Coco’s Secret

Coco Swan has always been embarrassed by her name.

With a name like Coco, she thinks people expect her to be as exotic and glamorous as the famous designer, not an ordinary-looking small-town antiques dealer who could win an award for living cautiously.

But when a vintage Chanel handbag turns up in a box of worthless bric-a-brac, Coco’s quiet world is turned upside down. Where did it come from? And is it just coincidence that it’s the same bag Coco’s late mother always wanted for her?

When Coco discovers a mysterious, decades-old letter hidden in the bag’s lining, she sets off on a quest to piece together the story behind it, stumbling across secrets that span three generations as she goes.

Could the beautiful Chanel bag be about to teach Coco more than she wants to learn? Or will it show her just where her heart can take her if she lets it lead the way?

Coco’s Secret is the 6th novel from Niamh Greene. Again it is to my shame that I write that this is the first one that I have read. It seems in the 5 years or so that I hadn’t been a dedicated reader that I missed out on alot of gems. I am very glad however that I found this one.

Coco’s Secret is a great story set on a very solid foundation. I expected a good story an emotional one even but what I did not expect however was a funny one. It’s amazing how all these emotions were packed into this one tale but they were. The humour wasn’t forced or obvious if you like, it was natural. All part of the thoughts or conversations of the characters in the book. As I have said in the past I am not a fan of comedy but I wouldn’t peg this as comedy, just funny.

I enjoyed Coco’s secret immensely. From laughing (and hurting my sides cos I had just been busted up in the gym) to fighting the tears in my eyes to cooking the dinner with one hand while holding the book in the other (I have to feed the children occasionally) , I just couldn’t put it down. I would love to see what happens in Coco’s future…

Coco’s secret is out on August 19th and I cannot urge you stringly enough to pick up a copy!

As for me I will be picking up Niamh Greene’s other 5 books.

Happy reading

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OK I’m an idiot – but you could benefit!

Are you a fan of Woods?

THEN LEAVE A REPLY ON THIS POST

No not Woods as in Tiger Woods, he is a cheating manwhore and I for one am certainly not a fan.

No, if you are a fan of Abbi Glines then you need no explanation of who Woods is.

Anyhoo…
I saw a link on Abbi’s twitter one day to these fabulous T-Shirts and I just had to have it. I cringed a small bit at the postage then said SCREW IT. I have decided I want to start a collection of my ‘Book Boyfriends’ T-Shirts. So cos I am all the way over here on that patch of grass the size of a football field that we lovingly call Ireland it took 3.5 weeks to get here. When it did I almost kissed the postman. Almost.

I ran up to my room and went to put it on. It was 3 sizes too small. I furiously searched my emails and found that I did indeed order it 3 sizes too small 😦 There is no point in sending it back.

What I have decided to do is give it away. All you have to do to be in with a chance to win it is comment on this post. Remember it is size small, US size if that makes a difference. Get your friends to comment too, especially if they are commenting to try and win it for you.

So thats it. If you want to win an I<3Woods T-Shirt in size small then just comment on this post. A winner will be chosen at random next Tuesday, August 6th. Good Luck.

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Do You Remember?

First Love. First Loss. Last chance?

2005 was the most traumatic year of Emma Barron’s life. It was the year her mother died and the year she met Guy Duval. Eight years on, she’s an English teacher with a doting boyfriend and a young son. Life’s been hard but now it’s comfortable. She’s settled and content…so why would she risk it all for another chance with the man that broke her heart?

Guy’s an international renowned footballer newly signed to a top UK team. But behind the confident facade is a man determined to drown the horrors from his childhood with fame, success and money.

Unable to confide in her best friend, Ally, Emma tries to hold her life together as her heart is pulled apart. Did she turn her back on love too soon?

Neither of them know what really happened on 5 September 2005 and as events are slowly revealed can anyone cope with the truth?

First of all I would like to say congratulations and happy release day to Mandy Baggot. Do You Remember? is the latest release for Mandy (available from today) and I have to give it my full endorsement. I started reading yesterday and have just finished and I loved every minute of it.

It is almost like two stories in one. We are going through Emma and Guy’s present situation while learning at the same time of what happened in that summer back in 2005 when the pair first fell in love.

We all have things that have happened in the past that we wonder, what if? What if we had gone down a different route, would our lives have turned out better or worse or maybe we would have ended up in the same place just with a bit of a detour. I am a firm believer in ‘Everything happens for a reason’. I believe that when life throws its shit at us we either put our chins and and say screw you and keep going or we can lie down and wallow in self pity. Only one of these things is going to get you anywhere! Chin up.

Mandy displays this brilliantly in Do You Remember? Life hasn’t been plain sailing for either Emma or Guy. Both have had more than their fair share to handle. When Emma met guy she was grieving and struggling to cope after her mother dying and Guy had a very troubled home life. What started as a summer romance quickly escalated and the pair fell madly in love, making plans for the future. In one split second it all fell apart.

8 years later and Guy has made his name in the Football world and Emma is teaching her beloved English. A chance meeting throws the pair together and old feelings and animosities are brought to the surface.

A lot happened that summer in France with the pair but a lot happened for each the individuals that the other had no clue about so when they are asking Do You Remember? I am asking how do you remember something you never knew in the first place, and when you do know will you be able to forgive?

This was my second book from Mandy Baggot and I am delighted to say it is far from my last. You know me, I love to discover an author with a back catalogue to dive in to. Extrememly well written and very detailed. I loved how she was so knowledgeable about football and even tweeted her the same. Turns out we both support the same football club, Tottenham Hotspur. I knew I liked her ;D

Do You Remember? is not just a fluffy romance novel but a compelling tale. Dealing with a lot of emotional and deep issues and giving them their due sensitivity Mandy did an excellent job of delving into her characters innermost secrets and how they have been affecting them in the years since happening. It is a must read for all those that love a well written story!

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