tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69557609685303146842024-03-18T09:47:54.974+00:00Book DrunkBook Drunk Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246454992605864837noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-32420699810752461782022-06-28T09:00:00.000+01:002022-06-28T09:00:00.223+01:00Review | The Slow Lane Walkers Club by Rosa Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JXhMBJGORSvk9rmLWU6mEZDFQsgEwvvR_TekN4NuQp_reiekXZW9sA3BwFXpCZuAfplclFwvur6a9aVoQYz9WAqEG1eJBrDZYTTEZWOU2mVnBDntfsUpbfOKMt9aWPUMf8OOCpNWSjDQhgRU2aeeEFE2NY44oJjpsBfivbkCsjwIfgdHpGd0NJdb/w640-h480/20220625_195418.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Published by Simon & Schuster on May 26, 2022
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slow-Lane-Walkers-Club/dp/139850906X" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61207469-the-slow-lane-walkers-club" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-slow-lane-walkers-club/rosa-temple/9781398509061" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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The Slow Lane Walkers Club is a pure and gentle read – a book genuinely good for the soul. With its endearing friendships and its evocative feel of the waves crashing and all the beautiful sights Cornwall has to offer, Rosa Temple’s latest novel was a true delight. <br /><br />
When we meet Daniel, he has just returned to Cornwall. His gran has passed away and left her house to him and his sister, Ananabelle, and he sets about clearing out her belongings. Having left his old job behind, he is at a crossroads with no real idea what he wants to do with the rest of his life. In his early thirties – is now really the time he should be settling down? It was refreshing to read a book like this that centred on a male main character and I liked Daniel straight away. <br /><br />
One of the first things Daniel does is create a new walking club in the hope of making friends whilst he’s back in Cornwall. Though he only gives a few days notice before the first walk, he had hoped for more than just the one person to turn up. Especially given that the one person to turn up is Hazel, the strange old lady in crocs who he’d been trying to avoid. But as I and Daniel soon discover, Hazel is a real character with plenty of tales to tell. She’s kind, entertaining and full of spirit – and maybe a walk is worth slowing down for, for the chance to build an unlikely friendship. <br /><br />
It took its time to build in personnel but The Slow Lane Walkers Club became this lovely community with a mix of characters with different temperaments and at different stages in life. I loved the contrast between them and their “rival” walking club, the Padstow Pace Masters. The Pace Masters were all about speeding on and rushing to their destination whereas the Slow Lane Walkers took things at a much steadier pace. They would chat away, take breaks for snacks and gossip and a spot of matchmaking and always had an eye on their surroundings. The walking club members were interesting characters, if sometimes a bit annoying with their obsession with Daniel’s love-life, and the dynamics between them all were fascinating. <br /><br />
I think one reason why I enjoyed this book so much was that I felt like there was so much of me in it. I moved to the seaside a few years ago and for me, nothing beats a walk on the clifftops taking in the nature and the sea views. When the members of Daniel and Hazel’s walking club stop their walk because they’re distracted by conversation or by the sight of a bird flying past, I felt like this was my life in a book and I was a part of their club. <br /><br />
There were so many positive messages within the pages of The Slow Lane Walkers Club. This is a book about embracing the people in life, about slowing down and really taking in what’s around you. From the people you meet to the sights you see, there can be so much more to gain from a gentle walk instead of racing from place to place with no awareness of the world around you. <br /><br />
I could relate plenty to some of the characters in this book and often found myself a cross between Jess and Daniel. I could identify with them both, especially the way they feel when everybody around them seems settled and like they know what they’re doing with life, when they’re still stuck in limbo. But as this book seems to put across, you should live life at your own pace. There is no need to always put pressure on yourself to plan out exactly what your future holds when you can let life lead you there. <br /><br />
There was so much to love about this book. Set at a relaxing pace, it’s a lovely uplifting summery read with kind characters and heart-warming friendships. Hazel is the star of the show (closely followed by Bill the cat and his empty dish) and provides plenty of light to the story as well as some more touching moments. I enjoyed every chapter and really didn’t want the book to end but I love that the author didn’t feel the need to wrap everything up so perfectly as it keeps the characters still fresh in my mind. I feel like the Slow Lane Walkers may be accompanying me on my next walk…<div>
<br /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-35157984321967101262022-04-09T14:52:00.000+01:002022-04-09T14:52:55.603+01:00Review | The Nanny by Gilly Macmillan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMtcYu5njIx4lfEOHxa33hpfwVhqJ_UtvwDM0QlO7pc4PqwQ-aKzUJp7EUakI4E6YuekiBs5rUGM7vnlrvwy8RAvk-FZQd-u8AzJi7ZHMZzj1VmFz_Bn5zCFe56X8yFv5G945bjWnebWcqvhiOUq49Mfmry--kKkWKThIq6FVdHAu9sxUFSfL7AyB/w480-h640/20220407_081245.jpg" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by Century on June 27, 2019
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nanny-Gilly-Macmillan-ebook/dp/B07DMDD3HZ/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42080644-the-nanny" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-nanny/gilly-macmillan/9781787462328" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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The Nanny may have been a slowburner of a thriller but it wasn’t half intriguing. Nothing and no one were as they seemed at Lake Hall and there was a lingering, unsettling feel to the place that had me gripped, obsessing over every secretive detail that was revealed and made to feel uneasy by a home embroiled with such suspenseful deceit. <br />
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This was my introduction to Gilly Macmillan and I will definitely hunt out more of her books as I loved how involving this one was – the dynamics between the characters were truly fascinating and there were moments that made me want to shout at them and shake them and force them to wake up to the danger around them. <br /><br />
This book had plenty of twists and turns and my feelings about some of the characters kept twisting and changing as well. To begin with, I sympathised with Jocelyn. She felt she had been left with no other option to move back in with her mother, despite their poor, pretty much non-existent relationship. The death of her husband amongst other things have lead Jocelyn and her daughter Ruby to move their lives from America to the UK and they are both grieving and unhappy. I felt bad for Jocelyn as her mother Virginia seemed overbearing and like she had nothing better to do than criticise Jo’s every move, but it wasn’t long before the tide had turned and my sympathies turned to Virginia.
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Whilst at first Virginia is almost impossible to like, I found her to be a grower and my opinions changed. I felt bad for her as she is made to feel unwelcome in her own home by her daughter, as Jo just cannot allow herself to move on from the memories she has of growing up with her mother. Those memories haunt Jo and she can be pretty rude and abrupt to Virginia. She never allows herself to just listen to her mother and oh she was infuriating!
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One thing I loved about this book was that it wasn’t as simple as hating the characters. It was more complex than that. Reading between the lines and seeing that yes each and every one of them had traits you could detest, but they were still human with real emotions and maybe they all had their regrets. At times, I found them all untrustworthy, and this made for great reading.
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When the nanny, Hannah, reappears in the lives of Jo and Virginia, at around the same time a skull is discovered in the lake, the mystery and the tension intensifies and the way the suspense builds made this book more gripping with every chapter. There was so much to enjoy in The Nanny, in a sinister kind of way. The setting of Lake Hall was creepy and unnerving, so uninviting to strangers yet deliciously inviting to thriller readers! The friction between the characters was sharp and ominous. The way the plot unfolds is beguiling and as each little twist unfolds, I was dying to see how everything ends. The author didn’t disappoint. <div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-36078560064651376212022-04-07T10:53:00.001+01:002022-04-07T10:54:15.333+01:00Review | This Beautiful Life by Katie Marsh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRllL_eM_aa_BafOAagBmHqWsHTQnR6WRffD4VN1UhsXp66L7d6tCRANnIgC4bjrhwTbgiCEqaK5D8mITJPEKVLBgFwkNPI0YpUDYHNdWlaBE3zlwkkOWkS1gGkSj7l8dWcqyD0UsB71tJCr3BQu1inKIHrfUHFqZq14pNGX32mDACICYMVU0m7H-/w640-h480/20220404_085417.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Published by Hodder & Stoughton on June 15, 2017
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Beautiful-Life-Katie-Marsh-ebook/dp/B01MF6XMO1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34215896-this-beautiful-life" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/this-beautiful-life/katie-marsh/9781473639621" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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I’ve had This Beautiful Life on my shelves for years as I love Katie Marsh’s writing but there’s something about books with cancer in them that makes them more personal, and for me that doesn’t make them easy books to start. That’s why years after publication I still hadn’t read this novel, as I thought I may find it too triggering. Despite this, I’m not bothered if it takes me years before I get to read a certain book as they are always there for you to read and sometimes, the time you pick them up may actually be at the most perfect of moments. <br /><br />
This was the case with This Beautiful Life. I read it over the course of a day and found it to be moving, insightful and written with care and honesty. A book I really didn’t want to put down. <br /><br />
In truth, I didn’t really find this to be “a book about cancer” anyway. Instead, it was a life-affirming and poignant read about Abi, a character who is in remission and ready to face the next stage of her life. It’s not about the sickness that comes with cancer. It’s about the impact that cancer takes on everyone concerned. This was a beautiful read from the first page to the last. <br /><br />
There was so much to love about this book. One of my favourite parts was the soundtrack. In every phase of the book we get another song from Abi’s survival playlist and I enjoyed all the memories she had of each song and the meaning behind them. I felt like I could feel Abi’s nostalgia, hear the songs and picture the moments that made them memorable for her, and they brought true insight into her and her family’s lives. <br /><br />
Abi is concerned about her family. Everything has changed since her cancer diagnosis and now she is in remission, she feels cut off from her husband, John, and her son, Seb. She knows they’re hiding things and she’s not sure where her place is in her family anymore. Abi is torn between wanting to mend the cracks in her family whilst needing to start living again. Even though I didn’t always agree with her actions, I felt for Abi throughout and was rooting for a happy ending for everyone concerned. Her story is heartfelt and even though her family had their secrets, I really felt like there was nothing malicious about them. They too were just figuring out how to move forward with their lives when cancer had taken such a strong, destructive hold over them. I found the author’s writing to be authentic and compassionate and she made this story feel so real. With that, it became all the more emotional. <br /><br />
Other favourite parts of this book for me were characters like Abi’s dad, who had such a calming influence that I would like his help with all my problems. Rob, Abi’s brother, whose antics and disastrous small talk kept me entertained throughout. And how could I forget that ending – which somehow was absolutely perfect yet still had me scrambling for more pages. <br /><br />
This was another special book by Katie Marsh – she does it every time.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-10953237151550635912022-03-29T21:18:00.001+01:002022-03-29T21:18:46.607+01:00Review | Our House by Louise Candlish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2raRx-FZ4lKQQKaZvGTiCd20Nhn3pd7sUERYTZPEsfHd9XieM8h2WHBt3-Djg63YzCU0UbC9F82LYYqyxStjEu7Kpv6aA5A_kS5jRD5vXHzwoYyNQZl6bEpHOl02j0r9KO6YL02tpMAfJsgXKcVvVCmumUrbONSXjPfWrqm0F9eWValasllnZVR_t/w640-h480/20220322_183807.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by Simon & Schuster on April 5, 2018
</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-House-bestseller-everyones-talking-ebook/dp/B072M5S9XH" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40650039-our-house" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/our-house/louise-candlish/9781471168062" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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I bought this book a couple of years ago after hearing loads of great things about it. Hooked by the blurb alone, it sounded fascinating and I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. Of course, like most books I ever buy, I didn’t get to read it straight away and it took me seeing the trailer for the ITV adaptation of the book to give me the nudge to start it. I definitely prefer to read a book before watching the series or film based on it as books just contain more satisfying detail. <br /><br />
When I started the book, the opening chapter reminded me of all the reasons I had been eager to buy it. In fact, the opening sentence was reminder enough. It’s such an intriguing premise and I had all sorts of questions that I was dying to get answers to. The narrative is split in three ways really. There is the big day in question, when Fi discovers a couple moving into her home, and all her belongings gone. Then we also have Fi’s perspective, this time in the shape of a podcast as she goes back over the build up to this day, detailing things about her marriage and her kids and her attachment to their home. The third perspective belongs to Fi’s husband, Bram, who tells his side of the story in a Word document. <br /><br />
Whilst the opening to this book had me gripped, I was a bit disappointed at first to find that the following chapters told a lot more of the back story of Fi and Bram’s relationship rather than more about the reaction to the new people moving into the house. Of course, I knew when reading that this was necessary, but I loved the first chapter’s premise so much that I impatiently wanted more of it. I wanted the drama to continue and I wanted to know just why Fi had discovered a new couple moving into the house she hadn’t sold. With that being said, the dynamics to Fi and Bram’s relationship were fascinating and though the innocent party and the villain are there for you to see, I was eager to learn if all was as it seems. <br /><br />
The more we get to know about Fi and Bram, the more intrigued I was. Their bird's nest custody agreement – that’s something I’ve not read about before and I enjoyed it. The whole concept to the book felt fresh and different and it was a truly memorable read for me. <br /><br />
I don’t know the exact time but there was a moment, when I was about a hundred or so pages in, when I suddenly realised that I was finding the book impossible to put down. I can’t even pinpoint exactly why but there was just something that grabbed me and didn’t let go. I loved all the little twisty moments and the secrets and chaos that these characters lives revolved around. There were twists that weren’t all together unpredictable but still caught me off guard with their delivery, and even though you already have a fair idea of where the book is heading, due to the way it begins, it still had parts that shocked and made me have to re-read bits to get my head around them. That’s without mentioning the sinisterly clever ending that brought the book together perfectly. It was great.
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-22779028871628000572021-12-30T07:15:00.000+00:002021-12-30T07:15:45.922+00:00Review | 'Tis The Season To Be Single by Laura Ziepe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1334" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO3MWOMNpuy6q2kw08MrXKSaIXVvrXT6xrrAJWcGO4EMsxLeXAB9WG4wPqLme0xmeCeywmc1lMw1rzfq4EpaJZzrrcrCsDjBwDgQrF_m9HXpEoq7TawEFpVknJiDbVWpeRyXeiS8MCE4/w417-h640/tts.jpg" width="417" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by HQ Digital on October 3, 2018
</b></div>
<center>
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tis-Season-Single-feel-good-laugh-out-loud-ebook/dp/B07DM918BZ/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40644706-tis-the-season-to-be-single" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/tis-the-season-to-be-single/laura-ziepe/9780008321055" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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‘Tis the Season to be Single by Laura Ziepe was a fun-filled and festive read – the story of three friends who, after various relationship woes, make a pact to be single at Christmas. But what is Christmas without a little kiss under the mistletoe? <br />
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The story centres around Rachel, Grace and Amber – three best friends working in the department store Tidemans. I loved the department store setting – it had a proper festive feel to it and unlike some other Christmas books, this one truly felt seasonal. With snowfall, decorations, presents, busy shops and family celebrations, festivities were etched on every page and I loved being able to feel the wintery season all the way through reading this book. <br />
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In ‘Tis the Season to be Single, we first meet Rachel as she is about to have an important conversation with her boyfriend, Mark. Whilst she thinks he might be about to propose to her, Mark has other ideas – he wants to break up with her. Seeking comfort in the form of her friend Bianca, Rachel suffers another kick in the teeth as she discovers Mark and Bianca have been having an affair. <br />
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At the same time, Grace has had enough. She can no longer cope with the laziness of her husband Simon, and really, when was the last time he made her feel loved or appreciated? She had spent all her time tidying up after him – there was no romance left. After ending things with him, she joins Rachel in being newly single for Christmas. <br />
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Amber returns from her holiday to find her best friends both single and fed up. Amber is no stranger to being single – commitment is not for her. However, when she hears the news that her lifelong best friend Jack is now engaged, something shifts in Amber. She feels unsettled and unhappy – could she be jealous that Jack has found love with somebody else? <br />
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Despite the issues all three women were going through, this was still quite the feel-good read with humour, romance and an honest and endearing friendship at its core. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the story. After recent breakups, it was hard to know whether Rachel, Grace and Amber were going to embrace being free and single on the run-up to Christmas or whether they were going to be down in the dumps over it. Laura Ziepe writes the enjoyable middle ground with a fresh and light-hearted story. Sure, there were times I wanted to shout at some of the characters, but mostly I liked seeing them going on dates and nights out and re-evaluating their lives. <br />
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From beginning to end, ‘Tis the Season to be Single kept me engrossed and I enjoyed every chapter. All three women had different and interesting stories and whilst the chapters alternated between the three of them, the friendship between them always shone for me. This was a lovely fast-paced and romantic read that kept me entertained throughout.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-83986807010202207282021-09-23T09:56:00.000+01:002021-09-23T09:56:03.386+01:00Review | Forget My Name by J.S. Monroe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="651" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Sz7ZjWKxrv5JME6TJfISRMZztSo0twT2Ga_BHx0fzt9PKWaT10__VtDCQiZuFIa0nSn8Kbbf_3f8onGeNRjHzofCxObYjsnT3cN6BI5DsdFxnNSqJenr-nMOR-h1gPhwUTqQ7LHDOhI/w417-h640/fmn.jpg" width="417" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by Head of Zeus on October 1, 2018
</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forget-My-Name-gripping-bestselling-ebook/dp/B0798QP5DG" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41966291-forget-my-name" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/forget-my-name/j-s-monroe/9781786698063" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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Forget My Name was intriguing right from the opening chapter, in fact the first sentence, and straight away I was wrapped up in the mystery of a woman who couldn’t even remember her own name. Laura and Tony have recently bought a house together so the last thing they are expecting is a strange woman to turn up on their doorstep claiming they are in her home. Of course, they don’t believe her, especially given she has little memory of anything else, but she does remember the exact layout of their house… Would they live to regret letting her into their home? <br /><br />
Tony christens her Jemma with a J and Jemma’s character was truly fascinating. As she struggles to remember anything, she is a proper unreliable narrator and attempting to get to know her left me with more questions than answers. From reading the blurb of this book, I had an idea where I thought the story was going to go but J.S. Monroe surprised me with twists I wasn’t expecting and a plot that went to places I hadn’t imagined. This was a cleverly plotted and compelling book with a sinister edge to it that made each chapter more and more tense and suspenseful. <br /><br />
One thing I particular enjoyed about this book was the strong characterisation and how the author built up everything with vivid descriptions that made it so easy to picture the place and the event and as the reader I gained such clear images of everything that was happening which made it all the more chilling to read. I loved how the author brought everything to life and every chapter of this book played out like a movie in my head. Each character was interesting and full of personality so there was never a dull moment. <br /><br />
There was such a complex plot here that appeared so well researched, and it was extremely fascinating. Jemma was a true mystery in Forget My Name but there were plenty of sickening and thrilling aspects which gave the story an edge. I was captivated trying to work out the story of Jemma, and though further on I had my suspicions, I could never have guessed the depths to it and every single intricate detail had me mesmerised. <br /><br />
Although this book was captivating from the first page to the last, I do think that maybe the amount of twists and turns led to some coincidences which weren’t really necessary and made parts of the book more difficult to believe and buy into. If I thought too much about it, parts of it were probably too implausible for my liking, however for pure entertainment value, I let them slide as this was still a really engaging and engrossing story. <br /><br />
Forget My Name had me gripped and held my attention all the way through as I was dying to get to the bottom of the mystery. It was surprisingly haunting and truly entertaining. I will definitely be checking out other books by this author.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-3652956046895039132021-09-06T10:58:00.001+01:002021-09-06T10:58:32.691+01:00Review | Is This It? by Hannah Tovey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eDH21OpnG-ZSlbrnXHh4qT8LLDwazTyFF95dEaf612gUPmaBss-feftSrcY0ww1UBACozC9XC87vrZNmMki8NE_Kh1ybNjq4jT7c0cgv2G8LkKG5gj7grNYwukhfItBs9dJFeHjgdgE/w640-h480/20210902_140443.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by Piatkus on July 22, 2021</b></div>
<center>
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-perfect-read-Sophie-Ranald-ebook/dp/B08BJPSH2S" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58403017-is-this-it" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/is-this-it/hannah-tovey/9780349424712" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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Is This It by Hannah Tovey is the story of thirty-something Ivy and her attempts at getting her act together. Between holding down a job, dating and attempting to make time for all the people in her life, Ivy struggles to keep everything together and she is so easy to root for that I was hooked on this book right from the first chapter and I never wanted to put it down. <br /><br />
Ivy is queen of self-destruction and I loved her character. She’s honest and genuine and so easy to relate to. Constantly on a battle to balance her life, with friends, family, a new job and a potential new relationship, she struggles to keep everything on track and she often finds life quite overwhelming and I’m sure many readers will be understanding of her issues as she felt very life-like. She’s such a kind-hearted character and I really sympathised for her throughout as despite the things she was achieving, she never felt good enough or like she belonged, and I just wanted to shake her and stop her comparing herself to the people around her even though that trait is very easy for me to identify with. <br /><br />
It was only after I finished reading Is This It and looked for more books by the author, that I realised this is actually the second book that revolves around Ivy as <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08227W7XJ" target="_blank"><b>The Education of Ivy Edwards</b></a> was published last year. Of course I instantly bought this for my Kindle as I would love to hear more about Ivy and see the growth she goes on from the first book to the next. Although Is This It can easily be read as a standalone, knowing that there is another book makes sense as parts of Ivy’s past including her relationship breakdown with Jamie and Ivy’s reaction to that were hinted at but never fully explained and clearly this is why. I’m really looking forward to going back and reading the first book and would definitely be up for reading a follow up to Is This It too. <br /><br />
Hannah Tovey’s second novel is highly entertaining, quick-witted and a joy to read. One of my favourite parts of the book was Ivy’s relationship with her sister Anna. Though Is This It is the story of Ivy, Anna’s story is also a resonating one and I cared for her character. They had a proper sisterly relationship and you could see how much they loved each other in amongst the banter and the bickering. Of the weird and wonderful assortment of supporting characters in the book, Anna was my favourite, closely followed by Mr Reid and Scott. <br /><br />
One character I struggled with was Mia and at times I did find I wanted to skim through her parts in the book. Despite being Ivy’s best friend, I found her generally to be quite selfish and often she puts Ivy down for literally no reason and spends most of her time calling Ivy boring when she has work to do or doesn’t want to drink all night. Maybe some people would take that in a friend but I can’t see why. I found Ivy to be far too forgiving of Mia. <br /><br />
Despite this, there were so many redeeming qualities to this book that my overwhelming feeling when I’d finished reading it was just how much I loved it. There were so many ups and downs in the story that it really kept me on my toes, in hope of that happy ending for Ivy. It was often laugh-out-loud funny and I smiled my way through it. Hannah Tovey’s writing is so real and authentic and in Ivy she has crafted a perfectly imperfect protagonist. I personally would love to read more about Ivy in future books. <div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Thanks to the publisher for the copy I won on Twitter - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-25098651519553566222021-09-03T10:00:00.001+01:002021-09-03T10:00:27.260+01:00Review | The Chateau by Catherine Cooper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g9V1ZIAyjCIDF-5fzC3x6Rfnwu5_TGbNWV_Q44kD-mcH3q-C1Ldbzd3EHbS_jdfmh42DJTboCOSojFPMnQrXVr0G6hXwphMsMQ6xOxZVwwUVSiwC-mPdcbodUuubts7ZSiNhw7WSOBg/s600/20210831_075615.jpg" width="600" /></div>
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<b>Published by HarperCollins on September 2, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chateau-twisty-thriller-Sunday-bestselling-ebook/dp/B08WRZ8KDQ" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57354790-the-chateau" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-chateau/catherine-cooper/9780008400255" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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When I got back into reading at the end of last year, there was one book in particular my social media feed was raving about – Catherine Cooper’s debut novel, The Chalet. Because of that I was very excited to hear about her next book and receive a copy to review for the blog tour. I had high expectations going into The Chateau and it did not let me down. This was a cleverly written and tension-filled thriller that had me absolutely hooked. <br /><br />
Aura and Nick have moved away from England to make a fresh start with their two young sons. They don’t talk about what happened back in England. Instead, they begin the new chapter of their lives with plans to renovate the huge, if slightly crumbly, chateau they have bought in France. Sure, it’s a lot of work but they have invited a film crew to come and stop with them to turn this new phase of their lives and their restoration of the chateau into a TV show. It is to be the perfect new start for them – but can renovating their new home really help paper over the cracks in their marriage? <br /><br />
The Chateau was unsettling right from the opening chapter and my sense of unease only grew the more I read. The storytelling was vivid and at times quite disturbing as a lot of the characters were quite outlandish and it was definitely entertaining reading about their antics. The way the author brings each scene to life had me enthralled as I could picture everything happening like I was actually there watching it unfold. The book is full of flawed characters of which most of them I didn’t like or trust and this made me even more invested in the story trying to work out who was behind some of the creepy stuff that was happening at the chateau. All the way through I had my suspicions but never knew the full story and I loved every single twist. <br /><br />
The book is so tightly plotted and perfectly paced with drama and tension filled chapters. I liked the variety of chapter lengths which kept the storytelling fresh and fast and was probably the reason why I raced through the book because it was so gripping. The book is split into parts and focused on different times and events so we could get the whole picture of the things in the past that Nick and Aura don’t want to dwell on. I much preferred this being told in parts than having each chapter alternate in timeframe as it meant I could fully sink my teeth into each part of the book and often I was so gripped by what I was reading that I was caught off-guard by a twist and so never truly knew what was coming next. <br /><br />
The Chateau is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. It’s dark and twisted with a killer ending and a story I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1280" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmz87tJ6pox-BsEN-nt0ZisuBn7bBNFkKdhZsQW-RG7OzOVwpQcYIu4_T3ET0gwMhbUOgopEB7_244OOCiuNCiwhIE6vdKH86MZV6IZewxjyeDNbOv4SkltZ9-EeBAZFigZzGsuQgltTY/w640-h520/tcbtp.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-19788570088557360992021-09-01T10:03:00.001+01:002021-09-01T10:03:38.917+01:00Review | The Mix-Up by Holly McCulloch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1313" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEjcqgQ8J8HTGqRhjhI9bLYBUiUaz_7g1iUtKj8tABvLnvtVzq9GT1_fB-mJo4XMV_4GfD8vBIL_ftdFPUOTNSFoTLIoENMTOJt5ZGvKT_Wjf65XcmFbViR0hC8hDNT1-ZktIkisG6e0/w410-h640/tmu.jpg" width="410" /></div>
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<b>Published by Transworld on June 24, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mix-Up-Holly-McCulloch-ebook/dp/B08FSXWSTT" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55951678-the-mix-up" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-mix-up/holly-mcculloch/9780552177269" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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I loved the sound of The Mix Up from the first moment I heard about it and couldn’t resist buying a copy. It definitely did not disappoint! More than just an eye-catching cover and an enticing blurb, this heartfelt romantic comedy was touching and empowering and entertaining from start to finish. <br /><br />
Paige is a wedding cake baker, and despite not being much of a romantic, she enjoys her job – at least when she gets to bake creative cakes and not a particular kind of design that is wanted by her jerk of an ex-boyfriend Chris and his wife-to-be. As her finances aren’t great, Paige agrees to bake a cake for the happy couple – at a high fee, of course. But being back in contact with her ex makes Paige stressed and confused, and in need of a distraction from this, she attends the party of her friend in search of a one-night-stand. When her friend tells her to head for the guy in the black top, she does exactly that, only there’s two guys in black tops… so has she picked the right one? <br /><br />
I enjoyed the fun concept to the story and can I just say that yes she absolutely picked her hook-up right because Noah was just a dream! I loved his character from the moment we met him and really I wanted to hear nothing more of Paige’s ex because that would waste valuable Noah time and it would have been a travesty. Paige does not want a relationship, just something casual, and short-term, yet Noah is more romantic and would like something more settled. Paige knows she needs to set him straight but despite her original plan, she does enjoy spending time with him. The Mix-Up sees her battling with her own insecurities as she tries to work out what she really wants. <br /><br />
I found Paige a likeable protagonist, if not one I wanted to shake a fair few times. She goes back and forth a lot and never seems to be able to stick to a decision but then it would be unfair to judge as that is pretty relatable. She is confident on the outside but more insecure than she would like to let on and I felt for her. One thing I really did enjoy was her friendship with Sara as they both could level with each other and support each other through everything, despite their different stages in life. <br /><br />
The overall plot in Holly McCulloch’s second novel (the first has since made its way onto my wishlist) is warm and witty yet affirming at the same time. Despite some harder subjects, such as Paige’s strained relationship with her mother, this book had me smiling the whole way through and I was incapable of putting it down yet at the same time reluctant to see it come to an end. <br /><br />
Towards the end of the book, I kept thinking we were running out of pages to resolve everything and in fact some things, which seemed quite major parts of the book at times, were left unresolved. When I thought about it, I wasn’t sure if I minded that they weren’t all settled. I don’t know if it’s because really I just wanted to read more of Noah or because maybe it was fun to get away from the typical feeling that books need to tie up all loose ends come the end, but I think I preferred it this way. The uncertainty just seemed to fit with Paige – she was one of those characters that deserved a happy ending yet I kind of feel like there would always be another drama on the horizon for her and you know I would be there to read it if there was! <br /><br />
Both moving and funny, The Mix-Up was a joy to read with a romance I just couldn’t get enough of.
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-30298518517679909402021-08-30T12:51:00.002+01:002021-08-30T12:52:04.183+01:00Review | The Thin Place by C D Major<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1363" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-1R-qQeHrTne6tseZDhPVx9wktlSGybKd91zVq4S1yE92_Fnf1VqH3KMsmtfoxidQQBmkpX6RO3XzAVvSGXe5m9v0aCorZ-ye37XEMOb6Ri2qsEWebITo6zUhyphenhyphenld7-S8DoPPqgCccXI/s600/ttp.jpg" /></div>
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<b>Published by Thomas & Mercer on April 15, 2021</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thin-Place-C-D-Major-ebook/dp/B08BZK9M71" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57103233-the-thin-place" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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The Thin Place was a spooky and absorbing read that I found utterly captivating. I was sold straight away by the simplistic yet evocative cover and the intriguing blurb but I didn’t quite expect just how much the story would consume me. At times quite intense and emotional, I was transfixed by the premise of Overtoun and eager to follow Ava on her investigation of something so fascinating. I was gripped and wanted to spend every moment I had reading the book. Even after I finished, I had more questions about the eerie and enthralling mystery within. <br /><br />
The book is told from the perspective of three characters over different timeframes. In present day, we meet Ava, a journalist who is investigating the Overtoun estate and the haunting bridge which has seen many dogs jump to their deaths. In 1929, we hear Marion’s story. A young woman who is neglected by her new husband and struggling through the heartbreak of miscarriage after miscarriage. In 1949, we meet Constance, a young girl who is locked away by her mother, forced to see several doctors after being told she is very sick, always afraid that one day she might not appear as ill as her mother tells her she is. <br /><br />
Each thread to this story was mesmerising and often quite disturbing. I was so absorbed in learning about all three characters and seeing how their storylines intertwined. <br /><br />
Constance’s story was particularly unsettling, and I could feel her dread and overwhelming loneliness seeping off the pages. Her relationship with her mother seemed deeply unnerving and I was intrigued to see how the story would play out. <br /><br />
Marion’s perspective was quite sad to read – seeing how she progressed from the hope of a new relationship to the despair and then reluctant acceptance of losing so many babies, and also how numbly she accepted the abandonment of her husband. <br /><br />
Ava’s part in the book helped bring each strand together and the things she discovered about Overtoun sent chills down my spine. Ava and her partner Fraser are expecting their first baby and whilst Ava’s family struggle with how much her job seems to be taking over for her and how distracted she is from her own life whilst she focuses on uncovering more about Overtoun, for me as the reader it was easy to see how she did this as I felt the exact same fascination with the place. <br /><br />
I found The Thin Place to be a really atmospheric read, quite claustrophobic in its storytelling in a way that grabbed my attention just as strongly as Overtoun pulled Ava into its mystery. The sense of a story that needed telling, Ava is obsessed with the estate and the bridge, and in turn as the reader this left me dying to learn more about a place that was shrouded in darkness, hidden away to the extent that anybody who knew about it would rather not speak of it. <br /><br />
A sign of a good historical read for me is one that has me researching long after I’ve turned the final page and since finishing the book and reading the interesting author’s note that followed, I have spent many hours searching for real-life stories about the supposed dog suicide bridge as C D Major’s phenomenally well-researched novel has had me compelled to learn even more. <br /><br />
The Thin Place was a truly creepy and beguiling gothic thriller with a satisfyingly chilling ending.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-40726033854181264232021-08-26T09:35:00.000+01:002021-08-26T09:35:45.865+01:00Review | The Anniversary by Laura Marshall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="655" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn7-tOQHmrdbI8kzdkvpXV5vAsvfhLsaSEisBDDiyiYvOCrPkcCxyNAo-m6GsWWlg_M5mDV8JjSutO7lDf3fcCf1ro0ZOfg3JuvwZkWsOX_rSQdTiasQ-RG6ySnbnV_di-nfSPOckz_s/w419-h640/talm.jpg" width="419" /></div>
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<b>Published by Sphere on August 5, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Untitled-Laura-Marshall-1-ebook/dp/B07SZL4STG" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54811085-the-anniversary" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-anniversary/laura-marshall/9780751575033" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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The Anniversary is Laura Marshall’s third novel and just as I have come to expect by this author, it was a cleverly written, compelling read with a chilling premise and suspenseful execution. This was possibly more of a slowburner than Laura’s previous books as the drama takes a bit longer to unfold, but every chapter kept me reading on and had me intrigued and enthralled, eager to learn the truth. <br /><br />
On the 15th of June 1994, Travis Banks went on a killing spree in Hartstead, shooting dead eleven people before turning the gun on himself. There’s been a lot of rumours about the reasons why Banks did this, and lots of unanswered questions. Did he have an accomplice? Were the victims as random as they seemed? 25 years later, the anniversary of this horrific event is approaching, and when a journalist is writing an article on the impact tragedies like this have on a town, new things come to light that put Cassie Colman, daughter to Banks’ final victim, on edge. Everything she thought she knew about that day is unravelling in front of her, and as Cassie strives to learn the truth, is she putting lives at risk by doing so? <br />
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The concept of The Anniversary is fascinating and the author’s storytelling made it so engrossing. Whilst the main story is set in present day, there are chapters that go back to the day each of the killer’s victims die, and, as unsettling as it was seeing their final moments, I loved hearing their stories, learning briefly about their lives and what had led them to the day that they would be tragically taken from the world. <br />
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In the present day, Cassie becomes embroiled in the journalist’s research into the shooting, which presents more questions than answers. Cassie was four on the day it all happened and has never really questioned the small bits she does know about the shooting. However, her curiosities get the better of her and soon she is obsessed with learning more, finding that each new discovery makes her addiction to learning the truth grow. It was easy to see how Cassie could get so wrapped up in the case as, as the reader, I felt exactly the same way. It was such a gripping concept and I had no clue how to piece any of it together so therefore found myself hanging on the author’s every word. <br />
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This book was full of well-drawn characters, but what I particular loved was how this was a thriller with real heart – the characters here weren’t made simply to be hated but instead each one had a story and their own struggles and whilst there was a fixation with working out which ones could be trusted, there was also the side of me that wanted to learn more about all of their lives to help me understand each one better. <br />
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Cassie had enough going on in her own life before the journalist got in touch. Between her struggles of being a single mother to Amy to morally battling with how to best care for her mum who has dementia, Laura Marshall writes in such a refreshingly honest way about motherhood and all its challenges. Cassie is finding it hard to cope with both a demanding baby and a mother who has days where she does not even recognise her daughter, and each strand of motherhood is written with a gritty honesty that I’m sure many people could relate to even if some of the thoughts Cassie has are not that easy to admit to. <br />
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It didn’t take me long to become really invested in every aspect of The Anniversary with chapters that insisted I had to keep on reading and I begrudged every time I had to put the book down. Throughout the course of the novel I was suspicious of everyone except maybe who I should have suspected the most, and I loved that I was always kept guessing and left wondering what if?. I would highly recommend this book.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-13090231166997284242021-08-25T09:14:00.001+01:002021-08-25T09:14:03.045+01:00Review | The Wedding Party by Tammy Cohen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="2048" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1sdcLIf03BPbVFZn066RGTwzLBZbdz00VO-iFCNeEuM2vvJ9rZ4QOILWxId2tCVeH-zAUophhPCLVfOd2vuU7t9uwGn9_PtMyO4awaFm6bFR1rQJ2alUMIQ4VnxqwjyZfCDxHD-Kp1w/w640-h455/tc1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Published by Black Swan on August 19, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wedding-Party-Tammy-Cohen-ebook/dp/B08JCB4LMG" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55358943-the-wedding-party" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-wedding-party/tammy-cohen/9781784162481" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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Lucy has been dreaming of her wedding day all her life. The time for all her family to gather around and celebrate her special day, where all the attention is on her, <i>and the groom</i>, as they begin the rest of their lives together. In The Wedding Party, Lucy and her family and friends gather to Kefalonia in Greece, to celebrate the wedding of Lucy and Jason. But far from being the joyous and romantic event Lucy has envisioned, instead everybody is in a strange mood. Her parents are being off with each other, her sister has invited some stranger as her plus one, everybody seems ready for an argument and some weird woman she first saw at the airport appears to be following them around. Worse still, even Lucy and Jason aren’t on the same page, what with the wedding costs mounting up and bank overdrafts reaching their limits… <br /> <br />
The Wedding Party had me gripped from chapter one and didn't let go once. I read the book any moment I had over the course of 24 hours - on the bus, when I was supposed to be working, and sleeping. It simply had such an intriguing premise with characters I just couldn't trust, and this had me so engrossed, trying to piece things together and coming up with absolutely nothing. I do know that all Tammy Cohen books cause me to lose sleep, but I didn’t count on not being able to think about anything else all day. <br /> <br />
Right from the beginning of the book, we are aware that a body has been found at the scene of Lucy’s wedding, so as the book takes us through the story of the wedding, the novel has a great sense of foreboding, knowing that something bad is about to happen but not quite knowing who, or what, or why. One thing I loved about this book was the dysfunctional dynamics between every character. There were so many little feuds and always plenty of tension bubbling at the surface, which made the book quite unsettling to read as genuinely it felt like nobody could be trusted. <br /> <br />
The novel is told from multiple perspectives and whilst at the beginning the amount of names seemed overwhelming, it didn’t take me too long to settle into the story, probably because every character was interesting and as everyone seemed like they were hiding something. It really had me hooked trying to figure out what all the secrets were. In between the chapters about the wedding, there are police interview chapters where different guests at the wedding are being questioned over the body that has been found. I definitely had to resist some temptation to skip to the end and find out just who had been found dead. I loved how almost every chapter ended with a little twist of some sort and this kept me reading, dying to learn more. <br /> <br />
There was sinister drama in this book in almost every chapter and it was a thrilling ride to be on. I enjoyed the setting and the vivid characters. This was a fun-filled wedding for all the wrong reasons and I loved every moment of it. My only complaint was that it ended.
<br /><br /><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-29964073114223150012021-08-02T09:44:00.001+01:002021-08-02T09:44:53.264+01:00Review | Finding Summer Happiness by Chris Penhall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jsWmGyKhAVeGCu6uRAnytQg1JiMBRekv6xqhH-2wuw3qk1bABoPAzmDuDcpRMivVb-65FwsOsoBvUqX3P4pbRt9ZKO6MuY8lcGGlD9TuU3G151b9cLF1ZhJYKc2l96aS9V73B8s8Hns/s0/fsh.jpg" /></div>
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<b>Published by Ruby Fiction on May 18, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Summer-Happiness-wonderful-feel-good-ebook/dp/B093CJZ7PM" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57900390-finding-summer-happiness" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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<br /><div style="text-align: left;">Finding Summer Happiness drew me in straight away with its enticing cover and intriguing blurb. I’m new to Chris Penhall’s books but this had all the makings of an absorbing summer’s read, and it did not disappoint. <br /><br />
Miriam runs a successful events and catering business, but all she wants to do is escape. Things have got complicated and just the very thought of cooking stresses her out, so when her PA finds her an idyllic rental cottage in Wales, she snaps it up. Her dreams of peace and quiet and a place where she has nobody to please but herself come true – at least for a day. Soon it turns out that her PA didn’t pay great attention to the contract and Miriam has somehow ended up at a beautiful cottage that comes with its own events contract. Her mysterious landlady has an agreement to host events for several people and provide full meals and entertainment. This is now left under Miriam’s control, and she has no idea how to cope with it. <br /><br />
This was an entertaining read from the first page to the last. I enjoyed getting to know Miriam and found her quite easy to relate to, as I’m sure a lot of readers will. She is always taking on too much and struggles to stop herself from offering to help people in need, even when she doesn’t have the time to look after herself. When all she wants is to snuggle up alone with a ready meal and time away from everybody, instead she finds herself catering to strangers in her home, overwhelmed by just how unrelaxing her relaxing time away has become. <br /><br />
The effects on her mental health were clear to see and I found myself rooting for her and also wanting to tell her off a little bit too – to tell her to stop overworking and feeling like she has to do things that she really didn’t have the headspace for. I wanted her to stop talking to herself so much and just give herself time to breathe – but of course it is easy to think about that but not so easy to put it into action. She is a caring character who has gone through some tough times – no wonder she needed the seaside escape – but I felt she definitely needed to learn how to help herself too. <br /><br />
I liked the inclusion of mental health in this novel and feel like this is something that we are seeing more in fiction these days but also could still be shown much more, as so many adults experience anxiety and other mental health problems that novels like this one can normalise it and help people feel less alone. The author definitely handles the topic with honesty and care in Finding Summer Happiness. <br /><br />
There was so much I enjoyed about this book. From the dreamy setting and the refreshing sea air to all the food (well, maybe except the microwave meals-for-one), this book had me smiling all the way through. I loved the description of the coastal location and from cliff walks to swimming in the sea, I found the book to be full of atmosphere which made the book so easy to get into but not so easy to put down. The supporting characters in the book were a mixed bunch yet each brought something amusing to the story with warm friendships and newfound romance. <br /><br />
There was a lot going on in Miriam’s life, and plenty of things from her past beginning to resurface, and because of this I was never entirely sure where this book was going to go. I really liked the surprise elements to the story and the satisfying ending which I felt fit the rest of the story perfectly though I would of course like to know what happened next for all involved. Overall, I found Finding Summer Happiness to be a captivating and heartwarming read, an ideal book to escape into this summer.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-63295248672684948102021-07-11T11:57:00.004+01:002021-07-11T12:09:32.130+01:00Review | After the Rain by Natália Gomes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1332" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRebIwYAN6ULDuV9nfkYOS7CKwo1JGcfg8isd1R7sFtxxHbQuVAN-VJjCodhXEm_oTU4H3NqluWAOkEG0Cf_5wXykPfV4_jptseEIqkMq6d5s7jIUxQwgg-zDNhQh4kknWmSfIuzCPAI/w416-h640/atr.jpg" width="416" /></div>
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<b>Published by HQ Young Adult on July 8, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Rain-Nat%C3%A1lia-Gomes-ebook/dp/B08F9SL15T" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57375255-after-the-rain?ac=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/after-the-rain/natalia-gomes/9780008291815" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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Alice and Jack go to the same school, but other than that they have nothing in common. Jack is social and sporty and loves his marathons, climbing mountains and anything fitness related. Alice is more of an introvert and is happy with her books and her own company. She’s moved away so many times that she no longer even tries to make friends. Jack and Alice couldn’t be more different, except for one day in Leicester Square, they’re in the same place at the same time, at the scene of a bombing. On that day, both their lives change forever, and only hope will see them through. <br /><br />
After the Rain by Natália Gomes is a beautiful and moving young adult novel where true friendship shines through in the aftermath of a terror attack. The bombing sees both Alice and Jack left with health issues – Jack has a serious physical injury and Alice begins to struggle with her mental health, anxious and panicky due to her memories of the attack – the sounds, the weather, the claustrophobia… The way the author merges the story of these two characters, who would have paid no attention to each other before the bombing, was lovely to read and their blossoming friendship is tender and emotional. It had its setbacks, but this simply made it all the more real. <br /><br />
The narrative is set at a fast pace with short chapters alternating between the perspectives of Alice and Jack. The storytelling from both characters was engaging and they were easy people to care for, seeing the trauma they were going through due to a selfish and horrific attack. The book progresses quickly. I do think that at times some of the chapters could have been a bit longer. There were moments in the book that could have been expanded on, and maybe could have progressed a bit slower. However, I do think that the quick pacing gave the book more light, and helped the author to represent mental health and disability in a honest way without it becoming too difficult a read. I read this book in two sittings and found myself still thinking of Alice and Jack when I had finished. <br /><br />
Rather than focus too much on the bombing itself, in After the Rain, Natália Gomes explores the impact an event like this could have on the rest of your life. The author writes with real honesty and somehow manages to make this an uplifting read despite not hiding away from the gritty reality of such a tragic, life-changing attack. Just like the stunning cover image portrays, through friendship there is always hope. I found myself moved by every chapter as Jack and Alice try and come to terms with a future they would not have chosen. As they attempt to face up to their individual feelings of guilt, regret and loss, and learn how to rebuild their lives, this poignant tale shows that whilst life is not perfect, with hope, everything may just turn out okay in the end.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-1862583399024066152021-07-05T07:51:00.001+01:002021-07-05T07:51:47.731+01:00Review | The Lies We Tell by Jane Corry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpShu88ylGIwSY-ycvFQ24Ufi8L9BjMF6S1CtuuIowRAJS_FRYH4lnjsKlvS3IK3dQqtlPVJqToETiwNZ6kXF7ZsR36gGjQn7Mni07LcUA2SHwD-N8-JgjO2wkMkMnV2sydOMYH8O7V8Y/w640-h480/20210701_122752.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Published by Penguin on June 24, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lies-We-Tell-Jane-Corry-ebook/dp/B088YWF5BC" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58461017-the-lies-we-tell" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-lies-we-tell/jane-corry/9780241989005" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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The Lies We Tell is a truly thought-provoking novel about a mother’s love and the lengths a parent would go to to protect their child. Jane Corry has delivered an interesting novel which had me questioning morals and wondering what I would do if I was one of the characters in this book. I enjoy books with a story that really gets under my skin and this one sure did. <br /><br />
Sarah and Tom tried for a long time to have a baby. After several miscarriages, they finally had a beautiful baby boy, Freddie. Many years later and he is in the teenage phase of keeping secrets, stopping out late and causing his parents plenty of stress and headaches. Whilst Tom struggles to maintain a good relationship with his son, Sarah dotes on Freddie, but when he returns home in the middle of the night with a shocking confession, everything changes for this dysfunctional family. <br /><br />
Story wise, this book was not entirely what I expected. The aftermath of Freddie’s confession comes, mostly, a lot later in the book than I thought it would. Before this, we get a thorough and fascinating insight into Sarah and Tom, how they met and how their relationship has developed up until the day Freddie turns their lives upside down. <br /><br />
Though The Lies We Tell was more of a slowburner as far as the drama was concerned, I found myself hooked from the first few chapters. Sarah and Tom were such an unlikely couple and even though I was dying to learn more about what Freddie had done, I was still invested in the character building. As Jane Corry asks the question of whether a parent should shoulder the blame if their child commits a terrible crime, the insight into the parents here helped develop the tension. As we learn about the upbringings of Sarah and Tom, and the mistakes they have made in their lives, it would be easy to blame them, but would it be fair? <br /><br />
This would definitely make a compelling book club read as it brings up many questions and I’m sure a lot of readers would have different answers as far as what they would do if they were Sarah or Tom. Even Sarah and Tom had completely different ideas about this, and potentially they had regrets about their own stance come the end of the novel. <br /><br />
Whilst I found the first half of this book intriguing, and it did keep me reading, mostly I just wanted to get to the second part. A lot of time is spent on the past – how Sarah and Tom met and the troubles they faced in their relationship. What I really wanted to read about was what Freddie had done, and what his parents would do in the aftermath. I can say it was worth the wait to get there. I loved the second half of the book. It was tense and gripping with lots of twisty reveals that had me engrossed and never quite sure what would happen next. <br /><br />
The Lies We Tell had plenty of depth to it with convincing characterisation and a feeling of unease throughout. Jane Corry looks at the nuances of maintaining a healthy and happy marriage and family, and how trust and loyalty play their part. I would definitely recommend the read and I’m looking forward to reading the other books this author has written.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-47024044236726322712021-07-01T09:15:00.003+01:002021-07-04T15:55:33.777+01:00Review | Someone I Used To Know by Paige Toon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDapyVNHIJ9WQgZdx83c35_ECqk-Wo-nQg7TBaUSgLqk0DX8pOCdMNqWqESfc97a5HvBzlxIEmTSUK_63W86wh5ievqrgynje3d0HCXtA1e8sVTjiTF9Tfrw8t0vo2or1_N6oNSLfxjdM/w420-h640/siutk.jpg" width="420" /></div>
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<b>Published by Simon & Schuster on June 24, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Someone-Used-Know-Paige-Toon-ebook/dp/B08K3YQG63" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55458739-someone-i-used-to-know" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/someone-i-used-to-know/paige-toon/9781471198526" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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Wow. Wow was literally all I could say about Someone I Used To Know for a good few hours after reading it. Like any other Paige Toon book, this one grabbed me from the first page, but there was something so different about this book, something so pure and powerful that had me so emotionally invested in the characters and their lives that I truly felt sad to leave them behind once I’d reached the end. <br /><br />
Someone I Used To Know spans between two timeframes. “Then” – in which Leah, biological daughter of two foster carer parents, becomes close to two troubled boys. George, who is her new foster brother with a hugely personal struggle that causes him to occasionally lash out but mostly to withdraw from those around him. Theo, the new kid at Leah’s school who is picked on for being out of place due to his rich parents usually sending him to a boarding school. He too has his demons. <br /><br />
“Now” – several years later and Leah returns to her old family home back in Yorkshire, only to find she is not the only one who is back. George has also returned, and Leah’s not sure she’s quite ready to face the boy she remembers, the one who had such an impact on her life. <br /><br />
This book had beauty at its core but I don’t mean that it was twee and overly sentimental, I simply mean that there was so much love and compassion and healing within this story that it made my heart full when reading it. <br /><br />
There were two aspects to this book I particularly enjoyed for completely different reasons. <br /><br />
Firstly, the book is set on an alpaca farm and truly this was as lovely as you could imagine. The character and personalities of the alpacas (not something I thought I would be saying) brought joy to the pages of this book and to some of the characters lives and added light to the shade. The author has definitely done her research and I loved getting to know little things about them and the processes of having an alpaca farm. <br /><br />
My favourite part of the book, though, was the insight into foster care. Leah’s parents were fostering several children of different ages and each one of them had their own troubles and their own story. Each one needed the unconditional love and support of people who would, as Leah’s dad would say, take them as they are. I was fascinated by the exploration of the foster care system in this book. Paige Toon really helps the reader feel every emotion here. From the reward of helping a kid find their place in the world, to the heartbreak of having to say goodbye to them as they move on to the next chapter in their life, the outlook on foster care here was real and honest but also so moving. <br /><br />
I have loved every book I have read by this author, but there was something about Someone I Used To Know that for me, made it even more special than the rest. There’s such a warmth to this book as it explores love and family in all its shapes and forms. Classic Paige Toon – she always makes me laugh and cry throughout reading her books. Only this one might take me a bit longer to recover from…<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the blog tour organiser - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span> </div><div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-8125278591936211292021-06-11T09:11:00.003+01:002021-06-11T09:20:39.559+01:00Review | Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1334" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRRLR84_MC_hqQcNCeHLqiCNuG4OpCo_7IiZRD3m_dT-vuJ4As7-luwDc0c82DlULIAmlgbDmN8IXxREvBTveO5rLiR8bYWKWm8AIWiKzySd6IIKl0OEzDKIg_QiN1maMweBq0IoA7y4/w417-h640/lwm.jpg" width="417" /></div>
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<b>Published by HQ on June 10, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Local-Woman-Missing-Mary-Kubica-ebook/dp/B08KPVFHP2" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54737068-local-woman-missing?" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/local-woman-missing/mary-kubica/9781848458420" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a> </center>
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Mary Kubica’s thrillers never disappoint and Local Woman Missing was exactly the tense and haunting kind of book I have come to expect from this author. With two missing women and a child returning from being held captive for several years, the suspenseful prose and mystery-filled chapters had me completely hooked and this was another excellent read from the author - one I would strongly recommend. <br /><br />
Local Woman Missing starts in a really intriguing way with the teaser of a prologue followed by part one of the book, where we meet Delilah and see the danger she is in. The opening scene with Delilah was truly shocking and unsettling to read. Whilst I was fascinated to begin with and interested to see the links between the very different opening two parts, as a reader who generally loves short and fast-paced chapters, I did struggle to get into the book straight away as the first part is all told in one chapter, with no breaks, and according to my Kindle was nearly 15% of the book. However, I’m a big fan of Mary Kubica’s books and so I knew the best was yet to come and the rest of the book certainly lived up to my expectations with a hugely compelling and expertly plotted tale full of chilling twists and turns. <br /><br />
The story is set over two main timelines. The present day, where Delilah shockingly returns to the place she disappeared from when she was just six years old, and eleven years previous, around about the time Delilah and her mum vanish. The main part of the book is told from the perspective of three different characters in alternating chapters: Leo, who is Delilah’s younger brother; Meredith, who is the second woman to go missing; and Kate, local vet and neighbour to the two missing women. <br /><br />
Each character had a fresh take on the mysteries within this novel and all three perspectives were different and equally captivating. I could not get enough of part two of this book – it was highly engaging and I raced through every suspenseful chapter none the wiser of what had happened to the missing women but so desperate to find out the truth. There were so many twisted layers to the story that it was impossible to guess every outcome and there were times when I just had to stop reading so I could take in the secret that had just been revealed and I seriously love it when a book catches me off guard like this one did several times. <br /><br />
I loved reading this book. It was genuinely addictive and towards the end had me reading on the edge of my seat, so invested in all the characters and eager to get to the truth. The storytelling here was uneasy and pulsating all at the same time. I would love to go back and re-read Local Woman Missing now I know the truth and be reminded of how cleverly written the book was with the clues and hints that were well-hidden but had me reading with a sense of foreboding. Another difficult to put down, menacing thriller by Mary Kubica.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-37791597204464372172021-06-07T10:25:00.003+01:002021-06-10T15:32:21.227+01:00Review | The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1335" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87JgfcXys4HXBNyKjaWiF9GvTxN3-HWNp0jwGjjzJZc8zFltfGWituU1wQ65FNTQ45FG55t3u-0-9R079QMxl-qJ9YVTa_643pDzqM31agCsT8j_brqoNtk3F_Ia8nW8TEF49b4r8byw/w417-h640/tle.jpg" width="417" /></div>
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<b>Published by Avon on June 10, 2021</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucky-Escape-unmissable-bestselling-author-ebook/dp/B08P423ZDK" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56964380-the-lucky-escape" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-lucky-escape/laura-jane-williams/2928377059460" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-fFMqtcpbZi6PipPpLIxSbFHi8idYm_k4Q5HBTZGVJs47jqMagLXFivO0KojNx8W0j0iohDYyhi4hQ6THReX6ngUpGuzlpi4MwVz5UBtP4E62HQiM1mahCPEdn4NrLTMjyp_Nq753-o/w99-h50/BUYWATER.png" width="99" /></a></center>
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I was looking for a book to escape into and the sunny cover for The Lucky Escape by Laura Jane Williams caught my eye and grabbed my attention and let me tell you, the book inside is just as bright and uplifting as the cover. This book was proper feel-good fiction with real heart to it. Yes it made me smile throughout but it also made me think, and I do enjoy a book that does both these things. It was the perfect book to escape into. <br /><br />
In The Lucky Escape, we meet Annie on the morning of her wedding to Alexander. If there’s one thing Annie is certain of, it’s that her future is with this guy. So when he jilts her on her wedding day, she is at a complete loss. When her friends and her now ex mother-in-law persuade her to go on her honeymoon anyway, Annie ends up giving her spare ticket to a guy she has literally only just met again for the first time in a long time – Patrick Hummingbird. Going on honeymoon with a man you barely remember – it could be the beginning to a thriller but thankfully here it is not. Instead this is a warm and wonderful tale of self-discovery and new beginnings. <br /><br />
My absolute favourite part of this book was the honeymoon. I loved travelling to Australia through the author’s words. There was great description and I was able to see every part of the honeymoon play out in front of me as the author paints a lovely, vivid picture of every scene. However, the best bit of the honeymoon, for me, was by far the chemistry between Annie and Patrick which leapt off the page. I loved the two of them. They made me smile and laugh-out-loud so many times and honestly, whether they were feeling the love or not, I certainly was. I was rooting for them all the way and really enjoyed getting to know both of them. <br /><br />
Annie is the character we need. She is kind and caring and has everything going for her but as this is now a world where everyone has to voice their own opinions, however unwelcome, and are happy to judge people without having a clue about them, Annie has a whole bag of self-esteem issues to deal with. She is insecure, and let’s face it, being jilted at the altar doesn’t really help her there. <br /><br />
I felt for Annie throughout. She tries to put a brave face on things but I seriously wanted her to know it was ok to not be ok. Patrick helps her there, and I loved him for it. I get why some people might find Annie quite frustrating but I actually found her so easy to relate to. She knows she has her issues and she tries to work through them. Naturally, she has setbacks but no matter how much she may not have wanted to, she always got back up and I really warmed to her character so easily. <br /><br />
Truthfully there so was so much I loved about this book. From Annie’s friends and sister, to Patrick’s own personal story, to the positive messages this book delivers about living in the moment and taking time to heal, Laura Jane Williams writes perceptively and with a warmth and humour that really had me hooked. The Lucky Escape is insightful and uplifting – the perfect book to read this summer.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-19149603020278926642021-05-25T10:12:00.002+01:002021-05-25T10:16:23.067+01:00Review | Friends Like These by Sarah Alderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="651" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kWwpiIlzyfWDGGNIv4FtwTf03ZtfLgz-b1RHDvm__k21DuoKJTe2jGiM4XAXcmN5P36BewXRK4Avxo3Lp33b0NnJK9rpf_Myu1u_T2V0kFVbKfL9ZxAk_xgbiJNTyt_FuQuxTOzaeCM/w417-h640/flt.jpg" width="417" /></div>
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<b>Published by Mulholland Books on December 13, 2018
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07BF8VGQ4" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41137977-friends-like-these" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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I love a thriller set around social media and so when I was looking for my next book to read, Friends Like These by Sarah Alderson really stood out to me. This is one crazily tense story, with a whole rollercoaster of twists throughout. The book did seem a bit confusing to begin with and it took me a little bit of time to get into it but when I did, I was absolutely hooked and flew through the book in less than a day. When I got to the end, the beginning made a lot more sense to me and I realised just how cleverly written the entire novel was. <br /><br />
We’re all guilty of being swept up in social media. When you click on a friend’s page on Facebook and then end up scrolling through photos and comments from people when you have no idea who they are. It’s so easy to fall into that rabbit hole, without really considering the actual person on the other side of the screen. After all, some people just aren’t what they seem online. <br /><br />
For Lizzie, she is definitely guilty of cyber-stalking, especially after a drink or two. One day she swipes right on an all too familiar looking guy on Tinder – the ex-boyfriend of Becca, one of her former colleagues. Lizzie and Becca were no more than work acquaintances. They were polar opposites. But after a shocking accident resulted in Becca leaving the business, Lizzie is intrigued to see just what Becca is up to a few years later. After finally finding her on Facebook, she types out a bitchy message about her to her friend Flora, only she accidentally sends it to Becca instead. And let me tell you, I will definitely be double checking all my messages in future to make sure they are going to the right person! <br /><br />
Friends Like These was so addictive. This was a dark yet often witty read with dislikeable characters who mess with your mind. The actions of these character spiral out of control and the drama had me racing through the book feeling anxious and apprehensive about what was to come yet dying to find out all at the same time. <br /><br />
Both Becca and Lizzie are people that outsiders would judge. Becca would be judged based for her beauty and hated on for her overuse of #blessed hashtags online, showing off about her perfect life. Lizzie would be judged for, in her own eyes, being fat and frumpy. But social media is the place where people share only what they want others to see. This novel draws upon that wonderfully, showing just how somebody can pretend to be whoever they want to be when they’re behind a computer screen. I loved the exploration of both these women. They were truly fascinating characters, manipulative but highly entertaining. <br /><br />
There is definitely no filler in this book. So much is going on and it kept me on my toes throughout. Set at a fast and frenetic pace, Friends Like These was truly intense with exhilarating twists and compelling characters. The story had me gripped, and the clever ending sent a shiver down my spine.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review. </b>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-8655381000244754982021-05-24T08:45:00.001+01:002021-05-24T08:45:44.729+01:00Review | First Day of My Life by Lisa Williamson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf4zU-VWo_YbUfQLpctOpOwTTZOZyShzh7exodKRiZliYDmw7Mzxwiv42wzwkRFQPTGkVslF382wY53UlHBeMXrNleDKTtgsrls9LJ2GW67hyphenhyphenZFGZChXRRPEptR95yoSaopy2xJVj7ow/w640-h480/20210522_150341.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Published by David Fickling Books on January 7, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Day-Life-Lisa-Williamson-ebook/dp/B08NK32313" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50633478-first-day-of-my-life" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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First Day of My Life by Lisa Williamson has been on my wishlist since the moment I heard about it. I loved the blurb and have enjoyed other books from the same author. I was lucky enough to win a signed copy of this book from the author on Twitter and the read was everything I hoped for and more - an endearing, tender tale of friendship and new beginnings. <br /><br />
It’s GCSE results day and the end of a chapter for best friends Frankie and Jojo. They’ve got a results day party on the horizon and bright futures to look forward to. Except Jojo is missing and Frankie is concerned, so concerned that she has to turn to her ex-boyfriend Ram for help. Jojo is not the only one missing. Local to Frankie, the news that a baby has been stolen has everyone worried and only adds to the mystery. Everything about the opening to this book had me hooked and I loved every twist and turn throughout this heartfelt story. <br /><br />
I won’t talk too much about the plot to avoid spoilers, but I do think this is a great book to read for any teenagers, fans of YA or really anybody who enjoys cleverly written, honest fiction. The book is told in four parts and we get to hear from the perspective of Frankie, Jojo and Ram. I enjoyed the insight into all three characters. Each of them had an individual voice and as we get to follow the story with all three of them, this really helped show their development during the course of the book. The characters definitely grew and this made for a great coming of age story. <br /><br />
Lisa Williamson beautifully represented teenage friendship in First Day of My Life, and this was my favourite aspect of the book. Frankie and Jojo are best friends but it doesn’t mean their friendship comes without complications. They are written very realistically and I thought they were a genuine and proper representation of a lot of teenage relationships. They fall out but they also take the time to listen to each other and talk things through. It’s evident how much they care about each other and I felt like the author perfectly navigates their imperfections and encapsulates the heightened emotions of teenagers with great honesty and sensitivity. <br /><br />
This book made me feel so many emotions and I found myself fully invested and genuinely caring for all three of the main characters. Warm and wonderfully written, Lisa Williamson has crafted a thought-provoking story that is so believable it is hard to see the characters as characters and not as friends. First Day of My Life was so compelling. I didn’t want to put it down. The story will stay with me for a long time.
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-34251039581201476582021-05-18T08:32:00.000+01:002021-05-18T08:32:45.167+01:00Review | A Song Unsung by Fiona Cane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeve3fqoYL6XkpsIJGM7e19S2FzLHE1XfgbsO9EYIZPQTSL_yrNtxWdPRxEa6TO7vhSpnZvDBpB7msrcLsbEzft44D2Lm8reR4VrPMoa52iXqp9074bcKw0PJajuBo1KoOu8x_JHMkPSc/w400-h640/asu.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<b>Published on May 27, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Song-Unsung-Fiona-Cane-ebook/dp/B093WW87K8" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57933155-a-song-unsung" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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It’s rare for me to be able to start and finish a book over the course of 24 hours but with A Song Unsung I had no other choice. I was so engrossed in Martha’s story and Fiona Cane’s beautifully descriptive, scene-setting writing drew me into life in the 1950s and 1970s, with both parts captivating me and having me eager to discover the secrets that were being kept. <br /><br />
The story is told from the perspective of two characters. In Soho in 1958, we meet Martha, a young woman who has left home with little money to her name. She loves to sing but a career from that is just a fantasy. For now, she’s about trying to make enough money to live on. Until a desperate attempt to earn some good pay leads to a chance encounter with someone who may just be able to make her musical dreams come true. <br /><br />
In Sussex in 1976, we meet Natasha. Fourteen years old, she’s bored and lonely. That is, until one Martha Palmer moves into her neighbourhood and casts her spell on Tasha. Obsessed with her fashion, her beauty and her lifestyle, Natasha becomes addicted to the mystery behind Martha, and so did I. The way Martha’s character is depicted throughout both the fifties and seventies is utterly entrancing. <br /><br />
A Song Unsung felt like an ode to jazz music and the jazz scene is brought to life on the pages of this book. From the clubs and the venues to the anxieties, the publicity and the fame, Fiona Cane paints a vivid picture of life on the road for Martha and her band. I loved the author’s evocative style of writing. It was very atmospheric and the culture and jazz soundtrack bursts to life within the pages of this book. Not limited to the music, Fiona Cane draws the reader in to a hot and sticky coffee shop, to awkward teenage first times and to the suspense built through secrets and lies. <br /><br />
I really enjoyed the exploration of both Martha and Natasha’s characters. Though her upbringing was different to Martha’s, there was a resemblance between young Natasha and young Martha that I found fascinating. Whilst I could sympathise with Martha more, and found it easy to root for her despite her flaws, I struggled more with Natasha’s attitude. Her newfound obsession with Martha led to her showing quite a selfish and at times unkind approach towards her mother. There was a side to Tasha that only came about when she was around Martha – a need she had to impress this mysterious woman, a need for excitement that she could only find out of the confines of her own home. Natasha had an impressionable personality and she developed an intriguing fixation on Martha that I found truly compelling. <br /><br />
I loved the mystery at the heart of this novel. A Song Unsung kept me guessing throughout, intrigued by the secrets and hidden truths and always engaged, eagerly piecing together the parts of Martha’s life and what changed in the twenty-year gap from when we first meet her to when we meet her again. There was a lot I didn’t see coming, and I loved the book all the more for it. I would highly recommend A Song Unsung – a must-read this Summer.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the author - this was my honest review. </b>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-67293453306050141522021-05-17T08:39:00.001+01:002021-05-17T08:39:19.443+01:00Review | The Pact by Sharon Bolton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijt_CsjwgAAvFL-jdH4aEUaWj7csFxze9tg2-aXA6cme9XTzuIAMFsMMsqFsQYOsiFA329v_LYEmU6PiDaeKFUqlxQIZWntLCP4U-XgBTS7Oed82QMgPXpsfzz9YX7RIKBaVoZMS_ofPM/w640-h480/20210512_084158.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by Trapeze on May 27, 2021</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pact-compulsive-thriller-secrets-privilege-ebook/dp/B08QYWBWPF" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56393543-the-pact" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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The highlight of my reading year is here when Sharon Bolton has a new book published. Back with another chilling psychological thriller, The Pact had me reading into the early hours of the morning, gripped by this enticingly twisted tale of revenge. <br /><br />
It’s the night before A-Level results day and the nerves and tension are high. Meet Felix, Xav, Daniel, Amber, Talitha and Megan. The six of them are best friends, and between them have all the anxieties of any teenager waiting to hear their grades and how they may impact their future. Despite all being gifted, high achievers, with the potential of only bright things ahead, the six of them put all of that at risk with a dare. A dare that they have done before, but this time, a dare that will ensure their lives are never the same again. <br /><br />
In the tragic aftermath of the dare, Megan comes forward and agrees to take the rap for the rest of the group, and herein lies the pact. In exchange for Megan getting sent down, the six friends agree that when she is released, they each owe her one favour of her choosing. Whatever Megan wants in return, she gets. After all, it would be the least she deserves. <br /><br />
It’s a thrilling concept to a book, and when the author is Sharon Bolton, you know that the outcome will be paced to perfection and truly addictive. Hooked from the first chapter, I begrudged any moment I had to put this book down. Every chapter of this book was meaningful and built the suspense beautifully. There was no filler – just pure explosiveness in the form of toxic friendships and the equivalent of a deal with the devil. When Megan returns into the lives of her five old friends, the tension in this book soars, and Amber, Talitha, Xav, Felix and Daniel discover there really is no escaping the past. Their lives will be shattered forever. <br /><br />
The Pact is genuinely stunning. A frankly brilliant tale of consequences, every riveting chapter is laced with danger and had me reading on the edge of my seat. If you’ve ever doubted whether you could trust a friend before then this is not the book to help with your trust issues. For the six rich and entitled characters in this book, true friendship was not a concept they understood. The sinister nature of this book meant that whilst I was fully consumed with the lives of these characters, I did not believe any one of them, and this had me all the more engrossed, excited to discover how this book could end. It did not disappoint. <br /><br />
As if I needed reminding, The Pact shows just why Sharon Bolton is one of the best writers out there. Thrilling from the first page to the last, this book is pure excellence.<div><br /></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;"> </span>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-22111664447286048962021-05-12T10:51:00.002+01:002021-05-12T11:26:12.810+01:00Review | The Verdict by Olivia Isaac-Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1341" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d0riLqjH9TgstX9Ris1N0O1DkZUZDTJLlFa2TUdH1ayRrG8DmOUjyvS-BKBcBVWdRIl-mllmsAG9VlV6NJeSfLaO_xQ9-kQ7QpIZk1khxERQx73UVlDcSOfuGWtPbWKuINPVn7xIBfc/w419-h640/theverdict.jpg" width="419" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by One More Chapter on August 12, 2019
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Verdict-Olivia-Isaac-Henry-ebook/dp/B07NPC1XNS/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45360454-the-verdict" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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After one read of the blurb for this book, I was already sold, and Olivia Isaac-Henry’s second novel did not disappoint. The Verdict had such a great premise, and it delivered a compelling story with plenty of twists and turns. I was hooked straight away with a killer prologue that was short, snappy and had me dying to get to the truth. Immediately I was intrigued by the events in this book and my need to know what had happened never let up all the way through. <br /><br />
The Verdict centres around Julia Winter, who is not having a good time of things after her son caught her cheating on her husband with his rugby coach. Things go from bad to worse for Julia pretty quickly, as she soon receives word that a body has been found buried opposite the house she used to live in. Whilst hearing this is somewhat of a shock for Julia, the fact that there was a body to be discovered there is clearly not news to her, so already this raised my suspicions and had me struggling to trust any of the characters. <br /><br />
The book is set over a few different timelines, from 1994 to 2019. In 1994, we are in Guildford, where Julia moves into a house share with some incredibly strange dynamics between all the residents and the landlady. In 2017, we are in London where the past is catching up with Julia, leading to her arrest and the ensuing court case which begins the following year. Each location and date is well noted at the beginning of each chapter but still it wasn’t the easiest book to follow as it went back and forth a lot. However, this was redeemed because every chapter offered something fascinating and something that made me eager to carry on reading and discover the truth. <br /><br />
There was a lot to like about The Verdict, from the slow-building suspense to the dysfunctional set of characters. Because nobody appeared particularly likeable or trustworthy, I spent my entire read trying to piece everything together and work out who was responsible for the murder and whether there was more to the case than anybody was letting on. This book kept me guessing throughout and whilst not fast-paced, instead the story is built with a true sense of unease and a lingering animosity. <br /><br />
My favourite part of this book was definitely the court case which I thought was incredibly well written, taut with tension and thrilling twists throughout. I could not get enough of the courtroom drama and as much as I wanted to know the truth, I also did not want this part to end! There was plenty to unfold during the course of this court case and despite all my suspicions, just when I thought I knew everything that was going to happen, the author surprised me with a clever twist that made me stop and have to reread just to get my head around it. <br /><br />
The Verdict really was an incredibly gripping book and I couldn’t get enough of it. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.<div><br /></div><div><b style="background-color: white; font-family: "PT Sans"; font-size: 14.3px; letter-spacing: 1px; text-align: justify;">Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review.</b>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-63954402039494743492021-05-01T15:49:00.001+01:002021-05-01T15:49:56.982+01:00Review | A Year of Chasing Love by Rosie Chambers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3Gm4Hxvv3RwMrrW2ZitVX69DKrlrhhADf4PCPpdb-fPMnmk3THBUerwKb10Tfa_6CJ-v_p7IRB3mFeEAJqFBsEPUmqpMyvayQTGcbYXRDCF9rsAnA9XvwJnRYfIHzx17uEOQ5968G20/w640-h480/20210423_115608.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Published by HQ Digital on January 6, 2020
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Year-Chasing-Love-delightfully-uplifting-ebook/dp/B07STJH26L" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52553593-a-year-of-chasing-love" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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I couldn’t resist buying a copy of A Year of Chasing Love, Rosie Chambers’ debut novel. With the summery cover and the enticing blurb, this book looked like it would provide a perfect bit of escapism at a time when travelling outside the UK is not possible. As the author whisks us away to Malta and Hawaii, amongst other destinations, this story definitely did not disappoint. Fresh and feel-good, I did not want to put this book down. <br /><br />
Olivia Hamilton’s life comes crashing down when she receives her divorce papers. Aware that things had not been great between her and Nathan, but evidently not fully aware of just how distant they had become, Olivia is in shock and at a loss. Not only is her relationship over but now she can’t even keep herself busy with her career as a top divorce lawyer, as she is forced to take a long sabbatical from work too. At a loss of what to do with herself, Olivia reluctantly agrees to her best friend’s request for help – Olivia is to travel to a series of destinations across the world to find out what makes a relationship work – to discover the ultimate guide to love. <br /><br />
I was invested in Olivia’s story right from the start of this book and found myself rooting for her all the way through. Even though at times she could be a bit down on herself, to be honest it was refreshing to have a protagonist who could acknowledge her own flaws instead of being completely naïve to her own mistakes. Throughout her trips, Olivia can’t help but think about her own love life and the reasons why her marriage to Nathan didn’t work out and she has a whole world of self-discovery to come. I loved going on this journey with Olivia, even if I did want to shake her a bit… <br /><br />
My favourite part of the book was all the travel trips Olivia went on. Each destination offered something different, both to Olivia and to the reader. I loved how well researched each place came across from the food to the culture and the traditions in each. Even though each trip was fairly short, the author’s writing was atmospheric and evocative enough to bring each destination to life. Each country Olivia visited had their own statistics on love, marriage and divorce, and each destination brought Olivia closer to understanding just what makes a marriage work and where things had gone wrong for her and Nathan. <br /><br />
Nathan was the enigma in this book for me. I was eager to see if things could be worked out between him and Olivia, despite not really knowing anything about him apart from the memories Olivia shares. Strangely I was rooting for their happy ending even though we never really heard much from him, and had this book been longer, I would have liked to have seen more of Nathan so we could truly see what all the fuss was about! <br /><br />
At a time when holidaying abroad isn’t an option, A Year of Chasing Love takes you on a mini tour of some tempting destinations. Rosie Chambers brings the sunshine, delivering a heartfelt and romantic read that left me with a smile on my face come the end.
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6955760968530314684.post-13182163999447773602021-04-22T08:53:00.002+01:002021-04-25T21:11:56.040+01:00Review | Mother by Laura Jarratt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8UtSYLitH2QGEN3pzZCWrVzMrStW6D9fAoHD-X8ILYvaqSHC8R4rdPx3ZAEcqY5s9WFV7zqtZGb3EtYyB8xN4fIKIbxZTx_u1xsvedzLqF-gBhFBJUKNF9UdnL2L-5uGMk0Bua9jKxc/s0/Mother.jpg" /></div>
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<b>Published by Trapeze on February 18, 2021
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<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mother-most-chilling-unputdownable-page-turner-ebook/dp/B07T5XQTPP" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_GReVpMKm815VBozAB2n_uyWlyvBbgzK6qsZXiXZwhrp-hF_CQ22qZJgIDk8HCk60dBcTT_p6y7jtinWChq8v1jj2nnFE76XH9yRW05IAw2TwGApnV5RTisazoE-R68ut9btnmIoyKiE/s1600/amazon2.png" /></a>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54434150-mother" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf1GLagFMXxEp3n3vrMv8s8HmFpL9ukUbdGAsmNhgHIzFk42WYYUWqrraKYv46mwMH9FSWgq8Mwd_ubaMal5OGkXQKS-rpSHSZ5hATqmopj62kOoVaoAQJDjVU_jp75gKSoT5s2OZjyIg/s1600/goodreads2.png" /></a> </center>
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<br /><div>Everybody has those “what if” moments. When you’re just getting on with your day and then a ridiculous or unplausible question enters your mind and you think about what you would do even though you know you’re never going to have to make the choice because it won’t ever really happen to you.</div><div><br />
Except for Lizzie, the unthinkable does happen. In Mother, on a torrid rainy drive back from a holiday with her two daughters, Portia and Becca, Lizzie crashes the car. As they plummet into a nearby lake, Lizzie must make a choice no mother should ever have to. She can only get one of her daughters out of the car – which one can she save – and which one will be left to die? <br /><br />
Just in case this wasn’t traumatic enough – for Lizzie and her husband Dan and their one remaining daughter to then have to work out how to survive and go on as a family of three, when they were once a family of four – the realisation soon hits that maybe the car crash wasn’t an accident after all. Maybe the crash was caused deliberately. Maybe somebody else chose for one of their daughters to die that night… <br /><br />
I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved this book. It was beautifully haunting with a concept so thought-provoking I genuinely could not get the story off my mind. The writing was raw and mesmerising, with lingering, slow-burning tension and pure emotion concealed in every sentence. <br /><br />
I was hooked from the opening few chapters where the lead up to the accident had me biting my nails in anticipation of the scene about to unfold. Already, just from the build up in the first chapter, I was fascinated by the family dynamics, by Lizzie’s relationship with her daughters and her marriage to Dan. Both lawyers in different fields, there was something so intriguing about Lizzie and Dan and I felt like they both had a story to tell. <br /><br />
Throughout Mother, I suspected everyone of wrongdoing - there was definitely a lot of trust issues on my behalf! Even though trust is a concern in this book, with the fears that the crash was more than an accident, there was so much more simmering away in Mother and I was utterly obsessed with it. <br /><br />
The author wrote such a beautiful and heart-breaking portrayal of grief and her observations were probably my favourite part of the novel. Between Lizzie, Dan and the daughter who survives, naturally each one grieves differently, and often separately, and this was truly heart-wrenching to read. Grief is at the core of this book and it is moving and powerful. Laura Jarratt shows how grief is so personal and individual – everybody experiences it differently and it doesn’t matter how strong that person may come across, there is no escaping it. <br /><br />
There is not much that can be said about the book without spoiling the story and its chilling and sickening twists. I will say that there is one part towards the end that had me reading with my heart in my mouth – it was so high in emotion and tension and really encapsulated everything I loved about this book. Mother is one of the best books I have read in a long time.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Review copy provided by the publisher - this was my honest review.</b></div><div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="92" data-original-width="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIWZBsvl3bZTgDvlCQlJTMm7bZGd9l_P1x5nL6vJITdJnUZALKTy63SQK7MhlkgBtogAWBZzmxh9PHB9Hle_RJYRHjRKO-SnhxYhbM4aKUB006JoF0zL7Sl6gak5K7TmzysngnkVa-u2d/s1600/thanksforreading.png" /></div></div>Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179917498864971358noreply@blogger.com0