Booklyn Girls: Angie by Gemma Burgess

I am a HUGE fan of Gemma Burgess, since she wrote A Girl Like You I was a fangirl for life. So when she announced she was writing a series of books about a group of girls living in Brooklyn trying to figure out what life, work, happiness means when you leave university, I was sold!  This was the series for me. So I devoured Brooklyn Girls: Pia when it came out in one day and then waited desperately for the next one... 

Angie's story was just as unputdownable, perhaps I even liked it more than Pia's... Devoured it on my summer flight, dreaming of holidays and when it was over wishing I had saved it or at least savoured it. But that wasn't to be. Gemma's writing and characters just pull you in and you can't leave them, you just need to keep finding out what happens next. 

I cannot recommend Angie's story enough. It is electric! The hero, is gorgeous and as a nice mix he's not necessarily the guy you expect Angie to fall for. You even get an insight into Pia's continuing  relationship and her life too. Which of course made me want to send Gemma Burgess flowers - I love when we get to keep seeing the other characters and what happens next with them!

So go, buy this book, it is so good I refuse to give away any spoilers (which probably makes this a not very good review - sorry! I really am keeping great things secret)! Absolutely the highest recommendation I can possibly give - 5 John Hughes Stars (and yes these are also just invented, but this book is so good it deserves them!). 

You Had Me At Merlot by Lisa Dickenson

You Had Me At Merlot is a book told in 4 parts, this post is going to cover all parts of the story, but hopefully without any spoilers. I did consider doing one post for every part, then realised if I did it would tell everyone the whole story and this book is too good for that!

So we start with Elle, brilliant Elle who loves to dance around her flat in high heels to Beyonce. She may be single, but she doesn't care. Elle isn't looking for a boyfriend, she actually loves her life as it is - but she might just be a little bit of a workaholic... So when her best friend Laurie begs her to come on a singles holiday to a vineyard in Tuscany she wants to refuse...but when your best friend asks you to do something you agree! It's kind of the rule...

Laurie and Elle are heading for the holiday of a lifetime, but will Laurie find love under the Tuscan sun? And will Elle really learn to relax and enjoy this little sip of paradise? Who knows maybe both girls will even find love...

You Had Me At Merlot had me absolutely spellbound. I bought the first section just to see what it was like. I wasn't sure if it being put into parts would be annoying or not...but this book surprised me and completely changed my mind. I ended up unable to stop reading, almost crying from laughter when I had to get the next parts, desperate to download them faster than ever.

Under the summer sun of London I absolutely revelled in Lisa Dickenson's world and fell completely in love with Elle and Laurie. Elle is just the kind of girl you can't help liking. She is kind, thoughtful and above all else relatable! She spends all her time focusing on work, hoping she will get noticed because of her long hours in the office, her loyalty and above all her lack of a real social life... So getting away from the stresses of real-life is just what Elle needs (even if she can't see it herself!). I have to say if someone offered me the chance to relax in Tuscany, eating warm grapes in the sun, sipping excellent wine and enjoying some absolutely perfect Italian eye candy - I would jump at the chance!

Brilliant writing, hilarious adventures and a beautiful love story! For anyone who loves modern day romances, strong independent heroines and a story that will sweep you away, look no further than Lisa Dickenson's You Had Me At Merlot. Just ensure you have access to wine, preferably red, and if at all possible some sunshine! You will be swept away in no time.