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I was drawn to this book as I am always looking for new books to read, share and enjoy with my children. My children seem to enjoy books about Christmas all year round but this book is definitely going in their Christmas Eve box this year! I read a PDF version which was kindly shared by the author, so it will be a lovely surprise when my children to receive a physical copy!

Blurb:

It’s Christmas Eve with the hoglets.
Prickles and Primrose are excited. That is until… As they decorate the Christmas tree they discover the star for the top has shattered. Not to be defeated – the brave hoglets set out into the woods to seek a substitute star but stumble across Santa instead.
What adventure will they encounter?
AND… what about the star?
If you love Winnie the Pooh you’ll fall in love with the hoglets, Prickles and Primrose, from Briar Wood.

My thoughts:

My children and I love reading stories that centre around a problem, an adventure or journey and the theme of friendship and this book certainly contains all of those things.

The illustrations are beautiful and the story is wonderfully told. From the story, children can learn about some woodland creatures and it also carries a strong moral message around sharing and being helpful.

My kids will particularly enjoy reading about the hoglets being rewarded for being kind as this is something is quite important in our house so they shoulsd be able to make the connection to their own lives.

This book is definitely packed with Christmas vibes and Christmas spirit and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with my children this festive season.

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I was drawn to this book by the engaging landscape cover, the mysterious female figure in the picture and the intriguing title. This is not an author I’ve read anything from before by this definitely sounded and looked like my sort of book.

Blurb:

As the newspaper clipping falls from the cardboard box Tegan takes in the woman in the picture: her chestnut hair, her eyes full of laughter, the way she nestles against the man beside her. And as she reads the words in the article, Tegan almost stops breathing. Was coming here a terrible mistake?

When Tegan’s family is torn apart by a terrible tragedy, she runs away in search of somewhere to keep safe from the past that haunts her, and the painful secrets she’s never told anyone. Arriving in Copper Canyon, Colorado, where wooden storefronts line the quiet streets and no-one knows her name, Tegan breathes easy for the first time in years. And when she grows close with Jack, another lost soul who won’t talk about his home, it seems she’s found the perfect companion to explore the mountain landscapes with.

But just as Tegan starts to think maybe safety isn’t a place, it’s a person, she notices the box of photos and newspaper clippings that Jack takes everywhere in the trunk of his car. Who is the woman in every frame? And why does she look so familiar…?

Tegan knows the only way to protect herself, and keep her dark family history locked away, is to discover more about the woman in Jack’s photos. But when she does, will the truth help her build a new life, or will it send her running once more?

An absolutely unforgettable and breathtaking novel about love, loss, and the secrets we’re all hiding. Perfect for fans of Kerry Fisher, Diane Chamberlain, and Kerry Lonsdale.

My thoughts:

Well, this has been a wonderful introduction to this author’s works and this book has certainly given me all the feels. It has been a rollercoaster of emotion, ranging from happiness to sadness, surprise, anger and confusion.

I was hooked on this book from the very beginning. Melissa does an excellent job of creating and developing the main characters of Tegan and Jack. They are both loving, reserved characters who are trying to run from some aspect of their past. It was refreshing and original to see a book manage to make this book almost completely about these two characters, their backgrounds, feelings and relationships with very little input from any other side characters. This ensured that I built a connection for the characters and a longing for their happiness that ran a little deeper than usual.

This book touches upon some very difficult issues including death, cancer, suicide and alcoholism but each of these add an emotional wealth to the story and are dealt with carefully and sensitively by this fabulous author.

This has been a book that has broken my heart into little pieces and put it back together again. It’s taught me the love of humanity and the importance of acceptance and communication.

I will definitely be reading more by this author in the near future. I would recommend this emotional and beautiful page-turner to fans of authors such as Amanda Prowse and Sam Vickery.

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I was drawn to this book by the author’s name, mainly. I really enjoyed her previous book, Take A Chance on Me, so I was really looking forward to reading this one. The covers are always really bright and eye-catching, and the title evokes a sense of romance and friendship.

Blurb:

Eleanor Sharpley has been living a lie…

Needing to escape her London life quickly, Eleanor throws her things into the back of her car, and heads to her erstwhile best friend Charlie’s family farm. 

But Charlie isn’t there. Instead she finds Charlie’s grieving brother Daniel, her eight-month old daughter Hope (a daughter Eleanor had known nothing about), and a crumbling and unloved Damson Farm. 

Damson Farm lies at the edge of the village of Ferrington, with the river Maddon flowing at its heart. But Ferrington is a village divided by more than just a river – it is split in two by an age-old feud – between the Old Side and the New Side. Eleanor has run from her problems, straight into a family and a world that has problems of its own. 

But Damson Farm has magic too, and as winter gives way to spring, the old farm starts to come to life under Eleanor’s love and care. The orchard starts to blossom with daffodils and bluebells, and the sound of bees busy in their hives fills the warming air.  Can Eleanor bring Daniel and the feuding village of Ferrington back to life too, or will her secrets catch up with her first? 

Beth Moran’s books are heart-warming, funny, and completely addictive. Perfect for all fans of Jill Mansell, Julie Houston, and Jenny Colgan.

My thoughts:

There were so many things I loved about this book and I really struggled to put it down. Firstly, the opening is dramatic and intriguing as we learn that Eleanor is running away from something, but we are not exactly sure what, or why.

Eleanor is a relatable and likeable character who I feel that Beth has developed well and helped me build a bond with throughout the course of this book. She is a realistic character in that she has her flaws and has made mistakes, but I am in no doubt that her heart was in the right place when doing so.

The romance in this book develops slowly and organically but there is a romantic feel to the book from early on. Daniel is an admirable and lovely character. It is easy to see why Eleanor falls for him, but will there be a happy ever after when the truth comes out?

This book deals with some serious issues that a lot people can relate to, including death, parenting, communication issues and the breakdown of close knit and solid communities in our modern society.

Running alongside the romance plot, there are strong themes of friendship, community and team-work which shine through this book and give it an overall uplifting and optimistic feel.

I cannot find fault with this book and I have loved follow Eleanor’s journey rebuilding her life and finding out that self-acceptance is the key to happiness. The book provides some wonderful nuggets of wisdom that we can all learn from and this also added to my enjoyment.

This book has convinced me that I definitely need to go back and read more of this author’s back catalogue! I would definitely recommend this book and author to fans of Milly Johnson, Jill Mansell and Heidi Swain.

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I was drawn to this book as I am a huge fan of memoir style books and true crime stories. I was looking forward to finding out more about Kerry’s job and the people she has met as a result of it.

Blurb:

Kerry Daynes, leading forensic psychologist, opens up the case files of some of her most perplexing clients to uncover what lies buried behind some of the most extreme and disturbing behaviour.

For twenty-five years, Kerry has worked on the frontline of violent crime, from working with the police on complex cases and acting as an expert witness in court, to advising the government on how to handle high-risk individuals.

Whether she is dealing with a young murderer who says he has heard voices telling him to kill, a teacher who daubs children in red paint and threatens to abduct them, or an aspiring serial killer who faints at the sight of blood, Kerry’s quest is to delve beyond the classic question asked of her profession: ‘Are they mad or are they bad?’

In her new book, Kerry provides an unflinching, enlightening and provocative insight into the minds of her clients, shedding light on the root causes of their behaviour and challenging our notions about who, and what, is dangerous.

If you enjoyed The Dark Side of the Mind, Unnatural Causes and The Prison Doctor, you will be captivated by What Lies Buried.

My thoughts:

“Perhaps if we listen more and judge less then we’ll see that there may be a little bit of their story in all of us.”

This is a follow up to Kerry’s previous book “Dark side of the mind” but I read it as a standalone, though I’m sure that book provides additional context that would be helpful for this book.

I was immediately hooked into the book with the “skewer” story and I was exited and intrigued to see Kerry’s perspective on this being different to what you’d expect. This is a woman who deals with people from all walks of life who have done very bad things and made very bad choices, but she treats them as exactly that: people.

Therefore her portrayal of her job is insightful, engaging and eye-opening. It is clear that she is passionate about the role and helping people to understand what we can do to improve stigma around mental health and convicted criminals in this country.

Despite her job being a very important and often complex one, Kerry’s writing style is accessible and is even at times light-hearted and humorous. This provides a great balance in the book as she deals with lots of sensitive and hard-hitting issues including violence, arson, murder and mental health issues.

This has been an incredibly engaging book which I struggled to put down. I definitely want to go back and read read other book, which I’ve recently bought!

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I was drawn to this book by the bright and engaging cover. Also, after the past 18 months which I think have been stressful for everyone, who doesn’t like the idea of visiting “paradise” even if it just from your sofa?

Blurb:

The long-awaited seventh title in Anna Nicholas’s humorous travel series about how to live the dream in a Mediterranean country. The author explores different local cultural themes in each title. Anna delves into the island’s authentic heartland, exploring nature reserves, bird sanctuaries and paprika, fruit and almond farms. On her travels, she meets the makers of siurell whistles, palm leaf baskets, hot sauces and ensaimada pastries, and revels in visiting local producers of wine, craft beer, gin and brandy – and Mallorca’s famed herbes liqueur. Meanwhile, she and chum, Alison, are tackling all 54 Tramuntana peaks over 1,000m, enduring the arduous overnight Guell hike to Lluc Monastery along the way.

My thoughts:

Despite this being the seventh book in the series, I found myself easily able to read this as a standalone book.

However, you get the sense that you are being acquainted with old friends in a community with a strong feel to that I personally don’t think you see much in the UK anymore. I loved the banter, humour and support shown between the people in the community and the fun mix of characters we meet in this book.

I definitely feel like I have travelled to Majorca and seen a different side to it than I personally know of. The view and insight Anna gives is unique and interesting. It is not the tourist’s view of Mallorca but an insider’s view, and her knowledge and research about the history, culture and wildlife is clear in this book. I also loved the descriptions of the food as she travelled around, as this is something that I would like to do!

I feel like I have been on an escapist, fun, immersive and sensory visit to Mallorca from my arm chair. I am definitely keen to go back and read the other books in this series.

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I am so very excited to share my thoughts on A A Chaudhuri’s latest book. This is my 3rd read by this author and I’m actually going to put it out there and say so far she is my stand out, favourite author of 2021. I absolutely loved The Scribe and The Abduction, which have more of a crime thriller feel to them than this book but the fact she’s switched up the genre just goes to show how talented and brilliant this author is. I love the tag line, the title and the cover but ultimately what sold this book to me is the author’s name. She’s amazing!

Blurb:

Her missing daughter was just the start of the nightmare

Twenty years ago, Christine Donovan took a call she should have ignored while shopping. In those few seconds while her back was turned, her toddler, Heidi, was kidnapped. She’s never been seen again.

Despite having two other children with husband Greg, Christine remains guilt-stricken that her neglect caused her child to be stolen, while haunted by a secret that consumes her.

Just as she takes measures to finally heal, a note is posted through her door, with the words she has always longed to hear: Heidi isn’t dead.

Christine might finally get the answers she craves – but what she doesn’t know is that finding her daughter will uncover dark secrets close to home.

In seeking the truth, Christine might destroy everything that she loves … so how far is she willing to go to find Heidi?

With a truly jaw-dropping end twist, She’s Mine is a dark, scandalous, and gripping read from a major new talent in psychological thriller writing. For fans of Harriet Tyce, C.L. Taylor and Apple Tree Yard.

My thoughts:

Wow! What a book. I’m not sure that any review I write will do this book justice but if you enjoy a psychological thriller, this is one you definitely have to read.

There is a huge cast of characters that we hear from. The multiple perspectives really help to propel the story line but also get under the skin and into the heads of so many of the friends, family and lovers entwined in this story that it really ensures the psychological element is strong.

Each chapter moves to a different person’s perspective, and there is also a clear timeline of “before” and “now” which adds to the character development, the plot and the tension within the story. Each of the chapters are brief, which just ramps up the pace of this already gripping read even further, and some of the chapters’ ends provide such cracking cliffhangers it becomes simply impossible to put this book down.

My favourite element of the story which I found completely original is that most of the characters addressed a “you” in their first person narrative. Sometimes it was abundantly clear that they were speaking to Chrissy, who is arguably the main character in this story, though obviously Heidi (her daughter’s) absence carries a heavy weight throughout the book. Sometimes though, you had no idea who the “you” was and this becomes even more complicated when the family start receiving nasty anonymous letters and emails! I was just absolutely hooked.

This is a perfectly pitched and paced twisty and gripping thriller that stands out from the crowded market due to A A Chaudhuri’s excellent and original style, and her ability to create a whole cast of characters that get far inside your head. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Lisa Jewell and C L Taylor, who just happen to be two of my favourite authors in this genre!

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I was drawn to this book as I previously read and loved ‘My Mother’s Secret‘ by this author. That book was emotional, dramatic and completely gripping so I had high hopes for this book.

Blurb:

I was so sure I saw Sophie on the beach that day. But it couldn’t be her. Sophie’s dead…

Ever since we swore to be best friends at school, Sophie was there for me. When she married my brother, she became family. We shared everything.

At least I thought we did.

After she died, I was devastated. Everyone else has moved on, but I can’t. She was so quiet, those last few months. I’m sure there is something I don’t know…

Now I’m standing on the beach we visited when we were younger, and there’s a woman with long blond hair a few metres away, playing with a dog in the sunshine. She turns, and I see Sophie.

Heart racing, I run after her, but before I can reach her she’s vanished, leaving only footprints in the sand.

It can’t be Sophie… Can it? And do I want to know, if the answer will destroy everything?

A gripping emotional page-turner about the ways we lie to ourselves and how love and hope can heal us. Fans of Amanda Prowse, Liane Moriarty and Susan Lewis will absolutely love The Woman on the Beach.

My thoughts:

I was hooked on this book very early on. The scene on the beach in Mexico is dramatic, unusual and intriguing as we really don’t know what is going on – can it really be Sophie?

I loved the way the story and characters developed. There were unexpected twists, cliff-hangers and you are led down quite a few paths of assumption before you uncover the truth. Liv is a wonderful and sympathetic character. She is suffering through her own struggles but still comes across as a wise, caring, compassionate and loyal person.

There is a whole cast of complex, believable characters in this book and it meant I became so completely immersed in these character’s dilemmas and psychological tensions, that I almost forgot it was fiction I was reading. The author touches on very real and raw issues, such as relationship breakdown, addiction, suicide, identity, miscarriage and grief. This ensures that this is an emotionally charged book, but these issues are sensitively dealt with and the book is beautifully written and effectively structured to ensure the reader is completely gripped and engrossed.

Overall, I feel it is completely fair to compare this author and book to the likes of Amanda Prowse and Susan Lewis, who are two of my favourite authors. I am looking forward to reading more by this author!

I was drawn to this book by the simple, yet striking and effective cover. The tagline and the symbolism of the door suggested that this book would be rooted in domestic drama and could involve developing an understanding of your past and taking up new opportunities.

Blurb:

Can a lost past lead to a beautiful future?

Fly off to Greece with Francesca Catlow’s Greek romance novel set in Corfu. If you like Patricia Wilson, Karen Swan and Victoria Hislop, then you’ll love this heart-wrenching love story, that will take you on an unforgettable journey of discovery.

In the post-pandemic world Melodie feels lost and alone, desperate to find something to remind her of her previous life. She sets out on a trip to Corfu to reconnect with happier times, only to be haunted by memories and events from the past.

While travelling Melodie meets an intriguing and handsome man who has the potential to change her future. However, will the young girl from the plane with piercing green eyes be the one to open the door to Melodie’s fate?

My thoughts:

This was my first read by this author so it wasn’t really a surprise to me that it took a while for me to get into the flow and style of it. The style is simple and easy to follow, but I would definitely describe this is as a slow burner of a book.

I liked the character of Melodie and my understanding of her, and sympathy for her, definitely grew as the book went on. She is an interesting and complex character, one who craves the security and familiarity of a close knit family environment, something that she missed out on to an extent as she’s never known her birth parents. She also talked about her job in the book which I think also gave me an understanding of her. She comes across as a worrier, an analyst, and an over-thinker, but she does start to relax into life on the island of Corfu and accept that “everything Corfu was bringing me was a surprise”. My favourite character was probably Gaia, who is described in the book as a “wise old teenage girl.” I always enjoy it when young people are well-presented and developed characters in ‘adult’ fiction books.

For me personally, I felt the dramatic elements were all packed into the end and although this made for a gripping, twisty and unexpected ending, I think it may have helped to have some more development earlier on in the book, as I did struggle to get into this one for about the first third. That said, I’m glad I’m stuck with it as it delivers a beautiful message about what can happen when you open up and learn to trust and listen to others.

Overall, this has been an easy and engaging read, focusing on strong themes involving love, family, identity and acceptance. I would recommend this book to fans of domestic drama and who like being transported to a different environment in the books they read, as I have enjoyed visiting the wonderful island of Corfu from my sofa in this story!

I was drawn to this book by the beautiful and dazzling cover. I am always keen to find new authors in this genre and this looked like a fun, uplifting and cosy read.

Blurb:

Ruby Oldbridge needs to learn to take her own advice.

A talented counsellor at work in York, she is however floundering in her own life. Her romantic track record is woeful, her finances are in a pickle, and she’s back in a house-share after splitting up with her useless ex.

But one thing Ruby is brilliant at, is helping other people find a way through their problems, and she excels at the job she loves, doing just that.

Happy-go-lucky, Mr Positivity, Zac Drewe also loves his job – the trouble is, it’s the same as Ruby’s, and the management have decided to ‘rationalise’ their department. There’s only room for one of them.

As the snow and winter close in on York, Ruby and Zac have everything to lose, and Ruby starts to wonder if the happy face Zac shows the world, might be disguising a sadder secret.

Set against one another, they are unlikely friends. But perhaps, if they could take the time to understand each other, they might discover that rather than rivals, they could be the best thing that ever happened to one another…

Funny, fresh and fantastically warm-hearted, discover Jane Lovering’s unforgettable new cast of characters and irresistible, feel-good story. Perfect for fans of Julie Houston, Beth O’Leary and Kate Frost.

My thoughts:

The tag line of this book asks you to “fall in love as the snow falls…” and I definitely have fallen in love whilst reading this book. I’ve fallen in love with the story, the characters and the author’s easy and comfortable style.

I have to say I was hooked into the story from the beginning, which came as a surprise to me as it usually takes me a little while to get into books in this genre, especially if the author is new to me. The story is dramatic from the beginning, with all the changes at Ruby’s work. The tension and friction that exists between Zac and Ruby, as well as the competitions and the mystery surrounding Zac’s personal life.

This is a poignant and powerful exploration of anxiety too, which adds a deeper layer to this book that I don’t often see of books in this genre. Ruby and Zac remind us of the importance of never judging someone, as you really don’t know what is going behind closed doors, or that put-on smile. Ruby in particular explores how one significant event can trigger anxiety within us and can cause it to impact our entire lives in some shape or form. I could definitely identify with her character and her struggles during these discussions.

My favourite part of this book is probably the ending. Definitely unexpected in some ways, it is also an ending full of hope for a happy ever after. Overall, this has been a wonderful introduction to this author’s work and I would recommend this book to fans of Beth O’ Leary and Rachel Marks. I look forward to reading more by this author, and of course reviewing more uplifting and beautiful winter stories on this blog, in the run up to Christmas!

I am very excited to be involved in the 2nd AQR blog tour. A Quintillion Reads is a lovely group of book fanatics and bloggers who love to support indie authors, and I am proud to work with them and call them my friends. One big reason for that is that this often draws me to new authors who I might otherwise have never experienced, but quickly become “must read” authors. Martin Bodenham is a prime example which I’m going to discuss today.

Blurb:

Tom Harper, a Vancouver Island realtor, has the client from hell, Ali Page, a beautiful and intelligent young lawyer returning from the mainland to take up a job with an island law firm. Trouble is there’s always something wrong with the properties Tom shows her, always a reason not to commit. Finally, after they find a condo she likes, he receives a text thanking him for his help. Ali signs off: I’m sad we won’t get to spend more time together. Often cold and withdrawn throughout their weeks of searching, Ali’s words seem strangely out of character.

The texts keep coming, increasingly incoherent and disturbing. What does Ali mean by: we have a special connection, and why on earth would she say: I’ll be here for you when you leave your wife? Happily married, Tom cannot understand why a woman not much older than his teenage daughter is suddenly obsessed with him. When he rejects Ali’s unsolicited advances, Tom soon discovers the sinister depths to which a delusional mind will sink to obtain what it wants. Isolated and seemingly abandoned by the police and legal system, this is the story of one man’s struggle to rescue his marriage, his family, and his sanity in the face of overwhelming psychological and physical torment.

My thoughts:

I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read anything by this author before though I do feel like he’s been on my radar for a while. I’m glad I’ve taken the opportunity to pick up this book as I have thoroughly enjoyed it.

What really took me by surprise is how quickly I grew to love Martin’s style of writing. His style is easy and economical, providing just the right amount of character development, setting description and droplets of tension which get bigger and bigger as as story progresses. There is no unnecessary fluff or faff, which I absolutely loved. It keeps the tension high and the pages turning!

The main characters in this book are complex and flawed. I have to admit not being massively fond of Tom. Of course he is a victim of the circumstances, but I didn’t get the overwhelming sense of sympathy for him that I was expecting. I’m not sure why, but I definitely felt some connection with him as I had to keep reading. Ali is clearly a few sandwiches short of a picnic and her irrational behaviour came across perfectly in order to reflect this.

The tension and excitement ramped up throughout and there were twists and an ending I didn’t see coming. It has

This is a topical, refreshing and gripping book. It provides a very good balance of domestic drama crossed with elements of a psychological thriller. It is difficult for me to compare this author and book to others as I found it original and refreshingly different.

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