Single Mum Christie Chapman is a PA in London, facing a two hour commute each way. Her son Finn is preparing for his GCSE examinations. He’s small for his age, sickly and can’t shake off colds and other infections, but they’re a tight, loving unit. Christie is a good mum so when the doctor tells her that Finn needs to get outside and take more exercise, she buys all the kit and is determined to do the right stuff, although it nearly kills her. In the evenings they watch TV together and Finn helps her with her main hobby: crafting. He’s a dab hand with die cuts and they spend hours companionably together. Her Mum and Dad are a tremendous support and all they want is for their daughter and grandson to be happy. Her mother taught Christie all she knew about crafting when she was a small girl and still gets a buzz out of helping her with her new projects and designs. Christie works mostly for the fun of it and to make memorable cards for her family and friends, but her work is stunning, full of flair and meticulously done.
One day her mother sends off samples of her work to fledgling American crafting businesses that are looking for a designer in the UK, and, surprise surprise, Christie hears back from the owner of the company. Max Alexander, and is astounded when he offers her the job. It’s a dream come true for Christie, her chance to build a new life for herself and Finn, and what’s more working from home, doing an activity that gives her so much pleasure. She accepts the position, attends a course based in the States and for the briefest of time her life looks as though it is at last going to be on the up. Cruelly though, through no fault of her own, her circumstances change and Christie has massive life changing decisions to make.
‘Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses’ is an absorbing novel about family, friendship and second chances. It’s a fabulous feel-good novel which I read in a day, hardly able to bear taking a break. The storytelling is superb and the characters just melted my heart. This is Carole Matthew’s at her very best, writing from her heart about one of her favourite pastimes and family dynamics. There’s a bit on everything; a sparkling romance, a dilemma, a shock, drama and unbounded joy, all based around a loving, supportive family. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Sphere for my copy of this novel, sent out to me in return for an honest review. This is a wonderful, unmissable read.

I picked this book to read as it mentioned the main character was a crafty person. I can count the books I’ve read with a crafty setting on one hand so thought this would be fun, and it was. The book has everything you would expect – a hard done by heroine, a good looking out-of-reach male character, ups and downs. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down!

I love the fact that the main characters are inspired by people the author knows. And if you take a look at Carole Matthews website she writes about her own crafty activities too! I would definitely recommend Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses by Carole Matthews if you are looking for a good book to read.

Christie's tale is one not dissimilar to most women, she works too hard, commutes too long and doesn't get to spend enough time with her son, Finn. She's been single for five years after splitting with her childhood sweetheart, Finn's dad, and copes admirably alone...but she's lonely and fed up.

She has her crafting to keep her occupied at nights and it brings in some pin money to top up her wages from her job as a legal PA, but she'd like to be able to give Finn more, especially her time.

A situation arises where Finn needs her more than her work, but she risks the bills not being paid. She gets her big break at the wrong time and the balls she is juggling threaten to fall down around her.

You can always count on Carole for a wonderful, warm and uplifting read. This book brought me more pleasure than anything I have read for a while, it also left me wanting desperately to become a crazy crafting lady and searching Hobbycraft and The Range for a starter cardmaking kit!

I loved the characters in this book so much, the relationship between Finn and Christie is wonderful and Christie's parents were literally the best ever. It left me with such a warm glow, it has to be my absolute favourite of Carole's to date.

This book is set in the world of papercrafters and as the daughter of a crafter I can say it is very accurate, there is always another die or a new range of papers which you desperately need! I don't want to give away any spoilers but when I started reading I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster ride that I had started. I loved every minute of this book and can't recommend it highly enough, it is a genuine must read!!

I loved this book! Carole Matthews is one of my favourites so it was great to review one of her books - and I wasn't disappointed. The main character, Christie, has a lovely bond with her only son and parents. I also liked that she had a good relationship with her ex because so often in real life, and other books, it's not the case. The crafts were detailed enough that if you like crafting, this book will be heaven for you! But it's not so intense that you can't read it if crafting isn't your thing.

I read this in a day - it's a happy, light book that didn't require much thinking about. The only thing I didn't like was the last paragraph - I turned the page over expecting to see something else written? It was just a little rushed so I didn't realise that it had finished. I will be releasing a full review closer to the publishing date and I will email this to you. Thanks for letting me review it!

Another brilliantly crafted story by Carole Matthews. All the characters are very relatable. It was an easy to read, fun, relaxing and inspiring book that I was unable to put down.

Wow what a fantastic heartwarming book. my first read by Carole certainly won't be my last

An interesting and enjoyable insight into the world of crafting. Not as fluffy as I'd anticipated - there are some difficult storylines that are well handled - with aplomb and humour.

I still have no idea what a "die" is, apart from the fact that you use it to cut paper (I think) but that didn't matter...

Another good read from a great author who can be relied upon to deliver the goods.

4* stars, a recommended read if it floats your boat.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy.

Very excited to receive Carole’s latest offering – I have loved all of her books so far. We meet Christie, a 40 odd year old single mum who is a legal secretary and keen paper-crafter! She commutes 2 hours by coach every day to London and her life, when she eventually gets home, evolves around her son, her parents and her hobby. Her mum, also a keen crafter, enters Christie for a competition to become a designer for an American craft company. She wins and is given the opportunity to go on a ‘retreat’ organised by the company to try out their products and learn new skills. The only problem is it’s in America and she worries about leaving Finn, her 15 year old son. She eventually agrees to leave him with her parents, and whilst she is in America she meets the CEO of the company, Max, and falls head over heels. Unfortunately, as normal in these books, true love never runs a smooth course, and Christie does the sensible thing and lets her head rule her heart. Upon returning home, her world is turned upside down with some devastating news.

I loved this book! I didn’t realise till I started to read this book that it had a ‘crafting’ theme – namely paper crafts (I know, the title should have given it away!). I used to, many years ago, make my own cards, so this book has bought so many memories of fond times sat there surrounded by paper, card and sticky embellishments! It got me thinking I would start it all again, but quickly pushed that thought to the very back of my mind – just haven’t got the time, space, money or inclination anymore! But, it was wonderful to think about it all again!!

The whole setting of the book is lovely – the comfortable home life and then the bright lights of living the jet set lifestyle. What I would have given to be Christie flying across the Atlantic to spend the week crafting!! I loved the character of Christie, although you could be forgiven for thinking she was a bit ‘dull’ or boring, but I think that is how the character should have started out, as it gives Christie time to grow and shine into the person she is at the end of the book. The book made me laugh (just imagining Alpacas!) and made me cry. Whilst you know how these stories tend to turn out, it was still a wonderful read and kept me page turning right till the end.

Read this book and lose yourself in a world of love, family, heartache and glitter! Five stars!

I've read quite a few of Carole's books now and for me this is the best one yet. It could be because I also love craft, have met the muse of the book Christine Emberson and regularly follow her blog. So a lot of the story line rang so true for me as most of it had been told by Christine on her blog as it happened. Carole has obviously embellished the story a little as she states at the beginning of the book.

Carole herself is a crafter and also consulted Christine. This comes across strongly, in what could otherwise have been a book where you realise someone is writing about something they know nothing about. I chuckled to myself at quite a few of the crafting references as they rang a bell with me. I loved visualising all the craft supplies arriving and could just imagine the emotions as I would have been going through them myself. I also have one of those heated blanket things - oh dear could it be because I am a fan of shopping telly?

I loved the characters they were so well written - Brian who Christie meets on her daily commute, Robyn her boss in the office. Christie's parents - who I wish would adopt me! But most of all her son Finn - Carole managed to capture that teenager speak so well and I loved the relationship between him and his Mum.

Then there is Max - Christie's crafting boss - I went through so many emotions over this character as I decided he was wonderful/despicable/a chancer - he really did spring to life from the pages.

It's not all craft related, there is also a heart breaking side to the story. I really felt for the characters as this part of the book played out - it was very emotional. Although even at the worst of it the characters still rallied round and had the odd cheerful word and quip to make.

I could write so much more about the book as it really gripped me, but I don't want this to be like one of those film trailers where you feel its not worth watching the film because you just about seen it all! I was hanging in there hoping for an happy ending. I'm not going to spoil it for you - but I was sooo happy with the ending of the book.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Christie Chapman is very ordinary and it's what makes her so likeable. She does a ridiculously long commute into London to earn the money to support herself and her 15 year old son Finn. Her ex-husband lives in Dubai with his new family but luckily for her, her parents live reasonably close to her and give her all the support she needs. Her evenings, weekends and any spare moment she finds is spent not partying or drinking, it's spent crafting and watching the Crafting Channel. SO far, so ordinary...right? Well yes, and that's what makes it so enjoyable. I reckon a good 70-80% of 'ordinary' people live ordinary lives so as a reader it's nice to read about people that are also ordinary. Christie and her son and parents are a close knit group and her Mum and Dad were just as enjoyable to read about. Finn was a great character although I am quite convinced I don't know any teenage boy of that age that is THAT nice.

Before long, an opportunity comes along and her Mum takes matters into her own hands opening up a massive opportunity for Christie. Unfortunately for her, the dreams she has may not even be a remote possibility when something serious happens. This story is certainly bitter sweet but was an absolute joy to read. There are many scenarios for Christie and I willed things to work out for her, especially when not one, but two men make an appearance in her life in one way or another. The story swept me along and I was totally and utterly engrossed.

The one thing I did notice which made a massively refreshing change was towards the end I thought I had it all planned out, but I was wrong. Carole Matthews was clever with the ending, giving the readers what they wanted, but not quite how you imagined it would be (if that makes sense). I loved it as it was more of a realistic wrap up and I finished it thinking...maybe that could happen to somebody out there! With Carole Matthews being an author I have read since my late teens, my habits appear not to have changed and with her writing better books than ever year after year, it appears I am a dedicated and lifelong fan...for very good reason! If you haven't read a Carole Matthews, seriously you don't know what you are missing!

Another stunning read from Carole Matthews, and one which will stay with me for a very long time. Christie Chapman's parents are extremely supportive, and it's a good job they are. When Finn, Christie's son is diagnosed with a brain tumour, the bad news is just beginning. Redundancy, relationships, pressure from Finn's school and new beginnings all add to her woes, but her parents are behind her every step of the way. All work together to move the story forwards at a cracking pace, with tears, compassion, unexpected friendships and love shining through, ensuring a hopeful and happy conclusion. I read this in one sitting!