The Only One Left By Riley Sager

The Only One Left By Riley Sager

Everyone believes that Lenora Hope is a mass murderer.

When the Hope family was massacred decades ago, she was the only one left after that tragic night.

Mute, paralysed and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora has never been able to tell her side of the story.

Until her new live-in caregiver Kit brings her a typewriter.

And with one working finger Lenora begins to type:

I want to tell you everything.

My Thoughts:

When Kit comes into to be a live in care giver to Lenora Hope, she knows Lenora’s back story and what happened to her and her family many years ago. When Kit brings in her typewriter to help Lenora communicate, will she finally tell her side of the story? I loved the first half when the story was building up, it was tense and a little creepy, there are plenty of twists to keep you guessing but for me unfortunately the second half was a let down, it was all over the place and unconvincing and I really did not enjoy it. I think this is my first book by Riley so I may or may not read another one.

Get your copy here:


The Names By Florence Knapp

The Names By Florence Knapp

It is 1987, and in the wake of a great storm, Cora sets out with her young daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband expects her to follow tradition and call the baby after him – but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men? Her choice will shape the course of their lives.

Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, hoping he will grow up to be brave and big-hearted. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, keen for him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image – but is there still a chance to break the mould?

Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.

My Thoughts:

If you are after something completely different to read, this is the book for you. You would never guess how a name can change us and it shows particularly well in this book. There is domestic violence brought up in the story, it is about how a baby boy is registered and whose name choice is affected by his family. The story follows him over a seven year period, and we go through what he is like between all the three names that his family had picked for him and to see if his life was for better or for worse with each name. I found the story very moving and emotional. It is crazy how a name can shape your whole entire world. Everyone was raving about this book and now I see why. A great read.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

Inn Love Again (Amor Inn) By Jody Brettkelly

Inn Love Again (Amor Inn) By Jody Brettkelly

Lights, hammer, action!

On this season of your favorite reality renovation show, four design teams compete to turn a home into a business.

Posh design editor Tabitha is desperate to transform her parents’ crumbling Cotswolds manor into a themed inn. It’s the only way to keep them—and their menagerie of animals—from moving into her tiny flat.

Tabitha is teaming up with Tim, a brawny, rugby-playing builder who needs the prize money to pay for his own … complications.

He also happens to be the jerk who ghosted her seven years ago.

Now they must work together to win the cash prize, but they can’t be in the same room without sparks flying—and that’s not just the faulty wiring.

Can they demo the walls they’ve built up to win the show … and each other’s hearts?

My Thoughts:

This was such a fun read to get stuck in to. A bright and fresh idea about four teams competing to turn a home into a business whilst being filmed for TV. Tabitha wants and needs to turn her parents home into a themed inn unless they may end up coming to stay with her and that is the last thing she needs as there is hardly any room to swing a cat as it is. She must do her upmost to win but when she is teamed up against Tim, she cannot believe it. Tim has his own reasons for wanting to win but when he meets Tabitha thoughts and memories all come flooding back as they knew each other many years ago. Can they work together to win or will everything come crashing down? I just loved how different the idea was and it worked really well. An easy read to follow along with and kind of interesting to read behind the scenes a little. This is book one of two in the Amor Inn series and I am so looking forward to book two. As a big animal lover, I loved all the animals too especially Larry the Llama, so cute. I loved how funny parts were too. It was a feel good read and it instantly lifted me up.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:


Don’t Fall in Love With Me By Paige Toon

Don’t Fall in Love With Me By Paige Toon

What if the person you love the most is the one you can’t have?

Grace has loved Jackson since she was fifteen – when they spent every childhood summer exploring France’s breathtaking Ardèche region together. They were best friends, until life took its course and Jackson married someone else.

Years later, Jackson re-enters Grace’s life with an irresistible offer: her dream job in the very town where their story began. And he’s newly single.

As memories from those idyllic summers flood back, Grace encounters an old friend Étienne, who proposes a plan to help make Jackson jealous. But as their scheme unfolds, Grace finds herself questioning if the sparks between them might not be so pretend after all…

Unbeknownst to Grace, Étienne is harbouring a secret that could shatter her world.

My Thoughts:
Paige is one of my go to authors, I don’t even need to read the blurb to know I am going to fall in love with her books. They are such powerful and easy reads all rolled into one. Don’t get me wrong you will shed a few tears so remember to bring some tissues. The main characters are Grace, Jackson and Etienne, it is like a love triangle where two men are after one woman but who will become victorious, until a secret comes out that could change Grace’s life for the rest of her life. It was tense, passionate, gripping and undeniably captivating. I read it in half a day because I felt as though I could not let go.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

The Ending Writes Itself By Evelyn Clarke

The Ending Writes Itself By Evelyn Clarke

World famous author Arthur Fletch is dead. His final novel, the most anticipated book in history, remains unfinished. But the ending won’t write itself.

Fletch’s publisher, Merriweather Press, has invited six authors to Fletch’s private island in Scotland. Authors whose books have never had the big marketing budgets or publicity opportunities. In other words, midlist. And they’re about to be presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.

Whoever writes a worthy ending will receive one million dollars, and a further one million dollars for a new three-book contract.

They have just seventy-two hours, with no access to the outside world, just a typewriter and a blank page. All they have to do is write…

Starting is often the hardest part. But getting to the end could be murder.

My Thoughts:

When a famous author dies, the final book has no ending so his publishing company decides to send six authors away to a private island for a big opportunity for finish the book, and if they win they get one million dollars and a three book contract, sounds exciting doesn’t it? but there are rules and will everyone play fair, it is an in it to win it and who will come out victorious? it was a great story to follow along with, reading about the different authors interested me, working out who might win was the hardest part. I really liked the concept of this book and I found it different and unique but really enjoyed it overall. The twists have me gasping and the outcome was…. brilliant. A book that is going to get some great reviews. I loved it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:


Six Mile Store By A. M. Belsey

Six Mile Store By A. M. Belsey

SOMETHING UGLY’S WAITIN’ FOR YOU

Honey’s working weekends down at the Six Mile, trying to figure her life out. Her boyfriend’s about to leave the country, her college advisor hates her guts, her momma ain’t listening, and she’s got this cop breathing down her neck just about all the time.

She finds a friend in her new colleague Lisa, but when one of their regular customers turns up dead, everything goes sideways faster than a greased hog at the county fair…

My Thoughts:

What a brilliant short novella that I gobbled up within the hour, you will not want to put it down. The story is about Honey and whilst working at the store she is trying to work out what she wants to do with her life as it is a bit of a dead end right now, until she meets Lisa. Lisa is feisty and Honey decides she wants to be more Lisa but when tragedy strikes at the store, Honey is unsure what to do next. It will lead you on a trail and one that you do not know where it is going to lead to. The story starts slow but it gives it that creativity when things start to happen and gets the ball rolling. I loved the storyline and I liked the fact it was a short read as it definitely a powerful read.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:


Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Café By Jessica Redland

Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Café By Jessica Redland

Sometimes all your hopes and dreams really do come true… ✨🌈

Life at the Chocolate Pot Café has never been sweeter for Tara Porter. Nestled on Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay, her café is thriving, her friendships are close, her foster parents are back where they belong—and she’s finally let herself fall in love with artist Jed Ferguson.

For Jed, returning from Australia feels like coming home in every sense. His teenage daughters have settled, his gallery opening is a success, and with Tara by his side, the future looks full of promise.

But the past can’t stay at bay forever.

When Tara’s estranged foster sister reappears, old wounds resurface. And when Jed is reunited with twelve year old Aaron – a boy he once believed was his son – secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.

Now Tara and Jed must decide whether facing the past will shatter everything they’ve built—or hope it gives them the strength and courage to dream again.

My Thoughts:

One of my go to authors is Jessica, you just cannot go wrong with one of her books and this enticed me in with the title. It is set around The Chocolate Pot Café. Tara is the owner and everything is sweet, she is in love and her business is going well but what will put a spanner in the works as life is not all plain simple. Tara’s foster sister turns up and she means business but Tara is good at diffusing situations and she comes up with a solution. Jed is Tara’s partner and he also has some family issues that need sorting but with Tara by his side anything is possible. It was a lovely comforting and warm read to escape with. I like the way Jessica writes, I can’t describe it but it is so different to any other authors I have read. Loved it so much.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:


How to Lose the Lottery By Jay McKenzie

How to Lose the Lottery By Jay McKenzie

One lucky ticket is about to change everything

Edie and Ron have been together for nearly fifty years, keeping each other afloat by the skin of their teeth. They’ve always been ordinary – until something very extraordinary happens.

Winning the lottery is everything they’ve ever wanted – well, almost.

Because for the last twenty years, Edie and Ron have been running from a secret that tore their family apart. And when you can suddenly buy everything you’ve ever wanted, you realise that the only thing you really want is the one thing money can’t buy.

Join Edie as she finally takes control. She’s had enough of playing the hand she’s been dealt – it’s time to risk it all.

My Thoughts:
Edie and Ron are a match made in heaven , going through all kinds of things in their marriage and staying with each other through thick and thin that is how a marriage should be. Their family haven’t wanted to know them since a secret tore their family apart. But now the most amazing thing has happened they have won the lottery. It was interesting to see if the family would come back with their tails between their legs. But Edie wants something else and this time she is going to get it. I felt as though the story was multi layered, it had a kind of depth to it that there was more to it than meets the eye. It was a powerful and thought provoking story. It was a read that it did not blow me away but was readable.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:


It’s Not What You Think By Claire Mackintosh

It’s Not What You Think By Claire Mackintosh

He has a secret. She knows he’s lying…

YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE

Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair. She knows the tell-tale signs.

She’s been here before.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHO YOU CAN TRUST

When Jamie claims to be at work late, she knows he’s lying. He’s with another woman, and she’s determined to catch him in the act.

YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW THE STORY ENDS

But when Nadeeka arrives home to confront him, Jamie can’t explain himself. The house has become a crime scene…

Jamie is dead.

My Thoughts:

Wow this story blew me away. I have never felt so invested in a read that I read it in one sitting. Nadeeka knows her partner Jamie is up to something and she does not want to admit to herself that it is true but every thing points to him cheating. When she returns home one day she is shocked to find Jamie dead. From there on, you could not predict the way the story plays out. It is brimming full of unexpected twists and turns. I had my suspicions but many time was proven wrong. I loved the way the story enveloped me, I felt as though when I had read the last few sentences then I could breathe again. Claire is a fantastic storyteller and puts you right in the heart of the drama. I loved the police side of things I always find Claire gives us good information. This is going to be such a big hit when it goes out into the world. This would make a great TV drama or a theatre production. Top 10 book of the year.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:


The Lottery Winner Widows Club By Elly Vine

The Lottery Winner Widows Club By Elly Vine

Paula is having a surreal week. Having just lost her husband, John, in a freak car accident, she’s utterly gobsmacked when, two days later, she wins the lottery – with the ticket he bought.

Just as she thinks things can’t get crazier, Paula is approached by a tight-knit trio of glamorous women – also jackpot winners – with dead husbands, suspiciously large bank accounts. . . and a very specific interest in Paula.

They tell her that they’ve been where she is now. That grief looks good on her. That freedom does, too. There’s just one problem: Paula didn’t kill her husband. She loved him, of course.

But something about their world – lavish, secretive, thrilling – is hard to resist. And when word of Paula’s jackpot win spreads and others come sniffing around for a share, she’s faced with the ultimate choice: hold onto her old life, or accept help from her new friends, whose methods are a little more. . . unconventional.

My Thoughts:

Paula has just lost the love of her life, and is trying to deal with the grief little does she realise she is about to win the lottery with the ticket her husband has bought. But as Paula deals with her grief, she is taken aside by a group of women who like her have won the lottery but with these women nothing is as it seems and they all seemed to have killed their husbands to just get their money, Paula does not want to associate with them until she realises it could probably changer her life for the better. Will she take the plunge and move forward with her life? It was a read where you think what if? I was not sure if the storyline would work but it did, I liked the twists through out they kept me on my toes, where I thought the story was heading was completely the wrong direction and it surprised me how the story turned out. I loved it.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here: