Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez

Started: 28.5.26

Finished: 30.5.26

Paperback

When I was in my early teens I read about a gazillion Mills and Boon and Silhouette Special Editions. I didn't have Microsoft Excel back then, but I kept a list on paper of every book I had. They had symbols on the spine, like squares, triangles, circles, diamonds - I didn't know what they meant, but I logged them too, just in case I ever figured out the system. 

So it's safe to say that I've read my fair share of romance novels. I'm not really into that genre any more, but I'd seen so many good reviews about this book that I wanted to try it, and to be honest, I really enjoyed it. Really cute story with likeable characters, but some quite heavy themes running through it, which I think were dealt with respectfully. It even made me well up a bit in places! I didn't realise till I'd finished it that it's book 3 of 3, but I don't think I missed anything having not read the first two in the series, so presumably they can all be read as stand-alones. I did really enjoy the writing style, so I've added the authors other books to my wish list.

The Story Tellers by Sue Heath

Started: 17.2.26

DNF: 19.2.26

Kindle

Chosen by RNG

This was an Amazon First Reads that has been on my Kindle since July 2025. I read the first few chapters, and whilst I'm sure it's a perfectly lovely story of found friendships and moving onwards and upwards in life, it just wasn't holding my attention. While I'm reading this I've got FOMO about all the other books I could be reading instead! So I've decided not to finish it.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Started: 24.1.26

DNF: 26.1.26

Paperback

I wanted a kind of 'palate cleanser' after reading the first four ACOTAR books - I had 'fantasy fatigue' - but this was just a bit too cute, cosy and convenient for me, I'm afraid. Made it to about 31% but I just wasn't warming to the characters at all. DNF.

Also, it seems to be very inspired by (or aimed at fans of) Gilmore Girls, but I've never seen a single episode of that, so any similarity was lost on me.

(Bit worried about the next four books in the series that are on my TBR, which Chris bought me for Christmas...)

Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 16.2.25

Finished: 10.3.25

Kindle

5 stars

Well, I read the last few chapters with my heart in my mouth, holding my breath, thinking "this can't be happening, can it?"

If book 10 really is the last, this one definitely had a sense of preparing the reader for the end.

Brilliant storytelling, as always, and now that I've finished it, I feel a bit lost.

Written In My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 8.2.25

Finished: 16.2.25

5 stars

An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 18.1.25

Finished: 8.2.25

5 stars

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 13.6.2015

Finished: 24.6.2015

Kindle

5 stars - Top ten!

I first read this book back in 2009, and I wrote at the time (on an old blog) that it hadn't really gripped me, and I only wanted to finish it so that I could read something else. What was wrong with me?!

Second time around, I loved it! Claire Randall is a 20th century nurse who travels back in time through a stone circle to 18th century Scotland, where she is taken in by the Clan Mackenzie, who initially think she is an English spy. Her nursing credentials eventually earn her some respect, but the more senior members of the clan can never fully shake off their suspicion and doubt. Mourning for the husband she has left behind 'in the future', Frank, Claire is shocked to encounter a man who looks just like him; she comes to realise it is Frank's ancestor, Captain Jonathan 'Black Jack' Randall - 'black' refers to the colour of his soul. Captain Randall wants the Clan Mackenzie to hand Claire over to the British Army - the only way to avoid this is if she marries one of them, and with little choice in the matter, she is married to a young man called Jamie, who himself is wanted by Captain Randall, for personal reasons (Black Jack is a sadistic homosexual, it turns out) and also because he is a fugitive from the British Army.

This is a really great novel, with well-rounded characters, most of whom are very likeable. I'm usually happy to read a book and use my imagination to picture the characters, but in this case I'd just watched the first series of Outlander on Amazon Prime. However, I didn't mind that at all, as I thought the series was perfectly cast, and it really helped to picture each character as they were in the series, especially Claire and Jamie.

I was very tempted to read book 2, Dragonfly In Amber, straight away, but I've decided to pace myself and try and read some more of my 'real' books, as opposed to Kindle books first.