I am very excited to be involved in the cover reveal for for a wonderful romantic fiction author. Check this book out! I can’t wait to read this one. It sounds funny and original.
Blurb:
Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…
After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?
When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn’t counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.
As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?
I am very excited to be involved in the publication push for an original and uplifting take on the “career memoir” style books. I think the cover of the book is absolutely gorgeous and is enough alone to make you want to pick this one up. Plus I love this style of books, so that’s a bonus.
Blurb: If you liked Adam Kay’s book, ‘This Is Going To Hurt’, you’ll love the joyously life-affirming memoir, ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’. When Ruth Graham left the world of stand-up comedy to become a funeral celebrant, she’d imagined a less combative career. Over a thousand services later … she knows better. Probably her most demanding role to date, Ruth has needed every ounce of diplomacy, courage, humour and her wits about her to juggle the daily challenges. From grief-stricken families to amorous widowers through to plate-smashing, warring siblings and even a flock of stoned doves at a Rasta funeral. As the story unfolds we witness her new career developing into a 24/7 commitment. Will it break her? Or will it be the spur she needs to get her own life in order? Jaw-dropping, informative, moving and hilarious in turn, ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’ is a reminder that nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow; whilst encouraging everyone to seize their day.
My thoughts:
Having worked closely with someone who left a long and successful career in drama teaching to be a funeral celebrant, I was interested to find out that Ruth had tried out a number of different jobs before settling on this one.
Her talent for storytelling and timing things for maximum impact, a skill that probably developed in her early years of stand up comedy, definitely shines through this book. She manages to tell humorous stories from her job in a touching, funny but inoffensive way.
I also loved the “Celebrant Shares” sections as this further added to my enjoyment and laughter whilst reading this book. I also think this was a great way to give the book an original feel and separate it from other similar books.
I really enjoyed getting to know Ruth and seeing her journey. She is clearly dedicated to her job and as a tolerant, caring, sensitive and organised professional.
Of course, it is hard not to read this book and think of our own experience (good and bad) of funerals and funeral celebrants. Although it feels little strange to say, it brought back fond memories of a friend’s mum’s funeral who was not religious at all in the traditional sense of the word, but still had a strong sense of spirituality. The service ended up with a rendition of ‘Spirit in the Sky’, to which we were encouraged to sing-along. It definitely left us smiling and feeling like this vibrant, wonderful woman had had the send off she deserved. As I was reading, I imagined the people working with Ruth having that same level of satisfaction.
It is a big statement for a book to compare itself to best selling books such as This Is Going To Hurt, but I definitely feel like this heart-warming, life-affirming and beautiful book lives up to it.
I am so excited to be involved in the blog tour for this wonderfully fun and uplifting romantic fiction book. I’m all about the feel good vibes at the moment as my professional life is reaching the stress pinpoint of the year, so I was looking forward to escaping to Italy in this one!
Blurb:
TV journalist Lou feels battered and bruised after her divorce from Phil, the father of her daughter Edie. Her confidence and sense of fun have steadily been drained away, and she isn’t sure who she is any more.
When the opportunity arises to accompany Edie on a music camp in Italy for a month in the summer, Lou jumps at the chance for new adventures, new horizons and new friends. The hazy warmth of the summer sun, shining brightly over the stunning Lake Garda, slowly brings Lou back to life.
Nick Romano, Edie’s music teacher, loves being home in Italy, but coaching his students for their concert in Milan, is bringing back difficult memories. His blossoming friendship with Lou is the perfect distraction, although a summer fling would be easier to conduct without the scrutiny of his mother Greta, not to mention the interference of his extended Italian family.
As the summer passes, full of sunshine and breath-taking scenery, gelato and delicious feasts, Lou and Nick get ever closer. But as the time for farewell creeps up on them, will they be able to say goodbye and leave their memories behind in the Italian sun, or can a summer romance last a lifetime?
My thoughts:
I was completely hooked by the opening of this book. I immediately disliked Phil (the ex husband) and every time he opened his mouth or did something (or failed to do it in lots of cases), it really made angry so I was immediately rooting for Lou and her daughter Edie to have an amazing time in Italy and hopefully, have a fresh start away from his judgemental and self-entitled nonsense.
I love how the relationship between Nick and Lou developed slowly and organically. Due to their past histories, they are both wary of opening up to new love interests, which is completely understandable. Therefore, their relationship seems to be built on a mutual respect, shared humour and a tangible chemistry that they do try to ignore, at first.
I loved escaping my current situation of wet and windy Newport and going to the wonderful, serene and sun-kissed landscapes of Italy and its beautiful lakes. The detailed descriptions of the scenery make you feel like you have been lifted up and placed in Italy itself, giving this book the perfect escapist feel.
Overall, this has been a heart-felt and endearing story which I have connected to on a number of levels. Having been divorced and lost all my confidence as a result myself, I really connected with Lou and her desire, yet hesitation, to move forward with her life. I would definitely recommend this book and author to fans of Heidi Swain, Milly Johnson and Judy Leigh.
I was drawn to this book by the comparisons to Bridgerton and Downtown Abbey. Though I’ve not watched these series in their entirety, I’ve definitely felt a need to dip in and out of them due to the hype that surrounds them, so I thought a book that is comparable to them might be a good next step. I also love the alliterative and thought provoking title and tag line.
Blurb:
The Glorious Guinness Girls are the toast of London and Dublin society. Darlings of the press, Aileen, Maureen and Oonagh lead charmed existences that are the envy of many.
But Fliss knows better. Sent to live with them as a child, she grows up as part of the family and only she knows of the complex lives beneath the glamorous surface.
Then, at a party one summer’s evening, something happens which sends shockwaves through the entire household. In the aftermath, as the Guinness sisters move on, Fliss is forced to examine her place in their world and decide if where she finds herself is where she truly belongs.
My thoughts:
I loved the fact that this book once again introduced me to a place/time in history that I don’t know much about – the Irish Civil War and 1920s London. The writer effortlessly weaves clear factual history with a rather developed and intriguing family saga.
At first, I definitely found the number of different characters and roles a little overwhelming and confusing. However, as the book developed and the character of Fliss was introduced, it was easier to get into the flow of it and I liked following her journey overall.
I also think it was quite original for us to see much of the story through the young adult’s eyes as it brings a new perspective to things and allows the narrative to balance between their personal priorities and the social context around them.
I was drawn to this book as this author has between recommended to me SO many times, and her first book is still sat on my Kindle TBR. Obviously, the cover too is crisp and gorgeous and the tag line drew me in. I had to know how this one would pan out.
Blurb:
NOAH AND KATE WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER.
Married with two gorgeous sons, it looked like they’d got their happy ever after.
But marriage isn’t easy. And one day, Kate left, taking their two boys with her.
These days, Noah is a weekend dad – and it breaks his heart. He misses the chaotic mealtimes, the bedtime stories, the early mornings and the late homework.
Suddenly, he decides enough is enough – he has to win his family back. Starting with Kate.
The only problem?
IN SIX WEEKS’ TIME, KATE IS GETTING MARRIED TO SOMEONE ELSE . . .
My thoughts:
I’m not sure how any review I write of this book will do it justice. It is so beautifully written, so heart felt and raw.
I loved the fact that the author chose to write what is, in many ways, a romantic fiction book, from the perspective of a male main character, and especially using first person narrative. To me, this felt really original and completely refreshing.
To call this a romantic fiction book though, completely sells it short. It is about divorce, about coming to terms with your past, your present and the fact that the future is unknown. It’s about self acceptance and self preservation. It contains a realistic and quite hard-hitting portrayal of loneliness and depression, at times.
However, this is perfectly balanced with a light humour that is peppered throughout the book. I particularly enjoyed the “banter” and ease with which the characters of Noah and Kate, and Noah and Mimi, are able to poke fun at each other and make each other laugh. There was also some wonderfully graphic descriptions of working with small children (in Noah’s role as a teacher) that were downright hilarious.
I have loved getting to know the characters in this book. Despite having had a horrible time and a massive downward spiral that no-one would ever wish for, Noah is a relatable and likeable character. I was rooting for his happiness but I also felt deeply connected to the family as a whole, and hoped that the outcome would be satisfactory, and make his children happy too. Even though he has had his fair share of flawed moments and problems, it is clear that Noah is ultimately a caring and loving father that would do anything for his children.
This has been a heart-warming, gut-wrenching book that has made me chuckle at times and sob heavily at others. This has been one of those rare reads that I wish I could re-read from the beginning, and experience all over again. This is absolutely a five star read and is definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year!
I was drawn to this book as I am absolutely loving historical fiction lately, and particularly if I think a book is based around a different part of history than my “go to” books (Holocaust/WW2 historical fiction). The title and tag line hooked me in and made me very intrigued. I also think the cover is absolutely stunning.
Blurb:
Three sisters. Three ships. One heartbreaking story.
1911. As Emma packs her trunk to join the ocean liner Olympic as a stewardess, she dreams of earning enough to provide a better life for both her sisters. With their photograph tucked away in her luggage, she promises to be back soon – hoping that sickly Lily will keep healthy, and wild Ruby will behave. But neither life at sea nor on land is predictable, and soon the three sisters’ lives are all changed irrevocably…
Now. When Harriet finds her late grandmother’s travelling trunk in the attic, she’s shocked to discover a photo of three sisters inside – her grandmother only ever mentioned one sister, who died tragically young. Who is the other sister, and what happened to her? Harriet’s questions lead her to the story of three sister ships, Olympic, Titanic and Britannic, and a shattering revelation about three sisters torn apart…
Don’t miss the latest novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Secret of the Chateau. Perfect for fans of The Beekeeper’s Promise and The Forgotten Village!
My thoughts:
I love the fact that this book focuses on life at sea, and I have found this journey quite turbulent and unpredictable, much like life at sea itself! I think writing a historical fiction book on this topic is original and refreshing.
I like, in principle, the idea of a time slip and a connection between the past and present. However, in this case, I definitely preferred reading about the ‘past’ based chapters, as this is where I felt most of the shocking twists and gripping narrative happened.
The character development is strong throughout, though. The author deals with quite a cast of characters from both the ‘past’ and ‘present’ timelines and develops their personality in such a way that they appear realistic, and I was definitely able to feel sorry for them, for a variety of reasons, during emotional pinchpoints of the story. My favourite character was definitely Emma. She was loyal, brave and selfless. I admired these qualities in her.
Overall, this has been a book which in many ways is twisty, gripping and unpredictable. It is emotional and heart-wrenching, and carries an important message about family loyalty. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of character driven historical fiction.
I am very excited to be involved in the blog tour for this, the latest in a long line of stunning and sensational romantic comedies by one of my all time faves, Portia Macintosh. Of course, the cover alone is gorgeous and along with the fun and tongue in cheek title, is enough to make you want to pick this book up before you’ve even read the blurb!
Blurb:
Sun, sea and inescapable exes…
Peach is excited to hear that her sister, Di, is getting married. Of course, she would have preferred her little sister to be engaged to someone she’s known longer than a week – and the fact that his name is Charles doesn’t bode well – but who is she to judge?! After all, her own love life is non-existent, and who doesn’t love a destination wedding…?
Whisked away to the gorgeous Italian coast, Peach assumes her role as chief bridesmaid and, despite her reservations about the groom, she tries to ensure everything goes to plan.
But weddings are never straightforward affairs… throw in some unexpected guests in the form of ex-boyfriends and one night stands, and soon enough there is more drama than a reality TV show.
Can Peach keep the show on the road, or might she end up in a whirlwind romance of her own…?
Escape to the stunning Italian coast with bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald and Mhairi MacFarlane.
My thoughts:
Once again, Portia starts this book with an engaging opening that leaves you needing to know how the situation is going to pan out. In this case, a chance meeting at an airport between Matt and Peach gets complicated quickly. But is this a sign of an attraction that can overcome the “bumps in the road” and become something more?
I have had no idea where this one was going. As this is written from a first person perspective, and the story is told by loyal, hard working and fun Peach. I have been rooting for her happiness throughout.
At first, Matt seems like the perfect gentleman. He is sensible, honest, witty and it seems like the two will make a good match. However, there is twist after twist, and at her sister’s wedding, Peach is confronted with a number of men who could be eligible bachelors, though I have loved how she sees flaws or has suspicions about them, as this adds a realism to be the book. Portia also shows her skills by being able to create such a big cast of vibrant and interesting characters.
There has been so many twists and dramatic plot points in this book and it has definitely kept me hooked.
The ending was wonderfully uplifting and heartwarming and could even be seen to be a bit of a cliffhanger, which I loved!
Overall, another wonderful escapist read by one of my favourite authors. I definitely recommend it!
I am very excited to be involved in the blog tour for A J Campbell’s wonderful 2nd book. I love how, once again, she has pulled me in with the imperative title – “Don’t Come Looking” and the haunting and intriguing cover image.
“Oh, how people weave webs of lies. Each one threaded so tightly around the next until the mess they’ve created becomes impossible to unravel.”
Blurb:
A missing man. A desperate friend. A circle of deceit.
Would you refuse your friend’s desperate plea for help?
When Eva’s close friend Marc disappears, his wife Sasha is distraught, and Eva is baffled. Sasha and Marc were happy, the perfect couple… or so everybody thought.
Sasha begs Eva to help her find Marc. But he has appeared at the police station where Eva works and has made a statement. It’s on record – when his family report him missing, Marc doesn’t want to be found.
As each day passes, the mystery deepens. What was Marc up to? What made him do the things he did in the months leading up to his disappearance? Things so out of character, Eva struggles to tell Sasha about them… and then a disturbing discovery changes everything.
A psychological thriller full of twists and turns.
My thoughts:
We probably shouldn’t compare 2nd books to debuts, but as avid readers and reviewers, I’m sure a lot of us do. Therefore, A J Campbell had a lot to live up to when it came to producing something that hooked me in as much as her first novel, Leave Well Alone, did. However, she has certainly managed it. This story is equally as gripping.
We are back with Eva and Jim but it is now eight years on. I immediately felt a connection again with these characters, and I remembered how much I liked Eva from my first encounter. She is feisty, independent, intelligent and loyal. She is a great, complex main character and I have loved following her on another journey to uncover the truth.
One aspect that really struck a chord with me was Eva’s struggles between being a successful and attentive mum, and being successful and attentive at work. I definitely feel like this is a battle I worry about, and something that might get worse in the coming years. However, her passion for her job and her determination to investigate things fully and thoroughly, is rather inspiring.
This book was once again full of twists and turns and in that sense I found it completely unpredictable. I was desperate to find out what happened to Marc, and I found this book very difficult to put down as a result!
I am so excited and honoured to be involved in the blog tour for this sparkling and absolutely gripping debut. This book had already been recommended to me a number of times when the blog tour was announced, so I jumped at the chance to be involved. Once again, the cover of this one has also pulled me in as it suggests an unknown and unpredictable danger lurking within a seemingly flawless domesticated setting. But who, or what, is at risk?
Blurb:
Anna wants to escape. She doesn’t know when her marriage to James began to feel like a trap or when he became so controlling. All she knows is that she needs to leave before it’s too late.
And she has a plan. When Anna reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, Sam, she sees it as the answer to her problems. Finally, they’ll have a life together, like they’d always planned – the life she was meant to have. But the lies are catching up with her . . . On the morning of their escape, Sam goes missing. Anna knows he wouldn’t leave her, that something must have happened to him. Her search for answers will force her to confront her past, something that she has been running from for a very long time . . .
Perfect for fans of Louise Jensen, Phoebe Morgan and K.L. Slater, this is a twisty, tense psychological thriller about one woman’s hunt for the truth and her ultimate fight to break free.
My thoughts:
My mind is blown. The next thing I’m going to say is going to sound a little pretentious and like I am an expert on these sorts of books, which I’m not claiming to be, but I do read a lot of them, so hear me out. So many books claim to be “psychological thrillers”. These books are often gripping, thrilling, and sometimes we get inside the mind of one of the characters. However, overall, in lots of cases, I find the ‘psychological’ element to be weak.
This is 100% not the case with this book. The author’s talent for helping me to see inside the mind of not one, not two, not three but possibly even four of the main characters (whilst maintaining a completely effective and compelling first person narrative), really makes this book stand out, and above, its competitors.
This book has also had a huge psychological impact on me. My mind feels like it’s been through the washing machine. The narrative is easy to follow and well developed, but all the lies, deception, manipulation, secrets make it really difficult as a reader to know who to trust, who to believe, and whether any of the characters are decent human beings, or have redeeming qualities.
The second thing that has had a huge impact on me, and may be a trigger warning, is some of the scenes of coercive control, which kind of border on domestic abuse. Having suffered this myself, I was predisposed to feel some sympathy for the main character, Anna, though there were also times when I felt angry towards her, too. That’s the thing about those situations though: it’s easy to judge and see when you’re you’re an outsider looking in.
All of the characters have flaws and seem realistic, despite some of them are involved in evil and shocking acts. As Sue in the book is quick to point out in defence of her son – we all make mistakes! I found this aspect particularly haunting as it really made me feel like this could be a true portrayal of what could happen behind closed doors.
I have been unable to put this one down. There was one shocking twist after another, and I loved following Anna’s journey. I really had to know that she had learnt something from this experience, and I was left feeling satisfied at the end.
Overall, this has been a highly original, sophisticated and brilliant debut book that has every justification to call itself a true psychological thriller, as it includes all the best ingredients of the genre. It is not just a thriller though, it provides a thought provoking message about love, loyalty and self-worth.
Last year, I shared that my favourite psychological thriller of the year was ‘The Child Who Never Was’ by Jane Renshaw. This is definitely my favourite psychological thriller of 2021 so far.
I’m not sure how anything else I read this year will top it, to be honest!
“It’s the lies. They all catch up with you eventually.”
I am so excited to be involved in this blog tour as I love Jessica Redland’s books and I am now officially addicted to this series. Once again, the cover is gorgeously illustrated and the title is intriguing and mysterious. What secrets are there left to uncover at Hedgehog Hollow?
Blurb:
Every family has its secrets, and at Hedgehog Hollow there is no exception…
It was always Samantha’s dream to run her beautiful rescue centre, Hedgehog Hollow, full-time. But just as her wish comes true, she becomes a victim of her own kindness when she finds herself with a house full of guests – all with their own problems and secrets – looking to her for support.
When her self-absorbed cousin, Chloe, unexpectedly turns up at the farm – swiftly handing over her baby to Samantha to care for – trouble is definitely brewing. Especially as Chloe won’t tell anyone why she’s left her husband, James…
As Samantha juggles new hedgehog arrivals, family dramas and her own health challenges, it soon becomes clear that she needs to start putting herself first for once. Little does she know that life-changing secrets from the past are about to unravel and turn their lives upside down…
Return to glorious Hedgehog Hollow with top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland for a heartwarming, emotional but uplifting story of family, friendship and moving on from the past.
My thoughts:
First of all, I want to start off by saying that though this is the 3rd book in a series, it works well as a stand-alone book and you will not be left disappointed by it at all. However, I do feel like my enjoyment and satisfaction related to this book has been enriched by reading it as part of the series.
Once again, Jessica provides a dramatic plot and emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. There is drama surrounding babies, hoglets, family illness and relationship troubles.
This book focuses on Samantha, but it also focuses more on Chloe (Samantha’s stubborn and seemingly selfish cousin). We get to hear from both of their perspectives, which of course provides some balance, adds to the drama but also allows us a better insight into Chloe’s life decisions and mindset, which seems to be deeply rooted in her back story and these well buried ‘secrets’ that she keeps, which is where the title comes in. I began to get a better understanding of Chloe, and even at times, felt a sort of sympathy and identification with her, which was surprising and unexpected following my feelings towards her after reading the last book in the series.
Through Chloe’s story and the scenes describing her situation with her son Samuel, the writer sensitively deals with issues around being a new mum and finding it hard, including breast feeding. This aspect particularly struck a chord with me as I find it rare to see breast feeding so openly and honestly discussed in fiction. I don’t know if this is something the author intended, but for me she has done a great service by normalising breast feeding and the challenges of it, through her writing about it in this book. The same can be said for the issues around being a new mum as it really does overhaul your whole being and nothing can prepare you fully for it.
Samantha is an amazing character and I’d love to be her friend. She is caring, compassionate and though it is difficult to find a bad word to say about her, there is a realness and a rawness to her chrafter that ensures she feels believable and relatable to readers.
I was completely hooked on this book and found it difficult to put down. I had to know the secrets, the fallouts and the outcomes. In a previous review I have compared this series to Eastenders in the way that it is so perfectly written to provide maximum drama and excellent character development. If this series was made into a TV show, I’d definitely watch it! I love that it was left on a little bit of a cliff hanger to keep it open for the next book, but still revealed and worked through the main issues within the relationships so I was still left feeling satisfied. Another superb five star read! I can’t wait to return to Hedgehog Hollow in the (hopefully) very near future!
*Ceri's Lil Blog* 