Fairytale Of New York by Miranda Dickinson.

As someone who has never been to New York I cannot get enough of books set in the city, there really does seem to be something enchanting about the place, and if you didn't feel it before reading this book then you'll be a New York convert by the end.

In this book we learn Rosie's story as she sees her New York floristry business expand rapidly whilst through the associates press attention she receives, she struggles to hide her past from those closest to her.

There are so many wonderful characters in this book, Rosie is a very loveable character; strong in so many ways yet hiding from her own past as she feels to fragile to face it.  Her colleagues at the shop seem like such brilliant friends to have and are such fun characters to read about. 

There is a secret that runs through the book, keeping you intrigued and keen to keep reading.  So coupled with the fantastic setting and fun filled characters this is a great read.

This is the first of Miranda Dickinson's books yet somehow it's turned out to be the last one of hers I've read as I'm making my way through her fabulous collection.  Definitely a great book to choose if you're in need of some warm and fluffy chick-lit to cheer you up.

The back page blurb:

Once upon a time an English girl went to New York to live out her very own fairytale…
Florist Rosie Duncan's life couldn't be better, she has a flourishing business on New York's Upper West Side and fantastic friends. Moving to Manhattan feels like the best decision she ever made. Even though at the time, it was her escape route from heartbreak . . .

For the past six years Rosie has kept her heart under lock and key, despite the protests of her closest friends - charming, commitment-phobic Ed, unlucky in love Marnie and the one-woman tornado that is Celia.

Then a blossoming friendship with publishing hot-shot Nate begins to shake Rosie's resolve at the same time as her brother arrives in the Big Apple, hiding a secret.

But a chance meeting brings Rosie face to face with her past, unravelling the mystery behind her arrival in New York. Rosie is forced to confront questions she has long been trying to ignore, including will she ever get her very own happy-ever-after?

A sparkling, romantic comedy about an English girl who finds herself in the city where dreams can come true - or so she thinks…

Title: Fairytale Of New York
Author: Miranda Dickinson

Welcome To My World by Miranda Dickinson.

This is another lovely book from Miranda Dickinson.  In it we meet Harri who is an armchair traveller with big dreams about where her future could take her.

The book is filled with lovely characters, and is set in a very friendly town which you image being a wonderful place to live.
I really felt for Harri who had such strong dreams yet struggled to allow herself to live them.  She took brave steps and in the end reaped the rewards she deserved.

Each chapter of the book begins with a snippet of Harri who has locked herself in a toilet cubicle after some kind of embarrasing situation, yet you don't find out what this was until the end which was a really interesting twist.

I didn't realise until I picked up this book and saw the cover how much of a part Venice would play in the story. It's always been somewhere I'd like to visit so I loved reading about the details of it.

This is a brilliant chick-lit read, it was really enjoyable and easy to read, filled with romance, friendship and big dreams.

The back page blurb:
Close your eyes and imagine the world is your oyster...

And now imagine never seeing it. Welcome to Harriet Langton's world. All her life she's dreamt of travelling the globe - fate always got in the way.

Working as a travel agent, the closest Harri comes to her dream destination of Venice is booking the trip for someone else. But everything changes when travel fanatic Alex drops in.

With her boyfriend Rob tied up with work, Harri is persuaded to help Alex in his quest for love. But in her attempts to help, Harri soon discovers that she's alienating those around her.

Desperate to leave her life behind, will her dreams finally come true? Or will Harri's leap of faith be her biggest mistake yet?

Title: Welcome To My World
Author: Miranda Dickinson

Take A Look At Me Now by Miranda Dickinson.

In this book we meet Nell, who after finding out she has been made redundant decides to leave the sensible decisions behind and take a trip of a lifetime.

It's such a feel good book.  Nell is a lovely, warm character who despite being as insecure as the rest of us in some ways, makes brave, confident decisions to make the best of a bad situation.  In this way she can be an inspiration to all of us.

The characters are wonderful.  I would love to flat share with Nell's cousin and am sure I would have adored the customers in Annie's who sounded so much fun.

As someone who this year went to America for the first time and has well and truly got the America-bug I was delighted that this book based in San Francisco.  It's not somewhere I've ever really given much thought to visiting, but having read the detail of Miranda Dickinson's description of it, I'm finding myself daydreaming about what a fantastic trip I could have there.

Coincidentally, just like Nell, my boyfriend has always dreamed of opening his own American diner so this book held a special fascination for me.  I loved the description of the diner and I challenge anyone to read this book without drooling over some of the dishes served at Annie's; they sound incredibly naughty and very delicious!

One thing I loved about this book was that I couldn't guess the ending.  There were plenty of moments when I had a good go, but it was far from predictable which made it such an interesting read.

I can't recommend this book enough.  It's stuffed full of fun and friendship, with a big dollop of romance thrown in too.  But most of all this is an inspirational story that allows you to believe that even when things get tough you always have the chance to turn them around.  A wonderful chick-lit read.

The back page blurb:
What a difference a day makes...Nell Sullivan has always been known as 'Miss Five-Year Plan'. But when she finds herself jobless and newly single on the same day, Nell decides it is time to stop planning and start taking chances. Nell blows her redundancy cheque on a trip of lifetime to a place where anything is possible - San Francisco. There she meets a host of colourful characters, including the intriguing and gorgeous Max. Very soon the city begins to feel like Nell's second home. But when it's time to return to London, will she leave the 'new Nell' behind? And can the magic of San Francisco continue to sparkle thousands of miles away?

Title: Take A Look At Me Now
Author: Miranda Dickinson

When I Fall In Love by Miranda Dickinson.

If you want a bubbly fun bit of chick-lit stuffed full of romance, family and friendship then this is the book for you.

As the cover illustration suggests this book takes the characters on a trip to Paris; a trip that turns out to be emotional for all the right reasons. But there is much more to it than that as the book takes you on a journey of new beginnings, filled with hope and a notion that you can believe in the goodness of other people.  I really enjoyed this book and sat crying more than once whilst reading it, it's full of heartwarming moments of family and friendship; despite there being several set backs for different characters, and it's crammed full of romance too.

The main character Elsie Maynard works in a retro ice cream shop that sounds amazing, you'll read it wishing you could jump into the book and try some of the crazy flavours of ice cream and delicious sounding cakes.

There characters in this book are strong and relateable and unlike other books you don't get confused when quite a few new characters are introduced together.  It's easy to recommend this book to fans of chick-lit as with romance, travel, births, deaths, relationships and new adventures there is something for everyone to relate to. 
If you've ever needed a little inspiration that there's hope in new beginnings then this book will inspire you to go ahead and jump in.

Title: When I Fall In Love
Author: Miranda Dickinson

It Started With A Kiss by Miranda Dickinson.

Despite looking like a Christmas book this isn't a 'full-on' Christmassy tale like other Christmas stories.  The story starts at Christmas and then takes place throughout the following year.  Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that the story isn't magical; it's a lovely story with very like-able characters.

I would definitely read more of Miranda's books in the future.  They have everything you could want in a feel-good read; friendship, romance, a big chunk of optimism and a little bit of magic. 

I must admit that the fact that each page is edged in red I absolutely loved, and it added to that Christmassy feel and makes the book stand out from others on the shelf.

Title: It Started With A Kiss
Author: Miranda Dickinson.