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SHOOT THE MOON: An alternative game of hearts
When the love you miss the most is the one you’ve always had.
Tassie loves many her friends, her job, her garden. Even her first boyfriend. But there’s a kind of love she just can’t find.
Until, in losing everything, she sees what she needed most was there all along.
Sometimes it’s not the person you need to forget, but the person you need to forgive.
Shoot the Moon is the sweetest of bittersweet novels, combining two very different love stories. One of which will probably make you cry.
Tassie Morris is everyone’s favourite wedding photographer, famous for her photos of offbeat ceremonies and alternative brides. Yet commitment is proving impossible for Tassie herself, who cannot forget her first love.
When she’s sent to photograph a ceremony on Schiehallion - the Fairy Hill of the Scottish Caledonians - she meets Dan, who might be the one to make her forget her past. That is, until a family crisis begins a chain of events that threaten to destroy not only Tassie’s love life, but her entire career.
Set in a colourful world of extraordinary weddings, Shoot the Moon explores the complexities of different kinds of romantic love, mother love, friendship. And, ultimately, the importance of loving yourself.
Tassie loves many her friends, her job, her garden. Even her first boyfriend. But there’s a kind of love she just can’t find.
Until, in losing everything, she sees what she needed most was there all along.
Sometimes it’s not the person you need to forget, but the person you need to forgive.
Shoot the Moon is the sweetest of bittersweet novels, combining two very different love stories. One of which will probably make you cry.
Tassie Morris is everyone’s favourite wedding photographer, famous for her photos of offbeat ceremonies and alternative brides. Yet commitment is proving impossible for Tassie herself, who cannot forget her first love.
When she’s sent to photograph a ceremony on Schiehallion - the Fairy Hill of the Scottish Caledonians - she meets Dan, who might be the one to make her forget her past. That is, until a family crisis begins a chain of events that threaten to destroy not only Tassie’s love life, but her entire career.
Set in a colourful world of extraordinary weddings, Shoot the Moon explores the complexities of different kinds of romantic love, mother love, friendship. And, ultimately, the importance of loving yourself.
- GenresRomance
ebook
Published August 17, 2021
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Bella Cassidy
1 book3 followersBella Cassidy did a lot of research for writing her wedding romance, having had two herself. For her first she was eight months pregnant - a whale in bright orange - and married in a barn with wood fires burning.
The second saw her in elegant Edwardian silk, crystals and lace, teamed with yellow wellies and a cardigan. Both were great fun; but it was lovely having her daughter alongside, rather than inside her at the second one.
The second saw her in elegant Edwardian silk, crystals and lace, teamed with yellow wellies and a cardigan. Both were great fun; but it was lovely having her daughter alongside, rather than inside her at the second one.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 26, 2021
I am sat here now thinking about what to write to do this book the justice it deserves, I loved every page of it, I always like to hear from new authors and this book does not disappoint. I am definitely a new fan of Bella Cassidy!
Tassie is a wedding photographer who is well known for her work, she has great friends that surround her but she cannot get over Alex her boyfriend from her teenage years. She feels she cannot commit to anyone else and all roads lead back to Alex.
Tassie meets the lovely Dan at a wedding she has been hired as the photographer and they have an amazing week together until everything in Tassie’s life starts to go wrong! Will Tassie make the right choices in her life, will she find out more about the family secret and will she ever find the right person that she feels she can commit to!
I will leave you to find out the answers to these questions, you really must give this book a read.
Only problem I have been left with now is, what book am I going to follow it with. it’s going to be tough
Tassie is a wedding photographer who is well known for her work, she has great friends that surround her but she cannot get over Alex her boyfriend from her teenage years. She feels she cannot commit to anyone else and all roads lead back to Alex.
Tassie meets the lovely Dan at a wedding she has been hired as the photographer and they have an amazing week together until everything in Tassie’s life starts to go wrong! Will Tassie make the right choices in her life, will she find out more about the family secret and will she ever find the right person that she feels she can commit to!
I will leave you to find out the answers to these questions, you really must give this book a read.
Only problem I have been left with now is, what book am I going to follow it with. it’s going to be tough
January 27, 2022
3.5 stars
Shoot The Moon is a contemporary story about family and life. Tassie is a magazine wedding photographer who loves to travel. Although she is surrounded by couples in love, Tassie is still single, mainly because she struggles with relationships.
A cheese theme runs through the book and I enjoyed the direction that it took. There’s a troubled romance too, but it’s complex. Tassie has some deep emotions that she needs to work through with her family and well kept secrets get revealed. I also liked the minor supernatural theme which softened a harsh medical scenario. I don’t want to say too much and reveal spoilers.
This is a quick read and would suit those who enjoy contemporary relationship tales. It has several settings around Britain; I particularly enjoyed the parts on the Isle Of Skye and the characters at the Hotel Eilean.
Shoot The Moon is a contemporary story about family and life. Tassie is a magazine wedding photographer who loves to travel. Although she is surrounded by couples in love, Tassie is still single, mainly because she struggles with relationships.
A cheese theme runs through the book and I enjoyed the direction that it took. There’s a troubled romance too, but it’s complex. Tassie has some deep emotions that she needs to work through with her family and well kept secrets get revealed. I also liked the minor supernatural theme which softened a harsh medical scenario. I don’t want to say too much and reveal spoilers.
This is a quick read and would suit those who enjoy contemporary relationship tales. It has several settings around Britain; I particularly enjoyed the parts on the Isle Of Skye and the characters at the Hotel Eilean.
March 27, 2022
To be honest, I really struggled to get into this book and thought the first quarter was an uphill struggle. However, I am glad I persevered as I grew to enjoy this book, the more that I read of it, until the Epilogue left me with goose bumps because of how beautifully it was written.
Firstly, I think neither the blurb nor the novel’s cover do this story any justice. In my opinion, the blurb is too muddled and lengthy and this is kind of how I felt the story started: too much detail, not enough pace, and too much of a disjointed timeline. For whatever reason, it took me a while to get into my stride of the non-linear narrative and I don’t think it helped that the different time periods felt remarkably similar. Secondly, the novel’s cover is ominous and foreboding; it is completely the opposite to what is supposed to be an uplifting story of self-discovery and truth. I think the cover sends the wrong signals, which is probably another reason why this story felt so heavy-going.
However, it is definitely worth pursuing this book because Cassidy combines a range of stories. From family truths, to friendship and romance, there is even a shred of the supernatural as well. In my opinion, I thought the writer could have developed the latter a little bit more, especially as this would have then reinforced the moon references and a degree of spirituality that is implied. Although I guessed the direction of this subplot and wanted Cassidy to reveal it sooner in the story, I think it added something a little bit different to this romance story.
For the most part, readers follow Tassie (which has become an adaptation of her name Victoria, which she truly dislikes) as she works as a wedding photographer. Clearly very good at her job, Tassie is confident about the shots she needs to ensure client satisfaction. When an unexpected trip to Scotland occurs, Tassie not only loves the setting, but grows very close to one of the wedding guests. This sets off a developing romance that, as you would expect, does not follow the path of true love – with the expected crisis coming in the story.
Yet, at the same time, the narrative frequently switches back to several years previous, where Tassie is connected with an old childhood friend. As the story develops, the two relationships merge into the present and I liked how these were gradually brought together. Once I was familiar with the different timelines, the novel became a lot more enjoyable; sometimes I found myself preferring the past narrative over the present.
Coupled with Tassie’s relationship woes, this story also explores the strained relationship she has with her mother. (On a side note, why are so many books featuring poor relationships between the protagonist and the mum? It’s such a sad state of affairs.) I realised what had caused the strain between the two and was a bit frustrated why the two adults could not come together to truly communicate with one another. It is only when circumstances really test the family that Tassie and her mother resolve their differences.
I think this book was a slow burner but a good surprise. I am so pleased I persevered with the story and, even though there were early parts that lost my interest, this book did pick up and I found myself really enjoying it. The Epilogue of the novel was particularly touching and I think this was where Cassidy truly showcased her writing skills – especially because it brought me out in goose bumps.
In conclusion, this is not a run of the mill romance story and I think the other elements that are added to the plot make for a more interesting read. However, you do have to get over the hurdle of immersing yourself into the story, before you can really appreciate what Cassidy has to offer.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, I think neither the blurb nor the novel’s cover do this story any justice. In my opinion, the blurb is too muddled and lengthy and this is kind of how I felt the story started: too much detail, not enough pace, and too much of a disjointed timeline. For whatever reason, it took me a while to get into my stride of the non-linear narrative and I don’t think it helped that the different time periods felt remarkably similar. Secondly, the novel’s cover is ominous and foreboding; it is completely the opposite to what is supposed to be an uplifting story of self-discovery and truth. I think the cover sends the wrong signals, which is probably another reason why this story felt so heavy-going.
However, it is definitely worth pursuing this book because Cassidy combines a range of stories. From family truths, to friendship and romance, there is even a shred of the supernatural as well. In my opinion, I thought the writer could have developed the latter a little bit more, especially as this would have then reinforced the moon references and a degree of spirituality that is implied. Although I guessed the direction of this subplot and wanted Cassidy to reveal it sooner in the story, I think it added something a little bit different to this romance story.
For the most part, readers follow Tassie (which has become an adaptation of her name Victoria, which she truly dislikes) as she works as a wedding photographer. Clearly very good at her job, Tassie is confident about the shots she needs to ensure client satisfaction. When an unexpected trip to Scotland occurs, Tassie not only loves the setting, but grows very close to one of the wedding guests. This sets off a developing romance that, as you would expect, does not follow the path of true love – with the expected crisis coming in the story.
Yet, at the same time, the narrative frequently switches back to several years previous, where Tassie is connected with an old childhood friend. As the story develops, the two relationships merge into the present and I liked how these were gradually brought together. Once I was familiar with the different timelines, the novel became a lot more enjoyable; sometimes I found myself preferring the past narrative over the present.
Coupled with Tassie’s relationship woes, this story also explores the strained relationship she has with her mother. (On a side note, why are so many books featuring poor relationships between the protagonist and the mum? It’s such a sad state of affairs.) I realised what had caused the strain between the two and was a bit frustrated why the two adults could not come together to truly communicate with one another. It is only when circumstances really test the family that Tassie and her mother resolve their differences.
I think this book was a slow burner but a good surprise. I am so pleased I persevered with the story and, even though there were early parts that lost my interest, this book did pick up and I found myself really enjoying it. The Epilogue of the novel was particularly touching and I think this was where Cassidy truly showcased her writing skills – especially because it brought me out in goose bumps.
In conclusion, this is not a run of the mill romance story and I think the other elements that are added to the plot make for a more interesting read. However, you do have to get over the hurdle of immersing yourself into the story, before you can really appreciate what Cassidy has to offer.
With thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2021
I write this as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team and thank her and the author for this opportunity to read and review an early ARC copy of this romantic novel.
I am familiar with the name of the author but not being a big reader of romantic novels (I read the odd one and usually enjoy them, but in general prefer other genres and sometimes read them to take a break or when I need something different to my usual read) I hadn’t read one of hers yet. My mother is a big fan of shows about weddings and wedding dresses, and I thought the job of the protagonist promised some amusing adventures, and that was indeed the case, but there was much more to the novel than that.
The description of this novel is very accurate, and I think it gives a good indication of what readers can expect from it. This is a romantic novel, with a background in the world of wedding photos and wedding magazines (and it is eye-opening to realise how much insight a photographer can get into the lives and relationships of those she photographs), with some of the ceremonies taking place in wonderful settings all over the British Isles (or almost), from London, to Exeter, the Scottish Highlands, even New York (sort of), and with stops in Somerset and Shropshire, among other places. We also have wonderful contrasts between city and country life (managing a farm, cheese making, dog breeding... also make an appearance), and although most of the story is narrated in a chronological order (with some jumps forward in time) between 2014 and 2016, Tassie, the main protagonist, also remembers scenes from her youth and her recent past, and quite late in the book we get snippets of a diary set at a much earlier time (when Tassie was a very young child). I won’t go into a lot of detail, to avoid revealing too much, but there are secrets that help explain difficult family relationships and behaviours, and, most importantly, this is one of those novels that I would classify as adult coming of age stories, because a character that seemed to have got stuck at a young age (much younger than their chronological age), finally gets to mature and grow up. Oh, and there is a touch of the spiritual/paranormal as well.
There are many other themes that pop up in the novel, and some are explored in more detail than others (faith and loss; the difficulties a couple can face when trying to have children, miscarriages, and the toll that takes on the mental health; coming out (or not) to your traditional family; issues of trust; family relationships and the secrets families keep; toxic relationships and how to get free from them; second chances and living our dreams...) but it is far from simply a light and amusing read that will leave you with a smile on your face. There is that as well (yes, it is a proper romantic novel, and there is a happy ending, I can tell you that, although you’ll have to read the whole thing to see how it comes about, and “happy” might look quite different to what we think when we start reading the novel), but there are some important subjects explored in detail in the novel. I recommend readers to not skip the section of acknowledgments at the end, as it gives a good insight into the process of creation of the novel, and it also provides some extra resources to people wanting to explore further some of the issues that play an important part in the book.
The novel, which is narrated in the third person but from Tassie’s point of view, has a fabulous cast of secondary characters. To be totally honest, Tassie isn’t my favourite. Other than Alex, her long-term love interest, and a couple of the characters that appear fleetingly at some of the weddings, she was probably the character I liked the least at first. I didn’t hate her, but although I loved her friends (Syd and Oliver are fabulous, and so are their partners, and there are many other characters that appear only briefly, like the reverend and mother of one of the brides, or Syd’s witch aunt [well, Wiccan. She has an owl! How could I possibly not love her?] that I would have happily read whole books about), she was one of those people I felt like shaking and telling her to get her head out of the sand and start really looking at what was going on around her and in her own life. Perhaps because I’ve had friends with similar issues, I felt closer to those trying to advise her and getting frustrated because nothing seemed to make a difference than to her, and because even the wonderful adventure she lives in Scotland with Dan (who is great. Yes, another favourite of mine) seems to follow the usual pattern. The fact that the story is narrated in the third person helps readers get a bit more perspective and perhaps puts them in a privileged position to get a clearer picture of what is at stake, although events that happen later help move things along. And perhaps, the whole point of the story is to make us see that certain things can only get solved when we are brave enough to confront them, no matter what the likely outcome or how painful the process might be. So, yes, although I didn’t feel I had much in common with Tassie, and she wasn’t my favourite character to begin with, she grew on me, and I felt sorry to see her go at the end.
Although some of the subjects are emotional (and yes, be prepared from some tears), the writing is fluid and dynamic, combining wonderful descriptions of places, people, and situations (some quite hilarious), with quiet moments of reflection and introspection, and the odd touch of magic. There is romance, of course, and although there is passion, this is not an erotic novel full of “hot” sex scenes (much to my relief, as I am not a fan), and most of what goes on takes place behind closed doors, so those who prefer to get graphic and detailed blow-by-blow accounts will be disappointed. On the other hand, you have romantic locations, descriptions of gardens and home vegetable patches, rides on horses, helicopters, leaking boats, and quite an array of weddings. As usual, those who want to know if the writing will be suited to their taste, are advised to check a sample.
I’ve already mentioned the ending, and as I said, things are solved in what I felt was a very satisfying manner, and I am not talking only about Tassie’s love life, but also about some of the other difficult relationships she and those around her have to go through. Not that it is an easy process, but this is one of the many beauties of this book.
In summary, I recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys romantic novels and is not looking for “hot” or erotic stories but prefers stories exploring complex relationship issues and providing good psychological insights into relevant topics. Fans of weddings and romances set in Scotland (the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Sky, real towns and spots) will particularly enjoy this novel, and for those who like some extras, the author is promising a tour of the locations (on Facebook and Instagram).
I am familiar with the name of the author but not being a big reader of romantic novels (I read the odd one and usually enjoy them, but in general prefer other genres and sometimes read them to take a break or when I need something different to my usual read) I hadn’t read one of hers yet. My mother is a big fan of shows about weddings and wedding dresses, and I thought the job of the protagonist promised some amusing adventures, and that was indeed the case, but there was much more to the novel than that.
The description of this novel is very accurate, and I think it gives a good indication of what readers can expect from it. This is a romantic novel, with a background in the world of wedding photos and wedding magazines (and it is eye-opening to realise how much insight a photographer can get into the lives and relationships of those she photographs), with some of the ceremonies taking place in wonderful settings all over the British Isles (or almost), from London, to Exeter, the Scottish Highlands, even New York (sort of), and with stops in Somerset and Shropshire, among other places. We also have wonderful contrasts between city and country life (managing a farm, cheese making, dog breeding... also make an appearance), and although most of the story is narrated in a chronological order (with some jumps forward in time) between 2014 and 2016, Tassie, the main protagonist, also remembers scenes from her youth and her recent past, and quite late in the book we get snippets of a diary set at a much earlier time (when Tassie was a very young child). I won’t go into a lot of detail, to avoid revealing too much, but there are secrets that help explain difficult family relationships and behaviours, and, most importantly, this is one of those novels that I would classify as adult coming of age stories, because a character that seemed to have got stuck at a young age (much younger than their chronological age), finally gets to mature and grow up. Oh, and there is a touch of the spiritual/paranormal as well.
There are many other themes that pop up in the novel, and some are explored in more detail than others (faith and loss; the difficulties a couple can face when trying to have children, miscarriages, and the toll that takes on the mental health; coming out (or not) to your traditional family; issues of trust; family relationships and the secrets families keep; toxic relationships and how to get free from them; second chances and living our dreams...) but it is far from simply a light and amusing read that will leave you with a smile on your face. There is that as well (yes, it is a proper romantic novel, and there is a happy ending, I can tell you that, although you’ll have to read the whole thing to see how it comes about, and “happy” might look quite different to what we think when we start reading the novel), but there are some important subjects explored in detail in the novel. I recommend readers to not skip the section of acknowledgments at the end, as it gives a good insight into the process of creation of the novel, and it also provides some extra resources to people wanting to explore further some of the issues that play an important part in the book.
The novel, which is narrated in the third person but from Tassie’s point of view, has a fabulous cast of secondary characters. To be totally honest, Tassie isn’t my favourite. Other than Alex, her long-term love interest, and a couple of the characters that appear fleetingly at some of the weddings, she was probably the character I liked the least at first. I didn’t hate her, but although I loved her friends (Syd and Oliver are fabulous, and so are their partners, and there are many other characters that appear only briefly, like the reverend and mother of one of the brides, or Syd’s witch aunt [well, Wiccan. She has an owl! How could I possibly not love her?] that I would have happily read whole books about), she was one of those people I felt like shaking and telling her to get her head out of the sand and start really looking at what was going on around her and in her own life. Perhaps because I’ve had friends with similar issues, I felt closer to those trying to advise her and getting frustrated because nothing seemed to make a difference than to her, and because even the wonderful adventure she lives in Scotland with Dan (who is great. Yes, another favourite of mine) seems to follow the usual pattern. The fact that the story is narrated in the third person helps readers get a bit more perspective and perhaps puts them in a privileged position to get a clearer picture of what is at stake, although events that happen later help move things along. And perhaps, the whole point of the story is to make us see that certain things can only get solved when we are brave enough to confront them, no matter what the likely outcome or how painful the process might be. So, yes, although I didn’t feel I had much in common with Tassie, and she wasn’t my favourite character to begin with, she grew on me, and I felt sorry to see her go at the end.
Although some of the subjects are emotional (and yes, be prepared from some tears), the writing is fluid and dynamic, combining wonderful descriptions of places, people, and situations (some quite hilarious), with quiet moments of reflection and introspection, and the odd touch of magic. There is romance, of course, and although there is passion, this is not an erotic novel full of “hot” sex scenes (much to my relief, as I am not a fan), and most of what goes on takes place behind closed doors, so those who prefer to get graphic and detailed blow-by-blow accounts will be disappointed. On the other hand, you have romantic locations, descriptions of gardens and home vegetable patches, rides on horses, helicopters, leaking boats, and quite an array of weddings. As usual, those who want to know if the writing will be suited to their taste, are advised to check a sample.
I’ve already mentioned the ending, and as I said, things are solved in what I felt was a very satisfying manner, and I am not talking only about Tassie’s love life, but also about some of the other difficult relationships she and those around her have to go through. Not that it is an easy process, but this is one of the many beauties of this book.
In summary, I recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys romantic novels and is not looking for “hot” or erotic stories but prefers stories exploring complex relationship issues and providing good psychological insights into relevant topics. Fans of weddings and romances set in Scotland (the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Sky, real towns and spots) will particularly enjoy this novel, and for those who like some extras, the author is promising a tour of the locations (on Facebook and Instagram).
February 9, 2022
Tassie Morris is a successful wedding photographer, working for a popular bridal magazine. She has a complicated relationship with her mother, loves her friends, her job and her garden and is still hung up on the loathsome Alex. They dated several years ago until Alex upped sticks and moved to America. He’s married with children but that doesn’t stop him ‘catching up’ with Tassie when he’s back in the UK.
When one of the scheduled wedding shoots for Kiss The Bride is cancelled at short notice, Tassie is offered a job in Scotland. The wedding is taking place on a mountain and initially Tassie isn’t best pleased, but a job is a job. There she meets the wonderful, caring Dan…but unfortunately the bad penny has turned up yet again.
I was fascinated by the descriptions of the way Tassie works as a photographer, and the awareness of family dynamics and interactions being witness to the whole day, through a lens, allows.
'As she framed the shot, Tassie knew it would be beautiful. It was important that she understood the workings of each family she photographed, for it made succh a difference to the results. All morning she’d watched the physical affection between Clarissa and her mother, so she’d been prepared for it happening in the service as well. And, glancing at the back of her camera, she was confident the shot would capture the essence of the day.'
Told in the third person from Tassie’s perspective, the writing flows well and I enjoyed the different locations, including Somerset and Exeter, and particularly the image inducing descriptions of Scotland and the eventful journey to get to the wedding. There are several other issues covered, including family relationships and secrets, loss and grief, among others, giving the story depth and I did enjoy the touch of the supernatural, as well as the references to cheesemaking and dog breeding.
I found Shoot the Moon an easy, engaging read, exploring the many complex facets of love. The characters are believable and mostly likeable and, although I did want to give Tassie a good talking to sometimes, it was good to see her evolve and take control of her life and emotions.
When one of the scheduled wedding shoots for Kiss The Bride is cancelled at short notice, Tassie is offered a job in Scotland. The wedding is taking place on a mountain and initially Tassie isn’t best pleased, but a job is a job. There she meets the wonderful, caring Dan…but unfortunately the bad penny has turned up yet again.
I was fascinated by the descriptions of the way Tassie works as a photographer, and the awareness of family dynamics and interactions being witness to the whole day, through a lens, allows.
'As she framed the shot, Tassie knew it would be beautiful. It was important that she understood the workings of each family she photographed, for it made succh a difference to the results. All morning she’d watched the physical affection between Clarissa and her mother, so she’d been prepared for it happening in the service as well. And, glancing at the back of her camera, she was confident the shot would capture the essence of the day.'
Told in the third person from Tassie’s perspective, the writing flows well and I enjoyed the different locations, including Somerset and Exeter, and particularly the image inducing descriptions of Scotland and the eventful journey to get to the wedding. There are several other issues covered, including family relationships and secrets, loss and grief, among others, giving the story depth and I did enjoy the touch of the supernatural, as well as the references to cheesemaking and dog breeding.
I found Shoot the Moon an easy, engaging read, exploring the many complex facets of love. The characters are believable and mostly likeable and, although I did want to give Tassie a good talking to sometimes, it was good to see her evolve and take control of her life and emotions.
March 29, 2022
This book is a 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 that focuses on self-discovery, family, and life.
Tassie a well known wedding magazine photographer that travels a lot and loves her job. But she is hung up on her first boyfriend Alex and can’t seem to move on.
Okay… the first half of this book was a struggle. The 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 at the beginning is very slow and when it hopped timelines it was confusing rather than informative and exciting. But that being said, this review almost stumped me because I still really enjoyed the book.
I wish the small traces of 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 had been explored more and turned into a full blown plot line, and the pacing definitely needs some work.
The second half of this story picked up a lot and was a very good read. The places the story traveled to were fantastic. The family drama was realistic and stressful in a good way. And the 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲… wow. If you like contemporary fiction this is definitely worth the read.
Tassie a well known wedding magazine photographer that travels a lot and loves her job. But she is hung up on her first boyfriend Alex and can’t seem to move on.
Okay… the first half of this book was a struggle. The 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 at the beginning is very slow and when it hopped timelines it was confusing rather than informative and exciting. But that being said, this review almost stumped me because I still really enjoyed the book.
I wish the small traces of 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 had been explored more and turned into a full blown plot line, and the pacing definitely needs some work.
The second half of this story picked up a lot and was a very good read. The places the story traveled to were fantastic. The family drama was realistic and stressful in a good way. And the 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲… wow. If you like contemporary fiction this is definitely worth the read.
March 15, 2022
Working for Kiss the Bride magazine, Tassie has a very successful career as a wedding photographer, specialising in those occasions that are just a bit different from the norm. Her personal life is rather less sorted, although she loves her quirky home with its glorious garden, and is supported by a wonderful group of friends – she has a fractured relationship with her mother that makes every contact difficult, and she seems entirely unable to form a long-term relationship with a partner. Her inability to find love seems largely down to Alex – he was her first love, now living his own life, but only needs to crook his finger for her to come running. We see her at work, first a wonderful biker wedding in Exeter between a couple working as doctors in world danger zones, and then another at a remote bothy on Schiehallion in the heart of Scotland – and it’s there that she meets Dan, and she might just have found a match with the kind of chemistry to make her life complete. Of course, things don’t go smoothly – there’s a family crisis, and then there’s Alex, and then a major error of judgement that sees her having to make some difficult decisions about her future.
It’s so lovely to come across a book where the author has got everything absolutely right – this certainly is a romance (and it’s one that makes you really ache inside, despairing at any possibility of a happy ending), and both Tassie and Dan are tremendously engaging, but it’s also about love in its many different guises. The friends who surround Tassie are wonderfully drawn – and we become involved in their lives and relationships while never losing a focus on the issues that she’s grappling with. The complexity of family relationships is superbly handled too – particularly the difficult relationship with her mother and whether there’s any possibility of change, both painful and very real. And there’s a lot of love in many of the other interactions too – I found Tassie’s return visit to Exeter and the good advice she was given to help her with her personal journey particularly emotional. In fact, I think I’d like to use the word “real” again – every single character in this book is fully rounded, an individual you feel you know, however peripheral their appearance and however minor their part in the story.
I think I’ve already used the word “quirky” too, haven’t I (even if it was only about Tassie’s “urban cave”…) – and if you’re getting the impression that there’s not too much to smile about in this book you couldn’t be more wrong. There are moments of absolute joy in this book, beautifully captured – and there are a lot of laughs too, the humour quite perfectly judged, ranging from the character-led to some set pieces that verge on slapstick. And there’s also some real magic – that’s not something I always enjoy in a book, but here it works really well with the quite perfect emotional touch that the author shows throughout. There’s a really well-developed sense of place too, as the action moves from place to place – Tassie’s London life, the wedding in Exeter, the Scottish dimension with Schiehallion and Skye (oh, I did love it there!), her family home in Shropshire, an excursion to Somerset – with every location beautifully described.
There’s a real freshness and vibrancy about the author’s writing – the whole book had a very different “feel” from other books I’ve read recently, although it shared many of their themes, and that was something I very much enjoyed. There are books you read and enjoy, then there are others that you inhale, living between their pages – and this was certainly one of the latter. One of my books of the year – and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the author does next.
It’s so lovely to come across a book where the author has got everything absolutely right – this certainly is a romance (and it’s one that makes you really ache inside, despairing at any possibility of a happy ending), and both Tassie and Dan are tremendously engaging, but it’s also about love in its many different guises. The friends who surround Tassie are wonderfully drawn – and we become involved in their lives and relationships while never losing a focus on the issues that she’s grappling with. The complexity of family relationships is superbly handled too – particularly the difficult relationship with her mother and whether there’s any possibility of change, both painful and very real. And there’s a lot of love in many of the other interactions too – I found Tassie’s return visit to Exeter and the good advice she was given to help her with her personal journey particularly emotional. In fact, I think I’d like to use the word “real” again – every single character in this book is fully rounded, an individual you feel you know, however peripheral their appearance and however minor their part in the story.
I think I’ve already used the word “quirky” too, haven’t I (even if it was only about Tassie’s “urban cave”…) – and if you’re getting the impression that there’s not too much to smile about in this book you couldn’t be more wrong. There are moments of absolute joy in this book, beautifully captured – and there are a lot of laughs too, the humour quite perfectly judged, ranging from the character-led to some set pieces that verge on slapstick. And there’s also some real magic – that’s not something I always enjoy in a book, but here it works really well with the quite perfect emotional touch that the author shows throughout. There’s a really well-developed sense of place too, as the action moves from place to place – Tassie’s London life, the wedding in Exeter, the Scottish dimension with Schiehallion and Skye (oh, I did love it there!), her family home in Shropshire, an excursion to Somerset – with every location beautifully described.
There’s a real freshness and vibrancy about the author’s writing – the whole book had a very different “feel” from other books I’ve read recently, although it shared many of their themes, and that was something I very much enjoyed. There are books you read and enjoy, then there are others that you inhale, living between their pages – and this was certainly one of the latter. One of my books of the year – and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the author does next.
February 21, 2022
This book is a contemporary romance that feels fresh and real and portrays relationships the way they truly are. Tassie Morris is a successful wedding photographer, but the rest of her life is a little bit of a mess. She has great friends, but a car crash of a love life and difficult relationships with her family.
The premise of the book is genius, because it puts Tassie at the heart of romance every day as she travels around photographing the most glamorous weddings she can find for the magazine she works for, and throws into sharp contrast her own disastrous romantic situation. In making Tassie a celebrity wedding photographer, it allows her imagination to run wild with extravagant and outlandish wedding themes which are really fun to read.
Tassie herself has an unhealthy relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Alex, who we, the reader, can see is no good but Tassie doesn’t seem to be able to get over until she meets Dan. However, as in all good stories, the path of true love never did run smooth and there are plenty of bumps for Dan and Tassie to get over on the way to a happy ending. All of the events that prevent them being together ring authentically in the story, none of them are outlandish or beyond belief which make the book engrossing, because you can fully get lost in the story.
Just as important to the story, however, are Tassie’s other relationships – with her family and with her friends. Because her family ties are strained, Tassie has created another family with her close friends, which is beautiful to read about. But it is Tassie’s relationship with her mother and how the changes over the course of the book which gives the story its meat and its heart and to which many people will be able to relate. This is a story of secrets and heart ache and a lack of honest communication, which will be all too familiar to many.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shoot The Moon. It felt a little different to many romance novels on the market. Not at all twee or overly smaltzy, very grounded and routed in the reality of human relationships and the way people connect to one another. I loved the characters, the settings, the plot and the writing and would love to read more by this author.
The premise of the book is genius, because it puts Tassie at the heart of romance every day as she travels around photographing the most glamorous weddings she can find for the magazine she works for, and throws into sharp contrast her own disastrous romantic situation. In making Tassie a celebrity wedding photographer, it allows her imagination to run wild with extravagant and outlandish wedding themes which are really fun to read.
Tassie herself has an unhealthy relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Alex, who we, the reader, can see is no good but Tassie doesn’t seem to be able to get over until she meets Dan. However, as in all good stories, the path of true love never did run smooth and there are plenty of bumps for Dan and Tassie to get over on the way to a happy ending. All of the events that prevent them being together ring authentically in the story, none of them are outlandish or beyond belief which make the book engrossing, because you can fully get lost in the story.
Just as important to the story, however, are Tassie’s other relationships – with her family and with her friends. Because her family ties are strained, Tassie has created another family with her close friends, which is beautiful to read about. But it is Tassie’s relationship with her mother and how the changes over the course of the book which gives the story its meat and its heart and to which many people will be able to relate. This is a story of secrets and heart ache and a lack of honest communication, which will be all too familiar to many.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shoot The Moon. It felt a little different to many romance novels on the market. Not at all twee or overly smaltzy, very grounded and routed in the reality of human relationships and the way people connect to one another. I loved the characters, the settings, the plot and the writing and would love to read more by this author.
March 27, 2022
I found this book an interesting and lovely read, Tassie’s job as a wedding photographer for Kiss The Bride magazine sounds fabulous but not without snags. Tassie’s own love life seems to be stuck as she has never forgotten her first love Alex, also she has a difficult relationship with her mum. Beautifully written.
March 23, 2022
Ease of Reading: 4✨
Characters: 4✨
Plot: 4✨
Overall: 4✨
Format: Paperback
Month Read: March 22
Recommend: Yes
I am not a romance reader, but this book intrigued me and I’m so glad I read it. There were lots of plot points that kept the story flowing, and intertwining looks on different types of love that were emotional to read about. The story hooked me initially with a feel that something unusual was going on, which as a side plot develops through the book and adds another dimension to what could be ‘just a romance’. The self development of the main character Tassie is empowering and the honest relationships she forms along the way with side characters are beautiful. I really enjoyed her non romantic relationships which made me feel warm inside.
There are some points where I could guess what was going to happen, but then something else would twist and take the story down another trail.
Overall I’m glad I took a chance on this book, a lil slice of happy vibes and empowering modern women.
Characters: 4✨
Plot: 4✨
Overall: 4✨
Format: Paperback
Month Read: March 22
Recommend: Yes
I am not a romance reader, but this book intrigued me and I’m so glad I read it. There were lots of plot points that kept the story flowing, and intertwining looks on different types of love that were emotional to read about. The story hooked me initially with a feel that something unusual was going on, which as a side plot develops through the book and adds another dimension to what could be ‘just a romance’. The self development of the main character Tassie is empowering and the honest relationships she forms along the way with side characters are beautiful. I really enjoyed her non romantic relationships which made me feel warm inside.
There are some points where I could guess what was going to happen, but then something else would twist and take the story down another trail.
Overall I’m glad I took a chance on this book, a lil slice of happy vibes and empowering modern women.
March 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this story about wedding photographer Tassie. It seemed ironic that she was so well known for capturing other people’s happy days but couldn’t seem to find her own happy ever after. She’s a character I rather took to heart. I really felt for her even though sometimes she made some rather foolish decisions. I could feel her sense of despondency at how her own life was working out, particularly when she was so convinced that her soulmate was married to someone else. It was clear to me, though not to Tassie, that he was a rather self-interested person and it was sad to see how fixated on him she was. I was so glad that she had lovely friends to support her and some of those friends provided memorable and emotional moments throughout the book.
I particularly enjoyed the Scottish wedding that Tassie was sent to cover as it took place in Perthshire, my very favourite part of Scotland and I felt that Bella Cassidy brought the area vividly onto the page. Aberfeldy with its Watermill bookshop and café and art deco cinema is one of my favourite towns, along with Pitlochry which also got a mention. Having climbed Schiehallion – the one and only munro I have climbed! – I was in awe of the couple who decided to get married there and had to smile at how Tassie finally got there. That wedding reception was in Castle Menzies where my sister in law had her wedding reception. It was at this wedding that Tassie met Dan and I think I may be a bit in love with him myself. The romantic connection between the two was clear from the start and the author wrote about their relationship so beautifully. Would he be the one to be that special person for Tassie? It certainly seemed like it was going to be that way but then certain events took over and Tassie’s life most definitely changed.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the difficult relationship between Tassie and her mother. Tassie had never felt close to her mother, avoided her really if she could and certainly her mother seemed very cold towards her. Her lovely, wise dad eventually set some wheels in motion which meant the two women would properly talk and listen to each other. Tassie’s mother’s story was so moving and it was clear that what had happened many years before was still affecting their relationship in the present day.
Shoot the Moon is such a wonderful and warm read. I really did enjoy all the different aspects of the story. Bella Cassidy writes with such insight and perception about the different kinds of relationships her characters experience. There are many other elements I haven’t touched upon and they all combine beautifully into this uplifting book. I rather suspect that Shoot the Moon will be on my list of favourite reads of this year.
I particularly enjoyed the Scottish wedding that Tassie was sent to cover as it took place in Perthshire, my very favourite part of Scotland and I felt that Bella Cassidy brought the area vividly onto the page. Aberfeldy with its Watermill bookshop and café and art deco cinema is one of my favourite towns, along with Pitlochry which also got a mention. Having climbed Schiehallion – the one and only munro I have climbed! – I was in awe of the couple who decided to get married there and had to smile at how Tassie finally got there. That wedding reception was in Castle Menzies where my sister in law had her wedding reception. It was at this wedding that Tassie met Dan and I think I may be a bit in love with him myself. The romantic connection between the two was clear from the start and the author wrote about their relationship so beautifully. Would he be the one to be that special person for Tassie? It certainly seemed like it was going to be that way but then certain events took over and Tassie’s life most definitely changed.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the difficult relationship between Tassie and her mother. Tassie had never felt close to her mother, avoided her really if she could and certainly her mother seemed very cold towards her. Her lovely, wise dad eventually set some wheels in motion which meant the two women would properly talk and listen to each other. Tassie’s mother’s story was so moving and it was clear that what had happened many years before was still affecting their relationship in the present day.
Shoot the Moon is such a wonderful and warm read. I really did enjoy all the different aspects of the story. Bella Cassidy writes with such insight and perception about the different kinds of relationships her characters experience. There are many other elements I haven’t touched upon and they all combine beautifully into this uplifting book. I rather suspect that Shoot the Moon will be on my list of favourite reads of this year.
March 23, 2022
Tassie Morris is a world famous wedding photographer. Although she captures everybody else happy moments, she’s never managed to capture her own as she’s never forgotten her first love Alex. When Tassie is assigned to photograph a wedding on Schiehallion (the Fairy Hill) in Scotland she meets the very adorable Dan. The more time Tassie spends with Dan the more she realises that maybe Dan is the one for her and that it is finally time to move on from Alex. When a family event turns Tassie’s world upside down and Alex makes a reappearance in her life will this stop her from moving forward with her life, finding love with Dan and affect her career.
I’ve never read a book by this author so I went into this book completely blind after reading the blurb. I really enjoyed the storyline and it was such an emotional read. Tassie’s the kind of character that you bond with from the outset. She’s likeable and appears very put together but at the same time she’s very broken. Her first love Alex had a significant impact on her life but he chose ambition over Tassie and their relationship but despite this she’s never got over him and is still drawn to him. I did wonder if that was because Alex is part of her comfort zone and was her first love and nothing since has measured up. But from the outset there was something about Alex that just didn’t seem like he was the one for Tassie. That is until she meets Dan who has now been added to the book boyfriend list. Everything about Dan is just adorable. He is kind, considerate, dashing and the complete opposite of Alex. One of my favourite parts in the book is when Dan appears outside Tassie’s room and there’s that Romeo and Juliet scene which is then followed by a moonlit walk. Everything about Dan just screams romance and soul mate.
Although the storyline includes romance it is also about relationships. The relationships Tassie has with her dad but also her mum play a big factor in the storyline. The relationship Tassie has with her mum is definitely strained and that is obvious from the moment we are first introduced to her. However, as the story progresses we learn more about Tassie’s mum’s history and why she appears cold towards her daughter. Her past shines a light on what she has been through which Tassie only discovers towards the end of the book and how it’s shaped her to become the person she is. The part where Tassie reads the letter had me in tears, but I will say no more to avoid spoilers.
This book had a cover revamp at the start of the year and I have to say I love this new cover as it is so much more reflective of the story contained inside.
A book I thoroughly enjoyed which was a very emotional. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
I’ve never read a book by this author so I went into this book completely blind after reading the blurb. I really enjoyed the storyline and it was such an emotional read. Tassie’s the kind of character that you bond with from the outset. She’s likeable and appears very put together but at the same time she’s very broken. Her first love Alex had a significant impact on her life but he chose ambition over Tassie and their relationship but despite this she’s never got over him and is still drawn to him. I did wonder if that was because Alex is part of her comfort zone and was her first love and nothing since has measured up. But from the outset there was something about Alex that just didn’t seem like he was the one for Tassie. That is until she meets Dan who has now been added to the book boyfriend list. Everything about Dan is just adorable. He is kind, considerate, dashing and the complete opposite of Alex. One of my favourite parts in the book is when Dan appears outside Tassie’s room and there’s that Romeo and Juliet scene which is then followed by a moonlit walk. Everything about Dan just screams romance and soul mate.
Although the storyline includes romance it is also about relationships. The relationships Tassie has with her dad but also her mum play a big factor in the storyline. The relationship Tassie has with her mum is definitely strained and that is obvious from the moment we are first introduced to her. However, as the story progresses we learn more about Tassie’s mum’s history and why she appears cold towards her daughter. Her past shines a light on what she has been through which Tassie only discovers towards the end of the book and how it’s shaped her to become the person she is. The part where Tassie reads the letter had me in tears, but I will say no more to avoid spoilers.
This book had a cover revamp at the start of the year and I have to say I love this new cover as it is so much more reflective of the story contained inside.
A book I thoroughly enjoyed which was a very emotional. I hope to read more from this author in the future.
January 29, 2022
Shoot the Moon by Bella Cassidy is fun, romantic, and inspiring. All this with scenes set in lovely locations with descriptions of unique and interesting weddings.
Tassie is a wedding photographer specializing in unique weddings at unique locations and works for the magazine, Kiss The Bride. Tassie has always had trouble with relationships, always finding fault and eventually breaking up any relationship she’s in. She never got over the love of her life, Alex, and it doesn’t help that he keeps popping into her life, and out again.
Then Tassie gets an assignment to shoot a wedding in Schiehallion, the Fairy Hill of the Scottish Caledonians a remote, yet very beautiful location. At the wedding, she meets Dan, a guest at the wedding. Due to some circumstances, Tassie and Dan spend a week together and go exploring, and they find a companionship that surprises Tassie, as she’s never felt so comfortable with another man. Their time together ends as Tassie has to run back to her life due to a family emergency.
There is a romance element to this story, however, it’s mostly about Tassie, and her growth and how she works through her past in order to develop into a mature woman, who can give and accept love, in all her relationships. Tassie’s relationship with Alex isn’t a good one, but Tassie can’t let him go and that’s what the story is about. How she faces her past, her family, and friends in order to heal herself so she can move on and grow.
I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the beautiful and unique wedding and especially the gorgeous locations. The author is very adept at describing both the urban and the rural locations making me feel like I was traveling along with Tassie.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Tassie is a wedding photographer specializing in unique weddings at unique locations and works for the magazine, Kiss The Bride. Tassie has always had trouble with relationships, always finding fault and eventually breaking up any relationship she’s in. She never got over the love of her life, Alex, and it doesn’t help that he keeps popping into her life, and out again.
Then Tassie gets an assignment to shoot a wedding in Schiehallion, the Fairy Hill of the Scottish Caledonians a remote, yet very beautiful location. At the wedding, she meets Dan, a guest at the wedding. Due to some circumstances, Tassie and Dan spend a week together and go exploring, and they find a companionship that surprises Tassie, as she’s never felt so comfortable with another man. Their time together ends as Tassie has to run back to her life due to a family emergency.
There is a romance element to this story, however, it’s mostly about Tassie, and her growth and how she works through her past in order to develop into a mature woman, who can give and accept love, in all her relationships. Tassie’s relationship with Alex isn’t a good one, but Tassie can’t let him go and that’s what the story is about. How she faces her past, her family, and friends in order to heal herself so she can move on and grow.
I enjoyed the author's descriptions of the beautiful and unique wedding and especially the gorgeous locations. The author is very adept at describing both the urban and the rural locations making me feel like I was traveling along with Tassie.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 29, 2022
SHOOT THE MOON by BELLA CASSIDY.
This is Bella Cassidy’s debut novel… and what a cracker it is.
Tassie is a successful wedding Photographer, highly respected and much in demand.
Life is going well for Tassie, apart from a tense relationship with her mother and an inability to get over Alex, her first love, who she has struggled to move on from.
Sent to cover a magical wedding in Scotland, Tassie meets the delightful Dan. There is an instant attraction and unexpectedly they get to spend a wonderful week together.
When there is a family emergency, Tassie has to return home to help. As one thing after another goes wrong and family secrets are revealed, can Tassie pick up the pieces and find what she needs to move her life forward to a better place?
I liked Tassie from the off. It was a joy to read as she found herself, and her way in life.
Delightful Dan smouldered from the pages. He is a real treat, and everything that Alex isn’t.
There is a whole cast of supporting characters. They are an eclectic, but mostly likeable mix.
This is undoubtedly a beautifully written, unique and absorbing story. It’s a love story, it’s a story of finding yourself and a story of family dynamics and secrets.
Shoot The Moon, ooozes love of so many kinds. It’s funny and fresh, sad and emotional, honest and real, heartwarming and full of all the warm and fuzzies.
There is a sprinkling of other worldly magic, but not too much that it would put you off if it’s not your thing. Personally I loved it.
I also loved all the quirky and wonderful weddings as well as the great settings throughout the book.
I’m very keen to see what Bella Cassidy writes next. She is a fresh and exciting new talent, who I believe has a blossoming career ahead of her.
Shoot The Moon, gets a captivating five stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 24, 2022
This is a refreshing, emotional, and delightful read about someone falling in love, losing it, and finding herself and her happy ending along the way. Not a coming of age, nor a Hallmark movie, but a genuine romance about friends, family, and farming, with just a smidge of the supernatural. I would however warn for discussion around infertility if this is something that distresses.
I loved that Tassie unashamedly loved cheese and made mistakes, painting her as both likeable and realistic. Dan is a little more hazy but we are given enough of him to understand why Tassie falls for him. Tassie's friends and family are an eclectic and loveable bunch, each with their own foibles and stories - enough to enjoy but not so much that they take over the story. I could well imagine them as the cast of a series, with this as one of many storylines spanning multiple episodes.
It was so very satisfying, after everything had fallen apart, to see things come together, throwaway lines woven together with a deft hand to a believable conclusion. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.
I loved that Tassie unashamedly loved cheese and made mistakes, painting her as both likeable and realistic. Dan is a little more hazy but we are given enough of him to understand why Tassie falls for him. Tassie's friends and family are an eclectic and loveable bunch, each with their own foibles and stories - enough to enjoy but not so much that they take over the story. I could well imagine them as the cast of a series, with this as one of many storylines spanning multiple episodes.
It was so very satisfying, after everything had fallen apart, to see things come together, throwaway lines woven together with a deft hand to a believable conclusion. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by the author.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.
March 19, 2022
Shoot the Moon by Bella Cassidy
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When the love you miss the most is the one you’ve always had.
Tassie loves many things: her friends, her job, her garden. Even her first boyfriend. But there’s a kind of love she just can’t find.
Until, in losing everything, she sees what she needed most was there all along.
Sometimes it’s not the person you need to forget, but the person you need to forgive.
I read this book in one evening, it is a contemporary story about life and family. Tassie is a wedding photographer who struggles to find a love of her own - when faced with the opportunity will she make the right choices? The writing flows well through the book and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the different locations Tassie visits. The characters ware all likeable - even if I would like to sit down with Tassie and give her a good talking to.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When the love you miss the most is the one you’ve always had.
Tassie loves many things: her friends, her job, her garden. Even her first boyfriend. But there’s a kind of love she just can’t find.
Until, in losing everything, she sees what she needed most was there all along.
Sometimes it’s not the person you need to forget, but the person you need to forgive.
I read this book in one evening, it is a contemporary story about life and family. Tassie is a wedding photographer who struggles to find a love of her own - when faced with the opportunity will she make the right choices? The writing flows well through the book and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the different locations Tassie visits. The characters ware all likeable - even if I would like to sit down with Tassie and give her a good talking to.
Rating: 4/5
February 6, 2022
`I very much enjoyed this romantic novel. Tassie is an endearing and realistically flawed character, trying to make her way through some wilderness years. The locations are beautiful, and Bella Cassidy has a fine eye for a set piece, evoking with lush detail and a humorous wink the sublime, the absurd and the emotional moments of Tassie's life as a daughter, friend, lover, and wedding photographer. The theme of The One That Got Away runs through - Tassie loved and lost when she was 18 - and what I found compelling was how Cassidy juxtaposes Tassie's compulsion to keep turning back to a largely unobtainable love, and the chilly relationship she has with her mother. No spoilers here but suffice to say there’s a secret that needs discovering. There’s much warmth in these pages, and the relationships between Tassie and her friends are lovely.
April 22, 2022
I was delighted to win a copy of this book from the author on social media. It is a lovely cosy story with lots of heartwarming moments.
The star of the book is Tassie well known wedding and magazine photographer. She loves a more unusual wedding or one with something very different from the norm, and it is at one of these she thinks she has found the man of her dreams. Relationships are complicated for Tassie, she can't get over Alex one of her previous boyfriends, despite the fact that he has moved away and got married, then there is family and the relationship with her mother. Tassie needs to work through these things in order to move on in life and find romance for herself.
This book is about love, family and relationships it is a very absorbing read which keeps you turning the pages, in places it is quite emotional and very touching. I really enjoyed reading it.
The star of the book is Tassie well known wedding and magazine photographer. She loves a more unusual wedding or one with something very different from the norm, and it is at one of these she thinks she has found the man of her dreams. Relationships are complicated for Tassie, she can't get over Alex one of her previous boyfriends, despite the fact that he has moved away and got married, then there is family and the relationship with her mother. Tassie needs to work through these things in order to move on in life and find romance for herself.
This book is about love, family and relationships it is a very absorbing read which keeps you turning the pages, in places it is quite emotional and very touching. I really enjoyed reading it.
January 4, 2022
I was kindly gifted a copy of Shoot the Moon by Bella Cassidy and I read it cover to cover in two sittings.
We follow Tassie as she navigates a career as a wedding photographer whilst balancing her work/life balance and relationships (both romantic and otherwise). Supported by a wonderful ensemble cast of friends, family and colleagues, you really feel a connection to Tassie (whether you agree or relate with her choices or not) and want her to find the answers she’s seeking.
There are a multitude of complex themes explored throughout this novel, but they are weaved beautifully together through writing that keeps you wanting to know more.
A really lovely story and a great first read of 2022.
We follow Tassie as she navigates a career as a wedding photographer whilst balancing her work/life balance and relationships (both romantic and otherwise). Supported by a wonderful ensemble cast of friends, family and colleagues, you really feel a connection to Tassie (whether you agree or relate with her choices or not) and want her to find the answers she’s seeking.
There are a multitude of complex themes explored throughout this novel, but they are weaved beautifully together through writing that keeps you wanting to know more.
A really lovely story and a great first read of 2022.
April 4, 2022
I loved Shoot the Moon and I think Bella Cassidy has got it just right. Great characters, a great storyline, not too much slushiness! Tassie struggles in her relationships - whether it is with boyfriends or her mother. When something is going well, Tassie tends to sabotage it. She needs to try to understand why before she can ever move on and leave the shadow of her first boyfriend behind. I was glad this wasn’t a typical love story and had more depth to it than that. I had my fingers crossed that Tassie would find the answers she needed!
A lovely read.
A lovely read.
February 25, 2022
Awww what a rollercoaster ride for Tassie.
The first few chapters confused me some what but from then on I was hooked.
I really enjoyed learning about Tassie and how she stumbled from one disaster to another. I really felt for her when the photos were published.
A lovely book about family, love and moving on in life.
The first few chapters confused me some what but from then on I was hooked.
I really enjoyed learning about Tassie and how she stumbled from one disaster to another. I really felt for her when the photos were published.
A lovely book about family, love and moving on in life.
March 14, 2022
This book was a delightful surprise!
A story about Tassie Morris, a famous wedding photographer and her trip to Scotland.
I really enjoyed Tassie as a main character and thought her story arc was incredibly well-developed.
All the other characters were also a joy to read about.
I'm very eager to read more from Bella Cassidy!
A story about Tassie Morris, a famous wedding photographer and her trip to Scotland.
I really enjoyed Tassie as a main character and thought her story arc was incredibly well-developed.
All the other characters were also a joy to read about.
I'm very eager to read more from Bella Cassidy!
May 13, 2022
I was lucky to win a copy of this debut novel by Bella in a competition. It was a bit of a slow starter for me but once I got into the story and the characters I was totally absorbed.
I enjoyed Bella's writing style and will look forward to future books.
I enjoyed Bella's writing style and will look forward to future books.
March 31, 2022
Well, what can I say? I went into this book thinking it was a romance novel, and don't get me wrong it is, but there was other stuff going on that just made it more.
I did think the romance happened a little fast but it worked for the book. Tassie was such a unique character that you just wanted everything to work out for her and Dan was a babe 😜
I loved the little twist in it and it was beautiful, at first I wasn't sure where it was going, but it was perfection 👌
If your looking for not a lovely dovey romance book packed full of fun and feels then definitely give this one a try ❤️
I did think the romance happened a little fast but it worked for the book. Tassie was such a unique character that you just wanted everything to work out for her and Dan was a babe 😜
I loved the little twist in it and it was beautiful, at first I wasn't sure where it was going, but it was perfection 👌
If your looking for not a lovely dovey romance book packed full of fun and feels then definitely give this one a try ❤️
March 28, 2022
This book was really interesting to me from the start because I used to be a photographer and always wanted to venture into wedding photography (maybe one day).
Tassie is a really relatable character.
I enjoyed this story of love and loss and it was an emotional roller-coaster. I like how this book is written and the style flows nicely and I felt everything was well placed.
Tassie is a really relatable character.
I enjoyed this story of love and loss and it was an emotional roller-coaster. I like how this book is written and the style flows nicely and I felt everything was well placed.
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