I absolutely adore this author and regularly shout about how fabulous her books are to anyone who will listen! So I am very excited to be on my first (hopefully of many) blog tour for her latest release. ♥️
Blurb:
Could Mr Right-Now actually be Mr Right?
Lexie Whittle thought she had life all sewn up, with a gorgeous husband, a beautiful home and a delightful teenage stepson. Until husband Daryl left to work overseas…and everything changed.
A year later, Daryl and Lexie’s marriage is over. Lexie is fighting to stay on top of the bills, juggling her job at the Blue Parrot 1940s cafe in Leyholme with being mum and dad to stepson Connor in Daryl’s absence.
The only thing keeping her from meltdown is the support she gets from Connor’s godfather: Theo Blake, Daryl’s former business partner. Theo might be a jack-the-lad, drifting from one woman to another, but Lexie knows she and Connor can depend on him.
After one too many glasses of wine leads to them falling into bed together, Lexie and Theo begin a friends-with-benefits relationship. What starts as just sex soon becomes something deeper.
But when Daryl returns, Lexie is faced with an impossible decision. Will she be forced to choose between her feelings for Theo and the boy she loves as a son?
My thoughts:
Probably the biggest compliment I could give this author is to say she is my comfortable, safe, “go-to” author. When others may leave me frustrated, angry or bored, I can guarantee that Lisa’s books will leave me smiling, having spent the last few hours with a wonderful cast of characters, completely escaping reality.
I have loved getting to know the characters in this book. Lexie is an amazing, selfless woman, who has taken on and is juggling much more than most women would even dream of. Theo makes for a fantastic hero. At times he is a bumbling idiot; at others he is a smooth romantic! It was also really lovely to see the story and the idea of love, romance, and dating, from 14 year old Connor’s perspective, as he really does not hold back when it comes to saying what he thinks and feels!
The dialogue between the characters is touching, full of love and care, but also sometimes funny, or even brutally honest. Some scenes are explosive, and a bit sweary! This is tastefully and carefully done though, in order to get over the passion and anger the characters are feeling.
By the end of the book, I had laughed, I had cried and I had wanted to scream at one particularly annoying and self righteous character! However, in true Lisa Swift style and skill, the author brings everything back to an even keel by the end, to leave you with a heartwarming sense of satisfaction and your faith in humanity is momentarily restored!
An emotional, heart warming, beautifully original read that I would recommend to fans of Milly Johnson, Portia Macintosh and Holly Martin. I also think this would make for a perfect read or gift for a young adult who is looking for their first adult romantic fiction read, as Connor’s perspective and central role in the book puts a unique spin on things!
I am very excited to be involved in the first ever “A Quintillion Reads” blog tour! A Quintillon Reads is a wonderful group of bloggers from around the world, who work together to support authors who choose to independently publish their books.
I was drawn to this on by the intriguing cover, which suggests that this book will be about fractured identity, and will have elements of mystery and drama.
Blurb:
Can any good come of longings that a person can never satisfy? If so, good for whom?
Two corpses wash ashore in a picturesque Italian village, the violence that put them there is bound to a long-held secret and two strangers living worlds apart with seemingly nothing in common.
Benedict Grant, a wealthy Londoner, leading a lonely life. Marie Boulanger. a nurse and single mum, struggling to make ends meet in Marseille.
However, a mother’s illicit revelation will set in motion a chain of events that will reshape their identities, stir poignant family affairs and delve into the by-products of lawless decisions.
With this domestic thriller, discover a captivating and moving story of impossible yearnings, weaving mystery and drama peppered with humour. A tale that will stay with you long after its final page and a twist you won’t see coming.
My thoughts:
The author uses the interesting motif and narrative tool of a mysterious text message, sent by someone who wouldn’t normally send text messages, to grab your attention at the beginning of the story. This definitely caused me to become intrigued about what would be revealed.
The use of multiple time lines focus you in on key events, and ensure that the narrative development is of an appropriate pace, as you piece together the puzzle (much like the puzzle on the cover!) However, I found myself having to pay close attention and concentrate hard in order to really follow what was going on.
Benedict is not a likeable character, but I don’t like likeable characters very often – sometimes they’re too boring for print! Benedict is a character who thrives on power and control. However, there is a sympathetic strand to his character as he clearly struggles to deal with many of the things that are thrown at him in the book, including loss, and his hidden sexuality.
Overall, this is a complex, intriguing tale where the author explores lots of human issues, including family dynamics, sexuality, loss and much more. There is an unexpected lightness at times, which is a welcome relief from some of the more serious themes of the book. I also liked to consider what the relevance of the title had, especially the symbol of the ‘magpie’, and this becomes more clear at the end…
I would recommend this book to fans of domestic drama and mystery, who enjoy deep character analysis, original structures and complex storylines!
I was drawn to this book by the cover, which I’m sure you’ll agree is wonderfully eccentric and eye-catching. Also, the title intrigued me as I enjoy reading books that explore the issues of duplicity and deceit.
Blurb:
James Cowper-art dealer, gambler, thief-is going straight and on the brink of redeeming himself with his disillusioned wife, Imani. He’s still broke, but all he needs to take care of that is a rare art find. Then trouble arrives in the shape of a scheming landlord and an unwelcome dinner party with his boss. As events spin out of his control it appears that nobody, including Imani, is what they pretend. And over everything looms one make-or-break question for James: can he get a grip on his exploding life?
My thoughts:
From the blurb, I had certain expectations of this book and I discovered that some of what I found within the pages was quite unexpected.
Firstly, I did not expect to like James Cowper?! The author really manages to really get inside the head of a down-on-his-luck, partially useless, but hopeful and determined man, and some of what she finds there is quite wonderful. I found James to be a loveable rouge character, and found myself saying: “Aww bless him, at least he’s trying!”
I found myself laughing out loud at some of James’ observations, especially when he describes himself imagining his marriage counsellor’s reactions to his failed attempts at trying to re-connect with his wife. His descriptions are vivid, honest and comical. There is also a dry humour and sarcasm laced within the book, sometimes in the narrative, but regularly in the dialogue.
The narrative provides a close look at marital relationships, and is mostly a realistic view. This is definitely not a romance novel!The majority of the action of the story takes place over one evening, when James, much to his wife’s disappointment, has invited his boss and his partner to dinner, and has “forgotten” to tell her about the arrangement. It is clear that the marriage has suffered a number of blows, but the main one is their inability to communicate effectively!
There is already tension when the evening begins, due to Imani’s bad feeling, but the tension begins to grow, and the narrative gathers pace, as the dinner party descends into chaos and leads us towards an explosive and unexpected ending!
I was interested to read that this story had begun life as a play, as whilst reading, I did think that the way the story focuses so much on dialogue and is set in one room, was reminiscent of J B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls and Don’t Look Back In Anger by John Boyne.
This has been an interesting and original book that I would recommend to fans of the domestic drama genre, especially those who enjoy dialogue driven narrative and a cast of quirky and imperfect characters!
I am very excited to be reviewing on the final day of the blog tour for this intriguing and compelling book. I was drawn to the book by the cover, although I must admit I was a little confused. Mint, I thought. Who is that, or what does it mean? The cover image is also one that I assume would look like a beautiful British seaside landscape in full colour, so I was intrigued by the choice to present it in black and white. Does this choice reflect a darkness within the book?
Blurb:
It’s the summer of 1976, and after nine years in prison, James Minter is home to bury his mother.
A history of depression and a series of personal issues has seen her death ruled as suicide.
His refusal to accept that conclusion means he must confront his violent stepfather, deal with the gangster who wants his mother’s shop and, of course, face the family of the boy he killed.
But will his search for the truth in the claustrophobic atmosphere of a small seaside town, and the unpicking of the peculiar relationship his mother had with the Stonemason next door, put his own life in danger?
My thoughts:
My predictions were correct and this is, in many ways, a dark book. It deals broadly with issues such as murder, suicide, domestic violence and arson, therefore it certainly isn’t a choice for the light-hearted reader.
There is something easy and pleasant about S R Wilsher’s style, though. The narrative is cleverly structured, covered an expanse time before and after the main character, Mint’s, prison stay. It also focuses on a number of character’s perspectives, but especially Mint and his younger, vulnerable sister, Lara. Seeing the events unfold through their eyes allowed me to build a connection and an empathy with them. The use of multiple timelines creates tension and provides lots of suspects and suspicious behaviour, which suggests they might have involvement in Abi (Mint’s mother’s) death.
This is a book that subverts some of the conventions of this crime thriller genre. Mint, who begins as a villainous character who has done time in prison for murder, turns out to be a pleasant, protective, loving character who is determined to put his past behind him, and put his family first. There are a number of villainous characters in the book, but one in particular will surprise!
Lara, Mint’s half sister, is perfectly placed to be labelled as, and live up to the name of, a vulnerable, young victim. However, much like her older brother, she is determined, clever and very likeable.
The dialogue between the characters carries much of the action and drama in this book. It is simple and thoughtful, in terms of language and style, but is often quite deep and meaningful, in terms of content. It encourages the reader to think about, and reflect on, lots of different themes including: reality and truth, the position of women, relationships, and memories.
This is not the fast paced and ferocious read you might expect from this genre, but it certainly has many endearing and creative features, including the shocking twists and original structure!
I am very excited to be part of the blog tour for this highly anticipated, brilliantly original and exceedingly dark book!
The tag line for the book, “Three brothers at a funeral. One lies in the coffin. But which one?” was enough to make me want to read this book. This clever tag line tells me that this book will be about: family, drama, mystery and death, and will therefore definitely be my type of book!
This has definitely been a book that has grown on me. The opening is completely engaging – placing us as by standers at the funeral of one of the brothers. We don’t know which one, and we meander through a complex timeline and weave through a number of narrative viewpoints through over 350 wonderfully written pages, before our desire is to know who is to blame, and who is dead, is finally fulfilled.
At first, I was struggling to connect with the characters. I really disliked all of them, and this infuriated me. I soon came to realise that this was entirely the author’s intentions: to present a cast of flawed and morally bereft characters. It allowed me, as a reader, to hold a mirror up to myself, and consider any of my own “little cruelties” as the characters in this book show that they can quickly stack up against you!
Firstly, there’s Will. The first of the three brothers we are introduced to. Will appears to be obsessed with sex and having power over other, usually younger women. He seems to be disrespectful towards women in general, and completely dismissive of the feminist movement or any suggestion of equality.
Luke believes the devil is growing inside him. He is mentally unstable, spiralling out of control, and causing worry and hurt to his close family and friends, especially his mum, for much of the book. Luke is a self confessed alcoholic and manipulative character, openly admitting to using his mental instability to his advantage, in order to have control over certain situations.
Brian was the character I had the most sympathy for, at first. He appears to be the natural leader and organiser, and takes on much of the responsibility within the family – until we get to see Brian’s perspective. This unique insight via the duplicate narratives allowed me to see Brian’s truer self. He is a greedy, selfish man who comes across as ungrateful and controlling. He leeches off family members for personal gain, and exploits people for his own benefit.
I was not even able to find comfort and sympathy in feeling sorry for their mother. I found her to be a domineering, selfish character who was unsupportive of her family, and provided an insight into how and why this family became so cruel and disconnected.
The use of multiple perspectives allow you to see inside the characters’ minds and really explore their inner psyche, including their motivations and reasoning behind their often questionable choices. It also ensures you are faced with not just one unreliable narrator, but a number of them.
There are so many wonderfully original features to this highly compelling story. As well as the duplicate narrative and the complex timeline, the author also provides shocking twists of betrayal and cruelty, with the characters often taking delight or solace in other people’s hurt, failings or problems. The narrative is also laced with dark humour and wit, and is cleverly constructed to ensure that you are completely hooked and left guessing almost until the final page.
I have loved this book, despite, or perhaps because of, these dark, cruel characters. I have been completely immersed in their fractured family life and utterly desperate to know what the outcome will be. It is clear that all of these unlikeable characters deserve to die. But who is lying in the coffin, and why?
I strongly advise that you purchase this book from your favourite bookseller, and find out!
I am very excited to be on the blog tour for this wonderfully mysterious crime thriller. This is the 3rd instalment in the FBI Special Agent Max Carter series, but can easily be enjoyed as a standalone book (which is what I did). I’d seen all the hype around the previous books, and needed to know what the fuss was about!
Blurb:
She opens her eyes and focuses on the room around her. Everything is in place, yet something isn’t right. She walks towards her daughter’s room, calling her name, as she does every morning. But this morning is different. This morning there is no response. Marissa’s daughter has vanished.
Single mother Marissa stands in her daughter’s untidy room. Olivia’s phone is still charging at the wall and her clothes are still hanging in her closet. The mirror above her daughter’s desk is cracked and a message written in red ink reads ‘Never Forget’.
When the investigation into Olivia’s disappearance makes local headlines, people begin to gossip about the missing teenager and it soon becomes clear she had been lying to her mother for a long time. Not only did she have a secret boyfriend, but she had also been talking to her guidance counsellor constantly in the weeks before she disappeared. What was so big that Olivia couldn’t tell?
And when a blood test reveals that Marissa was drugged the night Olivia went missing, fingers point at Marissa’s estranged husband, but he too has vanished without trace. Could a long-buried family secret have put the teenager’s life in danger? And will the truth be revealed before it’s too late for the missing girl?
My thoughts:
I have thoroughly enjoyed this clever and original story. There is the main plot, which focuses on the abduction of Marissa’s daughter, Olivia, and the subplot, which delves into FBI Special Agent Max Carter’s dark and fractured past.
I do enjoy the trope of a missing person or child in a book, and this definitely ensures this book is fast-paced and gripping. I was keen to know what had happened to Olivia, and despite keeping a close eye on the clues and having made my own judgements, I was unable to predict the ending.
FBI Special Agent Max Carter is a stand out character in this book. He is complex, brave and determined. As a result of his devastating back story and his ruthless and committed attitude to work, he quickly became someone I both liked and respected.
Overall, this has been a tense, mysterious and highly original procedural, which I would recommend to fans of crime thrillers and whodunnits.
I am very excited to be involved in an exclusive cover reveal for Olivia Spring’s upcoming novel, When’s the Wedding? I think you will agree that the cover of this book is crisp, sleek and striking.
Blurb:
She’s found the perfect man. Will she get her perfect proposal?
Dog hotel marketing manager Alex has always dreamed of having a fairy-tale proposal: the glorious sunset, iconic backdrop and rose petals – the whole shebang. She’s found her Mr Right, and life with sexy paediatrician Miles is wonderful, except for one thing. Despite saying that he’s ready for marriage, Miles seems no closer to putting a ring on it.
After a romantic getaway to Paris ends in more disappointment and Alex receives news that sends her world into a spin, she decides that her dream proposal won’t just fall into her lap. So she hatches a plan.
Although she’s convinced her methods will lead to Miles popping the question faster than she can say ‘I do’, Alex’s friends warn her it will end in disaster. But a little bit of hint dropping can’t hurt, right?
Will Alex get her happily-ever-after, or is there a reason why Miles is dragging his feet?
Order this fun romantic comedy now and join Alex on her exciting adventures as she attempts to speed up the proposal process, with hilarious results!
When’s The Wedding? is the sequel to Only When It’s Love. It can also be read as a standalone novel.
I have been intrigued and completely excited to read this book since I was involved in the cover reveal a number of months ago. I think you can agree the cover is absolutely stunning, the image intriguing and the colour striking.
Blurb:
When Amy Ashton’s world fell apart eleven years ago, she started a collection.
Just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a life that could have been.
Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves – soon there’ll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery, and Amy’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she’d lost still be hers for the taking?
My thoughts:
This book does definitely not disappoint. The story inside is just as gorgeous as the cover, if not more so. It becomes clear that the cover image is a depiction of Amy’s house. Amy is a hoarder – she is a keeper of things. The items she keeps remind her of happier, more simple times. As a result of keeping these things though, Amy’s house and life has become a little confusing. Though her house is overcrowded, her life appears empty: she seems lonely, and lost. Amy is definitely a character who we are able to empathise with, though I did find her determination to hang on to the past a little frustrating at times.
The book is split into sections, each of which names the types of objects Amy has been hoarding – bottles, mugs and even cookbooks that she admits she will never use. These objects become symbols for Amy’s life in many ways, as they are often stolen (just like her happiness has been stolen), broken (just like her life has been torn apart), and even hidden or forgotten about (Amy comes across as a character that lives on the periphery of society. She is engrossed in her own little world, and her hurtful, mysterious past.
Amy is a character that goes on quite a journey of self-discovery. The book explores some dark topics – memories, drug use, loss, loneliness and social isolation. There are highs and lows within the book. I do believe though, that it is accurate to say that this is a beautifully written, uplifting and heart-warming book. It has served, for me anyway, as a reminder of the importance of being neighbourly, friendly and kind, especially in the current climate, as this support is what brings Amy out of her shell.
I have absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. It is definitely an ideal read for fans Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Rosie Project. This is absolutely incredible debut and one that you do not want to miss.
Book Club Questions:
Is Amy a likeable character? What are her positive and negative traits? How do we learn about who she is?
Overall, I feel Amy is a likeable character. She is a complex character. As I said in my review, I would describe her as determined, craving social and emotional interaction and lonely. She is also a pleasant, creative and quirky character. I think some of her traits can be seen as both positives and negatives. For example, I found her determination to keep things quite frustrating at times, but this same quality is also what causes her to continue trying to solve the mystery of how and why her life fell apart. I believe we learn a lot about who she is from the objects she keeps, as these serve as symbols.
Amy says that her neighbours remind her of school. To what extent are neighbours or workmates like school classmates?
Neighbours are similar to school classmates as they are people who you see every day, but don’t necessarily like or have anything much in common with. They can be a help in times of emergency, but can also be quite a nuisance at times when you don’t want their help or involvement.
What part do the neighbours play in Amy’s life? How does that change throughout the narrative?
At first, the neighbours definitely appear to be nosy, interfering and unwanted nuisances in Amy’s life. As the narrative develops, you can see that the neighbours become more concerned for Amy’s welfare and take a softer approach, providing support when it is most needed. Especially in the case of the lovely Rich!
Why does Amy choose to share her troubled past with a child?
I think, by this point, Amy is really craving someone to talk to. However, she does not want to be judged and may not necessarily be looking for a solution. Or, she knows what the solution is (to face the past head on), but she isn’t ready to do that yet.
Throughout the story, there are hints as to why Amy collects certain things. Which did you find the most memorable/mysterious?
I think I found the cigarette lighters the most mysterious as I was really unsure of their current significance, especially as Amy does not smoke. I was especially confused as to why she wouldn’t give them up at the end, insisting she keep them as they’re only small.
What is the significance of Amy’s attachment to birds?
Birds are a symbol of freedom and peace. While she is stuck in the post, longing for things to be how they were, she is unable to achieve these things. These are also things she felt she had achieved during her happiest moments with Tim.
How did the flashbacks effect the pace of the story? How did the events of the back story compare with the present day events?
The use of the flashbacks definitely slowed the narrative down, so that we could focus on Amy’s whole story and understand her character better. It also provided tension and cliff-hangers to keep me hooked! The events of the back story serve as a mirror, to show the kind of character Amy was, and could be again. The younger Amy we see in the flashbacks is creative, sociable, hard-working, easy-going, fun-loving and most of all: positive. As readers, we hope and wish some of these things will be achievable again for Amy.
Were there any hints that the villain of the story was not trust-worthy?
If there were, I certainly did not pick up on them!
If you were Amy, would you have been able to forgive Chantel?
I think I would have chosen to forgive her on some level, for my own inner peace and to ensure harmony moving forward. How much I would be able to trust or rely on her in future, or get the relationship we had before back, is questionable!
What would you say is the key message of the book?
For me, the two key messages of the book were: to show neighbourliness and kindness to others at all times, but especially when someone appears to be struggling. Also, to not pre-judge or judge others as you don’t know what they have gone through in their past to make them the person they are today.
I thoroughly enjoyed joining Carly on her quest to find, or re-discover, her Mr Right, in my first encounter with Shari Low’s books last year. Therefore, I am very excited to be involved in the blog tour for the follow up!
Blurb: Twenty years ago, Carly Cooper went on an epic quest to track down all the men she’d ever loved and lost in the hope that one of them was her Mr Right. Now, two decades and two teenage sons later, she thinks she might have got it all wrong. As the years have passed, lots of things have changed, leaving Carly asking ‘What Now?’
With a divorce and an empty nest on the horizon, Carly sets off once more to Los Angeles with her band of trusty girlfriends, to find the carefree, wild and adventurous Carly Cooper that she used to be.
On this latest quest, Carly discovers a few home truths and has to decide If her marriage is worth saving or is there a new happy-ever-after out there, just waiting for her…
My thoughts:
I have loved being reunited with Carly and her wonderful fun-loving friends in this hilarious, heartwarming and uplifting sequel to What If?
Shari creates some wonderful characters. Carly is a likeable and complex character, who is clearly adored by her sons and valued by her fabulous friends. I was really rooting for Carly and her happiness throughout this book. The banter, sarcasm and humorous dialogue between the characters provides an uplifting mood, which stands in contrast to some of the more serious themes in the book, including love, loss and being taken advantage of.
Again, Shari has shown her literary talent through hersophisticated use of alternative timelines and flashbacks to develop the character of Carly and for the reader to get to know her journey from the previous story to this one.
Overall, this has been a fun, uplifting and easy read which I have thoroughly enjoyed. It has satisfied my need to know what happened to Carly and her brilliant cast of friends. I would recommend this novel and author to fans of Milly Johnson, Jill Mansell and Heidi Swain.
I am always intrigued by books about families, secrets, deception and lies. As domestic drama is probably my favourite genre of all time, I was eager to be involved in this blog tour and check out this new-to-me author.
Blurb:
The phone call comes in the middle of the night, rousing Danni from her safe, warm bed. The police have found her mother Diana wandering miles from her house, confused and lost. Danni races to her mother’s side – and as usual, Diana doesn’t seem to want her there. But when Danni finds out that her mother is seriously ill, she decides to put the past behind her, and care for her mother in the time they have left.
But as some of Diana’s memories are slipping away, others are forcing their way to the surface. One night she breaks down and reveals that before Danni was born, she had another baby who never got to see the world. Faced with her mother’s heartbreak, Danni vows to do everything she can to bring Diana some peace, hoping that it will mend their fractured relationship too.
Yet as Danni investigates the past, tracking down the aunt she’s never met and searching for her lost brother’s resting place, her good intentions have unexpected consequences as more truths emerge. And there’s one shocking revelation which could change Danni’s life forever. Are some secrets best left buried?
My thoughts:
Bookouture have described this book as compelling and I absolutely have to agree. I picked this book up at 3pm, and less than 8 hours later, despite having to navigate tea and bed time for the kids and logging back on to work, I had finished it. I found myself completely engrossed and eager to know the outcome of Danni and Diana’s story.
The opening of the book is engaging and shocking, aswe are quickly told of Diana’s self-destructive behaviour and her diagnosis as a result of this being flagged to her family, and the authorities. I was completely hooked from this moment on, wanting to know where this domestic drama would lead.
Danni is a likeable character, and at times, appears too good to be true. She is kind, considerate, hard-working, caring and devoted. She stands in start contrast to her mother who is blunt, fiercely independent (or tries to be!), and at times very cruel and unkind. Their relationship is a complex one, and I really felt for Danni not being able to have that loving connection with her mother, and not understanding why. Danni’s desire to be a good daughter and get her mother’s positive attention is almost child-like at times, highlighting the emotional absence she felt as a child.
Though I found this to be an easy read in terms of length and language, it is quite a complex and clever story that brings to the fore many themes and issues around familial relationships, motherhood and sibling rivalry. I have loved viewing being an outsider looking into how the family descends into disharmony and chaos, at times. I have found the twists to be both shocking and unpredictable. This is quite a dark book at times, but the ending serves as an uplifting reminder to not take what you have for granted.
This has been an addictive, gripping and emotional read that I would recommend to domestic drama fans, including fans of Jodi Picoult, Amanda Prowse and Sam Vickery.
*Ceri's Lil Blog* 