The Magical Matcha Teashop by Natasha Bache

 

Welcome to Lavender Hollow… your next small town romance obsession!

Grace fled London with a broken engagement and a wedding dress she still hasn't paid for. Max returned home with secrets of his own, and a painful past he’d much rather leave behind.

But neither expected to find magic hiding in a cup of matcha. Because in the sleepy village of Lavender Hollow, something unusual is brewing…

As Matcha Made in Heaven’s newest employee, Grace soon realises she has an extraordinary gift when customers start crying over their lattes and spilling secrets they never meant to share.

In the warmth of the cosy teashop, will Grace and Max discover that the best recipe for love might be one brewed together?

For fans of cozy fantasy romance, The Magical Matcha Teashop serves up the perfect blend of small-town charm, found family, spicy romance and just a sprinkle of magic.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s heartwarming, gentle, and exactly the kind of cosy read that leaves you smiling. The magical elements are only a light touch, centred on Grace’s moods and how they influence her tea and, in turn, the people who drink it. Some of the effects were quite funny, and my favourite scenes were of her parents, followed by the two workmen.

Max and Grace were such a sweet couple. Max’s quiet infatuation was adorable. He would keep the bookshop open late just so he could help her find a book, offered her a place to stay, and watched out for her when her ex appeared. His kindness and steady presence made their connection feel warm and genuine, and I loved how naturally their relationship unfolded.

Yuji, the owner of the teashop, was such a lovely character. He deeply missed his late wife and recognised the same sense of magic in Grace that his wife once had. I really liked how he reacted when he noticed people behaving oddly after drinking her tea, insisting that he make it from now and gently encouraging Grace to keep control over her emotions while brewing. His kindness and quiet wisdom added a touching layer to the story.

The small town setting and found family made this a heartwarming, whimsical read with just the right sprinkle of magic.

The Magical Matcha Teashop is available now! Kindle, audio and paperback. 

                                                         Amazon

The Twisted Mark (Witch Trials #1) by Sophie Williamson

Gabriel’s eyes haven’t left my face. There’s not much he can do to me that he’s not already entitled my body and my magic, served up on a plate in return for my brother’s freedom. I swallow hard. I’m hardly naïve—but I’ve never gone all the way. I can’t back out now. I can’t let my family down...

Sadie Sadler lives in the big city. Takes the train to work each day. Drinks fancy coffee. Does yoga… and never, ever does magic, lest it leads Gabriel Thornber straight to her door.

Sadie’s family have used their magic to protect the small northern town of Mannith for centuries. But now, Sadie’s brother Brendan is on trial for murder, and Gabriel, the charismatic and sinister head of the Sadlers’ only rivals, is moving to take the town. Only Sadie has both the knowledge to save Brendan and the magical strength to face down Gabriel.

The trouble is, there’s a good reason Sadie left home and turned her back on she bargained away her powers and her body to Gabriel to save her damn brother the last time he got in trouble. If she comes home, Gabriel will try to collect… but there’s no way she’ll allow her brother to rot in jail or her family’s strength to wane.

Returning in disguise, Sadie’s plan to save Brendan and get out is tested as she’s dragged back into a world of magic and power, with Gabriel at its centre. Battling both her long-standing terror of him and a growing, dark attraction, she must decide who Mannith’s real villains are and how far she’ll go for her family.

A promise made… a magical debt unpaid. This is a fight that could cost Sadie everything.

I originally read this book and rated it three stars, but on my re-listen, I found myself enjoying it more. The same issues still bother me, particularly the poor choices Gabriel makes and how they affect Sadie. He has a steep hill to climb to win me over in the next book.

What drew me in this time was the magical worldbuilding. I loved the idea of characters being able to speak with their dead relatives when visiting their graves. Sadie's conversation with |gabriel's mother was genuinely moving. At the same time, there’s a very dark side to this magic, and the cost required to maintain it is quite horrific. I was surprised that more characters weren’t actively searching for an alternative, given how brutal the consequences are.

The enemies‑to‑lovers thread worked well for me, and despite my frustrations with Gabriel, I’m invested enough in the relationship and the wider mystery to want to see what happens next.

The twisted Mark is a dark fantasy with a compelling magical concept and a romance I’m curious to follow further.

Buy link- Audible UK    Amazon UK

The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop (Bonnie Bay Book 1) by Debbie Johnson

 Series

Bonnie Bay

Release date

30-04-26

Language

English

Format

Unabridged Audiobook

Length

8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher

Hachette UK - Bookouture

“Take a leap of faith and visit our perfect little bookshop by the sea.”

Bookshop owner Moira writes the first of many invitations she’ll send out into the world. They’ll find the right people, she’s certain…

Single and in a dead-end job, Kate feels hope spring when an anonymous invitation falls from the pages of a book. Now, she’s standing in a charming Scottish village and trying to ignore the six-four silver fox by her side. He’s got an invitation too, a husky Chicago accent, and dangerously gorgeous sea-blue eyes…

Widowed ex-police officer Brody never expected to be stranded in Scotland with a cute British lady. Her smile might be bewitching… but her attitude? Way too cheerful. And eccentric bookshop owner Moira says they can stay for free, as long as they don’t mind sharing one very cozy little cottage.

That’s the least of their problems. Turns out Moira’s bookshop needs them just as much as Kate and Brody need a fresh start. And with a twinkle in Moira’s mischievous matchmaking eye, things are soon hotting up in surprising ways!

But as they string fairy lights over snug reading nooks and rally the whole community to buy their favourite reads, can Kate and Brody save the bookshop and heal their hearts? Or will their fresh start come crashing down?

From the million-copy bestselling author of the Comfort Food Café series comes a brand-new, totally addictive and feel-good escapist romance with delicious steam and spice. Perfect for anyone who loves getting lost in a book–in more ways than one! 

Fans of Susan Mallery, Phillipa Ashley and Laurie Gilmore will be hooked.

I completely fell in love with this story. I finished it over two days; I couldn’t put it down. The very charming premise caught my attention straight away. People reading second hand books find a handwritten card tucked inside, inviting them to stay at The Bookshop At The Edge of the World, in Scotland. I would so love for this to happen in real life. It’s whimsical, hopeful, and I couldn’t wait to see what awaited them when they got to Scotland.

The opening is especially poignant with Moira having a conversation with her late husband before writing the cards and sending them out into the world in anticipation at what the universe would send back to her. It’s like fate is gently nudging the characters toward healing.

Two of those cards eventually find their way to Kate and Brody, who are both at a stage in life where they’re trying to figure things out again. They were like two lost souls finding a second chance at love. It was heartfelt and uplifting. I was particularly taken with Brody's backstory and how he was in the UK to see his daughter off to university.

Although I usually prefer duet narration, the dual performance worked wonderfully here. Josh Wichard, in particular, excelled. There were moments when, with just the right inflection, it genuinely sounded as though he could 'see' Kate standing in front of him as he captured Brody's angst and attraction to Kate.

The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop is a beautifully emotional story, with standout narration and an absolute delight. I immediately went to check when book two is coming out, and I can't wait for July to come around.

The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop publishes on the 30th of  April

Purchase links

Audible UK

Amazon UK

 

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The Love Dilemma by Tracy Corbett

 

The Love Dilemma

Enemies in the Office. Lovers in the Making. A Lie Too Big to Ignore.

When fiery physiotherapist Elena Romero and buttoned-up solicitor Danny Jackson are forced to share a workspace, it’s instant mutual dislike. She sees a workaholic in a designer suit. He sees yet another opinionated woman complicating his already stressful life.

Yet behind the tension, both are secretly shouldering heavy burdens: Elena is stretched thin caring for her ill sister, while Danny’s world revolves around the younger brother he’s raised alone. When Elena helps Danny recover from an injury and he advises her sister on a legal matter, sparks fly—and not just from their feisty arguments.

But when family loyalties and legal battles collide, everything falls apart. With trust broken and secrets exposed, can enemies turned lovers find a way back to each other before it’s too late?

A witty romance full of heart, heat, and high stakes, perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers and messy, modern love stories.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/TheLoveDilemma

The Love Dilemma instantly appealed to me on every level from the very first chapter. The antics of the three sisters were genuinely amusing and set the tone beautifully. It was warm, funny, and full of heart.

I was immediately drawn to the close bond of the sisters and how they supported each other as they navigated life after the death of their mother. With Luisa living with cystic fibrosis and Sofia and Elena her carers, it makes their relationship feel authentic, and it’s impossible not to care about them.

Daniel’s storyline adds another lovely layer. He has so much in common with the girls. He lost his parents young, leaving him responsible for the upbringing of his five‑year‑old brother. His early interactions with Elena were both hilarious and adorable. He was like a deer in headlights every time he was in her proximity which made their chemistry feel sweet and believable.

I also loved Connor and Sofia’s meet‑cute on the train. It was another charming moment that added to the book's overall feel-good feeling.

It’s the kind of story that reminds you how love, family, and a little humour can carry people through even the toughest moments, and it leaves you smiling as you turn the pages.

About the author

Tracy is an award-winning author who lives in rural Surrey with her motorbike-loving partner and her little rescue dog, Poppy. After a long career with Citizens Advice, Tracy is now a full-time author. She describes her writing style as modern tales of romance, with engaging quirky characters, who overcome adversity, grow as people and conclude in satisfying optimistic endings. When Tracy isn’t writing, you’ll find her treading-the-boards, sewing an outfit for her dog, or eating Walnut Whips.

Social Media Links –

Facebook
@tracyacorbettauthor 

Instagram
@tracyacorbett 

Check out the blog tour for more reviews of this charming and funny rom-com.

Widowsbloom: A Slow-Burn Botanical Romantasy (Greyhollow Series Book 1) by E. Marszalek

 

He is the kingdom's sharpest blade. She is the one thing he cannot control.

Elodie Hawthorne is a quiet, unassuming plant scientist. She finds comfort in the small things in life — strong coffee, a job she loves, and the steady companionship of her best friend. But when a routine task at work ends with her falling through a gate that should never have opened, she is torn from everything she knows and thrust into a land that feels like a dark fairytale.

Greyhollow is a kingdom rotting from the inside out. Its gates are sealed. Its magic has withered. And the last hope of survival vanished years ago.

Rowan Ashford is disciplined, controlled, and bound by duty. He doesn’t make mistakes. He does not lose control. And he certainly doesn’t get distracted. At least he didn’t — until Elodie. As whispers spread through the castle and long-buried magic begins to stir, one question follows her like a shadow:

How much is she willing to lose to get back home?

And more dangerously …

Why did the gates open for her?

Now Elodie must decide if she is merely a piece in someone else's puzzle or the hero Greyhollow has been waiting for.

Tropes you can expect from Widowsbloom:

🌿 Portal Fantasy

🗡 Grumpy High Warden

🏰 Forced Proximity (she lives in his wing)

🦋 Unique magic system

♟ STEM FMC

🌙 Protective, Duty-Bound MMC

🔥 Slowwww Burn Tension that is worth it… I promise

👀 “You’re mine,”

🌑 Sealed Gates & Ancient Magic

💚 Soft Girl x Stoic Warrior

🌶 Spice, open-door scenes

Widowsbloom is a wonderfully atmospheric start to the series. I was immediately hooked and intrigued from the opening chapter. I was struck by how Elodie's employer treated her, and the unsettling dynamic left me with many questions about whether this character will echo through later books. I loved the rich worldbuilding as Elodie steps into an old world, magical realm ruled by a cruel king and guarded by loyal knights. The dormant magic humming beneath the surface adds to the mystique. My favourite touch was the little mushroom companion in the glasshouse. Now an endangered magical species after being almost completely readicated from the realm, and whose soft humming feels like a hint of deeper powers still to come. I have a feeling that this little mushroom has a higher purpose, and I imagine all sorts of things happening when or if more mushrooms were to gather and hum together. Alongside the mystery and magic, the story shines through its emotional core, the gentle, burgeoning romance, and the warm found family Elodie discovers in Greyhollow. Their acceptance offers her the belonging she’s been denied, making this both a comforting and compelling read. I’m excited to see where the series goes next.

Widowsbloom publishes on the 12th of April

The Penford Manor Murders: (The Miss Clara Vale Mysteries Book 4) by Fiona Veitch Smith

 

It's open season at Penford Manor! But someone has murder in their sights...

At Penford Manor, the guests are arriving to celebrate the start of the grouse-hunting season: lords and ladies, barons and baronesses, a Member of Parliament - and chemistry graduate turned detective, Miss Clara Vale, an old friend of the family. But Clara is no ordinary guest: she's secretly investigating a blackmail plot against Lady Penford herself.

Someone in the house is already up to no good, but when the body of a local trade unionist is found in the grounds, Clara's case gets even more complicated because a clue left by the body links it to the blackmail note.

Who has discovered Lady Penford's secret? Can Clara and her trusted assistant Bella work together to find the murderer? And what do the cornflowers which keep popping up everywhere mean?

Amidst the glittering dresses and sparkling conversation of society, Clara must find the truth - before the killer acts again!

The perfect Golden Age cosy mystery for fans of Helena Dixon, Agatha Christie and Verity Bright won't want to miss this!

A wonderfully layered country house mystery with a deliciously polite veneer hiding all sorts of shady dealings.

The Penford Manor Murders delivers exactly what I love in a Golden Age style cosy: a closed circle of suspects, a grand estate full of secrets, and a mystery that grows more tangled the deeper Clara digs. The contrast between the refined setting of a shooting party and the decidedly unrefined motives simmering beneath the surface made the whole story feel lively and engaging.

The mystery itself is satisfyingly complex. There are multiple suspects, overlapping agendas, and plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. I really enjoyed how the various shady dealings slowly intertwined, revealing a much bigger picture than I first expected.

My standout character this time was Bella. Her no-nonsense attitude, sharp observations, and complete refusal to be intimidated by anyone, regardless of their title or self‑importance, added so much humour and energy. She’s the perfect foil to Clara, and I loved every scene she was in.

Overall, this is a clever, entertaining instalment in the series. It is atmospheric, twisty, and full of personality. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Clara and Bella head next.

I listened to the audio version of this book and I highly recommend the series in this format. It is also available in all other formats and in Kindle Unlimited.

High Spirits at the Village Inn (Ghosts of Rowan Vale Book 4) by Sharon Booth

 

High Spirits at the Village Inn

Spring has arrived in the Cotswold village of Rowan Vale and everyone is in an optimistic mood.

Everyone except Danny. He’s had a rotten eighteen years stuck in a village where all his hopes and dreams were shattered. His annoying ex-work colleague, who seems determined to look on the bright side of the afterlife, won't leave him alone. And – as if that wasn’t bad enough – he’s facing eternity dressed as Adam Ant.

Meanwhile, in London, Rory plans to whisk his wife Kirsty away to the Cotswolds for their wedding anniversary. But when they arrive in Rowan Vale, Kirsty is horrified. How could her husband be so insensitive?

Rory insists that they stay at The Quicken Tree Inn and face up to the issues in their marriage. Kirsty has no choice but to go along with him, hoping she can finally put what happened all those years ago behind her. But when she spots her long-dead cousin in the village, things take a decidedly difficult turn...

Will confronting the ghosts from her past be a recipe for happiness or disaster?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/HighSpirits

High Spirits at the Village Inn is another gorgeous addition to one of my favourite cosy fantasy series. I’ve always adored the concept of Rowan Vale. A village where the living and the dead coexist, not in a spooky way, but in a tender, community‑minded way. The idea that families can still see their loved ones, resolve old hurts, and offer care long after a sudden loss is incredibly moving, and this book leans beautifully into that theme. I particularly enjoy that the ghosts come from all historical eras, from ancient to modern, and that they are wearing the clothes they died in. This led to a rather funny scene in which Rory frantically bought sensible pyjamas for himself and Kirstie when he discovered that his own relative had died wearing a fancy-dress costume.

This instalment focuses on two ghosts, Danny and Brooke, and their living relatives, Rory and Kirstie. Their relationships are tangled and messy. Danny was once married to Kirstie, who is now married to his brother Rory. Brooke is Kirstie's cousin and has been secretly in love with Danny for years. It sounds complicated, and it is, but Sharon Booth handles it with such warmth and clarity that it feels completely natural.

What I loved most is how each character is given space to confront the past. Danny’s frustration with his afterlife, Brooke’s optimism, Kirstie’s unresolved grief, and Rory’s determination to save his marriage all weave together into a story that is funny and heartwarming. The ghostly twist is very charming rather than gimmicky.

As always, Rowan Vale itself feels like a character, a place full of kindness, humour, and second chances. I finished the book wishing it were real.

A touching, magical, and thoroughly enjoyable read. I’m already looking forward to the next visit to Rowan Vale.

Author Bio

Sharon Booth is the author of feel-good stories set in charming, quirky locations, and now writes cosy romances with a magical twist for Boldwood. She lives with her husband in East Yorkshire, England.

                                                                            Social Media Links

Facebook: @sharonboothwriter

Instagram: @sharonboothwriter

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SharonBoothNews

Bookbub profile: @sharonboothwriter

Secrets Taken to the Grave (Strathbairn Trilogy Book 2) by Isobel Blackthorn

 Secrets Taken to the Grave (Strathbairn Trilogy Book 2)

The Scottish Highlands, 1893. Ingrid Barker arrives back at Strathbairn to attend the funeral of her old employer, Charles McCleod.

Every bone in Ingrid's body screams for her to leave, and as she walks from the graveside, she can’t shake the suspicion that Charles was murdered. As she hurries to uncover the truth and get away from Strathbairn, another murder takes place - one that traps her in the very place she is desperate to escape from.

Running out of time and clues, can Ingrid evade the truth of that terrible night up at the abbey the last time she was here, and can she solve the mystery of Charles’ death before his ghost does away with her?

An unputdownable gothic mystery laced with dark family secrets, SECRETS TAKEN TO THE GRAVE is the second book in the Strathbrain Trilogy series of historical mystery novels by Isobel Blackthorn.

Secrets Taken to the Grave is a wonderfully slow-burn, dark, and atmospheric mystery that completely drew me into its bleak Highland setting. Tension is built subtly, and I found myself fully immersed in the isolation of the estate and its snowed in inhabitants. 

The supernatural thread is one of my favourite aspects of the novel. Charles's angry spirit making noises in the middle of the night was eerie and thrilling. I loved how the supernatural disturbances pushed Ingrid to search for answers into his death and in doing so finding other long buried family secrets. She was the one character I felt I could trust, and following her through the house and uncovering secrets and clues kept me turning the pages.

What really heightened the atmosphere for me was how uncertain I felt about everyone else. Apart from Ingrid, I never quite knew who to like or rely on. Even her daughter felt like an unreliable ally, adding to the sense of unease. Miles, in particular, fascinated me. I wanted to like him, but he blew hot and cold, and the glimpses of his true colours made him impossible to redeem. That moral murkiness made the family’s winter isolation feel even more claustrophobic.

I also loved how the story’s secrets were revealed. The old letters and hidden papers Ingrid discovers were such a satisfying way to unravel the past. It was slow and deliberate. I felt like calling out to her to hurry up and check the attic or find out what's blocking the chimney. Each discovery felt like peeling back another layer of the house’s long‑buried truth. I wasn't expecting any of the secrets to have any connection to her, but there are more than one buried secret and persons with secrets in that house. 

Overall, this is a haunting, atmospheric read with a steady and rewarding conclusion. Perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries steeped in mood, tension, and the lingering presence of the past.

Purchase Links

Universal book link: https://books2read.com/u/mexV8E

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5BMZCVQ

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/secrets-taken-to-the-grave/id6744722804

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secrets-taken-to-the-grave-isobel-blackthorn/1147305411?ean=2940181569010

Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=SLZWEQAAQBAJ

Rakuten Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ebook/secrets-taken-to-the-grave

Author Bio 

Isobel Blackthorn is an award-winning author of immersive and inspiring fiction. She has penned over twenty-five books including a number of bestsellers.

Among her credits, Isobel’s biographical short story ‘Nothing to Declare’, which forms the first chapter of her biographical novel Emma’s Tapestry, was shortlisted for the Ada Cambridge Prose Prize 2019. One of her Canary Islands novels, A Prison in the Sun, was shortlisted in the LGBTQ category of the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards 2020 and the International Book Awards 2021. The Cabin Sessions was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award 2018 and the Ditmar Awards 2018. And The Unlikely Occultist: A biographical novel of Alice A. Bailey received an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Reader’s Favorite Book Awards.

Blackthorn is the author of the world’s only biography of Theosophist and mother of the New Age movement Alice Bailey – Alice A. Bailey: Life & Legacy. Isobel’s writing has appeared in journals and websites around the world, including Esoteric Quarterly, New Dawn Magazine, Paranoia, Mused Literary Review, Trip Fiction, Backhand Stories, Fictive Dream and On Line Opinion. Isobel was a judge for the Australasian Shadow Awards 2020 long fiction category. Her book reviews have appeared in New Dawn Magazine, Esoteric Quarterly, Shiny New Books, Sisters in Crime, Australian Women Writers, Trip Fiction and Newtown Review of Books.

Isobel’s interests are many and varied. She has a long-standing association with the Canary Islands, having lived in Lanzarote in the late 1980s. A humanitarian and campaigner for social justice, in 1999 Isobel founded the internationally acclaimed Ghana Link, uniting two high schools, one a relatively privileged state school located in the heart of England, the other a materially impoverished school in a remote part of the Upper Volta region of Ghana, West Africa. After working as a teacher, market trader and PA to a literary agent, she arrived at writing in her forties, and her stories are as diverse and intriguing as her life has been.

Isobel has performed her literary works at events in a range of settings and given workshops in creative writing.

British by birth, Isobel entered this world in Farnborough, Kent, UK. She has lived in England, Australia, Spain and the Canary Islands. She now lives and writes in Spain. She is currently at work on two novels composed in Spanish.

 

Social Media Links –

 

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Isobel.Blackthorn/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5768657.Isobel_Blackthorn

https://www.instagram.com/isobelbwrites/

@isobelb-author.bsky.social

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isobel-blackthorn