Strawberries at Wimbledon- Nikki Moore

The Blurb

The fifth short story in the fun & flirty #LoveLondon series from exciting new chick lit author Nikki Moore!

The one that got away?

Sipping Pimms and eating fresh strawberries at Wimbledon are the perfect start to the British summer for Rayne. Immersed in her career as a journalist in the City, she's been too busy and distracted to give men – or other outside interests – much of a chance lately. That's something her friend Lily thinks she should correct, coming up with the perfect ‘sex with an ex’ solution – much to the amusement of the crowd on Centre Court!

When Rayne runs into old flame Adam, former good guy who is now all grown up with a hint of bad boy about him, it's a tempting thought. But is that such a good idea, when she knows that four years ago, she broke his heart?

Back from travelling the world and settling into running the family business, Adam never expected to see his university girlfriend again. And he definitely didn't think he would still be angry with her for running away, or that she would still have the same stunning effect on him. But she does, so maybe the perfect way to get her out of his dreams and from under his skin, is to have a hot sex-filled night with her? The only trouble is, one night might not be enough…

First love – can you ever go back?

The Review

I think I'm one of Nikki Moore's biggest fans, and as the last short in her #LoveLondon series was released on Thursday I knew I'd be glued to my kindle to fall in love with another supercute couple.

This time it was Rayne and Adam, old flames from their uni days who find themselves coincidentally sat together at Wimbledon.  I'm a fan of the 'the one that got away' trope, so expected to be reeled in by their story, and I wasn't wrong.  Strawberries at Wimbledon is told in the present day with flashbacks to scenes from university.  At times I had to concentrate to remind myself which time frame I was in, but mostly this was obvious by what was happening around them and the way the characters were behaving.

Rayne was fabulous, I could completely relate to her.  She's fragile and complex in one way, yet still a strong young woman with a fighting spirit.  Her friendship with Lily is an easy one and I loved that- it made me think of some of my own girlfriends who I know would be there for me through thick and thin, being honest and supportive.  I could happily have read a full length book about these two and their escapades (prequel, maybe?!)

Adam, on the other hand, didn't immediately strike me as my usual kind of hero.  He was a little bit more rough around the edges than my usual type (both in books and real life!) but as the story developed I had a greater understanding about events in his own life which made him like he was. As a character though he wasn't ever going to be challenging for one of my book boyfriends, he came across as too standoffish and spoilt for my liking in the sections set during university.  However, the modern day Adam was much more my kind of man, so maybe I could be swayed...

He might not be the sort of guy I'd go for, but that certainly doesn't mean I wasn't rooting for him and Rayne-after all, I love a love story!  This one was a bit more angsty than the rest of the series though, I felt like I'd been through the mill by the end and I'd swallowed down the lump in my throat on more than one occasion.  I'd been angry and emotional and I'd laughed at the more light hearted moments.  There was a bit of everything crammed into this novella.

I cannot emphasise enough how good a writer Nikki Moore is.  She creates characters with hidden depths and slowly reveals them to the reader in a delicate way, peeling back the layers until their true self is laid bare.  Honestly, the writing style is impeccable. 

I'm now counting down the sleeps until the release of the final book in the series (40 at the time of writing!), when the full length novel Picnics in Hyde Park is released next month.  Although how I'll fill the void left by this series is something I've not yet figured out an answer to.

Strawberries at Wimbledon is out now, published by Harper Impulse.

Roy- The Roy of the Rovers autobiography

The Blurb

The greatest story ever told by the world’s most beloved sportsman, Roy of the Rovers, in his own words for the first time.

The shocking details of the five terrifying kidnappings that threatened to blight his playing career; the stomach-churning murder attempt in 1980, which left Roy in a life-threatening coma; the sickening car bomb attack that tragically killed eight of Roy's team-mates while on a pre-season tour of Basran; the devastation of losing his wife, former Melchester club secretary Penny Laine, who died in a car accident that brought Roy closer than ever to quitting the game he loved.

And finally the horrific helicopter crash in 1993 that resulted in the amputation of Roy's legendary left foot, bringing the curtain down on his sensational, game-clinching, goal scoring exploits.
Candid, emotional, optimistic, and never nothing less than inspiring, the autobiography of the man all fans of the game know simply as Roy Race aka 'Roy of the Rovers' lays bare for the first time the truth behind soccer's ultimate fairy-tale story.

It’s all Rover, and it is here for the first time for his fans to enjoy all in one victorious book.

The Review

Roy Race (AKA Roy of the Rovers) is the perfect football hero.  He's successful, a family man and dedicated to his beloved Melchester Rovers in a way that few modern day footballers are.  He's one on his own, and I'm surprised he (ahem) hasn't written an autobiography before now.

I really wanted to love this, to fondly relive some of the moments from the comic strips of my youth, such as the Mel Park earthquake.  Unfortunately, I found it a bit lacking.  Firstly, I found the discrepancies between the blurb and actual text of the autobiography irritating, for example the 'eight FA Cups' of the back cover to the ''eleven times' FA Cup winner mentioned on p112 and 'five terrifying kidnappings' which become being 'kidnapped nine times' on p131.  I don't know if it's supposed irony, playing on the hyperbole of the comic strips and Roy's confident demeanour or what, but I found it extremely frustrating. I'm not a big enough fan to know Roy's career history off pat, so I don't know which, if either, are factually correct.  Not good for an autobiography.

I would also have loved some of the iconic images of Roy's career in a picture section-after all, isn't that the bit we all flick to first in any autobiography worth its salt?  There was nothing like that.  I'm not sure if it was due to copyright, but I found that really disappointing.

Also, I am a massive fan of Penny and would have liked more of their life together to have been focussed on in the book.  Unfortunately, she comes across as little more than a baby machine, which isn't fair portrayal. 

I'll be honest, I really wish it had been done as a compilation of the highlights of Roy's career in comic strip format-whether that was simply linking the strips that had been run over the years with snippets of text in between or completely reworking it but retelling the story we all know and love in the format we are familiar with.  I wasn't overly enamoured by the ghost writers style either, I'm convinced there are fans out there who could have done a better job of sharing Roy's inimitable story.

For me, I'm sad to say, it didn't work.  I'd say this is one for the 'die hards' but unfortunately I think most die hards would say this is a poor, inaccurate effort to recreate the magic of Roy's career and moreso his private life.

NB. Yes, I am fully aware Roy Race is a fictional character.

With thanks to the publisher who sent me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Roy is out now, published by Random House.

I am the Secret Wag- The Secret Wag REVIEW AND INTERVIEW

 

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a wag?  Ever wondered how much surgical enhancement they've had?  Ever wondered how they cope with the media pressure?  Then you should read I am the Secret Wag.  Written by 'an England footballer's wife', this book is a must for anyone attracted to the celebrity lifestyle.  As it is written anonymously there is scope for free speech and honesty, something which may be compromised in the autobiographies of other wags. 

 

I must admit to being surprised at the sauciness of some scenes-the secret wag certainly holds nothing back when it comes to disclosures about bedroom antics with her hunky footballer husband.  With sex, fashion, club brawls and boob jobs, I am the Secret Wag paints a picture of wagdom not that far removed from an episode of the Footballer's Wives.  If you subscribe to glossy magazines and gossip columns then I am sure you'll find this an interesting read.  In fact, you may have spotted the wag in one of them- her wedding was front page of popular magazine.  

On a personal level I'd hoped for a bit more about the beautiful game itself, but then I am a big football fan.  I've read The Secret Footballer books and enjoyed them as an insight into the world of professional football.  I am the Secret Wag is equally as candid, but definitely aimed at a female market.   My life is so far removed from that described in the book that I did have a few moments where I thought 'seriously?!' but then reminded myself that for someone in the media spotlight with oodles of cash it probably wasn't as outlandish as it seemed to little old me.  There were also a few moments where I felt that she contradicted herself slightly, mainly when talking about how normal she was and then following up by talking about expensive nights out at exclusive restaurants or selling her wedding to a glossy mag.

I am the Secret Wag may appeal to fans of chicklit, reality TV or those looking for an easy beach read and of course you can't help but wonder who it might be (I have very strong suspicions but am keeping schtum!).  I did wonder if some parts had been exaggerated or embellished to make a more interesting story, but at the end of the day it doesn't really matter if they had or not because the book isn't professing to be anything other than a fun glimpse into the life of a wag.

I am the Secret Wag is out now, published by Corgi.

I was fortunate enough to be able to ask the Secret Wag some questions exclusively for Books with Bunny.  Here's what she had to say...

Do you worry that your identity will one day be revealed? Especially with regard to the more risqué aspects of the book?
I absolutely wince at the prospect of my family reading about my sexual experiences, so yes it would be an utter nightmare for my identity to be revealed in that respect!  The beauty of the secret aspect is that I have been able to be 100% honest and just said it how it is.  I haven't held back in the nitty gritty details that's for sure!

 

How did your husband feel about you talking about your sex life so openly in the book?

He is very proud of me for what I have done, and enjoyed reading the book a lot. I must admit he did go a beetroot red colour when reading the bits about our sex life!  He was so overwhelmed with what I wrote about our relationship, especially my feelings towards him and the way I describe him.  He maintains I have never said them to his face, so he was really touched.

 

Would you ever consider writing a novel?

I would love to!  I have found a real passion for writing and found it very good therapy!  I love losing myself to my laptop and putting down all the thoughts racing through my head.  If anyone tries to talk to me when I'm in the flow of writing they get totally blanked!

 

Who do you think will win the World Cup?

I'm pretty certain Brazil will win.  They are a really strong side and being the host country and having all those passionately supporting them will spur them on even more.  The supporters become the twelth man.

 

Are wags really as obsessed with fashion/beauty as the media make out? 

Wags LOVE fashion and beauty. We love to have the newest items out in the shops or be trying the latest beauty products, just so that we can say we have.  We are very good at shopping as we're lucky to have the time and funds to do it, and when we want to. The atmosphere of competition means we're always striving to be the fittest and the best dressed. 

 

Besides your husband, who do you think is the most attractive footballer past or present?

David Beckham is absolutely gorgeous in the flesh.  His style, his hair, his charisma, he just oozes sexiness! Roque Santa Cruz who plays for Malaga is a bit of alright too.  Oh and Gerard Pique is totally gorgeous also!  It's alright to look, right?!

 

Sure...after all, who wouldn't look at this fine specimen of a man?! (Any excuse for a picture of the Beckmeister on my blog).

With thanks to the Secret Wag and Madeline Toy.