The Cherry Crush Flower Shop by Harper Graham

 

Zoe, owner of The Cherry Crush Flower Shop in Maple Falls, learns that her mother has placed a bet involving a large sum of money on her and her best friend, Jackson, winning the most romantic couple competition at the Spring Fling. The only problem is that they aren't a couple. When Zoe explains the predicament to Jackson, they agree to act as if they are in a relationship for the sake of the competition.

I fell in love with the town of Maple Falls in September last year when I read The Cinnamon Spice Inn, the first book in the series (you can read my review here). This was followed shortly after by The Spiced Cocoa Cafe (you can find my review here). Needless to say, when The Tandem Collective on Instagram offered me the chance to read The Cherry Crush Flower Shop by Harper Graham, I leapt at the chance. 

Zoe has recently taken over the running of the flower shop, offering her mother the opportunity to make the most of her retirement. When her mother spots Zoe and her best friend, Jackson, close together, she mistakenly assumes they are a couple and starts telling her friends. Zoe wants to put the record straight until she learns that her mother has placed a sizeable wager on them being crowned 'Couple Of The Year' at the upcoming Spring Fling. Worried that her mother will lose her retirement fund, Zoe persuades Jackson to 'fake date'.

In this fake-dating, friends-to-lovers story, the conclusion isn't surprising. What is enjoyable is the journey it takes. We quickly discover that unrequited love exists for both characters. Zoe would be happy to take their relationship to the next level, but refuses to do anything about it as she doesn't want to jeopardise their friendship. Things are more complicated for Jackson. He has strong feelings for Zoe, but the trauma he is living with from his time in the army means that he doesn't feel he deserves to find happiness.

Being thrown together in different situations, particularly when surrounded by other people, leads to them losing their inhibitions and some very steamy scenes. After each encounter, both characters had mixed emotions; I wanted to climb into the book and bang their heads together, the pair were so indecisive. I could understand Jackson not wanting to hurt Zoe, but I couldn't come to terms with why he thought that repeatedly playing with her emotions was acceptable.

Eventually, the couple ends up on the same page, turning their fake relationship into a real one, just as we would have predicted from the start. There are a couple of subplots meandering through the story, which keep forcing the pair together; however, I did feel that we didn't see enough of Maple Falls and its community as we have in the previous books. Saying that, I'm already looking forward to the next instalment in the series, The Hot Honey Hideaway, which was nicely lined up at the end of this book.

My thanks to The Tandem Collective and Bookouture for my spot on The Cherry Crush Flower Shop Book Club. 

Author Details

Harper Graham lives with her mischievous spaniel in a cozy small town in Connecticut. Her quirky neighbours may or may not have inspired the residents of her Maple Falls series. When she’s not hiking with her daughter, baking her grandmother’s recipes or reading in her favourite coffee shop, Harper can be found writing the sweet and spicy romance stories of her own dreams.

Liar Liar by Luca Veste

 

Suspended police detective Mark Fletcher wakes to find himself in a hotel room with a dead body beside him. He has no recollection of how he got there. but knows deep down that it must be connected to the Bonucci family, a notorious Liverpool crime family.

Most authors would begin a novel with a shocking scene to grip the reader. That wasn't good enough for Luca Veste, Liar Liar opens with three scenes that immediately grab your attention and have you wondering how everything is connected. As the author takes us on a tour of his home city, we are kept in suspense as to how the crimes are linked.

The main character, Mark Fletcher, had a successful career as a detective, a career that was derailed when he became involved with a member of the Bonucci clan. It is impossible not to feel sympathetic towards Mark; ten months ago, he made an error in judgement, resulting in his suspension, and he's still living with the consequences. Now, someone seems set on retribution, and Mark has no idea why. As he races to find out who is responsible, you are kept on the edge of your seat. The pace is blistering and danger is never far away. Throughout, it felt as if menace was lurking around every corner; the Bonucci family has its tentacles in every aspect of life in Liverpool. You can feel the fear; people are terrified of even mentioning the family, worried that punishment will follow.

As Mark races to find answers, his colleagues are trying to investigate another crime involving the family. When it becomes clear the cases are linked, Mark has to try to remain one step ahead of them, as well as those out to get him. His colleagues are filled with disbelief; the man they know isn't a killer, but it's difficult to explain away the evidence in front of them.

There are twists galore; I certainly didn't predict the two towards the end. One of them filled me with sadness; however, it provides a hook for what promises to be a fantastic series. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next instalment in the Liverpool Crime series.

Liar Liar by Luca Veste will be published on 4th June 2026 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a review copy.

Author Details

Luca Veste is a writer of Italian and Liverpudlian heritage, married with two young daughters, and one of nine children. He studied psychology and criminology at university in Liverpool. He is the author of the Murphy and Rossi series, which includes DEAD GONE, THE DYING PLACE, BLOODSTREAM, and THEN SHE WAS GONE.

Part psychological thriller, part police procedural, his books follow the detective pairing of DI David Murphy and DS Laura Rossi. The novels are set in Liverpool, bringing the city to life in a dark and terrifying manner...with just a splash of Scouse humour.

He is also the editor of the Spinetingler Award nominated charity anthology 'Off The Record', and co-editor of 'True Brit Grit', also an anthology of short stories for charity.

He is a former civil servant, actor, singer and guitarist (although he still picks it up now and again), and now a full-time writer.

The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop by Debbie Johnson (Audiobook)

 

Bookshop owner Moira is so grateful for the wonderful life she's lived that she decides to pay it forward. Cards are placed inside books with an invitation to come and spend some time in her bookshop in the small Scottish village of Bonnie Bay.

The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop by Debbie Johnson really is a delightful listen. I found myself carried away to the charming bookshop in Bonnie Bay, completely immersed in the lives of all the characters involved.

As the story begins, we learn of Moira's plan. She has lived a full and wonderful life, much of it spent in The Bookshop At The End Of The World with her recently deceased husband. The shop is the centre of the small Scottish community, a thriving hub offering love and support. Moira wants to pass on the love and support, so she slips invites into a number of books.

Kate finds one of the invites. Living in London and recently divorced, she's beginning to feel invisible. With nothing left to lose, she decides to take up the offer. American Brodie also stumbles across an invite. He's visiting England to help his daughter settle at university. Not only is he a widower, but he was recently injured in the line of duty. Single, with a daughter thousands of miles away, and no chance of returning to the job he loved, Brodie is feeling lonely.

Things don't begin well as the pair unknowingly meet on the journey to Scotland; they are very much oil and water. The warm welcome they were expecting at the bookshop doesn't materialise either. As the pair are introduced to the community, they learn of the fate of the bookshop in recent years and decide they are up for a challenge. As you would expect, the pair become a couple in this enemies-to-friends tale; however, that is only part of the story. Their lives are continents apart, with both accepting that their relationship will be temporary. Fate, however, has other plans for the pair.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Bonnie Bay and am eagerly looking forward to returning in the sequel, Second Chances At The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop, which is due to be released as an ebook in July 2026.

The Hopeful Hearts Bookshop by Debbie Johnson is available in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natskawa

 

Seventeen-year-old Rintaro is not only dealing with the grief of having lost the grandfather who raised him, but he's also having to say farewell to the bookshop his grandfather owned. In his final days there, a talking cat arrives, insisting he needs Rintaro's help.

I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to get around to reading The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa. The combination of books and cats sounds absolutely perfect to me. I am only just discovering translated Asian fiction, and just like the few others I've read, this is a magical and mystical tale.

When we first meet Rintaro, he's struggling with grief. The grandfather who raised him has recently died, and he is now going to live with his only other relative, an aunt. Moving means leaving the bookshop his grandfather owned and loved. Having been raised surrounded by books, it is easy to understand Rintaro's love of literature. Rintaro is also very introverted; he's happiest on his own in the bookshop.

Magical things begin to happen when a cat appears in the shop. The cat introduces himself as Tiger the tabby. As if a talking cat wasn't surprising enough, he explains to Rintaro that he needs his help to save books from a variety of labyrinths.

As Rintaro journeys with Tiger, we see how books are undervalued and even destroyed. The lovely descriptions feel as if you are seeing everything through Rintaro's eyes as he travels from one challenge to the next. Thankfully, Rintaro has never forgotten the wisdom imparted by his beloved grandfather: 'Books have tremendous power' and 'They'll inspire and support you'. With each new confrontation, we see Rintaro grow in confidence and also realise that he's not alone in the world.

I'm already looking forward to reading the sequel, The Cat Who Saved The Library.

Author Details

Sosuke Natsukawa is a Japanese physician and novelist. He graduated from the Shinshu University medical school and practises medicine at a hospital in the largely rural prefecture of Nagano. His multi-volume debut novel, Kamisama no Karute (God's Medical Records), has won several prizes and has sold over three million copies in Japan. He is the author of the internationally bestselling The Cat Who Saved Books. The Cat Who Saved the Library is the second book in his series featuring Tiger the talking tabby cat.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

 

On the first anniversary of their sister's death, the remaining siblings, Avery, Bonnie and Lucky, are all struggling with the direction of their lives. Reuniting gives them an opportunity to find closure.

When I first opened Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors, I thought this was going to simply be a tale about sisters; their rivalry, in-fighting, and the unwavering support that anyone who has a sibling will be familiar with. The book certainly examines these issues, but offers so much more.

With only eight years between the eldest and the youngest, sisters Avery, Bonnie, Nicky and Lucky have always been close, mainly because of the lack of maternal instinct shown by their mother. Being the eldest, Avery took responsibility for protecting the others, something that has continued into their adult lives.

Each of the sisters found their place in the world, some of them extremely successfully. However, the death of Nicky has thrown them all into a spin, upsetting the stability they had found in each other. Now, on the first anniversary of Nicky's death, they are finally coming together, a meeting which forces them to examine the choices they have made.

Each of the women is flawed, much of their character stemming from their upbringing. Alongside the theme of grief, the book also takes a close look at addiction and how its shadow effects individuals and families. For each character, it is easy to see how their actions fit the traditional expectations based on their position in the family; first-born Avery is the responsible one, last-born Lucky is reckless. Despite Avery being the responsible sibling, Nicky was the homemaker, the one that the others gravitated to, so it is easy to understand why her death has impacted them so greatly.

The time spent together allows the sisters to come to terms with their loss, to find the closure they so desperately need. It also gives them a chance to see how the others have been affected and, for one of them in particular, to learn about motherhood.

Author Details

Coco Mellors is a writer from London and New York. She received her MFA in Fiction from New York University, where she was a Goldwater fellow. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband. Cleopatra and Frankenstein was her debut novel.

April 2026 Reads

April began with The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. Set during the Great Depression, the story focuses on a group of women who are prepared to throw convention to the wind in order to save their homes. This is a hefty novel, filled with vivid characters. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting each and every one, but felt the ending was a little rushed.

The Woman In The Picture by Katharine McMahon was my book group’s read for the month. A female solicitor in 1926 London is hired to defend a woman of wealth during a divorce case. At the same time, she finds herself trying to help a woman who is being physically abused by her husband. The story shows the differences in the lives of women, depending on their position in society.

A new entry into the cosy crime genre is Shrink Solves Murder by Philippa Perry. When the body of a young man is discovered at the foot of a cliff, his psychotherapist is adamant it wasn’t suicide. The psychotherapist, Dr. Patricia Phillips, is a fun character. I loved her “grumpy old woman” persona.

I was overjoyed to read The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson, a sequel to The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont. Reunited after sixty years apart, Mabel and Dot want to declare their love by getting married. Unfortunately, there is an obstacle in the way. Mabel and Dot set off to America to try to find a solution to their problem. As with the first book, we learn that the support of friends can help us to solve any problem.

In The Hollow Boys, author Tariq Ashkanani treads the fine line between reality and the supernatural. Ten months after two young boys disappear, suspected to have drowned in a lake, one of them suddenly reappears. Danny is behaving strangely, and his mother is convinced that she needs to repay a blood debt for him to return to normal. Strange events around the town add to the feeling of disquiet.

A man confesses to a brutal murder; however, he was a patient in a psychiatric hospital at the time. The police are puzzled over how he could have such detailed knowledge of the crime. In The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland, DC Abby Fox spends time in the hospital, trying to solve the mystery. This isn’t for the faint-hearted, it’s dark, disturbing and gory.

Body Of Lies by Jo Callaghan is the concluding book in the Kat and Lock series. Following the devastating conclusion of the previous book, security around AI detective Lock has been beefed up. When a body is discovered, alongside it is a taunting message aimed at Kat and Lock. A series of shocking events, with far-reaching consequences, makes you realise how vulnerable we are.

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors focuses on three siblings who are still mourning on the first anniversary of their sister’s death. Guilt has impacted all of their lives, and a lack of closure is preventing them from moving on. Alongside grief, the book also examines the themes of addiction and motherhood.

Liar Liar is the first in a new crime series from Luca Veste. Set in Liverpool, we join Mark Fletcher, a suspended detective, who wakes in a hotel room to find a dead body next to him. Mark is convinced the Bonucci crime family is out for revenge and races to clear his name. Alongside this, Mark’s police colleagues are trying to discover who is responsible for a body buried in a suburban garden. All indications are that the Bonucci family is involved.

April resulted in two book group reads, the second of which was Sister by Rosamund Lupton. When student Tess goes missing, her sister, Beatrice, returns from America to try to find her. When her body is discovered, Beatrice refuses to accept she has taken her own life. As she investigates Tess’s final days, she learns of strange events involving her sister’s pregnancy.

Against The Tide by G. D. Wright packs an emotional punch from the very beginning. When armed burglars attack an elderly couple, one of them is killed and the other is in serious condition. DC Vinny Robson acts as FLO to their adult daughter. Vinny has family problems of his own, dealing with his elderly mother who has dementia. As the investigation continues, dark secrets are uncovered, secrets that impact everyone.

The Defence is book 4 in the Adam Green series from Rob Rinder. Adam, a junior barrister, is feeling a little jaded. Recruited to the defence team for a woman accused of murdering an ex-MP and wellness guru seems to have arrived just at the right time. Jules, the accused, is reluctant to give out any information, so Adam has to turn detective to figure out exactly what happened.

In The Cornish Honeymoon Murder, book 10 in the series from Fiona Leitch, Jodie and Nathan finally get away on honeymoon. It’s really a working holiday as a friend has asked them to investigate who is trying to sabotage the opening of his new eco-friendly resort. They get more than they bargained for when a storm leaves the island cut off from the mainland, and then one of the guests is found dead.

Nicole Fischer has been ostracised since her father was found guilty of murder. A mysterious letter invites her to a weekend retreat for the children of serial killers. Hoping to find support and be able to challenge the woman whom she feels has betrayed her, Nicole accepts the invitation. At the retreat, one of the group members is murdered. The Death Row Club from V. A. Vazquez has you questioning if danger lurks outside in the woods, or is it someone inside the retreat?

I ended the month with a short read, The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa. This magical tale introduces us to Tiger the tabby, a talking cat who persuades a teenager to help him on his quest to save books from various individuals. The story highlights the power of books and reading, how they inspire and support you. This is just what the boy needs, as not only is he very isolated, but he’s also dealing with grief.

Only two audiobooks this month, but the first one was absolutely brilliant. In Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan, we follow DCI Field as she investigates a case of arson and murder. Ann Evans has long been known to the emergency services as a nuisance caller, claiming that someone is trying to set fire to her house. This time around, it’s for real. As the investigation continues, we learn of Ann’s background and the reason for her paranoia.

Annabel And Her Sisters by Catherine Alliott is the story of three adult siblings trying to deal with their elderly mother, who suddenly decides she’s going to sell her home. As they deal with the logistics of looking after her, we get an insight into each of their lives and uncover a long-buried secret.

Publication dates to watch out for:-

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett will be published on 5/5/26 in ebook and audio format, with the hardback published on 21/5/26

Shrink Solves Murder by Philppa Perry will be published on 7/5/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Last Marriage Of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson will be published on 8/5/26 in paperbook and ebook format.

The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani will be published on 14/5/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland will be published on 21/5/26 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

Body Of Lies by Jo Callaghan will be published on 21/5/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Liar Liar by Luca Veste will be published on 4/6/26 in paperback, ebook and audi format.

Against The Tide by G. D. Wright will be published on 18/6/26 in paperback, ebook and audio format.

The Defence by Rob Rinder will be published on 18/6/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Death Row Club by V. A. Vazquez will be published on 18/6/26 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Cornish Honeymoon Murder by Fiona Leitch will be published on 26/6/26 in ebook and audio format, the paperback will be published on 2/7/26.

The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland

 

Joseph Sinclair has confessed to a brutal murder. The only problem is that when the murder took place, Joe was a patient in a psychiatric hospital. The police are puzzled as to how he can have such detailed knowledge of the crime if he wasn't present.

Author Sam Holland has written some of my favourite police procedural/serial killer thrillers of recent years, so I relished the opportunity to read The Killer In Room Five. The story certainly lived up to my expectations; if you like your thrillers on the dark side, then this fits the bill.

The opening pages set the tone for the narrative: bloody, frantic and terrifying. From this opening, we are introduced to DC Abby Fox, who is returning to work following a year's suspension. The reason for the suspension isn't immediately clear and adds to Abby's mysteriousness and vulnerability. Abby is sent to interview Joe at Hollowpines, the private psychiatric hospital where he has been a patient for the past month.

Joe is a sympathetic character; he is completely aware of his illness and terrified about what he may have done. Alongside Joe, we meet a range of other characters at the hospital, many of whom seem to be supportive and genuine, but you soon begin to doubt everyone.

A combination of unexplained murders, a building with an unpleasant history, and patients with shocking backgrounds all add to keep the reader on edge. The backstory of some of the more dangerous patients is enough to make you want to sleep with the lights on. I was also intrigued as to whether these characters are based on real-life murderers or simply a result of the twisted imagination of the author.

Although I'd figured out who the killer was relatively quickly, it didn't spoil my enjoyment as I couldn't work out how and why. The author manages to keep the conclusion a complete mystery until the very end. The ending, with karma leaving its calling card, certainly isn't for the faint-hearted.

The Killer In Room Five by Sam Holland will be published on 21st May 2026 in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hemlock Press for a review copy.

Author Details

Sam Holland is the award-winning author of the Major Crimes series, following detectives as they investigate murders committed by brutal serial killers in the south of England. Her debut, The Echo Man, shocked and enthralled readers and reviewers alike with its sinister depiction of a serial killer copying notorious real-life murderers of the past.

Her books have been published in 15 countries worldwide, including the US, Germany and the Netherlands, where she became the first author to win the Bronze Bat for her debut and the Silver Bat for best thriller in consecutive years at the Nederlands Thrillerfestival.

She also writes as Louisa Scarr and is the author of the Butler and West crime series, beginning with Last Place You Look and ending with Out of the Ashes. A new series, about a police dog handler, launched in July 2024 with Gallows Wood. The second in the series, Memorial Park, is out now and will be followed by Broken House in October.