books

ARC Book Review

Release Date: 03 November 2025
Pages: 196
Genre: Mid-Life Romcom
Warnings: None
Purchase: Amazon
Book on Goodreads

Book Summary

Rumours circulating Pelican Cove village raise eyebrows and heart rates!

One group of friends decide an intervention is needed to prevent further scuttlebutt.
They concoct a plan to take local gossipmonger, Ethel, on a hike to Barrington, where they confront her. But this backfires, revealing startling secrets and more than one romance.

New friendships are formed, and connections deepen. Self-proclaimed bachelor, Fred, finds himself at odds in the epicentre of heartache and, conversely, rising popularity. He’s grateful for the strength and understanding that come his way, but the flirtations leave him completely flummoxed.

This heartfelt novella shines a light on the tender nuance of later-in-life romance, the value of friendship and the jewel of one’s own intrinsic value – with a dash of laugh-out-loud pandemonium thrown in!

Rating

5/5

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My Thoughts

This book is such an easy, delightful read, one that had me experiencing the full spectrum of human emotion. I teared up, I chuckled, I shook my head in pure irritation (Ethel… if you know, you know), and I felt genuinely blissful for the residents of Pelican Cove.

I was especially touched to find my name in the acknowledgements. What an honour to be mentioned and asked again to be an early reader.

One of the things I adore most about Elora Canne’s writing is her ability to deliver a clean romance while still sprinkling in the perfect amount of spice. It’s wholesome… with a cheeky wink.

I haven’t read nearly as many books this year as I’d hoped (life is busy, apparently) but I jumped at the chance to read another of Elora’s stories because I loved the first one in this series. And now, after reading the second one, I can confidently say: I will always make time for anything written by Elora Canne. Her descriptive writing paints the most beautiful settings without drowning you in unnecessary and boring fluff. Every page earns its place, and both Love & Laughter (and Other Disasters) and Marriage & Mayhem (and Some Pandemonium) are anything but boring.

I loved every character, yes, even Ethel, though she definitely made my teeth clench on more than one occasion. She brought the mayhem, and honestly… it wouldn’t be Pelican Cove without a bit of pandemonium.

The story doesn’t end on a dramatic cliff-hanger (which is great), but it absolutely leaves room for more story to come. And I, for one, need more. Book three, please! I must know what becomes of Meryl and Louis, Ethel and Quentin, and the rest of the wonderfully quirky Pelican Cove crew.

Charming, emotional, funny, and full of heart. This series is a gem, and I can’t wait for the next instalment, not giving you much of a choice here Elora, haha!

**Elora Canne’s first book in this series.**

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