Note: I received Advance Listening Copies (ALCs) from LibroFM of all the three book.

Book 1: Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

Sometimes all you need is a warm, hopeful story that reminds you life can begin again after heartbreak. Love Blooms at the Cornish Cottage is exactly that kind of book.

Kim Nash has a wonderfully comforting writing style that feels like a breath of fresh sea air. The story is filled with charming characters, emotional moments, and the kind of optimism that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and keep reading.

Michelle was easy to root for. Her struggles with mid-life changes, past heartbreak, family relationships, and the fear of opening her heart again felt realistic and relatable. I especially appreciated her journey toward rediscovering her confidence, independence, and sense of self-worth.

The romance follows a fairly predictable path once Makis enters the picture, but honestly, that’s part of the appeal. This is comfort reading, and the familiar beats work in its favor. That said, there were moments when Michelle’s decisions tested my patience. She seemed far too trusting of Makis despite several obvious red flags.

What stayed with me most was the book’s message about rebuilding your life, healing old wounds, repairing family bonds, and realizing that happiness doesn’t depend on someone else completing you.

Even if you’ve never read the previous Sandpiper Shores books, this works perfectly well as a standalone.

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Book 2: The Italian Village in the Hills by Victoria Springfield

The Italian Village in the Hills is a warm, character-driven story about family, identity, and the secrets that linger across generations.

The novel follows two women whose journeys bring them to the beautiful Italian region of Liguria. Stella returns to the village she once called home, accompanied by her fiancé, while Amy sets out to uncover the mystery behind a coin necklace and postcard left behind by her grandfather. As their stories unfold, both women find themselves confronting the past and discovering truths that will shape their futures.

What stood out most for me were the characters and their emotional journeys. Stella and Amy each have compelling storylines, and while it takes some time for the parallel narratives to connect, the payoff is worth the wait. Once the pieces begin falling into place, the story becomes increasingly engaging and difficult to put down.

The setting is another highlight. Springfield brings Liguria to life through vivid descriptions of medieval streets, olive groves, coastal views, and delicious local food. Reading it felt a little like taking a gentle holiday through the Italian Riviera, complete with the kind of scenery that makes you immediately want to book a flight. Humans are remarkably susceptible to descriptions of pasta and picturesque villages.

While some plot developments are fairly predictable, there are still a few surprises along the way. More importantly, the emotional core of the story remains strong throughout, making it an enjoyable and satisfying read.

A lovely escape filled with family secrets, beautiful scenery, and heartfelt discoveries, perfect for readers who enjoy women’s fiction with a strong sense of place.

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Book 3: The Book Club Boyfriend (Must Love Hockey #2) by Kendall Ryan

This book has all the ingredients of a fun rom-com: grumpy/sunshine chemistry, frienemies-to-lovers tension, a slow-burn romance, and a bet that complicates everything. If those tropes are your weakness, this one is easy to pick up.

The alternating POVs worked particularly well, helping build the romantic tension and making it easy to root for the characters as they danced around their feelings. The audiobook narration also does a great job bringing that dynamic to life.

That said, the story didn’t completely win me over. The pacing dragged in places, especially when the romance seemed to be circling the same emotional ground. I also struggled a bit with the heroine, who often came across as more insecure than self-assured. While her growth arc made sense, I wanted a stronger sense of confidence and agency from her.

Overall, this was a cute, trope-filled romance with plenty of banter and chemistry, but I found myself wishing for a little more energy, passion, and that extra spark that turns a good rom-com into a memorable one.

A solid choice for readers who love slow-burn romance and classic rom-com tropes, even if it never quite reaches its full potential.

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