Rosa Temple

Well this was a surprising little gem of a book; I simply couldn't put it down. I fancied a bit of chicklit for a change but didn't expect to be so engrossed in the story that I read late into the night. This only usually happens to me with a thriller. So what was different about this book? It just had that little bit of magic sprinkled throughout, and with Natalie being so desperate to be part of a couple that she can't see true love hiding in plain sight like a pantomime villain - it's behind you!

I think we can all recognise something of Natalie in ourselves. I'm sure we've all longingly mooned over a dreamy boy at school or, in Natalie's case, university. For Natalie, her dream, and in a way ours, comes true! Dreamy boy, aka Jackson, finally notices Natalie, falls in love with her and proposes faster than the speed of light. Dream come true! Then real life descends in the form of a future mother-in-law from hell. Will Mummy Dearest convince Jackson to call off the wedding or does he truly love Natalie?

After Jackson comes Liam. He's perfect and dependable but he just didn't set my, or Natalie's, heart on fire. It's one of those occasions where he feels more strongly about her than she does about him - eek, time for a sharp exit. At a New Year's Eve party Liam catches Natalie unawares, and slightly inebriated, and proposes. Natalie accepts but you just know her heart is not fully committed. I was crying 'call it off' right until she walks down the aisle.

So after wedding number 2, Natalie leaves London for LA hoping to put her past mistakes behind her. She can run but she can't hide from love! Of course, the ending was predictable but I was just ready for a happy ending and this book succeeded in leaving a massive smile on my face.

With misunderstandings, relationship mistakes and wedding dress shopping reminiscent of Narnia, this book will delight and enchant. It has the perfect mix of laughter and tears, making it a book I will read again in the future when I need a little pick-me-up.

I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)

I first came across Rosa Temple earlier this year when I read and reviewed Natalie's Getting Married, which I described as 'a surprising little gem of a book'. I absolutely adore Rosa's writing; when reading her books it feels like you are being welcomed by life-long friends. It's not often that I get hooked on a book outside the crime/thriller genre but the drama of Alex's life certainly had my eyes glued to the page.

Alex Marshall seems to have it all: a handsome boyfriend who thinks the world of her, a couple of very close friends and a career heading in an upward direction. Alex really doesn't realise how lucky she is and she is so dizzy at times that she can't see how her actions are affecting other people. She is trying to juggle her boyfriend, her friends and her job and it's only a matter of time before she drops a ball or two.

Alex takes her boyfriend, Charlie, for granted and he always seems to get bumped by Alex's friends or her job. Charlie has a busy and important job too but he has his priorities in the right order and makes time for Alex and his family. They just seem to be a bit out of sync and like ships passing in the night, so if Alex isn't careful she will lose Charlie. I could have shook Alex at times and if I hadn't liked her so much I would have said she was selfish. She gets offered a job in Edinburgh and just assumes that Charlie will support her and move with her, but she has no idea what is going on in Charlie's personal and professional life.

Edinburgh is another story. When Alex goes up to look at the Edinburgh office she goes out with some of her potential new workmates. After a few drinks too many, she wakes up the next morning with one of her colleagues. So she hot-foots it back to London but, as we all know, secrets have a way of coming out however deep you bury them. As Christmas approaches, will time be called on Alex and Charlie's relationship or will they be kissing under the mistletoe?

Single by Christmas is another fabulous book from Rosa Temple. I thought I was going to dislike Alex intensely due to her apparent selfishness but she really means no harm; she just can't say no to people (friends, family, Scottish men). Written in Rosa's inimitable funny, warm and modern style, Single by Christmas is full of misunderstandings, secrets, drama and disaster - a bit like most office Christmas parties. So curl up on your favourite chair with a hot chocolate and read Single by Christmas, you won't be disappointed.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (mais)