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I was drawn to this book as Sandy Barker’s books One Summer In Santorini and The Christmas Swap were two of my favourite books in this genre from the last year. The cover of this book has a different look and feel to it, but I still love it. It has a sense of fun and it fits in well with the premise and style of the novel.

Blurb:

Once upon a time, twelve women joined the hottest reality TV show looking for love. Except one had a secret identity…

Abby Jones is a serious writer. Or at least she will be, one day. Right now, she spends her time writing recaps of reality television under a secret identity.

When a recap for The Stag – the must-watch dating show – goes viral, her editor thinks she should be on set, writing the drama as it happens. The good news: the next season will be filmed in Sydney. Sun, sea and a glamorous trip abroad, this could be Abby’s big break.

The bad news: the producers don’t just want Abby to write the recaps, they want her to be on the show. Abby can’t think of anything worse than being undercover and followed around by cameras. But her career depends on it, and when she meets gorgeous producer Jack, Abby begins to wonder if this job might not be so bad after all…

My thoughts:

Aww, don’t you just love it when the author’s name on the front cover is enough to know that your more than likely to enjoy the book? Then the opening pages and the introductions to the lively and original main characters just solidifies that first impression.

I personally am a big fan of reality TV, and judge me at your will, Love Island is my guilty pleasure. Therefore this probably encouraged me further to pick the book up rather than put me off.

Abby is a great character and I immediately felt a connection with her. I personally had always wanted to be a writer and saw myself as an ‘investigative journalist’, but ending up with the sort of role Abby finds herself in is exactly what put me off this as a career path. However, Abby is a likeable character and it’s clear that she is not wholly comfortable with her position and what she is being asked to do.

Sandy’s stories are packed with such a natural warmth and humour. The tales of dating, friendship and romance are often funny, sometimes downright hilarious, and sometimes heart-warming too. These elements never feel forced and Sandy ensures this through her careful plotting and character development.

The story felt believable, and the charactersc were lively and interesting, if of course a little far-fetched at times due to the ‘reality TV’ nature of the premise and this meant that I was invested in the story and struggled to put it down.

This has been another corker from an author who is fast becoming one of my favourite in this genre. I would definitely recommend this book and author to fans of Sophie Kinsella, Kristen Bailey and Sophie Ranald.

I was drawn to this book as I am a huge fan of the Olympics, and well athletics in general. When I was in primary school and I saw the Olympics for the first time (2000 Sydney), I had dreams myself of becoming an Olympic athlete. Okay, I was pretty good for my age at distance running, but it quickly became abundantly clear that I did not have the determination nor the ability to succeed at such a high level. However, it instilled in me a life-long love and respect for the Olympics and the athletes which compete in them.

Blurb:

Hannah Dines and Jess Leyden are two perfectly normal, brilliant women. One, a world record-holding athlete and a Paralympian on the trike. The other, a multiple age-group world champion and one of the most promising rowers Great Britain has to offer.

In the five years (yes, that’s right) between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, they will face cancer scares, crushing defeats, and the biggest global health crisis in a century. They will get dropped, they will get injured, and they will win medals. They will spend the best years of their lives knowing that at any moment, it could all come crashing down. That all the training, all the sacrifice could be in vain, wasted effort as a pandemic raged. That maybe these could be the years that will shape their finest hour – or that maybe, after everything that they’ve been through, it could all still be snatched away at the last… 

My thoughts:

This is a fascinating and original insight into the parallel and yet differing stories of a Paralympian and an Olympian during possibly the most challenging, strange and unexpected Olympic cycle there has ever been.

This is a book that does not solely focus on the elements we all see on TV – stories of success, hope, happiness and pure human strength. Instead, this book also gives a thought-provoking look into the challenges faced by these incredible women: personal challenges as well as societal and sport-specific challenges.

This has been a book that has been easy to read, interesting and has definitely further deepened my respect for athletes who even dare to dream of competing at this level. I have quite a few memoirs from famous Olympians sitting on my shelf and reading this book has definitely encouraged me to think about picking these up soon! I’d definitely recommend this book to any fans of the Olympics, or those who enjoy informative and engaging reads about real people with surreal talent!

I was drawn to this book by the bright and animated cover. I have never read anything by this author but the cover immediately reminded me of something by Sophie Ranald and Kristen Bailey, who are two authors in this genre which I really enjoy reading. The cover evokes a positive vibe and raises themes of love, identity, exploration and mystery. I couldn’t wait to get started!

Blurb:

Palliative care doctor, Tess Carter, is no starry-eyed heroine. After all, if your dad left without a backward glance and you found your last boyfriend in bed with another guy, you wouldn’t believe in romance either. And the voices in Tess’s head – you know, the ones that tell you you’re not good enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough – well, these voices are very loud. Very loud indeed. Especially when the disagreeable son of one of her patients starts challenging her every decision.

Edward Russell might have a big job and a posh voice, but Tess is determined not to let him get to her, especially if she can get her inner monologue to stop with the endless self-sabotage. And Edward, it turns out, may be less of a prat than he first appears…

In the real world, where gentlemanlike manners and out-of-the-blue declarations of love are a story-book fantasy, it’s up to Tess to decide whose voice to listen to … and how to make her own heard.

TW: Cancer, death of a loved one, detailed scenes during hospice care

My thoughts:

Wow, this has definitely been an outstanding read. This is a book that delivers far more than a romantic story line and having learnt that the author herself is a qualified doctor explains how some of the hospice scenes feel so believable and raw. The character of Tess is a likeable, sympathetic and strong character who you cannot help rooting for her happiness and respecting her as a person and a doctor. The characters Nancy creates are complex and lively, jumping off the page and building such a deep connection that you feel like they are your old friends or neighbours by the end of the story.

This book packed a lot more punch than I was expecting, and is much more of a rollercoaster read than the bright and light-hearted cover suggests. It does deal with some difficult topics and questions, but it does so in a sensitive way and her narrative style is balanced and careful so that you can see things from a range of points of view.

Edward was a character that I unexpectedly respected. Despite his misgivings and his sometimes heavy-handed approach, you could see that this is a lonely and scared man dealing with much more than most people can handle alone. I felt the portrayal of all the characters was very touching and heart-felt, and although there are times when I did question Edward’s actions and words, the overall feeling was one of respect and sympathy again.

This has just been an utterly gorgeous read and one I am struggling to fully explain in words. I personally enjoyed the inner monologues in the style of Jane Austen and the TV host, this provided comedy, originality but also another level of depth to Tess’ character.

This book left me feeling full of love, warmth and hope, but also bereft at it having ended. This was a similar feeling to one I got when reading Lenni and Margot, and also any of the books by Mary Jayne Baker. I am so excited to see what’s next from this author after this stunning debut!

I was drawn to this book by the striking cover image, with the rugged and isolated setting which jumps out at you. I have never read anything by this author, but I was excited by the prospect of discovering an “Irish Jojo Moyes” as she is one of my favourite authors.

Blurb:

It’s the last place she wants to be. It’s the only place left to go         

Marianne left home when she was fifteen following a family tragedy, one that changed all their lives. She never planned to return.

But when her carefully controlled life falls apart, she has no choice but to return to Ancaire, the ramshackle house overlooking the Irish Sea, where her mother, Rita, a flamboyant artist and recovering alcoholic still lives.

As her mother invites her to pull up a chair and make herself at home, alongside the friends, family and neighbours who wander its rooms. Marianne discovers that sometimes home isn’t a house, it’s a place in your heart.

Set on the wild Irish coast, with an unforgettable cast of characters, this deeply emotional novel is full of Ciara Geraghty’s trademark heart and poignancy.  

My thoughts:

I always think it is very brave, intriguing and gripping when an author starts a book from the vantage point of the main character’s life having already crumbled in so many ways. It ensures an immediate interest in Marianne, and for many, including me, would evoke sympathy.

This is a raw, beautiful and evolving exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, how it can unravel and also how extreme circumstances can cause people to change and come together.

With a sympathetic, believable and complex main character in Marianne, and a vibrant and unique set of background characters in the “Get Well Sooners”, this is a lively and poignant book with a strong message about home and identity, but also with a soft humour and welcome feel throughout that adds a warmth which juxtaposes well with the rugged landscape and the chaos that describes Marianne’s situation at the beginning.

I was surprised how quickly I got into this book, how easy it was to read and how much I enjoyed it. This sort of book is definitely up my street, and I’ll definitely look out for this author in the future. I’d recommend her to fans of Sheila O Flanagan, Jojo Moyes, and Cecelia Ahern.

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I was drawn to this book by the eye-catching cover. The broken glass, blood-red wine and domestic background all hint at disharmony, danger and possible marital issues. I was intrigued to find out more about this story and the circumstances behind why the couple are described as ‘on the brink’ and how there ends up being ‘a body on the lawn’. I have also heard high praise for this author’s previous release, The Chalet.

Blurb:

hey thought it was perfect. They were wrong…

A glamorous chateau

Aura and Nick don’t talk about what happened in England. They’ve bought a chateau in France to make a fresh start, and their kids need them to stay together – whatever it costs.

A couple on the brink

The expat community is welcoming, but when a neighbour is murdered at a lavish party, Aura and Nick don’t know who to trust.

A secret that is bound to come out…

Someone knows exactly why they really came to the chateau. And someone is going to give them what they deserve.

The Sunday Times bestseller is back with a rollercoaster read, perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.

My thoughts:

There were so many elements to this book that I really enjoyed. There were so many effectively creepy different forces at play. We are drip-fed information about the couple’s relationship and their past history in London, as well as the reasons behind their move to France, and these narrative tools ensure that this is a gripping read which you won’t want to put down.

The fact that a lot of information about the characters is either with-held or takes us by surprise, as well as the fact that we too as readers feel like outsiders in this community just like Nick and Aura, ensure that the psychological element of the novel is strong as we question people’s motives, decisions and choices. It is difficult to know who is reliable and who to trust. This is also exacerbated by the presence of the camera crew for me, as we all know that people can and do act differently in front of the camera, which brings in the theme of appearance vs reality.

The chaotic, fairly remote and somewhat dilapidated chateau that we are painted a picture of also adds to the tense and negative atmosphere in the book and this is probably one of my favourite features of stories of this type. It immediately puts you on edge, and when you add in some of the creepy goings on and startling twists, you really do have a recipe for success in this book.

An entertaining and cleverly plotted book with an unusual setting and a vibrant cast of characters, I would definitely recommend this book to fans of authors such as Harriet Tyce, Arianne Richmonde and Allie Reynolds.

Ever since I read Adam Kay’s This Is Going to Hurt, I have sought out and enjoyed a variety of memoirs in which the authors describe their career choices and paths. I particularly find the health and medicine theme ones rather fascinating, as this is a career I’d never thought much about but have always enjoyed ‘fly on the wall documentaries’ and similar. I had high hopes that this would be an enlightening, enjoyable and emotional read.

Blurb:

‘It’s funny, touching and gobsmacking in equal measure. At its heart is a breathtaking account of life on the COVID frontline.’ – Jay Rayner

‘Ed’s journey is funny, sad, harrowing, hilarious… I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO READ THIS.’ – Colin Mochrie

A gut punch of a memoir by a doctor – and comedian – whose job is to keep people alive by putting them to sleep.

Ed Patrick is an anaesthetist.

Strong drugs for his patients, strong coffee for him. But it’s not just sleep-giving for this anaesthetist, as he navigates emergencies, patients not breathing for themselves and living with a terrifying sense of responsibility. It’s enough to leave anyone feeling numb.

But don’t worry, there’s plenty of laughing gas to be had.

‘Very funny, very timely, scary in places. Ed writes with wit, insight, surprise and pathos. He is cutting his teeth in anaesthetics, taking people as close to death as you can take them, and then trying to wake them up again. And makes it funny. A joy to read.’ – Phil Hammond

My thoughts:

After reading this book, I feel a huge sense of respect and admiration for Ed and people like him. His character is neither arrogant nor boastful, and is rather more grounded and self-deprecating, of what is an incredibly important role at a crucial time for our country and our health service.

I immediately liked Ed and his style of writing. In this sometimes brutally honest account, Ed is unafraid to share with his readers his honest opinions and real life experiences. He describes how his role is now seen as ‘heroic’ but from his colloquial and easy style, as well as his light-hearted descriptions of mix-ups and mishaps, Ed’s human nature shines through. There were times when I laughed at loud and times when I was choked up with tears.

This is an emotional book that describes the highs and lows of his career so far, as well as the reality behind the chronically underfunded NHS both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. I know people have mixed feelings about choosing to read books that cover this topic as it still seems to be everywhere, 18 months on, but clearly in a book of this type it is unavoidable and Ed’s story is an important one.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of memoirs and non-fiction. It is a book that covers a whole range of human emotions, but is overall a poignant, eye-opening and entertaining read.

I absolutely adore Jessica’s books and I am constantly in awe of her talent. I have no idea how she manages to release multiple books in a year, and each one as good and rich in quality as the last. I was also amazed to discover that it is only in the last year or so she has taken up writing as a full time career. I can definitely see why though, as the world needs to read her beautiful stories! Her covers are always gorgeous and I knew I would not be left disappointed by the story inside, either. I am also very excited to have started my winter/Christmas theme reading so early this year!

Blurb:

Welcome to The Starfish Café – where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.

Two broken hearts.

Since she inherited The Starfish Café, Hollie has poured her heart into the business, striving to keep her mother’s traditions and warm-hearted spirit alive. But behind closed doors Hollie is searching for true happiness as she grieves the tragic loss of her family who were once the beating heart of the café…

An unexpected meeting.

Jake lives by two rules: don’t let anyone get close and don’t talk about what happened. Little does he know that a chance meeting at The Starfish Café, facilitated by a fluffy lost dog, is about to turn his world upside down…

The chance to love again.

Can Hollie and Jake break down the barriers that have been holding them back from finding love and happiness, before Christmas comes around? After all, with courage, nothing is impossible…

My thoughts:

She’s done it again! Jessica has delivered complex, well-drawn and beautiful characters that I have loved getting to know and following on their journey of growth and acceptance. There is a wonderful intricacy to the book due to the multiple perspectives and detailed timeline, showing the past and present influences of the characters.

I was able to build a connection with Jake and Hollie, and I was rooting for both their happiness as it is clear that they have both had a tumultuous time in the past. The past timeline definitely brings an extra layer of meaning, understanding and emotion to the book. I could definitely identify with Jake’s closed off attitude and I hoped that he would be able to open up. I also loved the role Mr Pickles played in the story, as I feel this was the beginning of Jake opening and repairing his heart a little.

There is a strong message to the book about acceptance and moving forward with your life. True to real life, it’s clear that the characters do not find this easy but you are still hopeful that they will manage it.

The Starfish Cafe and Whitsborough Bay make for a beautiful setting and I was glad that the ending left the story open to form a part of a new series by this incredible author. I simply cannot get enough of Jessica’s books!

Cecelia Ahern is one of my favourite authors of all time and as soon as I finish her latest book, I find myself on a countdown until the next one comes out. It’s only been about two years since her last release, but I have been eagerly anticipating reading Freckles. I pre-ordered it as soon as I could, and I was also very pleased to receive an advanced PDF copy in exchange for an honest review as part of Random Things Tours. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I also adore my spredges on my special edition copy. But will the story inside be just as beautiful?

Blurb:

Five people.

Five chances.

One Woman’s search for happiness.

Allegra Bird’s arms are scattered with freckles, a gift from her beloved father. But despite her nickname, Freckles has never been able to join all the dots. So when a stranger tells her that everyone is the average of the five people they spend the most time with, it opens up something deep inside. The trouble is, Freckles doesn’t know if she has five people. And if not, what does that say about her? She’s left her unconventional father and her friends behind for a bold new life in Dublin, but she’s still an outsider. Now, in a quest to understand, she must find not one but five people who shape her – and who will determine her future. Told in Allegra’s vivid, original voice, moving from modern Dublin to the fierce Atlantic coast, this is an unforgettable story of human connection, of friendship, and of growing into your own skin.

My thoughts:

Wow, this has been an emotional and beatiful read. Immediately, I found the description of Allegra to be reminiscent of Amy in Everything is Beautiful, and Eleanor Oliphant. Allegra is a young woman who lives quite literally on the periphery of society – her childhood home is a semi-remote island, and her adult dwellings are on top of someone’s garage, in the suburbs of Dublin. This is also shown in her emotional and mental state. Her loneliness is amplified by this notion of ‘five people’ but it is clear from the way she lives her life that Allegra was already quite a lonely outsider. She comes across as someone who feels comfortable keeping herself to herself, and enjoys the mundane routine of her every day life.

However, there is a complexity to Allegra that I wasn’t expecting. We learn so much about her history, her habits and her emotions, she becomes a sympathetic character who it is easy to visualise and imagine in real life. I felt a deep connection with Allegra from quite early on in the book, and this only grew as the story developed.

The story touches upon so many issues that are prevalent throughout society including class, infidelity, relationship breakdown but it is also a heart-warming story that reinforces our need for human connection at a time when I think most of us are starting to realise, following the Covid-19 pandemic, that this is what we need in our life.

Undoubtedly one of my favourite books of the year, this is a emotional book that includes well-drawn characters and moves between the every day scenarios faced by Allegra, to bigger and philosophical questions about life, loyalty and friendship. I personally think this is the mark of an outstanding author and book, as this is one that has left me pondering the book’s message and my connection with others in my life, long after finishing the last page.

This was my 2nd book by this author and there’s just something I really love about his style that made me want to pick this one up, after reading Nothing Man a little while ago. Dream Cafe is of course such a fun title and reminded me of my own long-forgotten dream to open my own little cafe when teaching got too much. R J Gould’s covers are simple but certainly stand out!

Blurb:

“Why on earth am I here?” David wonders as he observes the juvenile antics of ex-classmates at the twenty-five year school reunion. Then he sees Bridget.

David draws up a list of all that he hopes to achieve to kick-start a new life now that his wife has moved in with his best friend – his ex-best friend. A relationship with Bridget is top of the list, opening an arts café is a close second.

Formidable women – an unfaithful wife, a reckless teenage daughter, a boss from hell, a disapproving policewoman – seem like insurmountable obstacles.

But it’s still OK to dream, isn’t it?

My thoughts:

I absolutely love R J Gould’s easy style and this book is no different. Without going to too much effort to write reams of detail, he still manages to effortlessly create characters that jump off the page.

This is done through witty and well-placed interactions and narrations from the main character, David. David is a relatable, likeable and sympathetic character but he is far from perfect. In fact, seeing some of his child-like or teen-like musings and his bumbling behaviour are a huge part of what make him so endearing throughout the book.

I hated Jane and I could not believe the audacity she showed in her reaction to their relationship breakdown. Everything she did pretty much worked to ensure I liked David even more. Rachel is another great character that is well-developed and I enjoyed her reckless determination and brutal honesty. Bridget is another character that I am glad builds a place in David’s heart.

I was rooting for David’s happiness throughout this warm, witty and wonderful book. I would recommend this book and author to fans of Rachel Marks and Graeme Simsion.

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I absolutely adore Portia’s books and she is one of my favourite authors in this genre. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Blurb:

When life goes off track sometimes the only thing you can do is go back to where it all began…

Emmy Palmer is the star of Bragadon Forest, the biggest fantasy series on TV; adored by the public, living the life of glamour and luxury in London.

But when scandal breaks, Emmy must escape the city and return to her seaside hometown to lie low and wait for the storm to pass. And as tragedy strikes for her family, it is good timing to go back to her roots.

Emmy’s agent decides it would be a good look to star in the community Christmas pantomime, but who else could be playing her leading man but her ex-boyfriend who she may or may not have ditched to move to London a decade ago…

As the show approaches, love and friendships blossom and the real question is – Will they? Won’t they?

My thoughts:

The opening to this book is definitely engaging and fun but other than my immediate connection with the main character, this book took me a little bit longer to get into.

I really liked Emmy. She is fun, caring, very likeable and tends to know what she wants or what is best until the romantic complications begin…

Once the romantic story line kicked in I was hooked. I loved that there could be two possible suitors and the way that the romantic plot line played out.

Overall, there is a warm and charming cast of characters, a significant upheaval, a slow-burn romance and a believable and likeable main character. Portia is also very good at lacing humour throughout the story. A very good and heart-warming read!

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