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I was drawn to this book as I am fascinated by true crime style books and they are usually written about male prisons, so I think it is unusual to read a book by a man about working in a female or young offender’s prison.

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Blurb:

A shocking thriller inspired by the true stories of a male prison officer in a women’s prison…

Prison Officer Jim Dalton works on the male side of HMP Peterborough. It’s a dangerous place, fuelled by testosterone-driven violence, but he has the prisoners’ respect. When Dalton is transferred to the female side of the prison, his next shift is so easy he can’t believe that the officers over there get paid the same wages. He sleeps well for the first time in years.

Billie hasn’t had it easy in life, and she has earned the nickname Damage because she has been known to cause some! Ending up in prison might have been inevitable, but Billie hasn’t given up on her dreams yet. If there’s a way to get out of prison faster, she’s going to find it.

When Dalton is assigned to the young offenders’ wing, dealing with female prisoners no longer seems so simple, and in Billie he fears he may have met his match. As Billie starts to turn the screw, Dalton faces losing everything…

My thoughts:

Though the story was fictional, I felt like this was a really good hybrid between fiction and non-fiction as the descriptions of prison life, prison officer duties and so on, were so detailed, it felt very authentic. Therefore, I felt I learnt a lot from thsi book. I definitely feel like the level of detail was appropriate and something that gave the book a different, more realistic feel.

I liked the way he presented the characters he encountered within the prison system, and I liked the way that he slowly showed a sympathetic stance towards them, as he learns more about their struggles and difficulties, both in and outside of prison. However, he also learns some hard lessons to not underestimate women!

We got a glimpse into Jim’s home life and I think that was really important to build a sense of his character and his dedication to the job. He goes on a journey where he learns so much about the people who end up in prison and I think this a really important story to tell.

Overall, this has been an intriguing and eye-opening book, that is different to anything I’ve read before, but I’d definitely recommend to fans of true crime and memoir.

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I am very excited to be involved in the blog tour for this book as I love this author’s books and I’m going to stick my neck out and say this may be the best one yet!

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Blurb:

She is worshiped by millions. But she has a secret…

Adored by her legions of followers, social media megastar Skye is an inspiration. Once homeless, she is now fantastically wealthy, enormously powerful.  A ‘like’ from Skye can literally change your life.

So when she suggests partnering with Nathan’s charity for the homeless, he thinks it’s a match made in heaven. With Skye’s backing, who knows what he can achieve? And no-one is more excited than Nathan’s teenage daughters, both massive fans of the star.

But Skye’s influence comes at a price. Yes, funds are pouring into Nathan’s charity, but she is a smothering presence, seemingly determined to insert herself into every nook and cranny of his family life.

Nathan’s daughters are thrilled to have so much up close and personal contact with a superstar. But he worries about Skye’s growing influence on them… And is it just a coincidence that ever since she’s been around, his personal life is disintegrating?

As things spiral out of control, Nathan begins to wonder what Skye really wants from him and his daughters. The answer is more terrifying than he could ever imagine…

The Influencer – the stunning psychological thriller from Miranda Rijks, author of The Visitors, The Arrangement, and Roses are Red. 

My thoughts:

I have loved this book and devoured it quickly. I find Miranda’s books really original, which is completely refreshing as I’d say that her writing fits within one of the most over saturated genres on the market.

She writes about scenarios and characters that easily lend themselves to psychological fiction, and elements of thriller, and yet these seem to be often really original plot threads that I’ve not read about before.

I love how the title makes you think throughout the book. In some ways, the question of who is the influencer here? Is quite obvious, in other ways it could take a different meaning, depending how you look at it. It’s also a really interesting exploration of what influences, or motivates us, and how social media has become an integral part of our lives.

Again, Miranda provides a narrative that is original, gripping and easy to follow, yet takes an increasingly creepy and even dangerous trajectory, and has a strong psychological element.

I loved the characters in this one. They were well developed and easy to connect with. Nathan in particular came across as a bit of a gullible buffoon, but I thought he was also quite believable and enjoyed seeing his vulnerability.

She seems wholesome, natural and genuine. But at the same time I feel like I’ve walked into the sticky fibres of a glittery web.”

Overall, this has been an addictive, gripping and refreshingly original book. I can’t wait for more by this author!!

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I am so excited to be involved in the blog tour for this wonderful author’s latest book. Her previous book, The First Time We Met, was one of my top two favourite books in this genre last year! I was very keen to find out if this latest book would live up to my high expectations.

Blurb:

Island house off coast of Maine, with private beach, sea views and the occasional farmyard animal, seeks super swanky Central London penthouse overlooking Holland Park, complete with concierge service and spurned ex-lovers…

When thirty-somethings Cassie and James find each other on a home swap website, it feels meant to be. City hotshot James needs a bolthole after a relationship goes sour and Cassie needs to leave the comfort of her little island to research her new book.

Soon, James is living in Cassie’s cute but ramshackle beachside cottage, and Cassie’s living in James’s luxurious London apartment. It’s the perfect solution.

Except James didn’t imagine he’d be sharing his home with eleven chickens and three alpacas, not to mention the unusually friendly neighbours, who seem to find any excuse to drop by. And Cassie is less than impressed when James’s ex-girlfriend turns up at his door, demanding to know where he’s gone.

The more Cassie and James talk, the more the tension between them mounts. But as the insults fly so do the sparks, and when the time finally comes to swap back, Cassie and James find they aren’t quite ready to give each other up.

But there’s more than just distance between them – and when Cassie makes a surprising discovery, the pair are forced to confront their feelings and decide what kind of life they really want.

An utterly heart-warming love story that will make you laugh and cry, fans of The Flatshare, The Hating Game and movies like The Holiday will fall head over heels for The House Swap.

My thoughts:

Wow! Jo has absolutely delivered again. Though I think it’s fair to make comparisons between this book and The Flatshare by Beth O Leary and The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker (both excellent books, by the way!), there is something about the way Jo writes that gives this book an original feel.

I love the way she creates the characters and ensures that we as readers, are able to sympathise with the characters and follow their journeys despite being on either side of the Atlantic.

This is definitely a fun and exciting opposite attracts romance, and I loved seeing how their relationship developed.

I loved how, like her previous book, the romance in this story feels organic and realistic.

This author is fast becoming one of my favourite authors in this genre, alongside Mary Jayne Baker and Milly Johnson, and I would definitely recommend her books!

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I was drawn to this book by the title, which sounded fun and intriguing. What was causing this person to be so dissatisfied with her current life? And what does she do to regain her life? I just had to read on and find out.

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Blurb:

Cathy Collins is a mum on a mission – to change her life.
 
When her husband drops a midlife-crisis bombshell,
Cathy decides it’s time to take control.
 
No more laundry, teenage tantrums or housework.
After years of putting herself last, she’s going to be first for a change.
 
Cathy Collins is carving a new path, and nothing is going to get in her way…
 
From No.1 bestselling author Tracy Bloom, The Wife Who Got a Life
perfectly captures the joyous chaos of family life.

My thoughts:

I have absolutely loved this book and it has definitely put a smile on my face. It is a wonderfully written book that explores so many aspects of married life, reaching middle age, trying to maintain friendships and harmony within the family, and watching your children grow up.

I think the style of writing, as a diary with a first person narrator, definitely helped me build a connection with the characters, especially Cathy. Although in lots of ways our situations are very different, I felt like I could identify well with her points of view and I admired her determined and feisty behaviour at times.

This book just truly has it all. It is quite dramatic and tense at times, but it also provided moments where I spluttered with laughter, or choked up with the tears. One example of the way the writer uses lively language to create humour is: “I think I would rather have had my toenails extracted one by one by a known terrorist, than this.” There were lots of descriptions like this in the book that gave it a light-hearted feel.

I think the author highlights some really important points around the difference between being ‘comfortable’ within your situation and ‘happy’ with your life. This is definitely the journey Cathy goes on and I loved to see the transformation from quite often, quite small changes. This definitely gave the book not only a refreshingly original feel, but also an inspiring and authentic feel to it too.

Overall, this has been an entertaining and humorous book, with an uplifting message, that I have loved reading. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of “Up Lit”!

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I am so excited to be involved in another blog tour for this author, as she is now a firm favourite of mine. I’ve read a few books from this long and successful series, though in typical Ceri style I’ve dipped in and out and not read them in the right order, and I love that this author makes that easy to do with this series. Once again, this is a gorgeous cover and I had high hopes that the book inside would be even more gorgeous.

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Blurb:

Ellie’s brand new enterprise, the True Loaf Bakery, is finally open and classes are due to start. But when Katja’s ski-ing holiday ends in disaster, a new teacher must be found very quickly. Anita is up for the challenge, but – fresh from a break-up and an operation that’s left her feeling physically and emotionally vulnerable – the last thing she’s looking for when she moves to Sunnybrook is a new relationship. So it’s Sod’s law that she should find herself with not one but two guys vying for her attention. Sven, from Denmark, is a bit of an enigma – but maybe passion lurks beneath his cool reserve?

And as for twenty-five-year-old football coach Ross – surely she’d be asking for trouble getting involved with a gorgeous man a decade her junior? (Although her football-mad son Rufus seems to love him.)

Moving in with Bertha proves a real comfort – but can Anita get to the bottom of what’s troubling the older woman?

Anita’s job at the True Loaf Bakery is only temporary, but she finds herself drawn ever deeper into life in the village – especially when she finds a child’s bracelet from long ago, in the rubble of the newly-renovated building. Solving the mystery of who it belongs to takes Anita on a journey of discovery – a journey that might just help her discover what her own heart really needs…

My thoughts:

I have adored this uplifting and beautiful book. Rosie’s easy and honest style of writing allows me to quickly build a connection with the characters, especially Anita and Bertha.

I love the fact that the basis of the story is romance and repairing yourself after a relationship breakdown, but the author explores other quite pertinent issues for women of Anita and Bertha’s age, including menopause, family and making peace with the past.

The narrative is dramatic and provides lots of twists and turns throughout. Once again, I was left unsure which path Anita would take and whether Anita and Bertha would have the happy ending they deserve?

Overall, this has been a heart-warming and engrossing book about acceptance and second chances.

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I was drawn to this book as it sounded like a wonderful hybrid of two of my favourite genres – memoir and literary fiction. I also thought it might be quite important and relevant considering considering the current situation surrounding Coronavirus.

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Blurb:

In a series of moving snapshots, Véronique Tadjo illustrates the terrible extent of the Ebola epidemic: the doctor who tirelessly treats patients day after day in a sweltering tent, protected from the virus only by a plastic suit; the student who volunteers to work as a gravedigger while universities are closed, helping the teams overwhelmed by the sheer number of bodies; the grandmother who agrees to take in an orphaned young boy cast out of his village for fear of infection. And watching over them all is the ancient and wise Baobab tree, mourning the dire state of the earth yet providing a sense of hope for the future. Acutely relevant to our times in light of the coronavirus pandemic, In the Company of Men explores critical questions about how we cope with a global crisis and how we can combat fear and prejudice.

My thoughts:.

I have devoured this thought-provoking and powerful book. Despite its small page numbers, it packs in a lot of interesting exploration of quite complex themes.

We are told that “Humans today think they can do whatever they like.” And “My village was rich. Its riches were beautiful. But when the villagers wished to possess wealth, the village disappeared.” I think these quotes highlight some important points the book makes about our capitalist and consumerist society, resulting in a loss of a community spirit and a disconnection with the natural world.

The narrative clearly describes the heroic and important role health care professionals played during this unpleasant and often devastating epidemic. We are told: “The nurse’s courage is a jewel she wears on her chest with her benevolence and pride.”

The epidemic is compared to a war, and the doctors at the forefront to astronauts. This to me implies that their actions are so selfless and show such determination and dedication, that their actions appear “out of this world”.

The writer uses multiple perspectives, first person narration and present tense effectively, so that as a reader you become completely invested in the power of the story and you feel a witness to the devastation. I also love how she gave a voice to a huge range of characters impacted by the virus and the actions of the human population of this country, some of which were very unexpected.

It is impossible, I believe, to read this book without drawing comparisons to the current situation. The writer describes how life changed and normal life was put on hold, how physical contact was prohibited and the narrative serves as a warning against carrying on as we have done.

Overall, I have found this a profound and thought-provoking book that really made me reflect on our connections within human society and the natural world. It is an eye-opening book that reminds us of the importance of healthy lifestyles, relationships, and harmony with the natural world.

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I was so excited to be involved in this blog tour and read this book as Jane Renshaw’s book, The Child Who Never Was, was hands down the best psychological thriller I read in 2020.

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Blurb:

They wanted the simple life. What they get is simply terrifying.

The Hendriksen family, Bram, Kirsty and their two kids, are living the dream. They have left the rat race of the big city and moved into a gorgeous, custom-built house in the Scottish Highlands. Bram has already planted up a vegetable plot and is planning to create a wildflower meadow and keep chickens and goats.

But then a dead crow appears on their washing line, their vegetables are weedkilled and someone shoots at Bertie, a gentle guide dog belonging to Kirsty’s mother.

The police say it’s nothing to worry about, it’s just bored local teenagers hanging out in the woods. But Bram is sure that more sinister forces are at work, that these events may be connected to a terrible secret in Kirsty’s past.

And he’s right. As the campaign against them escalates, the family is pulled down into a relentless spiral of terror and violence until the home they always dreamed of becomes a nightmare from which they may never escape.  

No Place Like Home – the stunning psychological thriller from the author of The Child Who Never Was. 

My thoughts:

Wow! She’s done it again. This book has a slightly different feel to it than the previous book, giving it an original feel, but all Jane’s talents at writing in this genre still shine through.

There is extreme darkness in unexpected places in this extraordinary book. A nice, nuclear family, making the move to have a more quiet life now one of their children has flown the nest and they feel more financially stable. Yet their quiet countryside life is soon interrupted with some quite dark and terrifying goings on. The narrative just gets darker, and darker, and darker, starting off with some pretty sick pranks, Internet trolling and vandalism, and ending at the complete other end of the spectrum in terms of criminality. I just loved how this dark and tense atmosphere was established so quickly, and the fact that it juxtaposed so well with this well-to-do domestic life, made it all the more exciting.

There is a huge strength in the way this writer builds characters. Each one has some kind of redeeming or likeable quality, or you are able to see how they are guided or jaded by innocence or loyalty. I have loved getting to know their backgrounds and working out what makes them tick, and then sitting back and watching the action when those issues inevitably arise.

Once again, I have been unable to put this book down and it has provided twist after twist. The tension is ramped up and the ending is explosive and unexpected.

Overall, I have those to be an inescapably dark and consuming book that has hooked me from the first line: “They had wrapped nylon wire around and then around his ankles to hog-tie him, so he couldn’t do anything…”

I have every confidence in saying that this is a five star read and Jane Renshaw has definitely secured her place alongside Lisa Jewell and Arianne Richmonde as my favourite writers in this genre.

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I was drawn to this book by the original title and the dark and engaging cover. I’ve never read anything by this author before but it’s fair to say I’ve been captivated by this book so I’m keen to go back and read the prequel.

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Blurb:

The members of a local support group in a sleepy welsh town are captivated by the new arrival, Sheena Strachan. Each member of the group has a reason for attending. Some hide dark, sinister secrets, and for others it is the highlight of their week.

But what are Sheena’s motives for attending?

The group’s leader, Rose, unexpectedly stops attending meetings. She goes into hiding, and quickly becomes an outcast. And then she is arrested for her estranged husband’s murder.

Did Sheena really have no involvement in his killing?

With Sheena at the helm, the group goes from strength to strength, both in numbers and commitment. But their behaviour is changing. No story is to leave the room. They trust nobody. Men are the enemy. The residents of the previously peaceful town start turning against each other.

Was this Sheena’s plan all along?

One mystery, however, stands out more than all the others.

Who is here to kill who…?

My thoughts:

I have been completely hooked on this book from the opening pages. The characters hide behind a facade of quiet village life and in some cases perfect marriages, successful jobs and beautiful homes. There is a cast of intriguing, cunning, manipulative and unpleasant characters and in lots of cases they seem very frustrated or angry about their current situation. It turns out I actually like books with awful characters, as long as it’s well written like this one is.

The writer uses multiple perspectives which ensure that the psychological element is strong and we get inside these characters’ heads. This sometimes makes the narrative very dark, but also adds to the tension and drama.

The book slowly reveals unexpected connections and relations between the characters until we are faced with the explosive, violent ending. But who deserves to die? And why?

Call me sexist or a closet feminist, but I loved the female secret society in the book and the fact that so much of the control and force of the novel was driven by the female characters.

Overall, I have found this to be a completely gripping, unpredictable and original book that I have struggled to put down. I actually feel like calling this book ‘original’ is not a strong enough word to describe the clear huge amounts of thought and planning that seem to have gone into this book to ensure that it is nothing like other psychological fiction books out there at the moment (in my opinion anyway), whilst still using the best elements of the genre for the benefit for the story.

This is a narrative driven by issues of revenge, frustration and betrayal. It explores these issues in refreshingly new ways and of course it was nice to read a book set in Wales (though I certainly wouldn’t want to be a Pontbach resident!). I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to review it as part of team DBT. Thank you to Emma and the author for my advance e-copy. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

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I was drawn to this book as I devoured and loved Emma’s last book, My Husband’s Daughter. The cover alone of this book made me emotional, so I was intrigued to find out more about the connection between these two characters.

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Blurb:

The tears began to flow. ‘I can’t do this on my own,’ Emily sobbed. ‘I don’t know how.’

When Emily’s husband dies in a terrible accident, she’s not the only wife he leaves behind.

Because, before their whirlwind romance and Emily’s discovery she was pregnant, Pete had been married to Caroline for more than twenty years. A devastating tragedy had torn them apart. But there was a part of Pete that had never fully left his first wife and a secret that would bind them together, forever.

Finding herself lonely, heartbroken, and forced to face life and motherhood alone – Emily is surprised that Caroline offers her support. But Emily knows she needs someone she can trust and rely on. Even if it’s the woman her husband loved before her.

A tentative friendship develops and their lives become entwined. Their bond grows ever stronger as Caroline steps in to help when Emily’s baby arrives unexpectedly early. But it’s not just Caroline hiding a secret. Both of the women who once loved Pete have things they can never admit, without risking a friendship that might be the only thing keeping them both afloat.

When grief begins to take its toll on Emily, she feels sure that Caroline is the only person who can save her and baby Dylan… But should she trust the woman he loved before her – with her life… Or her child’s?

An utterly devastating, but ultimately uplifting, emotional women’s fiction novel about friendship, motherhood and loss. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Susan Lewis and Jojo Moyes.

My thoughts:

This book has definitely lived up to, or maybe even exceeded my expectations. There are so many layers to the book and its characters. Emma writes with such a rawness and honesty that it really impacts and touches you as a reader.

Despite their misgivings, mistakes, and sometimes questionable choices, I really felt a connection with, and sympathy for both the main characters: Caroline and Emily. They appear realistic, complex and in many ways loyal.

Both characters explore the issues of motherhood and specifically, the nature of motherhood as a force of unconditional and limitless love, as well as the high expectations placed on women as mothers. Emma writes about being criticised as a mother:“Words like hailstones on the head of a parent just trying to get it right.” I could totally relate to this as a mother. I feel huge expectations and it triggers my anxiety, and I really feel the difference in the expectations placed on my partner.

This is a highly dramatic and emotionally charged book which makes this a great page turner. I was completely invested in the story and rooting for Dylan’s safety and wellbeing in particular.

Overall, this is an intense and beautiful story with an uplifting message around acceptance and friendship, and one that I have adored reading. I definitely feel this writer is comparable in terms of style and talent to Jodi Picoult and Amanda Prowse.

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I was drawn to this book as I read Samantha’s previous book, The Winter We Met, last year and really enjoyed it. I also loved the beautifully illustrated cover and the way the title just rolls off your tongue.

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Blurb:

A new start can come from the most unexpected places…

It’s been years since Lizzie Lockhart spoke to her parents. But she was safe in the knowledge she knew everything about them. Once upon a time, they were as close as could be. Until they weren’t.

After receiving the earth-shattering news of their passing, Lizzie decides it’s time to unearth some family secrets and find out just who her parents really were… starting with Streamside Cottage. A cottage Lizzie never knew existed, in a place she’s never heard of: the beautiful English village of Leafton.

Leaving behind London, and the tattoo parlour she called home, Lizzie finds herself moving to the countryside. Faced with a tight-lipped community, who have secrets of their own, Lizzie is at a loss for what to do, until her rather handsome neighbour, Ben, steps in to help.

As Lizzie finally begins to piece together the puzzle of her family history she realises she has to confront the truth of the past in order to face her future.

My thoughts:

This is a very original and interesting book that covers some important themes including: family, parenthood, memories and identity, as well as touching on mental health issues.

Once again, Samantha has proved her excellence whilst creating likeable and relatable characters. I really felt like I went on a journey with Lizzie, who comes across as a clever and caring young lady, and I was glad that she eventually got the closure she needed.

This was more of a slow burn read and I have to say it didn’t grip me in the same way the previous book did. However, I do feel that there was a brilliant balance of domestic drama and romance, and I wasn’t expecting that to come across so well.

The ending is executed perfectly, and though some of it was predictable in a comforting and satisfying way, some elements of the ending and the build up to it were completely surprising and unexpected.

Overall, I would describe this is an uplifting and cosy book which has its fair share of secrets and mystery, which is great for nosy readers like myself!

⭐⭐⭐.5