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I was keen to be involved in this blog tour as I have previously read Trust Me by this author which I really enjoyed.

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Blurb:

Tucking her little boy Ollie into bed one night, Sarah notices his beloved teddy bear, which she bought him when he was born, is missing and in its place is a new toy given to him by her ex-husband’s new girlfriend, Laura. When she asks Ollie about it, he begins to shift uncomfortably, before whispering ‘Laura told me a big secret and she said I can never tell you’.

Sarah’s heart sinks. But when she raises her concerns, nobody wants to listen. To everyone else, Laura is the perfect stepmother and Sarah is just the jealous ex-wife. But Sarah knew the moment she met Laura she couldn’t trust her, from her overly perfect stepmother act to the way she evaded questions about her own history.

Soon Ollie is asking to spend more time with his dad and Laura, and shrinking away from Sarah. Then, when she calls to him in the garden one day, Ollie doesn’t answer back. The garden is silent. Ollie’s sandpit is empty. Ollie has disappeared.

My thoughts:

Once again, the psychological element of this story is strong. For the most part, I didn’t know who to trust, believe, or who was in the wrong. This is helped by Sheryl choosing to write from multiple perspectives, but mainly Sarah and Laura’s.

Despite not being the main character in many ways, much of the psychological analysis focuses on Laura, (the husband’s girlfriend) and it was really interesting to uncover all aspects of her personality and unpick why she is the way she is.

For me, this was a slow burn read, and much of the action was packed into probably the last 20%, though there were some surprising and creepy events prior to this.

Overall, this has been an entertaining and unpredictable read that I would recommend to fans of psychological fiction and authors such as Shalini Boland, Arianne Richmonde and Miranda Rijks.

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I am very excited to be involved in the blog tour for this book as I know Kim Nash is a highly anticipated and well-loved author of romantic fiction. I also think the cover of this one is beautifully illustrated.

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Blurb:

When thirty-four-year-old Nellie Wagstaff loses her job and discovers her fiancé is a cheating scumbag in a single day, she feels like the world has come crashing down. And that’s before the solicitor’s letter, along with a request to visit a place she hasn’t thought about for a very long time.

Heartbroken, Nellie escapes to the beautiful seaside town of Muddleford in Dorset, where she discovers she’s inherited more than she ever bargained for. Nellie never knew why her mother stopped talking to her sister, but now childhood memories of Muddleford come flooding back: long hot summers, the sea glistening beyond the sandy cove… and a stolen kiss with a boy called Jack.

Jack, now a devilishly handsome vet, has the local pet owners swooning over him, and as Nellie and he become close once more, and she gets used to gossiping with the locals and sipping wine at her beach hut with sand between her toes, she’s sure she can feel sparks flying once more. But just as she thinks she might be able to open her heart again, her newest frenemy, the glamourous Natalia, tells her a secret about Jack that changes everything.

Nellie will never know why her mother and aunt parted ways. She’ll sell the house, forget about Jack, and get back to real life. Because there’s nothing for her in Muddleford… is there?

My thoughts:

After reading, I can see how the cover hints at some of the more reflective and thought-provoking aspects of her novel.

Nell is at a cross-roads in her life, and has some big decisions to make which should not be taken lightly. Straight away, I found Nell to be a likeable and relatable main character. She is someone who loves a list and thinks hindsight is crap. This reminded me of me, and I was invested in her journey from the outset.

I also loved Jack and he may well be my new top fictional crush. He is a respectable family man, who earns an honest living and provides support for Nell when she most needs it. But will there be more to their relationship than a trusting and close friendship?

The friendship between Nell and Shivani really highlights the importance of having someone you can rely on throughout life’s ups and downs. Probably my favourite aspect of the book was the interaction and dialogue between these two characters, as the effective use of colloquialisms and the honesty of their exchanges really brought the story and characters to life and made for some entertaining reading!

Overall, this has been a heart-warming and emotional read about love, loss, trust and true friendship. The dramatic opening gripped me and hooked me in, and I found myself unable to put this one down so I have devoured it in one sitting. Kim Nash is definitely a new favourite and I would recommend her books to fans of Mary Jane Baker, Portia Macintosh and Paige Toon.

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I was drawn to the book by this beautiful and bright cover. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t like to be one of these women right now? It looks idyllic! I am also falling in love with this author’s books and featured her earlier release, Heading Over The Hill, on my blog last year.

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Blurb:

Molly’s seventieth birthday comes as something of a shock. The woman in the mirror certainly looks every day of those seventy years, but inside Molly feels she still has so much more living left to do. Widowed and living alone with her cat Crumper, Molly fears she is slipping into a cliché of old age.

When Molly’s sister Nell appears on her doorstep, distraught that her husband of more than forty years, Phil, has left her for a younger lover, the women decide to seize the day. By the morning, flights are booked, bags are packed, and off they go for an adventure in Spain.

The sun, the sea, the new friends and the freedom are just the tonic for broken hearts and flagging souls. But even Spain isn’t enough to revive Molly’s spirit. A solo journey to Mexico is booked as Molly continues to chase the sun and to chase happiness. Will she find what she’s looking for in Mexico, or will she discover that true contentment can’t be found on a map, but it might just be found in a new flame.

My thoughts:

I loved Heading Over The Hill, and found it be one of those books that at the time I think, “aw that was really lovely”, but later sit back and realise it was even better than I first thought. I wasn’t sure this book would top it, but it has.

Judy is an expert at what she does. The character development again, is spot on. I loved how she was able to fully develop both Molly and Nell’s characters. They are likeable and fun yet complex characters, who have had their fair share of hurt and grief, and I could really sympathise with their desire to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.

This has been quite a dramatic yet uplifting read. There are so many humorous and heart-warming moments. For example, Judy really brings the hilarity of seeing a seventy year old woman take up horse riding, to life. She also explores in quite some detail, yet sensitively, the notion of loneliness and the need for an identity and a home.

Overall, I have found this to be a captivating and brilliant book to get lost in. I have visited two beautiful countries, encountered some wonderful characters and some who can only be described as slime bags. Judy Leigh has a gift for creating characters that could easily be your aunty or next door neighbour. I was rooting for them, and fully invested in them from the beginning. I’d highly recommend this book to fans of authors such as Jessica Redland, Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell.

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I knew this was a blog tour I just had to be involved in as I had been drawn into the hype and attraction surrounding this book long before a blog tour was even announced. It is a unique and original tale that tells a story about what happened after the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605…

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Blurb:

Gunpowder and treason changed England forever. But the tides are turning and revenge runs deep in this compelling historical thriller for fans of C.J. Sansom, Andrew Taylor’s Ashes of London, Kate Mosse and Blood & Sugar.

1606. A year to the day that men were executed for conspiring to blow up Parliament, a towering wave devastates the Bristol Channel. Some proclaim God’s vengeance. Others seek to take advantage.

In London, Daniel Pursglove lies in prison waiting to die. But Charles FitzAlan, close adviser to King James I, has a job in mind that will free a man of Daniel’s skill from the horrors of Newgate. If he succeeds.

For Bristol is a hotbed of Catholic spies, and where better for the lone conspirator who evaded arrest, one Spero Pettingar, to gather allies than in the chaos of a drowned city? Daniel journeys there to investigate FitzAlan’s lead, but soon finds himself at the heart of a dark Jesuit conspiracy – and in pursuit of a killer.

My thoughts:

I was looking forward to reading a book that mixes two of my favourite genres: historical fiction and thrillers. Though this book does fulfill this ambition, as it provides an inescapable and atmospheric sense of place and time, I did find it a little heavy on the detail at times which slowed down my reading of it.

I liked the main character of Daniel and found him easy to identify with. He seems like a ‘normal’ guy, for want of a better phrase. He tries to make the best of every situation and plunges into situations with bravery and determination, despite often being nervous or unsure of what to expect. There were a lot of other background characters and as I didn’t develop a connection with any of them, I was glad to feel invested in Daniel’s journey and able to follow the twists and turns with him.

Overall, this has been an evocative and interesting read that has taken me out of my reading comfort zone. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy detailed and fully immersive narratives.

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I was drawn to this book as I have had the first three books in this original, gripping sounding series on my TBR for some time. I have to admit that unfortunately, due to life circumstances (aka my inexplicable inability to read series books in order and my blog tour addiction), I have not fully read the books prior to this, which is the 4th book in the series. However, I do feel like the way the author provides a well-rounded narrative with well-developed characters and a very definite and effective sense of a specific place and time, means that this book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I also love the cover of this one, and think the red lipstick and font, coupled with the word ‘siren’ evoke a sense of urgency and danger, which is prevalent throughout the book.

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Blurb:

Georgina Garrett has made many enemies, but with every victory she’s only grown stronger. But it only takes one defeat to crumble an empire and is this the one that brings Georgina to her knees?

Sam Michaels returns with her bestselling Georgina Garrett series…

My thoughts:

I love how this author has successfully and effectively created a fusion of two of my favourite genres: gritty gangland crime thrillers, and evocative and atmospheric historical fiction. For me, this is well balanced and evokes a clear mood and atmosphere of danger and urgency, as suggested by the cover.

Of course, I have loved the character of Georgina. She is a strong and complex character, who is well developed. The writer does well to show her ability to be cunning and manipulative as well downright dangerous and violent, but also portrays her more human side, which shows empathy and compassion for others.

I was really pleasantly surprised with the amount of action and twists and turns this book takes. The book opens with Georgina desperate to escape prison, and be reunited with her children. I really thought this would be the crux of the plot, but Sam Michaels takes this much further to ensure that this is a gritty, gruesome and fast-paced read.

Overall, I have found this a gripping book that explores lots of essential traakts of the human condition: namely, a thirst for power, an unquivering loyalty, and a desire and determination to protect those we are loyal to. I found this book to be highly original and an entertaining, if dark, read. I would recommend this book to fans of gangland crime with a more modern setting, as this fine piece of historical fiction definitely carried all those great traits, and more!

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This was my first read by this author, and as with many other Bookouture books, I was pulled in by the bright and intriguing cover.

Blurb:

What if the person you trust most in the world is lying to you?

I’d heard of the Baby Caroline case, of course. When a baby is snatched from her mother’s arms, the whole country knows about it. I knew about the parents left lying by the swimming pool, the open window in the nursery. But I never dreamed it had anything to do with me.

Today, my beautiful daughter turned one. We were unwrapping gifts and blowing out candles when the knock came at the door, and they took my mother away.

The police say she’s not really my mother. That she stole me, thirty years ago.

When I visit her, desperate for answers, she looks me in the eye, and says nothing. I can barely breathe. Is my whole life a lie?

I have to find out, but the more I learn, the more scared I become. And soon I start to wonder, am I losing my grip on reality or is my own daughter in terrible danger?

An absolutely gripping psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell.

My thoughts:

Straight away, I was impressed. This is an author I’ve not read before and she had hooked me in during the opening pages. I was not left waiting for the main event or issue to occur – it happens almost immediately.

Miranda takes many aspects of a good psychological thriller and works well with them. For example, the use of multiple first person narrators. This, to me, is very important for the psychological aspect of such a book, as we are able to get inside their heads, and in return they get stuck inside ours. We begin to build a connection of some kind and in this case, I did find myself at some points feeling sorry for both Marion and Eileen.

I could not predict where this one was going and I loved the fact that just when I thought there was a simple, yet disturbing explanation, Miranda threw another twist or turn into the mix.

This is a psychological thriller that also provides a strong exploration of domesticity, motherhood and the need for an identity. I think these elements, which help to ensure character development, add another fantastic layer to the book.

I have found myself desperate, hungry to uncover the truth behind the situation and have devoured this one quickly.

Overall, I have definitely been impressed by this book and am eager to read more by this author.

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I have to say that the opening line of the blurb pulled me into this book. It tells us that Jia Khan needs to be “twice as good as men, and four times as good as white men.” This suggested to me that this book will likely have a strong and courageous female character at the core, and explore important issues around racism and gender inequality within the narrative.

Blurb:

Be twice as good as men and four times as good as white men.

Jia Khan has always lived like this.

Successful London lawyer Jia Khan is a long way from the grubby Northern streets she knew as a child, where her father, Akbar Khan, led the Pakistani community and ran the local organised crime syndicate. Often his Jirga rule – the old way – was violent and bloody, but it was always justice of a kind.

Now, with her father murdered, Jia must return to take his place. The police have always relied on the Khan to maintain the fragile order of the streets. But a bloody power struggle has broken out among warring communities and nobody is safe.

Justice needs to be restored, and Jia is about to discover that justice always comes at a cost.

My thoughts:

I have loved the fact that this book was set in Bradford, and the way that the author builds a complex picture of the city, through their atmospheric descriptions of race relations, traditions and community relations.

I found the character of Jia to be suitably complex and I began by sympathising with the fact that she felt torn between family loyalty and tradition, and her own personal beliefs and life choices. However, there were definitely ways in which she showed herself to be a harsh and dislikeable character.

There were a lot of issues and themes jam packed into the book, whether they were touched upon or explored in depth, which I thought made this a really important and interesting read. Though it is a little slower paced than what I am used to, I would definitely describe this book as gritty, insightful and thought-provoking.

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I am very excited to be involved in the blog tour for this highly recommended and best selling author. I cannot believe it has taken me this long to pick up one of her books, and I cannot wait to fully explore her back catalogue!

Blurb:

A perfect marriage…

Golden couple Annie and David Crayce have it all. A loving marriage, three beautiful children and a thriving family business. Life couldn’t be better. Until the unthinkable happens…   

A perfect crime? 

A piece of damning DNA evidence has arisen, placing David as the prime suspect of a murder committed twenty-years ago. Annie is sure her David is innocent. But if he isn’t guilty, then either his father or brother must be. 

As the police investigate the cold case, so does Annie. Trawling through her old diaries, she begins desperately looking for answers. But it all comes down to a few lost hours she can’t solve.

And Annie begins to doubt the one person she thought she knew best… Her husband.  

My thoughts:

Wow! I cannot believe that it has taken me until now to pick up a book by this author.

I was gripped from the opening pages, when a body is found of a missing girl and then during the following chapters, we are taken on a complex and gripping journey covering two time frames – past and present – in order to uncover what happened to her.

I have found this book to be quite consuming and extremely difficult to put down. I have found myself thinking and talking about it, even when not reading.

I have loved the dual focus on the building of the criminal case, and the way it is juxtaposed with the crumpling of the Crayce family. I really feel here that Susan has struck a perfect balance between a domestic drama and a crime suspense/thriller.

I have to admit I did not really like any of the characters. They are described as “the perfect family. Until you scratch the surface and out come all the bugs.” They appear to hide behind a facade of wealth and good upbringing, and show elements of deceit, selfishness and in some ways, corruption. The only one I really had any sympathy for was Annie, and only then in the way she tried to protect her children from the full force of the situation by trying to maintain some normality and routine for them, though this does prove futile at times.

I also felt this book was quite relevant due to the recent Sarah Everard situation, as there was quite a number of references towards a negative portrayal of young women, inferring that they can be provocative and culpable for their own fate. “I always said she’d come to a bad end. That’s the trouble with girls these days, they don’t even dress decent so who can blame the poor boys for thinking something’s on offer when it isn’t.”

Overall, I have found this book to be relevant, gripping and excellent book that I would highly recommend to fans of domestic drama or criminal suspense. I am already wondering how any other book I read this month will top this.

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I was drawn to this book as I have heard so much about this author, and she has been recommended to me on many occasions. I was also massively attracted to the bright, vibrant and gorgeous cover.

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Blurb:

Lainey Summers feels blessed to have her dream job writing for a renowned foodie magazine. And the day she goes to interview chef Rick Oliver at his new restaurant—Aleatory—in London’s popular Piccadilly, is the start of an unexpected journey.

When Rick is offered the opportunity to jet off to a monastery in Andalucía, to film a cookery competition for Spanish TV, Lainey goes too, to cover the story.

Spending a month filming in the stunning Spanish countryside, soaking up the sights, sounds, smells and of course the cuisine, Lainey and Rick start to enjoy each other’s company. But their time together flies by too quickly, and before they know it, Rick and Lainey have to face going their separate ways.

With both their worlds shifting beneath them, the call of Andalucia and the call of happiness grows ever stronger. But with everything at stake, will they be able to take the chance of a happy-ever-after…

My thoughts:

After reading, I can see why Lucy is such a popular and best-selling author. There have been so many things I have loved about this one and the tantalising romance has made this book difficult to put down.

I really loved the fact that Lainey and Rick were taking me away to somewhere brighter, sunnier and happier than the current situation. I thought Lucy’s descriptions were gorgeous and animated enough to bring the setting to life, but also subtle enough to not overwhelm the read, or effect the flow of the story.

I loved the developing relationship between Rick and Lainey. It is clear that they both have issues to contend with but they become a huge comfort to one another and that is beautiful to see.

I loved the cookery scenes, especially the cooking competition, as this added another sensory element to the book and another layer of tension, on top of the secrets and rumours that threaten the whole project…

This has been a wonderfully uplifting read that has reminded me what is important in life. Work of course, has its relevance and its important to enjoy what you do, but what is life without love?

I would definitely recommend this gorgeously romantic book to fans of Holly Martin and Portia Macintosh.

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I was drawn to this book by the eye-catching and original cover. I liked the fact that the people in the illustration were faceless as this definitely drew me in and intrigued me. After reading the blurb, I was looking forward to escaping to a new setting – one I’d never read about before in a book, and following Abbie on her journey to starting over.

Blurb:

Divorced and keeping a heart-breaking secret, Abbie Potter is sleep-walking through her life as a publicist at a London football club. She seems to spend more time covering their scandals than celebrating their wins, and has had enough. Though she’s already prepared for a fresh start, some shocking news pushes her to take an opportunity even further from home – in Salt Lake City.

The first morning of her new life, Abbie bumps into Kyle Miller. He’s persistent, and Abbie’s more than intrigued by him. Everything else seems to fit into place too: she has a fulfilling job, is on a journey of self-rediscovery, and has revived her love of music thanks to a new-found friendship.

She can’t risk losing what she’s built for herself, but how can she stop it from slipping through her fingers without shattering the façade she hides behind?

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book for lots of reasons. I liked the character of Abbie, and respected her yet felt sorry for her from the beginning. In a book like this, developing a connection with the main character is so important. I immediately wanted her to find happiness.

This book has a slower pace than what I’m used to but I think the character development was spot on and I thought Abbie came across as not only a likeable character, but a courageous and respectable one.

However, knowing Abbie as I felt I did after a few chapters, I really felt the slower build up of the romance suited the book. Kyle comes across as an average sort of lad, who enjoys the banter and the thrill of the chase a little bit too.

I loved the fact that this book me to a different setting and this definitely added to the romantic and escapist feel. The fact that we went to a part of the world I’ve driven past but never been to, and certainly never read about in a book before, felt really original. I would recommend this book to fans of romance books and books that focus on starting over. I would recommend it to fans of Zoe May, Olivia Spring and Paige Toon.