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I was drawn to this collection by the beautiful and haunting cover, and my desire to read more short stories as part of my reading ritual!

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Blurb:

Devon’s very own crime writer L.V Hay (The Other Twin, Do No Harm) brings forth three new short stories from her dark mind and poison pen:

– For kidnapped Meg and her young son Danny, In Plain Sight, the remote headland above Lynmouth is not a haven, but hell.

– A summer of fun for Catherine in Killing Me Softly becomes a winter of discontent … and death.

– In Hell And High Water, a last minute holiday for Naomi and baby Tommy  becomes a survival situation … But that’s before the village floods.

All taking place out of season when the majority of tourists have gone home, L.V Hay uses her local knowledge to bring forth dark and claustrophic noir she has come to be known for.

My thoughts:

I have been encapsulated by this collection and have devoured it quickly and easily within one sitting. The author clearly has a talent for ensuring the reader experiences a full range of emotions, despite the brief nature of the stories.

My favourite story was definitely the last one, Hell and High Water, as much like the water, I could feel the tension rising and rising. I loved the fact that there was a “gap” that left it for the reader to infer what has gone on, yet I was still definitely left rooting for Naomi and Baby Tommy. In this way, the narrative reminded me of Lamb To The Slaughter by Roald Dahl.

Overall, I’d describe this as an excellent introduction to the dark and gripping nature of this writer’s work, as well as a good way to view what excellent short story writing is capable of, without having to commit to a full, extensive collection.

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I was drawn to this book by the intriguing title and the original cover. It’s unusual to see such a personal and delicate item on the cover of a dark psychological fiction book. I was interested to find out how this bracelet may link to, or be integral to the story.

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Blurb:

Hadley thought she’d left the past behind. But now it’s found her.

Hadley is one of those rare people who feels she’s living the perfect life. She has a husband she loves, a charming daughter, and a job that is deeply fulfilling. Sometimes it almost seems like a fairytale.

Then, little by little, things start to go wrong. There’s the creepy guy from down the street who keeps staring at her teenage daughter, there’s the strangely needy woman who moves in next door…

Just little wrinkles, but then Hadley’s world is turned upside down when someone close to her is murdered.  And Hadley begins to suspect that the killing is linked to something from her own past. A terrible secret she has never shared with anyone…

As she digs deeper,  Hadley realises there is someone out there who knows what she did, someone who is planning to take her perfect life – and turn it into a perfect nightmare.

Only You – the stunning psychological thriller from the author of The Other Couple and The Guest.

My thoughts:

There were so many elements of this book I enjoyed. As is becoming popular in the psychological thriller genre, the book covers quite a significant timeline but does so quickly in order to ramp up the tension and in some ways, this makes it easier for the reader to make connections, in other ways it ensures we are swept up in the action and can sometimes miss vital clues.

Despite hearing from Hadley and Geneva, I didn’t really know what to make of the characters in this one. I’m not sure I really gelled with any of them. Of course, I was pre-dispositioned to question and dislike the creepy neighbours. However, the central family irked me as well. Jonah fell under suspicion for me, Hadley seemed very selfish, and I’m not sure Geneva came across as her age – she seemed more childlike and vulnerable, which in some ways made the narrative more intense.

In between many of the main chapters, there are imaginative and intense fairy tales. These narratives mirror some of the warnings and dangers present in the main plot, but I also found this to be a highly original and engaging element of the book.

Overall, I found this an engaging and gripping story about trust, risk, the fight for justice and dealing with grief.

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I was drawn to this book as this is an author who has sat on my TBR shelf for a long time, after a stream of recommendations from well trusted bookish friends. Bookouture maintains its usual standards of eye-catching cover, coupled with the intriguing title and tagline. This definitely made me keen to find out what exactly was going on within this family…

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Blurb:

The call comes on an ordinary Sunday afternoon to say your sister has been admitted to hospital with a serious head injury. But you don’t have a sister… do you?

You’ve never doubted your parents. You’ve loved them without question your whole life. But your stepmother is uncharacteristically speechless, and your father isn’t well enough to understand.

So you get in your car.

Turn the key in the ignition.

Knowing everything behind you is a lie.

Not knowing what lies ahead: the truth… or something far darker?

A deliciously dark and twisty tale of deception, secrets and family ties, The Liar’s Daughter is perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, The Woman in the Window and The Family Upstairs.

My thoughts:

At first, having never read anything by this author before, for at least the first quarter of the story, I was really wondering where the “psychological thriller” elements come in as it appears like a well-written and gripping domestic drama, with a dysfunctional and destabilised family at the core, where I thought at worst there’s going to be some arguments over domestic issues as the two sisters are forced to live in close quarters, though of course you’ve always got the accident from the beginning of the story playing on your mind.

However, this book took me by complete surprise and got much darker! We are taken away from the present day to find out about the history of the situation, and brought back to the present day again. I love this use of dual/multiple timelines in books and Rona does this very well. By doing this, Rona is able to fully explore themes around deception, manipulation and coercive control.

This also allows for some unpredictable and shocking twists, though of course the first is quite early on in the book, and this definitely kept me hooked.

I loved the setting of the isolated farmhouse, as it really sets alight the vulnerability of the characters and provides a perfect setting for this book.

This was a fast-paced and original book that I would recommend to fans of authors such as Shalini Boland and Shari Lapena.

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I was drawn to this book as I had heard so many good things about it on the grapevine. Also, I think now more than ever, it is important to shout about and support debut novels! I was intrigued by the title, too. How did this book relate to charity? Would it link to a theme, a character, or would it require further interpretation to work it all out?

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Blurb:

Edith, an elderly widow with a large house in an Islington garden square, needs a carer. Lauren, a nail technician born in the East End, needs somewhere to live. A rent-free room in lieu of pay seems the obvious solution, even though the pair have nothing in common.

Or do they? Why is Lauren so fascinated by Edith’s childhood in colonial Kenya? Is Paul, the handsome lodger in the basement, the honest broker he appears? And how does Charity, a Kenyan girl brutally tortured during the Mau Mau rebellion, fit into the equation?

Capturing the spirited interplay between two women divided by class, generation and a deeper gulf from the past, and offering vivid flashbacks to 1950s East Africa, Madeline Dewhurst’s captivating debut spins a web of secrets and deceit where it’s not always obvious who is the spider and who is the fly.

My thoughts:

I have enjoyed so many aspects of this book. Firstly, I think it is really powerful and original that the author has included so much research and factual information about the colonialism and unrest that still existed in East Africa during the 1950s, through the use of precise and imaginative flashbacks. As someone who wrote about this very topic in my dissertation, but relating more to West Africa, I found this a really informative and engaging way to learn about the recent history of this area of the world.

I have loved witnessing the interactions between the characters, especially Edith and Lauren. Despite the sense of uneasiness and mistrust that surrounds all of the characters, I couldn’t help being able to identify with them in some ways. It is clear that Lauren has been affected by her background, is trying to find her place in the world, and better herself. Some of the shocking comments that Edith came out with remind me of the generational and societal changes we have seen in recent years, as I could imagine those very words leaving my Nan’s mouth, too.

I had some idea quite early on of the trajectory of the book, but I was really invested in it and needed to find out the exact details. It is clear from the beginning that this is not going to be the peaceful and ideal domestic scenario that Edith appears to be hoping for. This is a dramatic and suspenseful book that intends to teach the characters, and serves as a warning to us all, about the dangers of being selfish, and of passive inaction when faced with injustice.

A superb and thought-provoking thriller, I have found this book difficult to compare to any other writers of late as it provides a perfect blend of domestic drama, historical fiction and suspense. I would definitely recommend this book!

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I was drawn to this book as it sounded like an uplifting and escapist read. I am sucker for a beautifully illustrated cover and I’ve heard so many (good) things about this multi-talented and wonderful author.

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Blurb:

Escape to Cornwall this summer…

A gorgeous feel-good read, perfect for fans of CATHY BRAMLEY and PHILLIPA ASHLEY.

When Hattie is made redundant and evicted from her flat in one horrible week, she needs time to rethink. Her Uncle Albert left her and her father each half of Fisherman’s Rest, his home in the Cornish town of Port Medden, so this seems the perfect place to escape to until she can figure things out.

As Hattie stays in the cottage, clearing it out, tidying it up and getting it ready to sell, she starts to find her feet in Port Medden and making a new home here begins to feel right. If only her dad didn’t need a quick sale and things weren’t complicated by her unwelcoming neighbour Marcus . . .

My thoughts:

I have devoured this book and have been torn between flying through the pages to find out if there will be the conclusion I hoped and wished for, and slowly drinking in every wonderful page, especially the beautiful setting of Port Meddon and the growing relationship between Hattie and Marcus.

I really liked Hattie from the beginning. She is a down-to-earth, easy going character who clearly has her heart in the right place. She prioritises friends and families, but she also has a deep passion for photography. She is a selfless character, who is desperate to settle and find a place that she can call home.

My favourite aspect of the style of the novel was definitely that though the writing was completely in third person, the writer uses her ability to ensure that we are able to get inside the head of both Marcus and Hattie. We are able to see their changing feelings towards each other and really develop a sympathy for their range of emotions, as well as seeing their reasoning for different decisions they make. Therefore, they are both equally likeable and relatable characters, which to me is unusual but also really clever.

I have found this book to be far more dramatic, and much more of an emotional rollercoaster than I was expecting. The premise of the story isn’t really original, but the way it is written and the development of character clearly show Karen’s skills in this genre.

Overall, this has been an escapist, wonderful and uplifting read about making connections, being true to yourself, and the importance of home.

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I love it when I can get my daughters involved in my blog and this book, suitable for infants, provided a perfect opportunity. My daughters are 3 and 1. My youngest daughter loved the bright, vibrant and beautiful pictures and the way my voice bounced when I read the rhyming lines, whilst my eldest daughter was able to engage more with the story and asked lots of questions about the characters!

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Blurb:

“Queen Floss lives in a castle grand,The finest one across the land.Sir Lambalot is her busiest knight,With quests to do both day and night…”Queen Floss is determined to rid her land of dragons, giants and trolls so she turns to Sir Lambalot to help. He soon realises they aren’t quite so scary after all. Written in rhyme and full of fun, this lovely story has an important message about kindness, tolerance and acceptance. “Another triumph by the queen of storytelling in Lamby and Flossie’s new adventure, Sir Lambalot. Full of fun and new friends, along with the ever present important message hidden within its pages. Lamby’s best adventure yet!” Cath Roberts”Jude Lennon’s storytelling skills are already legendary, so it’s very fitting that Sir Lambalot now has his own legend” Bob Stone owner of Write Blend bookshop.

My thoughts:

I loved so many things about this story. For me personally, a big plus is that the story rhymes. I know this is definitely not an essential criteria for a picture book, but it helps the book flow and makes it more memorable.

There are wonderful characters and I love how Sir Lambalot is in many ways a brave and trusty Knight, and in other ways shows more of a depth to the character of a stereotypical knight. The Knight in this story is not just a brave, strong soldier – he has a good and loving heart too. The Queen, though, doesn’t come across as someone to be disliked and it’s clear that she is just trying to protect her land and people from these apparent threats.

My favourite thing about this book of course is the wonderful message. We are taught to not “judge a book by its cover” as they say, to get to know people before we make a judgement and to show kindness and empathy to those who we see being treated differently or singled out for whatever reason.

This is a beautiful book for infants and one that I would definitely recommend. My daughter was definitely able to connect with the characters and loves reading this book.

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I jumped at the chance to be involved in the blog tour for this book. It is an eye-catching and imaginative book, perfect for ages 7 to 12.

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Blurb:

Why have one Super Twin book when you can have two?

Since the infamous Battle of Wheatsheaf Hill, Ryan and Jake have become local celebrities. The people of Trincaster are to honour the Super Twins’ bravery by erecting a statue of them at their annual Fast Food Festival.

But not everyone wants to join in with the festivities. A dark force is lurking in the shadows intent on destroying all the fun.

Can the Super Twins stop the return of Evil Dad and save their town (again) from total destruction? 

My thoughts:

Despite being part of a series and having not read the first book, I found this book completely easy to follow and enjoy as a standalone.

The characters in the book are vibrant, smart and fun. I have loved following their story and the journey of the fight against Evil Dad!

I really admire the fact that despite being an accessible and entertaining children’s book, the author does not shy away from using adventurous and sophisticated language to build the scenes and imagery within the book.

Though this is definitely not a genre I usually read, nor one I would have probably chosen as a child, I am glad I picked this one. On the surface it is a little bit of a silly and far-fetched story, but if you dig a little deeper this is a story about the importance loyalty, bravery and friendship.

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I was drawn to this book by the fact it seemed to be an interesting hybrid of fiction and non-fiction. It’s a fictional tale, based on the author’s personal and professional experience of working in drug rehabilitation.

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Blurb:

A hard-hitting novel based on the author’s experience of working in the field of addictions.

It’s the late 1980s and mother of four, Cheryl West, lands herself a job at a drugs project in London. But memories of her old life are never far away, especially when her surly daughter, Elaine, makes her unwelcome visits.

Meanwhile, Cheryl’s estranged son, Michael aka Dodo – is ironically having his life destroyed by drug addiction in his attempt to avoid painful memories of abuse. He goes from one chaotic situation to another, ending up on the streets and reaching rock bottom, until he is referred to a drug rehabilitation centre in rural Hampshire where dark family secrets are uncovered.

They’re each on a journey, but can there be reconciliation as well as rehabilitation?

My thoughts:

I really do believe this is a powerful and important book. It gives a voice to some of the more marginalised people in society and raises questions around drug addiction, society’s attitudes to it and the idea of rehabilitation.

I have to admit this book took me a little while to get into and I think it’s because I had different expectations for Cheryl than how she actually came across in her book. I imagined her to be a selfless, loving character and she certainly comes across a lot more self-centred and judgemental than I was expecting.

Michael’s situation is portrayed with a gut-wrenching realism as we see his suffering and traumatic experiences as a result of his drug addiction.

You do have to get used to some of the aspects of the narrative as it can become very much like a stream of consciousness, which at times, due to the reliance on drugs, can make little sense at times. However, this is an important aspect of the book in order for us to understand the mental fragility of the characters, especially Michael.

This is an eye-opening, harrowing and interesting book that I would definitely recommend if you like reading dark fiction, or dark memoirs.

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I am very excited to be involved in this blog tour as I love Shalini’s book and the intriguing cover and clever tag line immediately drew me to this one.

Blurb:

Your daughter is missing. Did someone close to you take her?

Seven-year-old Beatrice has gone missing. Her mother Claire’s whole world has been turned upside down in just one moment and she can’t stop shaking. She’s desperate to find her precious daughter, but nothing about the day she disappeared makes sense…

The mother-in-law: Jill was meant to be looking after Beatrice. She says she didn’t take her eyes off the little girl but her version of events doesn’t add up… Claire has never got on with her, so why should she trust her now?

The husband: He should have been with their only child. Instead, he changed the plans without telling Claire. She didn’t think there were any secrets between them, but maybe she was wrong?

The first wife: Laurel has always been jealous of Claire’s family. Has her husband’s ex-wife taken her daughter?

Which one of them is lying? And who really knows where Beatrice is?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally addictive psychological thriller will keep you guessing all the way to the final shocking twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl and The Wife Between Us.

My thoughts:

I often find that books I read in this genre feature a missing child or children in some way, and I think it’s a great feature of the genre as it ensures that the narrative is emotionally charged and suspenseful. However, I think it is difficult to make this storyline original, and Shalini has certainly done that.

We hear from 3 people’s perspectives in the book – Jill, Claire and another faceless, nameless voice, who appears to be the perpetrator. This makes it difficult to know who to trust and who to have sympathy for. Claire, in some ways, appears justified in her mistrust of Jill. Claire’s narrative also shows that Jill is right to worry/believe that Claire and Ollie’s marriage isn’t as perfect as it still appears. I also loved reading the narrative from the nameless voice’s point of view, as it added an extra level of intrigue and darkness. These characters are definitely one that get you talking, thinking and questioning.

Once again, Shalini has produced an original, addictive and clever page turner which I have become immersed in and struggled to put down.

I had strong feelings about who was involved from the beginning but I was proved wrong, and I love that! This is definitely an intense book about lies and facades with some wonderful cliff hangers and shocking twists!

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I am so excited to be involved in the blog tour for this book which has been on my radar, and one I have felt excited about for quite some time. I’d also really like to thank the publishers at Penguin for sending me a finished hardback copy.

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Blurb:

Have you ever imagined running away from your life?

Well Birdy Finch didn’t just imagine it. She did it. Which might’ve been an error. And the life she’s run into? Her best friend, Heather’s.

The only problem is, she hasn’t told Heather. Actually there are a few other problems…

Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)?

And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she’s ever actually liked (but who thinks she’s someone else)

The Summer Job is a fresh, fun, feel-good romcom for fans of The Flatshare, Bridget Jones and Bridesmaids.

My thoughts:

There were so many things that first attracted me to this book. The cover is bright & fresh, the blurb makes it sound like a fun, romantic read and regulars to my blog will know these types of books are among my favourites. Having read the book, I’ll definitely say that it lived up to my high expectations and did not disappoint!

I loved the setting for this book and it actually made me feel quite nostalgic at times. My aunty lived in Scotland for 24 years, so I’m very familiar with much of the landscape, especially the west coast, and definitely know what it feels like to be a “tourist” or “outsider” faced with a  somewhat overbearing and unusual but nonetheless kind and well-meaning bunch of locals from this area of the world.

I loved the character of Birdy and although obviously her decision to take the job was risky and probably a bit silly, there is a warmth that eminates from her and an admirable sense of vulnerability yet strength, which allowed me to start believing that this was taken more of an opportunity to not let anyone down, but also to challenge herself and give her time and space to re-evaluate things, rather than the silly prank it first appears. Birdy is a fun, complex and relatable character who often has the admirable quality of being unafraid to say what we are all thinking!

I found myself flying through this book quickly, as there are gentle yet clear elements of drama and suspense throughout. Will they find out who she really is? How will Heather react? What will happen between Birdy and James?

This has definitely felt like an escapist, entertaining and endearing book that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this author in the future, and I was really excited to find out it’s going to be made into a TV series!

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