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love story

Speed Review: “If I Could Turn Back Time” by Nicola Doherty



Title: If I Could Turn Back Time

Author: Nicola Doherty
Genre: Adult – Chick-lit
Release Date: April 10th, 2014 (UK)
Published by: Headline

With thanks to Headline for the copy of this novel! As always, my reviews are non-bias and fair.

What if you found The One, then lost him again? 
Or not so much lost him as became the neurotic, needy girlfriend from hell. The girl who tried to make him choose between her and his job, and got seriously paranoid about his relationship with his best female friend…

Zoe knows she doesn’t deserve another chance with David. 

But if there’s the tiniest possibility of making things right, she’ll snatch it. Even if it means breaking the laws of physics to do so…
def: a “speed review” is a new meme on Pretty Little Memoirs, specialized for short reads, galley copies or novellas!
What is there not to love about Nicola Doherty’s book? For me, it was one of those rare amazing-all-round books, never failing to make me laugh or warm up to the incredible set of events that occurred throughout the plot. 
Zoe, our main character, was this girl who liked fashion and was a strong, determined girl. She had regrets in her life, hence the time travelling aspect of the novel, in life and love. Her life never failed to be action-packed, whether it was in her relationships with friends or love-interests. There was the ever-charming David, sweet and lovely Max, and Jenny, who was quite bizarre! Overall, the people in Zoe’s life crafted the way she looked at things, and throughout the novel she became like a friend figure, not only to her friends, but to us as readers. She was very relateable and her character developed beautifully over the course of the book. 
The time travelling theme was a twist that completed the perfect pieces of the book, that was ultimately a love story with quirky humour, fashion and a story to capture the hearts of readers. Nicola’s book reminded me of the reasons why I love novels like hers and Lindsey Kelk – and why I need to read more of them! 
I was totally won over by this stunning weekend read, that felt like watching a Rom-Com on TV. Anyone who loves an all-around lovely chick-lit novel, will adore If I Could Turn Back Time. With inspiring and thought-provoking wonders, it’s on my favourite Adult-reads of the year list!
Fans of Nicola Doherty’s previous novel, fans of Lindsey Kelk and Sophie Kinsella. Overall, anyone who loves getting lost in a good love story with laughs and twists along the way.



Have you read If I Could Turn Back Time?

What did you think? 

Tell me in the comments or at @LittleMemoirs on twitter!

happy reading!

Book Review: “Jasmine Nights” by Julia Gregson (with thanks to lovereading.co.uk)

Beautiful, exquisitely written and captivating, Jasmine Nights will have you reading it from day..to night…



Published by: Orion
Author: Julia Gregson
Available: Paperback/Hardback

About “Jasmine Nights”: The author of the bestselling “East of the Sun” returns with a lush novel about a young singer who is recruited by the British Secret Service during the height of World War II.At twenty-three, Saba Tarcan is a talented but naive singer who dreams of being more than just another act playing in small clubs and talent contests in Wales. So when the opportunity arises to join a group that will entertain the troops in the Middle East, she jumps at the chance. She must leave behind her overprotective family and cut short a burgeoning love affair with a young fighter pilot, Dom, whom she met when she went to sing in the hospital where he was recovering from burns after his plane had been shot down. When Dom follows Saba to Cairo, the difficulties of combining their two intense lives are compounded. Dom, addicted to flying, refuses to stay grounded, while Saba finds she’s suited for life on the stage and on the road. When it turns out that Saba is also uniquely qualified for a secret mission, she is asked by the Secret Service to spy on a Turkish impresario and his associates. But it’s a mission that will jeopardize not only her own safety, but also the love of her life…
“Jasmine Nights” is a powerful story of danger, beauty, and love set amidst some of the most exquisite and dangerous cities of the Middle East

My review:



What first amazed me was the beautiful landscape Julia Gregson had written about
in careful, descriptive words that made me believe I was there—in that place and
time of her novel. I hadn’t read a wartime novel before, but after reading this,
I would definitely consider choosing the genre. What I liked about Jasmine
Nights was that it surprised me, and I couldn’t have predicted what would happen
on the next page. One of my favourite things about reading Jasmine Nights was it being partly based in Cardiff, Wales, which is very close to where I live in Wales. It made the book even more relate-able in ways that I didn’t think would be reflective. The character of Saba was magnificently written about, and
though she was very focused on her own future, she blended well with Dom, her
love interest. Above all, this love story wasn’t like anything I had read
before—more wonderful and powerful. I couldn’t have chosen a better ending,
either. It was purely magical!





Many thanks to lovereading.co.uk and Orion for allowing
me the opportunity to read such a beautiful novel.
 
happy reading!
xo Becca

Becca Jayne
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