hall, but he can’t cope with the chaos and Bella reluctantly agrees to open her door to him.

 

Initially, the pair clash but then friendlier feelings begin to grow and Bella finds herself wondering if Jude could become more than just another guest before it’s time for him to leave. That is, until he announces he has no time for Christmas!

Title: Home For Christmas

Author: Heidi Swain

Published By: Simon & Schuster UK

Publication Date 10th October 2024

Links: UK:  Amazon   US:   Amazon

Waterstones   WHSmith

Our Review

First of all can we please just have a round of applause for the gorgeousness of the cover, the paperback has shiny gold lettering and I guarantee would bring so much joy to anyone unwrapping this as a present on Christmas morning. Home for Christmas is the sixth of Heidi's books set in Wynbridge and I was excited to head back there for this Christmassy delight.

Bella loves everything about Christmas and every year she follows her family's tradition by starting the preparations on the first of December, each day she has a specific task to do whether it be decorating the whole house with festive fayre, (yes the whole house, even the bathroom) or making mince pies and sausage rolls. She is a creature of habit and is happy to carry on the ways of her grandparents keeping their memory alive as her house belonged to them before they both passed. 

When she's asked by her friends Catherine and Angus if she will put up a lodger who is writing a book for them about the history of Wynthorpe Hall, she is reluctant but feels they've been so kind to her over the years so eventually agrees. Expecting an older gent to turn up she is more than a little excited to see a gorgeous hunk of a man appear on her doorstep by the name of Jude. The only thing is she quickly finds out he hates Christmas. Whilst Bella and Jude don't exactly hit it off at first, Jude is immediately enamoured by Bella's gorgeous little spaniel called Tink and I just know you will fall in love with her too.

Jude's dislike of anything remotely Christmassy creates an awkward situation for Bella who feels that she can't express herself properly in her own house which is very soon taken over by the mounds of paperwork involved in researching Wynthorpe Hall. She has to keep reminding herself that it's only temporary but as the time draws near for him to leave she begins to get to understand him a bit better and wants to get to know him more.

Jude turned out to make Scrooge look like Santa himself such was his dislike of the festive period and anything to do with it and Bella makes it her business to find out why.

I loved the little business that Bella worked very hard at, it was called Away with the Fairies, Bella made fairies and also dressed like one when she went to fairs etc to sell them. It was such a quirky idea for a business which sounded like hard work but satisfying and fun, I could just imagine how cute the fairies were and Bella gets a lovely request about her fairies which was amazing. 

Home for Christmas is literally everything about Christmas all wrapped up in a book, the sort of story you need to read curled up in front of the fire when the weather is freezing outside as it is guaranteed to warm your heart.

Heading back to Wynbridge was lovely to see how lots of Heidi's previous characters were getting on, including Holly and Bear and the staff at The Cherry Tree Cafe which was the author's first book.

Fabulously festive and fun, you will struggle to find anything more Christmassy than this uplifting read from one of my favourite authors, Heidi Swain.

Sincerely

Book Angel x

Follow the rest of the blog tour here

About the Author

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three locations - the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast, as well as summer standalone titles.

Heidi lives in beautiful west Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website or on social media.

The Holiday Escape by Heidi Swain

About the Book

Her dream holiday is his everyday life. His dream holiday is her normal life. What happens when they collide?

 Ally and her dad, Geoff, run the family business, a creative retreat, from their home Hollyhock Cottage in picturesque Kittiwake Cove. They give their guests their dream break, but Ally hankers after glamourous city living, fancy restaurants and art galleries.

Ally’s survival strategy is to escape out of season, take a break abroad and pretend to be the person she always imagined she would be. She meets Logan while she’s away and he turns out to be exactly the kind of distraction she’s looking for.

With her spirits restored, Ally returns home, picks up the reins again and sets her sights on another successful season, but when Logan unexpectedly arrives on the scene, she soon realises she’s in for a summer that’s going to be far from straightforward…

 A story about bringing a holiday home – and what happens when what goes on on holiday comes back to bite you…

Title: The Holiday Escape

Author: Heidi Swain

Publication Day: 25th April 2024

Published By: Simon & Schuster UK

Links:   UK:   Amazon    US:   Amazon

Our Review

I loved how this book starts with a huge glimpse into an important part of Ally's persona. When she goes on holiday she likes to be the person she wishes she was. So she creates a whole new life, new name, new job and everything, after all what does it matter she will never see these people again... or will she? 

Whilst on the way to Barcelona Ally gets chatting to a nun and a young man next to her called Logan. When asked her name she panics and gives her best friend Flora's name, she enjoys the holiday apart from feeling guilty for lying to the nun. As she and Logan become closer she realises that she is starting to have feelings for him and so stands him up on their last evening together.

When she arrives home at Kittiwake cove she tries to forget all about him but soon comes face to face with him again. He is not very impressed to find out she lied to him.

Ally is torn, she has always wanted to leave Kittiwake cove but can't after a promise she made to someone very special. The guilt of leaving her dad with such a heavy workload far outweighed her sense of adventure so that's where she stayed.

Ally's Dad's story was lovely and let's just say there was more than one happy ending in this book. As Ally and Logan begin to get closer again someone throws a spanner in the works but for Ally maybe the most surprising thing of all is what she actually wanted had been under her nose all along.

It was just joyful watching Ally's character develop over the book and to top it all a very satisfying ending all around.

Another classic Heidi Swain novel, bursting with a sense of adventure, community, friendship and love.

                                                                                    ***

Click below if you would like to read our review of Heidi's other standalone novel.

The Holiday Retreat

Sincerely

Book Angel x x 

About the Author

Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three locations - the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast, as well as summer standalone titles.

Heidi lives in beautiful west Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!

Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website or on social media.