Promo: The Fate We Make by Simone Warren

 Publication Date: July 16, 2023


"This is my memoir - a very personal story of families and fate"

The Fate We Make: Heartbreak, is the first volume of a remarkable, occasionally tragic, but ultimately redemptive coming-of-age story. From an early age, Simone Warren recognised that she was caught between her family's expectations and her need to find her own path and voice. Born into a Singaporean Chinese family and a life rooted in tradition, her story is a stunning tale of survival and an inspiring look at how we can learn to move beyond trauma to forge a path toward finding hapiness.

Raised in a family populated with strong women but laced with the strife of the generations that preceded her, Simone's life story reads like an inter-continental odyssey that follows her from an exceptional childhood, through her tumultuous teens and toward young womanhood - as she endeavours to make peace with a decision that she will love with forever. 

Recounting in beautiful detail the lives of the powerful women who shaped her family and how their stories informed her place in the world. this first instalment in a trilogy of deeply personal memoirs is an unflinching look at finding oneself in the midst of crushing expectation and unexpected tragedy. Journeying beyond survival to success.

I've never read a memoir before but I have read quite a few coming-of-age stories and this was definitely of the most heartfelt but tragic so far.

There were lots of aspects that I felt readers could connect too, especially those who grew up religious or  didn't have english as their first language. Revisiting the past and learning so much, as well as a lot of self-healing. It makes us as a reader step. back and look at our past and how we should reflect on both good and bad actions we may have taken and where they may have lead. Hearing how Simone's story was made me go through many different emotions. 

This memoir shed light on who we could be and how that arises from the various situations we are potentially put in. How can we learn from making the wrong decision? Religion? Heartbreak? Self-Love? Growth? What do we choose and when is it the right time. 

If you like listening to music whilst reading then you should be happy to know that throughout this book there are QR Codes which you can scan to listen to the right song at the right time. 

There's pictures, graphs, family tree. Everything to help you understand Simone's story even better as well as feeling the emotion she felt. It was definitely not a memoir that made me bored. It was very engaging and even full of dialogue. This was my first memoir but it will not be my last.

This is Book One: Heartbreak and I can't wait to read more of Simone's story. 

Thank you so much for the physical arc

TW: Depression

(check for more TW's on Goodreads)


Links to this Memoir below:

GoodReads

Amazon UK

Amazon US

The Wrong Wife by L. Steele

 Publication Date: July 25, 2023

 GoodReads | Amazon UK | Amazon US 

He's my best friend's brother.

My new boss.

And now my fake husband.

Knight Warren. The country's most sought-after heartthrob, and retired military vet, is my complete opposite.

He's confident when I'm collaborative. Grumpy when I'm sunshine. Surely where I'm... happy go lucky. He's the hardened ex-soldier.

I'm still trying to find my calling. The only thing we have in common is that we both love his sister... who's also my best friend. So when she asks me to help Knight find a wife I can't say no. 

Turns out he'll inherit the father's empire as long as he gets marries within the next month. I agree to work as his assistant and interview the women who apply for the position. But Knight hates every one of them.

With the deadline drawing close, he proposes I marry him -with conditions.

One year of a fake marriage. One year of living together. One year of pretending I belong to him. 

In return, he'll pay off my debts and take care of my mother's medical treatment. 

But stipulations are never that simple. Especially when the chemistry between us detonates. Forces to live under his roof I know I'm falling for him. As the days pass I begin to think he reciprocates my feelings. Until he introduces me to his real wife...

This is a billionaire, forced proximity, one-bed, fake marriage of convenience, and a best friend's brother novel. It is a complete standalone. 

EVERYTHING I needed was in this book.  It pulled me out of my bookish slump that we all surely had after Fourth Wing. I could not find a single book that fully helped me recover from such an amazing book but here we are with The Wrong Wife. Knight Warren gave me major Xaden Riorson vibes. Both have this iron steel front but the second they're with the right person you just know. That wall is slowly and slowly crumbling and as much as they don't like it happening, it still does.

However, with Knight he was never this harsh, cold ex marine. No, he was warm, kind-hearted...and cared. Who would believe that? Right? After going through hell and back and hell again he was blessed with a second chance that he thinks he doesn't deserve. He dealt with torturours behaviour and witnessed worse. Yet, here he is. Standing in-front of the only girl who gives his body any sort of reaction. He hates it. 

I love how Knight's sister was the biggest cheerleader, she was the little matchmaker. She knew. There wasn't a single character I hated. I even loved Tiny... although we can all debate about this name. If you read the book then you know why. 

One of my favourite bits about this book was the constant reminder that we all read smut romance books. Also how AMAZING is this guy. You'll find out why he is all bookish smut readers dream bf once you've read the book. BUT SERIOUSLY I was so jealous. 

One thing I could not wrap my head around what that this was in London. I am from London myself however most romance books i've read are set in the states so imagining a British accent was strange for me but at least I knew what everything in the book looked like. St James Park being mentioned felt surreal. Amazing park if you decide to come to London for a trip. Other than that, I absolutely adored this book.

Put it on all your TBR's. 

Thank you Valentine PR for the digital arc of The Wrong Wife!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


BLOG TOUR: The First by Frances Fleur

Publication Date: March 17, 2023

GoodReads | Amazon UK | Amazon US 

 

Whoever said falling in love was easy, lied.

Turning 18, Cora never envisaged her world would fall apart. After an abrupt return to her childhood town, she is thrust back into a life she had so desperately tried to escape. An unexpected meeting, with a handsome stranger, leads to the first kiss of her dreams The attraction is undeniable. As their lives unexpectedly intertwine, it makes her question everything. Cora tries to navigate this romantic twist of fate. Falling in love for the first time, wasn't anything she like she had ever imagined.

The first love is always the most memorable and this forbidden love story will leave you wanting more...

Book 1 of 3. Purple Hearted Series. 

Dual POV. Inner thoughts. Enough Tension to have to put the book down to take a few breathes to then pick it up and STILL be shocked. 

Cora's dad lost her job. Returning home and newly 18 she decided a drink...or maybe a few would be the best solution to fix all her problems. Instead of solving her problems she caused more to herself when she found herself under a gorgeous, godly-sculpted man. They are complete strangers. It's just a one time hook up right? Wrong. He is her A-Level music teacher. That's it. She's screwed. 

How can she face him now? Does she pretend it never happened? 

Tropes: Forbidden Love/ Teacher x Student

The book ends on a cliff-hanger. I am too invested into Cora and Zach's love story. I need the next book. 

I loved the story and I enjoyed the growing romance as well as the tension. I am not a fan of teacher x student tropes, just because I think it is morally wrong. However, knowing this isn't real I enjoyed it as well as seeing the character development throughout the book. 

Character-wise it was very easy to distinguish the likeable characters and the not so likeable ones. However, the story from the beginning was not explained enough. I had to ignore the questions in my head to enjoy the rest of this book. I wish the background was explained better. Saying that, the book did get a whole lot better after. 

Definitely an enjoyable read. 

Thank you for having me on this tour. Check out everyone else's tours!