Zara StoneleyBesprekingen

This was described as a good one for fans of The Flatshare and I LOVED that book so I picked this up and it was a total slog for me.

I wanted cute banter via email and post-its and there was like a chapter of that and then everything else was a bunch of stuff that I did not care about at all regarding the ex-boyfriend and a monkey wrench in the leading man's life that felt like it didn't belong.

Meet Alice: a woman who loves her job, doesn’t like to share her things, and has an annoying ex.

Meet Jamie: a man who has some secrets, doesn’t mind sharing, and is not that enthusiastic to return to the office.

They both work for the same company, and when they’re forced to hot desk, they start communicating via notes.

[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]

Cover: Whimsical and cute, I like it.

Another book from Zara Stoneley—I read and appreciated Hot Desk when it first came out—another romantic comedy

My favourite Christmas film of all time is The Holiday, so when I read about this book I just knew I had to read it.

I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The characters where lovely and Zara’s writing makes everything seem so real and cosy. This book is a hot chocolate, curled up on the sofa with a snuggly blanket kind of book. Its a fabulous heartwarming what’s going to happen next book. All in all I really and truly drank in this book in one sitting as I could not put it down.

This book will make Christmas feel extra magical
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for allowing me to review this scrumptious Christmas read xx

Oh this one has all the feels and then some!
You'll be laughing, on the verge of tears, ready to smack some sense into a few grade "A" you-know-whats, and making heart eyes at the one it should have been all along. Honestly, Rosie was a dream...and Noah was definitely easy on the eyes AND heart. Despite the one way street Rosie seems to be walking down toward the big "L" that she's avoiding like the plague, you can't but sense that just maybe it might actually be made for two.

All in all, a great Rom Com for Contemporary fans that'll give you some memorable one-liners, date prep activities at which to smile and/or blush, and ultimately, that special ZING that comes from possibly uncovering that special someone that's just right for you.


**ebook received for review; opinions are my own

Charlotte Brinkley has a small intimate Christmas dinner planned with her finance this year, in hopes that he will present her with a long awaited engagement ring. The trouble is she can’t seem to help herself from inviting half the village to join them.

I really enjoyed this introduction to Tippermere. A crazier more lovable cast of characters, I have rarely read. It was terrific way to battle insomnia, yet I laughed so hard and so out loud that I woke my disgruntled family up just a bit. From the crazy way that more people kept getting added to the guest list, to imagining them all squeezing into the dinner table. The pudding disaster brought tears to my eyes, because I could just feel lady Elizabeth’s frustration at the day getting away from her well planned prying. The corners were neatly filled in with the kind of small township drama that keeps the world turning. This is a place and a group of people that I would seriously enjoy reading about for a long time to come.

Another 'bonus ' but again, no complaints. Lottie is planning a quiet Christmas a deux, but the romantic plans are scuppered by escaping horses, needy people and an exhausted fiance. Set in NW England (and featuring a mad late afternoon dash around a familiar supermarket on Christmas Eve which made me feel better about my unreadiness) this has laughs and love and engaging characters. Good fun.

I love a good giggle! Thus said, if you do too then you might want to read this privately as along with giggling I might have had some outright snorting laughter.🤣

This was a cute, escapist read. There were plenty of humorous scenes and one-liners that had me laughing out loud. The romance was a true slow burn and I wasn't expecting the obstacles that came in the way of Jamie and Alice relationship. They are poor communicators despite their daily messages to each other. It takes them so long to really open up and be honest with each other that it irritated me a bit.
I loved the romance via post-it notes. It was charming and heartwarming. Having four sisters myself I understood Alice's feelings about not wanting to share. I liked Jamie for understanding how Alice was feeling.
I enjoyed the narration. The characters came to life for me and it was very easy listening.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Hot Desk by Zara Stoneley is a fun, lighthearted read. When Alice Dixon was in her first year of university, she and a bunch of friends attended the Reading Festival. There was this one magical moment in the crowd where she bumped into a gorgeous guy she’d never seen before, they kissed, and it was fireworks, but then the crowd surged, they got separated, and he was gone. Fast forward to her first day of work at her current job, and there’s this guy who looks familiar, but it couldn’t be him could it? Alice is pretty sure Jamie Lowe was that guy, but if he was, he doesn’t remember her, and in any case, she’s got a boyfriend. Several years later, Alice is single. With Covid19 playing havoc on the economy, their employer decides to downsize its office space, and desks in the office will be shared, each person being in the office for 2.5 days and then working from home the rest of the time. A friendship develops between them through emails and post-it notes, and it becomes the highlight of Alice’s workday to see what Jamie has left for her.
I enjoyed reading this book very much with a couple of caveats; first, the book treats the pandemic as a short term thing that is over, and everything is back to normal when obviously it is not, and secondly, when they finally confess their feelings to each other and kiss, boom the book is over and I as a reader was left saying wait what about? Steam Level: Light. Publishing Date: August 31, 2021. #HotDesk #ZaraStoneley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #NetGalley #ContemporaryRomance #ContemporaryRomanceReader #RomanceReader #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer

Received from NetGalley.

Sometimes you read a short story and wish it was a full length book. Sometimes you read a full length book and wish it was a short story. At barely 180 pages, I'm not sure what this was but I think it was a little over the top. I feel like it was mostly sex with some plot thrown in just for filler. If you want to write sex, fine, go ahead, I don't care but don't throw in a flimsy plot just for the heck of it. Not one I think I will be recommending.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Dog Sitter by Zara Stoneley is a Women’s Fiction/Romance Novel. I seriously considered putting it down and not finishing it after reading the first chapter because it was trying too hard to be funny. Manure does not generally fly in your driver's side window, and if it does, you are not going to be able to keep driving. I decided to give the book a second chance because I’ve read and enjoyed books by Zara Stoneley before, and it turned out to be a lovely story about rebuilding your life when it comes crashing down and finding someone who loves you as you are. Book cover designer Becky Havers has had an anno horriblis so far, she’s been dumped, fired, and her ex, who was also her boss, has left her with little self-confidence regarding her art. Needing an escape to find a way to regroup, she takes on a housesitting gig in the lake district for Georgina and Instagram Influencer that comes with an adorable cockapoo named Bella. (Who is black and not golden like the dog on the cover) Handsome Veteran Ash James is also rebuilding his life after leaving the Marines and having his relationship end. One thing he is not prepared to give up is his dog Bella, and an instant attraction to Becky has him trying to figure out how to get his dog back and win the girl.
I enjoyed this book very much once I got past the non-sensical heavy-handed first chapter and recommend reading it. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: February 11, 2021. #TheDogSitter #ZaraStoneley #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #WomensFiction #ContemporaryRomance #RomCom #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

I picked this book up on a miserable lockdown November day from one of our local book boxes. It proved to be the perfect remedy for a bit of November blues... an amusing, real, festive romance packed full of snow, tinsel and grumpy men... just as you’d expect a good Christmas book to be. It’s a classic feel good Christmas chic lit, contrived with a happily ever after ending but the perfect pick me up on a grey winters day.

This little novella had me laughing out loud multiple times! Family and friends gather for Christmas dinner and the process of getting everyone and the meal to the table brings lots of laughs. Light and fun and of course, a wonderful Christmas ending. ;)

“She got out of the car, tugged at her suitcase and tried not to grin, because that wouldn’t be fair. She was finally doing it. Finally going.” (Quotation page 52)

Content
Daisy Fischer is happy with her life, her little cottage near Tippermere and her animals. Until her long-term boyfriend Jimmy proposes and she has to admit to herself that she wants more from her life than just stay in the English countryside between house and pub. Florence Cortes, grown up in Tippermere, lives in a comfortable, beautiful apartment in Barcelona, and writes for a magazine, she owns together with her partner Oli, who is also her boyfriend. But one moment changes everything.
Daisy and Florence need a break from their usual life and swap house – for Daisy this means December in sunny, vivid, amazing Barcelona and Florence is looking forward to be back in England, with snow and traditional Christmas preparations. Soon they find out that this Christmas has some surprises waiting for them.

Theme and genre
This feel good romance is about changes, what-ifs, friendship, Barcelona and rural England, Christmas and love.

Characters
The characters of the story are witty and loveable with their special attitudes.

Plot and writing
The story develops between England and Barcelona, takes alternating looks how Florence copes with the animals, an enormous dog, horse and hens, the snow, ice and presumptuous Hugo, who used to tease her when they had been children and now is her neighbor. Daisy loves Barcelona, the sunny beach and the vibrant streets from the very first moment. Moreover, there is charming Javier who shows her his Barcelona with breathtaking views and places.

Conclusion
A cozy, funny, heartwarming Christmas read, perfect to relax in a comfortable reading chair and enjoy.

Not for me.

I just knew from the cover of this book that it was going to be great fun and indeed it was. I have never read a Zara Stoneley book before so this was my first visit to the fictional town of Tippermere in Cheshire. It is actually a dual location book as it is part set in Barcelona so it was fun to flip back and forth between wintry Cheshire and sunny Spain.

Daisy, Flo and Anna are old friends. Daisy is in a humdrum relationship with Jimmy and Flo thinks an important question is on the horizon when her boyfriend, Oli, whisks her to Paris for their anniversary. Out of the blue Daisy gets a proposal she doesn't want whilst Flo wants a proposal that she doesn't get, leaving both girls considering their future. Anna comes up with the idea of Daisy going to Flo's place in Barcelona for a long weekend and Flo coming back to England and staying in Daisy's cottage. The girls jump at the chance so they pack their bags and arrange the swap.

Flo falls back into village life a lot quicker than she thought she would. She has hilarious escapades with Daisy's dog, Mabel, and she is surprised to learn that Daisy's neighbour is an old acquaintance, Hugo. As Flo tries to forget about Oli, she sees Hugo in a different light but is he just after another notch on his bedpost? Meanwhile in Barcelona, Daisy meets Flo's friend, Javier. Javier certainly makes Daisy's heart beat faster, which is something Jimmy has never done. With Daisy only in Barcelona for a short time, how can she risk starting anything with Javier? Hugo and Javier are such deep and mysterious Darcy-esque characters, they'll certainly warm you up on a cold winter's night.

The Holiday Swap is one of those books that you should read curled up on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate. It has just the right amount of festive feeling so as not to feel out of place as a summer read, but it would be perfect to read as the snow is falling outside and you can escape to the sunny city of Barcelona. It's a funny light-hearted book filled to the brim with romance and hilarious escapades. I look forward to visiting Tippermere again in the future.

I received this e-book from the publisher, HarperImpulse, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of erotic romances are sure to enjoy Zara Stoneley’s unique spin on the marriage of convenience storyline. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2012/06/08/forfeit/

3.5 stars. Riding High by Zara Stoneley is a super sexy and highly erotic novella. It is a fast-paced story that will set your eReader on fire. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.

Summer of Surrender by Zara Stoneley is a sexually-charged romance between two completely opposite characters who are absolutely perfect for one another.

Looking forward to some much needed alone time, James is not at all pleased when he discovers Kezia will be spending the summer with him. He is also less than thrilled by his intense attraction to the bohemian beauty but their passion for one another is impossible to resist. Just as things are heating up between them, their relationship is threatened by someone from Kezia's past.

James and Kezia are a study in contrasts and that is what makes their pairing so wonderful. Kezia is an only child who adored her parents and fully embraced their wandering lifestyle. She is a delightful breath of fresh air-exuberant, open and confident with just a hint of insecurity stemming from her unconventional upbringing. In the aftermath of a tragic loss, Kezia is finally ready to put down some roots when she meets James.

James's childhood was traditional and as an adult, he followed the predictable path to a successful job and marriage. After his divorce, he walked away from both his career and family and James now keeps tight control of every aspect of his life. He is quite enigmatic and it takes him most of the novel to reveal his secrets.

James and Kezia's attraction to one another is sizzling hot and their sex scenes are quite steamy. With James, Kezia is finally able to explore her fantasies of submitting to a dominant partner. James relishes Kezia's submissiveness but he also learns to relinquish control on occasion.

Zara Stoneley's Summer of Surrender is a lovely, angst-free romance that I greatly enjoyed. James and Kezia are extremely charming and likable and they both learn some valuable lessons from one another. The plot is well-developed and unique and there is quite a bit of substance to the overall storyline. A must read for anyone who enjoys erotic romances.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Four Christmases And A Secret by Zara Stoneley is a funny and charming Christmas themed book reminiscent of Bridget Jones Diary and all your favourite British Rom Com films. Daisy Dunkerly is 31 and feeling that her life can be summed up with the phrase Must Try Harder. Ambitious and competitive as a child everything seemed to go wrong when she was 18, did poorly on her exams and her dreams of becoming a vet drifted away. Her childhood friend and nemesis Oliver Cartwright on the other hand has become a successful doctor and world traveler with beautiful girlfriends things that are drilled into her head by her mother and his, good friends who fiercely compete in bragging rights of their offspring. I enjoyed reading this story of how Daisy finds her way back to herself and finds love along the way making it a perfect book to curl up with after a busy day and just escape all the frustrations. Mild Steam. Publishing Date September 27, 2019 #NetGalley #FourChristmasesAndASecret #ZaraStoneley #HarperCollinsPublishers #HarperImpulseandKillerReads #OneMoreChapter #Bookstagram
#BritishRomCom #BritishChickLit

I'd not read anything by Zara Stoneley previously, but I found the cover of No One Cancels Christmas rather appealing in its simplicity, and the blurb definitely sounded like the sort of story I'd enjoy reading. And I wasn't wrong!

The story is told in the first person, from the point of view of the newly single Sarah, and the action takes place in both Canada and the UK. It begins just before the Christmas holidays with Sarah, a travel agent, deciding to fly out to Canada to sort out the Shooting Star Mountain resort, which has been receiving very negative reviews of late. Here she meets and experiences the owners, Will, the brooding one, and his brother Ed, the work-shy one.

The main characters are likeably flawed, with issues to resolve, and the secondary characters add colour to the story. I particularly liked Poppy, the child who attaches herself to Sarah on the flight over and Rosie the dog. Animals are such knowing creatures. But my favourite character would have to be Sam's mum, Ruth, as she provides some of the comedic moments without being aware of it - which of course adds to the comedy value.

I enjoyed reading this book and I will look out for more stories from Ms Stoneley.

My thanks to the author for a free digital copy of this book to review.

Sooooo not that I hated it I didn't but I also didn't love it and didn't find it as funny as other readers did, but we all have an opinion so pick up and decide for yourself. This clan had a whole lot of drama and luckily for Jane she finally got a clue and realized that her flatmate Freddie was the one for her and he has been waiting for her all along (of course sleeping with others) but he knew that she needed time and she finally realized that her ex the one who had dumped her at her hen party was not worthy of her..I never got how friends could sleep with their other friends boyfriends, exes and still remain friends..but to each its own.

Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
My Review Of
The Wedding Date by Zara Stoneley

I read The Wedding Date by Zara Stoneley in one sitting with a bowl of popcorn and enjoyed every minute of (the popcorn too!) Samantha has been dumped by Liam, not just dumped but has found out that his new girlfriend is pregnant! Samantha must attend her best friends wedding and unfortunately two timing Liam is the best man. What follows is a sometimes hilarious , romantic and charming story. Samantha hires Jake, a hunky actor to play the role of her boyfriend but lets be honest here, I knew from there first meeting that there had to be more. Did I mention that Jake is a hunk, a dog lover and quite charming. Harry the dog stole quite a few scenes with his jump off the pages adorableness. This author knows how to create/write a leading man that is hunky, charming and lovable. I loved Samantha and her dilemma about Liam being at the wedding of her best friend along with her paid for "boyfriend" makes for a wonderful romantic comedy/chick-lit.This review was originally posted on My Fiction Obsession

Lottie Brinkley can’t wait to spend Christmas with her fiancée, Rory Steel. A quiet day in front of the television and some time spent in the bedroom is what she has envisioned. She is also hoping to get an engagement ring being as Rory has already proposed and she accepted. Somewhere along the way, things go off track and she ends up with a house full instead. This is part of a series and I have not read any of the other books. Saying this, I did enjoy the story even though I did not have any background. The author has included a guide with all characters’ names and a bit of information at the beginning of the story, which was helpful for me when the characters got a bit confusing. The novella is divided into three separate parts: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which was a nice division. The story flowed well with enough detail considering this was a novella. I did laugh several times, especially when the boy delivering the turkey showed up unexpectedly. ‘A Very Country Christmas’ is a light, feel-good, festive that I enjoyed during the lead up to Christmas.