Review - One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

Well, it's been an incredibly long time since I last posted a book review, but I've decided it's time to reconnect with something I really loved doing and what better way to start than with a review of One Of Us Is Lying. 

I first read One Of Us Is Lying when it was first released back in 2017 and remember really enjoying it to the extent where I gave it a four-star review on Goodreads. Having recently realised that there was a series on Netflix, I went to find my review to remind myself of what had happened in the book but couldn’t find it which prompted me to re-read it. Re-reading it now, I can safely say that I adored the book just as much as, if not more than I did the first-time round. 

Within this book, five high school students find themselves in detention but when one of them doesn’t make it out alive the remaining four become the prime suspects in a murder investigation. The book then takes us on a journey, following the group which are known as Bayview Four to find out whether one of them is really a murderer and responsible for the death of their fellow student. 
 
Despite being a re-read for me, with many years having passed and having read many other books since, I went into this with only a very vague recollection of what had happened within One Of Us Is Lying. As a book which was split into three parts and told from multiple points of view, upon starting the book I became very quickly immersed and invested in the story and the lives of the characters. Although sometimes books that are told from multiple viewpoints can be confusing, One Of Us Is Lying makes it very clear whose point of view we’re reading and it is very easy to follow. The way in which the book was written really allowed the reader to get to know each of the characters, drip-feeding us information about them and their lives. I found all of the characters incredibly likeable and right the way through to the end it was impossible to figure out how the book would end and who would be found responsible for what had happened that day in detention.
 
With so many books on my to be read pile, it is incredibly rare for me to re-read books, but I am so glad that I decided to re-read One Of Us Is Lying. In fact I loved it so much this time round that I didn’t hesitate to award it five stars and borrow the second book in the series, One Of Us Is Next, from my local library. I absolutely can’t wait to read this next book and see where the author takes us next. 

Review - Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon

This book had been on my to be read pile for far too long when I finally got round to reading it. I had very high expectations of Three Things About Elsie and I'm thrilled to say that it did not disappoint me in the slightest. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end and thought that it was, if anything, even better than Joanna Cannon's first book which was The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. This book contained so many wonderful elements and provoked in me a whole range of different emotions from sadness to happiness and everything in between. 

In the book Three Things About Elsie we first meet eighty-four-year-old Florence, the main character of the story, who has had a fall and is lying on the floor of her sheltered accommodation flat. As she lies there waiting to be found she contemplates the events of her life that have led her to be where she is today. Throughout it all she thinks of Elsie her best friend, her voice of reason and the one who has always been there. With the staff where she lives fearing that Florence is losing her memory and threatening to move her to different accommodation, Florence is determined to stay where she is, but she can't deny that strange things have been happening to her of late. First an ornament on her mantlepiece has moved without her touching it, then she finds a cupboard full of Battenberg cake that she definitely didn't buy and why does the new resident, Gabriel Price, look so similar to a man from her past named Ronnie Butler? 

Three Things About Elsie is a book that gradually drip feeds us information about the lives of Florence and Elsie who grew up together and also Ronnie Butler and his connection to Gabriel Price. Their stories are told in a way that makes you want to keep turning the pages, I was invested in the story from the very beginning and loved getting to know both Florence and Elsie. As a book that was told from the perspective of not just Florence but staff from the nursing home as well, the reader is privileged to gain an insight into just what it is like to grow old, experience a decline in mental functioning and not always be believed. 

Throughout the book, Joanna Cannon's writing style that I loved so much throughout The Trouble with Goats and Sheep really shone through and it was a pleasure to be reunited with her work. She wrote in a way that was compassionate and sensitive but also in a way that made the words on the page truly come alive in my imagination with superb description. Within Three Things About Elsie there were several twists and turns that I could not have predicted and absolutely did not see coming in the slightest. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Joanna Cannon has done a superb job with Three Things About Elsie and has written something that is truly beautiful in every possible way imaginable. I am very much looking forward to reading more by Joanna Cannon in the future. 

Review - Bring Me Back by B A Paris

Having read every book that B A Paris has ever written, I can honestly say that she is an author who can do no wrong. Her books are consistently superb and seem to get better and better and Bring Me Back was absolutely no exception to this. A true psychological thriller in every sense, I was hooked on Bring Me Back from the very first page and raced my way through this book, devouring it in just two sittings. 

Twelve years ago Finn’s girlfriend, Layla, disappeared from a rest stop in France in the dead of night after Finn left the car in order to use the restroom. Arrested on suspicion of Layla’s murder, Finn was soon released due to insufficient evidence and cleared of any wrongdoing but Layla was never seen again. Now some twelve years later, Finn has moved on with his life, has a successful career and is even engaged to Layla’s sister, Ellen. However, when a Russian doll turns up on their doorstep, something which only Layla could ever know the significance of, their lives are turned into turmoil and are never the same again particularly when identical dolls quickly follow. Just who is behind these Russian dolls and why?

Although I didn’t particularly relate to any of the characters within Bring Me Back, all of the characters were exceptionally intriguing and all had something about them that I just wanted to get to the bottom of and discover. Out of all of them, Finn was a particularly strong and memorable character, who was clearly tormented and agonised by the past, sometimes struggled to comprehend what was happening in the present but was desperate to uncover the truth something which as a reader I understood. 

One thing that can most definitely be said is that B A Paris knows how to write an incredible psychological thriller, in which there is growing tension throughout and the ending is impossible to predict. Alternating between the past and the present, B A Paris really ensures that the readers get the full picture at all times and are never missing any information. With some very short chapters, B A Paris has created a very readable and unforgettable book, one that very quickly captured my attention and was truly impossible to put down. 

A thoroughly compulsive read, Bring Me Back is a book that not only had me on the edge of my seat but also demonstrates just what a talented author B A Paris is. With this being her third book to date, and the third book of hers that I loved, I will most definitely be back to read more by her in the future. 

Review - The Story of Our Lives by Helen Warner

The Story of Our Lives is a book written by Helen Warner and was the first of her books that I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading before. From the outset I have to say that I found this novel to be very impressive and was one that I enjoyed from beginning to end. As an avid reader, I’ve come across a lot of books that deal with the subject of friendship and whilst The Story of Our Lives is one of them, it was certainly one of the best I’ve ever read. 

When the book begins it’s 1997 we meet Sophie, Emily, Amy and Melissa who all became best friends at university but have not seen eachother for many years. At the time we first meet them, they are reunited at a beautiful cottage in Southwold for what will be just the first of their annual trips away together. As each of the four girls look forward to these trips away, they think they know eachother very well but as they catch-up with eachother as each year passes and reflect on their past lives, a huge secret is soon revealed, one that has the potential to shatter their friendship. 

Sophie, Emily, Amy and Melissa are four ladies who between them have most definitely experienced many ups and downs and highs and lows in life, something which made it so very easy to relate to them and become immersed in their story. Each character was fabulously well developed with each having a strong and distinctive voice and with the book spanning many years, by the end of the book it felt like I was an additional friend of theirs having got to know them all so very well. 

One of the very best things about The Story of Our Lives is the way in which it is written, I simply adored it and thought that Helen Warner has done an absolutely incredible job with it. Containing so much detail that you are never left with questions, the book moves smoothly and beautifully on from one year to the next. I particularly loved the way in which the book used real live events to introduce us to the new year and, although they didn’t relate to the story, they really got me thinking and reflecting on my own life, about where I was and what I was doing at that time. Despite dealing with some difficult themes, there were many memorable moments throughout the book that really cheered me up and put a smile on my face. 

At its very heart, The Story of Our Lives was a fabulously enjoyable and engaging book about friendship that highlighted how even through the hardest of times true friendship will never die. It was a really wonderful introduction to Helen’s writing and has left me feeling incredibly excited to go on and discover more written by her in the future. 

Review - The Summer of Second Chances by Maddie Please

The Summer of Second Chances is the debut novel by Maddie Please and it was one that I absolutely adored. With a gorgeous cover and a beautiful story, The Summer of Second Chances was an uplifting, feel-good read that was so very easy to become immersed in. At a time when I needed it most, this book was the perfect distraction from daily life and was one that really did leave me with a huge smile on my face. 

Within the Summer of Second Chances we meet Lottie who has very recently experienced a very traumatic and difficult time which resulted in her losing everything - her home, her relationship and her money. Desperately in need of somewhere to live, her best friend Jess offers her a roof over her head in the form of a cottage in Devon which Lottie agrees to redecorate in exchange for free rent. Whilst Lottie cannot forget the past, after settling into the cottage she quickly gets to work on it with the frequent help of the handsome neighbour Bryn, but after everything she’s been through will she allow herself a second chance? Will she ever learn to live and love again? 

Maddie Please has created a marvellous character within Lottie whose journey was an absolute pleasure to follow from beginning to end. As someone whose world was falling apart when we were first introduced to her, Lottie was a character who I had a great deal of empathy for and was one who I loved from the start. As I couldn’t bear to be parted from Lottie’s story, I desperately hoped that things would turn out well for her, that she would get to where she wanted to be in life and have the happiness she so desperately deserved. All of the characters that surrounded Lottie were equally as marvellous, including Bryn whose relationship with Lottie was so lovely to see develop and grow. 

The Summer of Second Chances was a book that was so wonderfully written and whilst it was mainly light-hearted Maddie has also included a number of deeper and darker themes within it, handling them in a wonderful manner with much sensitivity and tact. One thing that I particularly loved about the way this book was written was the way in which it switched seamlessly between the past and the present, something which allowed the reader to see the bigger picture. I also adored the way in which this book reinforced an important life lesson about not letting the bad things in life hold us back or prevent us from moving forwards and achieving our dreams. 

All in all The Summer of Second Chances was a gorgeous little book that really did feel like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day. It was a fabulous debut novel and one that has left me feeling really excited to go on and discover more of what Maddie writes in the future. She’s definitely an author to look out for!

Review - Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig

The story of Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig is quite simply a wonderful story about an incredible young girl. Although it may have taken me a while to pick this book up, I am so very glad that I did as I feel certain that the tale of Ginny Moon really is one that I will remember for a very long time. From beginning to end, this was a story that was unique, poignant, beautifully written and so very easy to fall in love with. 

Within the book we meet fourteen-year-old Ginny Moon who is autistic and was removed from the care of her addict mother at a very young age. Having lived in multiple foster homes where things really haven’t worked out, Ginny is now living in her fourth forever home. Whilst things don’t always go to plan for young Ginny, she has been living with her current foster parents for some time and for the most part all are happy. However, as her foster mother prepares for the birth of her baby, things start to fall apart for young Ginny with talk of a new baby reminding her of her “baby doll” who was left in a suitcase at her birth mother’s when social services took her away. Ginny sets out on a dangerous mission to get her baby doll back…

This remarkable tale is one that is told entirely from the perspective of the young Ginny Moon, which allows the reader to really get to know her. Whilst she wasn’t entirely cute or sweet, she was a character who I loved for her bravery, determination and strength in what is, for her, a very confusing and difficult world. I became quickly engrossed and invested in Ginny’s story from a very early stage in the book and struggled to put it down as I was so desperate to see how things would turn out for Ginny. 

One thing that struck me whilst reading this novel was how incredibly realistic the story of Ginny Moon seemed to be and Benjamin Ludwig’s knowledge of autism through his own experiences of adopting an autistic child really did shine through. This book really opened my eyes to a condition that I previously knew very little about and I felt like I learned so very much from reading it, although I didn’t always appreciate the repetitive nature of it. Furthermore, the way in which Benjamin has written this book is absolutely stunning and the writing kept me hooked from beginning to end, with moments of suspense, moments that made me cry and moments that made me laugh. 

Ginny Moon is one of those books that I really do recommend particularly for those who enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I think the tale of Ginny Moon is an important  one, that needed to be told and will hopefully lead to an increased awareness about the condition of autism. For a debut novel it was overall incredibly impressive and I’d definitely be keen to read more by Benjamin in the future. 

Review - Six Little Secrets by Katlyn Duncan

Six Little Secrets is a YA novella written by Katlyn Duncan and one which most certainly reminded me of the John Hughes film, The Breakfast Club. From the moment I first heard about this book I was instantly intrigued and knew it would be one I had to read. With twist after twist and shock after shock, Six Little Secrets was a book that definitely kept me on my toes and was one that I did quite enjoy reading. 

Within this book we meet six students - Zoe, Cece, Quentin, Jackie, Teddy and Holly - who all gather together one Saturday morning for a detention. All from different cliques, these are six students who would not normally socialise or talk to eachother. However, soon after their detention begins, something dark happens and it becomes apparent that each of them is holding a very dark secret and that nobody is there by accident. As each of them in turn receives instructions that they must follow or face the consequences for not doing so the question on everyone’s mind is who is doing this to them and why? 

Throughout the duration of the book we get to hear from each of the six characters who are gathered for their Saturday morning detention, but possibly due to the short length of the book I never really felt like I got to know them. I felt that this was quite a shame as I feel certain that there was more to each of the characters than their secret. At the start of the book each of the characters seemed so very different from eachother that it was impossible to imagine how their lives could ever be connected. Therefore it really was quite incredible and fascinating to find out exactly how they all join up and link together. 

One thing that I didn’t realise prior to picking up Six Little Secrets was that it was actually a novella. Given its short length, I read the book an incredibly short of space of time but couldn’t help feeling that the entire book seemed far too short and lacked any real depth or description to it. Despite this I really did enjoy the premise of the book and thoroughly appreciated Katlyn’s writing style and thought it was perfect for the genre of the book - gripping, fast-paced and quite unpredictable. 

Six Little Secrets was an enjoyable book but was one that would most certainly have worked better as a longer read, which would have allowed Katlyn more time to go into more detail and develop on both the themes and characters that she presented to us throughout the book. That said I feel it would be a perfect read for those who enjoyed watching The Breakfast Club and I would definitely be interested in reading more of what Katlyn writes in the future. 

Review - Anna by Amanda Prowse

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed books written by the incredibly talented author that is Amanda Prowse and was very excited to begin reading her latest story Anna. Being slightly different from her other novels, Anna is the first of the One Love, Two Stories series which will soon be followed up in April by Theo. Anna was a story that more than lived up to the very high expectations I had of it and I absolutely adored reading it from beginning to end. 

When we first meet Anna Cole she’s very young and living in a South London flat with her mum who she loves with all her heart and her big brother Joe who she adores despite his troubles. Meanwhile, all she knows about her father who she’s never met is that he drives a black cab and whilst her life isn’t perfect she’s happy enough. Fast forward to when Anna turns 18 and it’s safe to say that she’s suffered a lifetime of unhappiness, having lost her mother at a young age, her brother to drugs and having lived in care. Things don’t become any easier as she struggles to make a successful life for herself in London but several years later she meets Theo, who despite having a very different past to Anna seems to be absolutely perfect for her. This is Anna’s version of what is a truly unforgettable love story. 

As I have come to expect from a book written by Amanda Prowse, within Anna is a character who has experienced an incredible amount of adversity but is a strong, caring and inspirational young woman. Throughout the novel, Amanda successfully manages to capture every emotion that Anna is feeling and she was a character who I both admired and empathised with from a very eary stage. As I read Anna’s story and discovered her hopes and dreams, I couldn’t help but hope that they would become a reality and that everything she wished for would one day come true. 

Throughout the entirety of Anna, Amanda Prowse’s signature writing style that I have always adored really does shine through. With an incredible talent for creating powerful, emotional and engaging stories that will stay with you for a lifetime, Amanda always writes about real life issues with sensitivity and tact which was certainly the case within Anna. Amanda’s writing within Anna was also incredibly poignant and heartfelt, with plenty of important messages, moments that made me laugh and moments that made me cry. 

Sometimes you come across a book that needs to be rated more than the standard five stars available on the likes of Goodreads and Amazon - for me Anna is one of those books. This was an exceptional story that I truly loved and I cannot wait to read Theo’s side of the story when it’s published next month. Believe me when I say that you will not be disappointed by this book!

Review - The Silence Between Breaths by Cath Staincliffe

The Silence Between Breaths by Cath Staincliffe is perhaps one of the hardest books that I’ve ever had to review, something which is largely due to its subject matter. With so much time having lapsed since I first downloaded this book, I went into it with very little idea what to expect but have to say that it truly did pull me in and have me hooked from the very first page. Whilst I can’t say that it was a particularly happy or uplifting read, one thing that can definitely be said is that it was extremely powerful and emotive. 

Within this particular novel, eight passengers board coach B of the 10.35 train from Manchester to London Euston and settle into their seats for what will be an almighty journey. All with different reasons for boarding the train, whether to attend a job interview, family wedding or little holiday, many begin their journey full of hope for the future with little to burden them. That is all except for Saheel, a man with terrible intentions who unbeknown to the other passengers has a bomb concealed in his rucksack which he intends to wreak havok with and destroy innocent lives, hopes and dreams in the process. 

The Silence Between Breaths is told from the perspective of the eight different people who are on board the train in addition to Saheel’s sister who is at home when the atrocity takes place. As such it did take me a little while to get into the swing of the novel and remember who everyone was. However, this didn’t last long and I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed by how fabulously developed each of the characters were. As we got to know more and more about the lives of each of those on board the train, I found it harder to read without wondering who would survive. 

Cath Staincliffe has created a novel that was extremely powerful, moving and thought-provoking that really highlights the importance of making the most of each and every moment you get to share with those you love. Despite being rather gripping to the point where I struggled to put it down, it certainly wasn’t a pleasant or easy read but was extremely topical in nature. With events such as what took place within this novel, being reported far too frequently, I couldn’t help but be filled with a sense of sadness that this book is not purely a figment of an author’s imagination. I think Cath is to be commended for how superbly she has pulled this novel off, with a vast amount of sensitivity and tact throughout. 

The sort of book that made me want to hug all those that are dear to me and tell them how much they are loved, The Silence Between Breaths was a book that has had an incredible impact on me and is a book that I will not be able to forget for a long time to come. This was the first of Cath Staincliffe’s novels that I have ever read before and I can guarantee that it will not be the last as I’m now looking forward to discovering more of what she has written. 

Review - Watching Edie by Camilla Way

Watching Edie is the debut novel by Camilla Way and I have to say that it was an astoundingly good and thoroughly addictive read. This was one of those books that once started was truly impossible to put down and I found myself racing through it at an incredible speed, devouring the entire book in just one sitting. Relatively creepy in nature, this was a book that got right under my skin in a way that I was not expecting and in a way that no book has done in a very long time. 

Within the book, Camilla Way introduces us to Edie and Heather, two women who formed an unlikely friendship when they were at school. Having gone their separate ways many years ago, Edie is now thirty-three years old, heavily pregnant and living alone with a lot on her mind so is a tiny bit surprised to open her front door one day and find Heather on the doorstep. Not knowing what to say to Heather, someone who Edie hoped never to see again, memories of the past come flooding back. Just what happened all those years ago that kept these girls apart for so long and why has Heather come to find Edie now? 

Whilst I wouldn’t say that either of the characters that we met throughout Watching Edie were particularly likeable, one thing that can definitely be said is that they were thoroughly intriguing. With both Heather and Edie being fabulously crafted, I quickly became involved in their story and was so keen to discover just what happened between them all those years ago. From the very start with Edie’s shock and surprise at Heather arriving at her house being so incredibly palpable, I knew that something signifant had taken place between the two and as the book progressed it delved further into the minds of each of the characters, revealing exactly what made each of them tick. 

Watching Edie by Camilla Way was a book with an extremely compelling plot that contained so many twists and turns that I did not see coming and were truly impossible to predict. Camilla has written Watching Edie in a truly fabulous way, with each chapter being told from the perspective of both Edie and Heather, alternating between the past and present day. As the tension built at an incredible pace, you just knew that something big was going to happen and I found that I was both impressed and shocked by what was truly a spectacular ending that will stay with me for a long time to come. 

As a book that deserves an incredible amount of both attention and success, Watching Edie is a book that I absolutely adored from beginning to end. A true psychological thriller, written by someone who I feel is an exciting new voice in the genre, I’m thoroughly looking forward to discovering and reading more from Camilla in the future. If I could give this book more than five stars I would!

Review - My Husband the Stranger by Rebecca Done

My Husband the Stranger by Rebecca Done was a book that had been sat on my shelf for an awful long time before I finally picked it up. Despite not being a particularly upbeat read, this was a novel that touched me in a way that I honestly did not expect in the slightest. From beginning to end I found it to be such a beautiful and sensitively written novel that captured the true meaning behind how extremely possible it is to find love in the face of adversity. 

Within this novel we are introduced to Alex and Molly who first meet whilst on a night out in London. With it being love at first sight, it’s not long before they marry eachother with a life of hope and a long and happy future ahead of them. That is until one fateful night when Alex has a terrible accident, which leaves Alex with brain damage. Having promised to love Alex in sickness and in health, as he becomes unrecognisable before her eyes Molly’s resolve is soon tested. Can she learn to love the man who Alex has become?

With each chapter being told from the perspective of a different character and alternating between the past and the present, I felt that I really got to know Alex and Molly as individuals and became really engrossed in their story extremely quickly. I felt a huge amount of admiration for Molly’s character and as the book progressed there were many times when I felt like I was walking in her shoes, thanks to the fantastic way in which Rebecca really captured her emotions. Throughout the entirety of the book, I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do if I was in Molly’s position. 

My Husband the Stranger is not your standard love story but is instead one that has a real substance and depth to it. Despite not being a particularly fast-paced read, I thought that it was an incredibly well written book that really reflected how life can feel when faced with a challenging situation, how there’s no easy way out or quick solution. To write a book such as My Husband the Stranger you really need to have researched your subject matter and it’s evident that Rebecca has done this, creating something that seems to incredibly real and also so sensitively written. 

An emotive, powerful and hugely thought-provoking read, My Husband the Stranger is a book that I’m so thoroughly glad to have read. It was one of those stories that I know will stay with me, one that I know I won’t be able to forget for a long time to come. My Husband the Stranger was the first book of Rebecca’s that I’ve ever read but I’m really looking forward to reading more by her in the future. 

Review - Christmas at Butterfly Cove by Sarah Bennett

Earlier on this year I had the absolute pleasure of reading Wedding Bells at Butterfly Cove by Sarah Bennett and absolutely loved it. Having enjoyed it so much, I couldn’t wait to get the started on Christmas at Butterfly Cove, the third book in the Butterfly Cove series. As I’d hoped it would be, Christmas at Butterfly Cove was a delightful festive treat and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading from beginning to end.

Throughout Christmas at Butterfly Cove,  Sarah's beautiful writing style that I grew to love so very much during the previous book in the series really shone through. There were moments that made me howl with laughter, and others that were so sensitively written that I couldn't help but find myself with a tear in my eye. With some familiar faces appearing throughout the book and reference being paid to things that had happened earlier on in the series, I felt totally at ease reading Christmas at Butterfly Cove. It really did feel like I was returning home after a long time away to catch up with some long lost friends. As such although I feel it would be possible to read Christmas at Butterfly Cove as a standalone novel, I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series first. 

Christmas at Butterfly Cove is like one wonderful Christmas present in the form of a novel and I feel that it is a truly incredible ending to what has been a fabulous series of books. Despite missing the first book in the series, I have thoroughly enjoyed every thing about it and know that I will miss Butterfly Cove and its residents so very much. That said I am truly delighted to have had the opportunity to discover Sarah as an author and I'm thoroughly looking forward to reading whatever she may write next.

Review - Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Carla Burgess

It’s that time of year again when it finally becomes acceptable to read Christmas books and I honestly couldn’t be happier. My first festive read of this year was Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Carla Burgess and I have to say that I thought this was a truly gorgeous book. As well being a fabulous way to begin the Christmas reading, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe certainly provided a wonderful introduction to Carla’s writing whose previous books I haven’t yet read. 

In this book we meet Rachel Jones who, having taken over her parent’s florist business, enjoys 

creating gorgeous floral displays to put a smile on other people’s faces. As the end of another busy day approaches, the new tenant who will be living in the flat above her shop enters.  His name is Anthony Bascombe, a very attractive man who asks Rachel out to dinner - an invitation which Rachel is delighted to accept. Whilst Rachel learns that Anthony is a Detective and they seem to hit it off, what she doesn’t immediately realise is that Anthony is not looking for romance with her but wants answers about how to find her ex-boyfriend. As the story progresses, will Anthony change his mind and take a chance on Rachel? 

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe was a book that was full of some really fabulous characters. Although I thought that the way he went about getting the information for his police investigation regarding Rachel’s ex was slightly underhand, Rachel and Anthony were two characters who worked really well together. The chemistry between them was evident from the start and as such I desperately hoped that something good would come of their relationship. Another character who really stood out for me was Bobbi whose story was extremely powerful and really highlighted what Christmas is all about - family and friends! 

What I loved about Meet Me Under the Mistletoe was how easy it was to become immersed in the story and this is undoubtedly due to Carla’s fabulous writing style which pulled me in from the very first page. With some truly wonderful description, I could picture everything perfectly and really felt like I was there with the characters.The amount of emotion and devotion that Carla has poured into Meet Me Under the Mistletoe really shines through and I found that it was impossible to put down. 

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe was a heartwarming, magical and highly enjoyable read that is guaranteed to leave readers with a smile on their face and in the festive spirit. I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to read this book and discover Carla as an author. I’ll definitely be catching up on her previous books! 

Review - Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Where to start with this review for Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough except for to say that it was one of the most compelling and addictive reads I’ve read in quite some time. Having heard a lot about this book, one that has become famously known for its “#WTFThatEnding”, I was expecting great things from it and great things it certainly delivered. All I hope is that this review can do this incredible book the justice that it so desperately deserves. 

Louise is a single mother to a young son and works part-time as a secretary at a psychiatry office close to where she lives. Whilst her son means the world to her, the one thing Louise would really like is to meet a man so she is delighted when she meets David in a bar one evening. Feeling an immediate connection with David, she can’t help but wonder whether she will ever see him again and is therefore totally surprised to discover that David is not only her new boss but also a married man. Whilst Louise and David continue to have an affair, one day she meets his wife Adele who is utterly intriguing and the two quickly become good friends. But as Louise soon discovers as she becomes more and more involved with the lives of both David and Adele, things between the couple are not as they seem, they are far from OK…

Behind Her Eyes is predominantly told to us from the perspectives of both Louise and Adele, two very strong females who both have very different but very complex histories. With each of the characters having a very distinctive voice, I thought that this way of telling the story worked very well and never struggled to identify whose story we were reading. Although I can’t say that I found either Louise or Adele to be particularly likeable and struggled to relate to anything that the characters were going through, I quickly became involved with their lives and couldn’t help but wonder just what was going to happen to them next. 

To have created something that is as completely and utterly mindblowing as it is, one thing that must be said is that Sarah has an incredible imagination. Despite being quite complex and descriptive in nature, I found that it became extremely addictive within a very short space of time. Behind Her Eyes was certainly a thoroughly unpredictable read and although it took me a few re-reads to understand what had happened, “#WTFThatEnding” has never been more appropriate! 

A crazy, compelling and compulsive read, Behind Her Eyes is a book that I’m so glad to have finally read. It’s certainly a book that you have to read to appreciate the magnificence of and if you haven’t yet read it I highly recommend that you do so. I’ll definitely be back to read more written by Sarah in the future! 

Review - Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan

Holiday in the Hamptons is the fifth book in the From Manhattan with Love series that’s written by the fabulous Sarah Morgan. Having been a huge fan of Sarah’s ever since I read the first book in the series, Sleepless in Manhattan, I couldn’t wait to get started with it. As I hoped and expected it would, Holiday in the Hamptons turned out to be a truly delightful book, that is perhaps my favourite of the series so far. 

Holiday in the Hamptons allows us to find out more about Harriet and Fliss, twin sisters who live and work in Manhattan where they both own and run a very successful dog walking business. Whilst they are both happy and seem to enjoy life in Manhattan, when her ex-husband Seth appears on the scene Fliss wants nothing more than to run away and hide. So when their elderly grandmother suffers a fall and needs looking after in the Hamptons, Fliss jumps at the chance to escape from Manhattan. However, what she doesn’t realise is that Seth working in Manhattan was only ever a temporary measure and that he would soon be returning to his home in the Hamptons. 

One thing that has to be said for this book is that Sarah has a real talent for creating characters who you can’t help but fall head over heels in love with. Throughout Holiday in the Hamptons, Fliss and Seth were two of these characters who worked really well together and I absolutely loved getting to know them both. I particularly enjoyed learning about Fliss’ background and the impact it had on her as a person today. The relationship that she had with both her twin sister and grandmother was fantastic and a real pleasure to read about. 

As with all of the books in the From Manhattan with Love series, Holiday in the Hamptons is one that can very easily be read as a standalone novel thanks to Sarah’s wonderful way of really setting the scene for her readers and providing plenty of background information. Sarah’s fabulous writing style that I have truly grown to love over the series of books, is present throughout the entirety of Holiday in the Hamptons with plenty of moments that made me laugh and some that also brought a tear to my eye. 

The one thing I have loved about all of the books in the From Manhattan with Love series to date is the way in which they always convey some really important messages that are both inspirational and uplifting. As a book that touches on a number of different themes, Holiday in the Hamptons, is a book that does exactly this with perhaps one of the most key messages for me being the importance of listening to those who truly value, believe in and feel positively about us. 

Holiday in the Hamptons was a truly brilliant book and the perfect way to continue a series that I have adored so very much. As someone who read the book in the middle of autumn, it really did put a smile on my face and was my little bit of sunshine on a rainy day. I thoroughly recommend this and all other books in the From Manhattan with Love series and am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Moonlight over Manhattan very soon. 

Review - Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher

Ever since the release of Billy and Me, a book which I adored for so many reasons, I have always looked forward to new releases from Giovanna Fletcher. Some Kind of Wonderful is Giovanna’s most recent title to hit the shelves and, despite an ever growing pile of books to be read, I couldn’t wait to get started on it as soon as it dropped through my letterbox on publication day. Some Kind of Wonderful was a book that did not disappoint me in the slightest, it told a beautiful story and was one that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. 

Some Kind of Wonderful introduces us to Lizzy who has been in a relationship with Ian for almost a decade since their first day at university. Everyone assumes that it is only a matter of a time before they will one day be married and that a romantic holiday in Dubai will be the place where Ian finally pops the question. However, it is not to be and Lizzy is truly devastated when the proposal she has always dreamed of never happens and Ian reveals that he no longer wants to be with her. Returning home to England and her family home, we stay with Lizzy as she mends her broken heart and tries to rediscover exactly who she is and more importantly who she wants to be now that Ian is no longer in her life. 

Something that I have always loved about Giovanna’s previous books and what helps to make them so fabulous are the wonderful characters that she introduces us to. Her lead characters are always so perfectly created and thought through and this was certainly the case with Lizzy in Some Kind of Wonderful. I thought that Lizzy was an extremely likeable and down-to-earth character whose journey was a pleasure to follow. By the end of the story I felt like I’d really got to know Lizzy and had so much admiration for her and the things she was determined to achieve. 

You might think that a book that begins with a breakup would be full of doom and gloom but this is definitely not the case with Some Kind of Wonderful which turned out to be a truly inspirational and uplifting read. Throughout the entirety of the book, Giovanna’s fabulous writing style that I have grown to love so much over the years really shone through and is perfectly balanced with some hilarious moments but also a few that brought a tear to my eye. As I found myself completely hooked on this book and unable to put it down, another thing I loved about it was the way in which it made me realise what’s important in my own life and the important message it contained about everyone deserving to be happy. 

Every now and then you come across a book whose title is so entirely appropriate and Some Kind of Wonderful was one of those books as it really was absolutely wonderful, a real little gem. With Giovanna’s books getting better and better and this being my favourite to date, I’m already really looking forwrad to seeing what Giovanna will write for us next. 

Review - Obsession by Amanda Robson

Obsession is the debut novel written by Amanada Robson that was labelled as a psychological thriller. As someone who thoroughly enjoys reading books of this genre, I couldn’t wait to begin Obsession and went into it with very high hopes. One thing that can definitely be said about this book is that it was a thought-provoking and shocking read the likes of which I’ve never read before. It certainly stands out from the crowd!

Carly and Rob have been married for several years, work at the same GP surgery and have had three children together - Pippa, Matt and John. One day Carly asks Rob who he would go for if he wasn’t married to her and is totally unprepared when he reluctantly says Jenni Rossiter, their friend of many years who is married to Craig. Although he doesn’t know it at the time, this revelation is one that has a number of consequences that turn out to be truly catastrophic and will completely change the lives of each and every one of the characters in one way or another. 

The story is told from the perspectives of each of the four main characters - Rob, Carly, Jenni and Craig. As a story that is told in this way, I felt that this is something that works really well as it allows the reader to get to know each of them as individuals and really get inside their heads. Whilst I couldn’t relate to the vast majority of what the characters were going through and thought that their behaviour was often quite bizarre and bordering on unbelievable I found that I became extremely involved with their lives, relationships and secrets.

Although I wasn’t massively keen on the erotic scenes that appeared within Obsession, scenes which in my opinion occurred far too frequently and unnecessarily and my rating of the book reflects this, I must say that I think Amanda has done a spectacular job with the book. Throughout the book we see Amanda deal with a number of different themes, including depression, alcoholism and paranoia to name just a few whilst the tension builds continuously. I thought that the book was incredibly well written in an engaging style, with Amanda raising a number of questions throughout that left me desperately turning the pages to find out the answers to them. 

Every now and then you come across a book that is appropriately titled and for me Obsession is one of those books - the characters were obsessed with eachother and I found that I was well and truly obsessed with it. For a debut novel I thought that it was very accomplished and it’s certainly left me looking forward to reading more by Amanda in the future. I feel certain that we will see many more great things from her!

Review - The Secret by Katerina Diamond

The Secret was the second book written by Katerina Diamond that I’ve read and is the second in the series of books featuring DS Imogen Grey. Having read The Teacher, the first book in the series, I was looking forward to being reunited with DS Imogen Grey within The Secret. Although it took me far longer than planned to get started on it, I have to say that I found it to be a thoroughly engaging and compelling read that really did have me on the edge of my seat. 

At the start of the book we are introduced to Bridget, an undercover police officer who is playing the part of a prostitute in what can only be described as a brothel. One evening, after two men break into her apartment whilst she is upstairs and murder two of the girls she works with and one client, Bridget is forced to go on the run. However after passing out whilst on the run, Bridget wakes up to find herself in a locked basement room where she is held hostage and visited regularly by a captor who she doesn’t know. Assigned the task of finding out what happened to Bridget is DS Imogen Grey and her colleague DS Adrian Miles. As the investigation gets under way Imogen can’t help but feel that this case is connected to a past case she was working on and the past is really not a place that she wants to revisit. 

The Secret is a novel that is told from the viewpoint of multiple characters - Imogen, Bridget, Adrian and a boy who is clearly very disturbed. Each of these characters had a very distinctive voice and I thought that Katerina had done a fabulous job at allowing us to get to know each of them with some fantastic character development throughout. Although not essential to have read the first book in the series, it’s something that I would recommend to appreciate the characters and the events that have happened to them previously that The Secret sometimes refers to. 

The first book in the series, The Teacher, contained lots of gory and graphic moments and this was something that I struggled with. I have to say that I thought there were far fewer of these scenes within The Secret and this was something that I personally appreciated very much. Another thing I loved about this book was the way in which it was truly unpredictable from beginning to end, with so many twists and turns that you felt you were discovering the leads at the exact same time as the police. In fact the only negative for me was that it jumped around between the past and present quite a lot, sometimes making it quite difficult to keep track of what had happened previously. 

With this now being the second book by Katerina that I have read, I can honestly say that I feel she is an author who will continue to deliver great things as an author. I’ve really enjoyed follwing DS Imogen Grey on her investigations to date, and feel that I am now in a good position to pick up the third book in the series - The Angel - that has recently been published. I’m very much looking forward to seeing where life will take Imogen to next! 

Review - The Big Little Festival by Kellie Hailes

The Big Little Festival by Kellie Hailes is book number two in the Rabbit’s Leap series of books, but was actually the first that I’ve read. Having been instantly attracted to this book thanks to a simply adorable and eye-catching cover, I went into this book with high hopes and I’m delighted to say that it did not disappoint me in the slightest. It provided a fabulous introduction to Kellie Hailes’ wonderfully fun and engaging writing style and made for the perfect summer read! 

Within this book we meet Jody who is a single parent to twin boys. Having once been helped and supported so much by the village in which she lives, Jody really wants to give something back to Rabbit’s Leap by raising funds to rebuild the local swimming pool. Determined to host a village festival to raise these all important funds, she employs the help of the very handsome Christian, a hugely successful and talented event planner from London. As they start to prepare for the festival, it’s safe to say that Christian makes a pretty big impact on not just the village of Rabbit’s Leap but Jody too - could a village romance on the cards?

Undoubtedly, the characters in this book were what helped to make this book as fabulous as it was. As one of the main people in the story, I have to say that I really loved getting to know Jody and seeing just how devoted and dedicated she was to her children and Rabbit’s Leap. Although her behaviour towards Christian sometimes seemed a little strange, as we got to know Jody more we learned that she had very good reasons for this. The chemistry between them was evident from very early on and I spent so much time desperately hoping that things would turn out well for the pair. 

Knowing that The Big Little Festival was the second book in a series, I was a bit worried that I’d feel a bit lost and not know who any of the characters were. However, I can safely say that this was not the case at all thanks to the way in which Kellie really goes the extra mile to set the scene for the reader. One thing I particularly loved about the way in which this book was written was that it was so fun and upbeat, with plenty of community spirit, humour and romance throughout. The more I read, the more I fell in love with the village of Rabbit’s Leap, a place which really did capture and come alive in my imagination. 

As a book that can easily be read as a standalone novel, The Big Little Festival was a book that I truly adored from beginning to end. I fell head over heels in love with Kellie’s way of telling her readers a story and am truly looking forward to being reunited with both her writing and Rabbit’s Leap again in the future. If you’re looking for a little bit of sunshine on these dull, dark and rainy autumnal days then I highly recommend The Big Little Festival to you. 

Review - The Snow Globe by Judith Kinghorn

As someone who doesn’t normally read much historical fiction, The Snow Globe by Judith Kinghorn was definitely a little bit out of my comfort zone. However I can honestly say that I am so incredibly glad that I picked this book up, because it was truly wonderful. With what is a very stunning cover, The Snow Globe was the first of Judith’s books that I have ever read before and I thought that it provided a fabulous introduction to her writing. 

Within the book we meet Daisy whose most treasured possession is a snow globe which she was given by her beloved father when she was just five years old. Featuring a perfect replica of their family home within it, Daisy proudly displays it every Christmas. As we join Daisy and her family in the run up to Christmas 1926, she soon discovers that her dear father is not as perfect as he’s always seemed. As huge secrets are revealed, Daisy’s life is thrown into turmoil and the question is just how will it all turn out for her?

One thing that became apparent whilst reading The Snow Globe is how talented Judith is at creating characters. Each character that we met throughout the book, really came alive in my imagination and seemed incredibly realistic. Whilst I didn’t relate to all of them, I was still interested in their stories and I thought that Daisy was a wonderful lead character. Despite the difficulties she was experiencing, Daisy was a character who was very easy to like thanks to her strength and determination. 

With writing that flows so nicely, Judith Kinghorn has created a book that is an absolute dream to read despite a few occasions when I found myself a bit lost as to who all the characters were and where they all fitted in. One thing I particularly loved about this novel was the way in which the title of the book was so very appropriate and really summed up the story as a whole - Daisy’s life and everything she thought she knew had been shaken up like a snow globe leaving her to watch it all land and see what the repurcussions would be. Judith’s writing was incredibly engaging and kept me interested from beginning to end. 

The Snow Globe is a book which I feel would definitely appeal to fans of shows such as Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs. It was such a pleasure to read this novel, to try and love something that was so very different to what I would normally read. Having finished The Snow Globe feeling nothing but entirely satisfied, I’m really looking forward to discovering more of Judith’s novels.