When Imogen is told she’s inherited a country house near Bath, she thinks it must be a mistake. She last saw its owner, reclusive artist Dorothea Roe, sixteen years ago, during a tragic summer which changed her life for ever.

Now, with partner Josh in tow, it’s a chance for a fresh start.

But after discovering an old box with her name on it in Dorothea’s abandoned study, Imogen starts to believe the woman was trying to send her a secret message.

And when rumours begin to swirl that Dorothea was murdered, she starts to suspect that this gift might not be the life-line she thought it was.

Who would want to kill Dorothea?

Could it be tangled up in Imogen’s own dark family history?

And what if Imogen is now the one in danger?

My Thoughts:

I have read all of Claire’s previous books and enjoyed them so much but this one just did not hit the spot. It is all about Imogen who inherits a house from a woman who she has not seen for many many years but why has she given Imogen her house? Imogen moves in with her boyfriend but then everything seems to go wrong. Imogen is on a quest to find out what the old lady wanted her to know but not to tell anyone else. The house is full of secrets but can Imogen get to them before it is too late? It was a very long and drawn out story, I felt as though it did not really go anywhere and kept on going round and round in circles. It did not excite me like Claire’s previous books and I felt as though I had to read to the end, there are a couple of twists but nothing that you can get your teeth into. It is such a shame.

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

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Following a less-than-picture-book childhood, Bella West has got used to moving around – putting down roots opens you up for disappointment and heartbreak. But since arriving in the idyllic Somerset village of Lower Brambleton, something has changed.

Bella loves her job at Purrfect Paws cat rescue and the many residents love her back. So, when one particularly grumpy Bengal named Monty proves hard to charm, Bella is determined to find out his story.

When Noah Hathaway’s beloved Grandpa Jack passes away it falls to him to deal with his estate including his charming but run-down cottage in Lower Brambleton, not forgetting Jack’s cantankerous cat Monty. Busy with a life in London, Noah wants to settle things quickly, but countryside life has its own pace and slowly but inexorably the charms of Lower Brambleton begin to work their magic on Noah.

Can one morose moggy, one perfect English village and one endless countryside summer teach Bella and Noah the meaning of home and the joy of taking a chance on love?

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Fay and I cannot wait to read all of her previous books. I could not get enough of this story and read it in a day. Bella is living in the Village of Lower Brambleton which just sounds so idyllic that I wanted to move there straight away. Bella works at the local pub in the evening and during the day she works at the the cat rescue centre which would be my ideal job as I love cats and have one of my own. The team at Purrfect Paws are looking after a very grumpy cat called Monty after his owner died and the family don’t want him but when things need to be sorted out. Noah is sole beneficiary of the house and Monty but he lives and works elsewhere so he needs to decide what to do. This is book 3 of 4 in the Brambleton series but can be read as a standalone, I am going to make sure Fay is now on my radar as I just loved how well the story flowed, I felt as though I was there looking after the cats with Bella and I felt as though I was her friend. I just wanted to help her in the situations she gets herself into. I loved it, one of my top ten books of this year.

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

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Every monster has a weakness.

At the height of Australian summer, a serial killer known as The Shark stalks a coastal suburb, hunting young female swimmers.

Afraid and furious at the failure of the police to protect them, two women fight back. Raych is grieving someone she’d have died to save, while Carmen hides her own disturbing connection to the murders.

In desperation, they form an uneasy alliance. And when another girl vanishes, they take matters into their own hands – by kidnapping the prime suspect. But as their interrogation spirals, horrifying truths surface on both sides of the table.

The clock is ticking to save the missing girl. And in their quest for justice, Raych and Carmen must face the darkest question of all: have they caught a monster – or become one?

My Thoughts:

This story is set in Australia and there is a killer on the prowl. The Shark as they are known is after young female swimmers and will do anything to get one. Two women are trying to form an alliance to bring The Shark down as they both have their reasons to. When another girl goes missing they both don’t have much time to rescue her but their lives are in danger too. I found this story creepy, tense and very unpredictable. I liked the way Emma writes with such tension and how powerful the story flowed. There is a huge twist to this book. I do like a good thriller and this certainly was however for me I found it a tad unsettling and even though I wanted to find out if the women would catch the killer it did keep me up at night.

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

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Sometimes losing everything is the only way to find yourself.

Grace Leven seems to have it all—CEO of a national TV channel, a picture-perfect family, and a life others envy. But behind the glossy façade, cracks are forming. Her career is on the line, her marriage has crumbled, and her best friend has disappeared.

Lost and alone, Grace stumbles upon the Strawberry House Hotel, a haven in the idyllic Strawberry Village. Here, surrounded by a community that values truth and connection over social media perfection, Grace begins to ask the one question she’s been avoiding: What really happened to me?

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Ellie and I loved it so much that I am looking forward to reading her previous books. This story is about Grace, while everything looks perfect on the outside, little does anyone know what really goes on behind closed doors. Everything is going downhill in her personal life and she does not know what to do. Can the Strawberry House Hotel help her to work out what she wants in life and help her to get her life back on track? I feel as though the story is about love, loss and coming to terms with it all, it was a great well rounded story which touched my heart and I hope people in the same situation will be able to relate. Such a heartfelt read.

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

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Maddie Penrose is staying with her beloved grandmother, Nor, at her gorgeously idyllic Cornish farm. She’s looking forward to days helping out in Nor’s little teashop and evenings wandering down the cliff path to watch the sunset. But before Maddie has even finished serving up scones on her first morning, a man bursts through the door: Nor’s neighbour Clive has found a body in the field behind the teashop…

Maddie is straight to the scene, fancying herself as a bit of an Agatha Christie. But solving this mystery is far from a piece of cake. Her list of suspects is jam-packed with locals, with some a little too close to home: the newcomer renting out one of Nor’s barns is acting suspiciously, the victim’s boyfriend has disappeared without trace, and Clive isn’t really Maddie’s cup of tea either…

But the proof is in the pudding when there’s another murder – her prime suspect is dead. And when Maddie finds a backpack belonging to the first murder victim, her diligent notetaking and quick thinking leads her to discover that the killer will act again, and soon. Maddie is horrified to discover that it looks like she is their next target…

My Thoughts:

This was such a fun and addictive read that I thoroughly enjoyed. When Maddie goes to stay with her grandmother in Cornwall, she thinks everything will have a slower pace of life and helping her grandmother out in her teashop will be a joy to help out there but when Maddie becomes part of a murder scene, it is up to her to work out whodunit. But can she solve the mystery, each suspect is given an inquisition by her but who really is the murderer? Even though it is about a murder it is one of those cosy and comforting ones where it centres around the teashop so you hear about all the delicious cakes that are sold there. It was a warm and comforting read. This is book one in the series and I cannot wait to read book two. I listened to this book on audio and I found the narrator’s voice perfect for the job, she had an ever so calming voice and I felt she brought the story to life and there were no glitches. I really enjoyed this audiobook.

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

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How far would you go to change your life?

When Eliza Woods sees an advertisement for someone’s whole life for sale – their house, car, all their belongings, even their clothes and cat – not to mention a trial-run in their job and an introduction to their friends… she decides it’s fate.

Grabbing a different life with both hands is exactly what she needs. Even if 26-year-old Carrie’s wildly-social life and job in a bar couldn’t be more different from Eliza’s quieter existence.

As for Carrie, she’s heading off to Greece, desperate to run away from everything she’s familiar with in England. The two women message each other after the deal has gone through, with Eliza excited to go for cocktails with Carrie’s friends before her first shift at her new job.

What Carrie doesn’t tell her is why she put her life up for sale. And what Eliza doesn’t tell Carrie is that she’s about to turn 75. And that isn’t her only secret…

My Thoughts:

Eliza is bored of her life right now so when she see’s an advert for Carrie’s life for sale she grabs the bull by it’s horns and goes for it. Carrie is a 26 year old woman who is a social butterfly and is living her best life but she needs to get away from the rat race and decide what she wants from her future. Little does she know that Eliza is 74 years old but who can’t teach an old dog new tricks and Eliza is going to do everything in her power to embrace her new life. I liked the idea of this book, I think it worked well, however I did find the start of the story a little slow but then it got better and better. I hope it encourages anyone that is feeling low that if you make one small change then things will start to look brighter. I liked how it all came together. A good read.

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

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Croydon, 1964. Art therapist Helen Hansford is working in a psychiatric hospital, where she has been having passionate but precarious affair with her married colleague, the charismatic Dr Gil Rudden.

Helen’s structured life is upended when William Tapping – a silent, thirty-seven-year-old man with a beard down to his waist – arrives at the hospital. As Helen helps William express himself through art, she becomes increasingly entangled in his mysterious past.

Inspired by a true story, Shy Creatures is a life-affirming exploration of loneliness, love and the quiet forces that shape our lives, reminding us that freedom can come in unexpected forms.

My Thoughts:

Helen works in a psychiatric hospital where she helps the patients to express themselves through art form. When William arrives at the hospital she knows she must do everything to help this man, art is a big help to him and he seems very good at it. I liked how Clare writes and with such passion too. I also liked how it is set in Croydon, and parts of London that I know already. I loved the way Clare has brought the characters to life and I enjoyed seeing where this story was going to go. I found it fascinating reading about working and being in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960’s.

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When Harper sees an ad for what must surely be the most idyllic job in the world, she’s almost tempted. But she can’t possibly leave her bookshop job in London, or her burgeoning career as a successful Bookstagram influencer… That is, until a casual remark about a debut author lands her in deep trouble.

So she applies. After all, now she’s got nothing to lose. Except maybe her heart, she realises, as she lands on the beautiful island of Ésperé in the Seychelles and finds herself seemingly surrounded by beautiful men. Including the hotel owner, moody but heartbreakingly-handsome Xavier.

But inter-staff relations are strictly forbidden. And Harper has enough on her plate, with a member of staff missing and a wily band of expats to contend with. Plus, she’s determined to make the bookshop and new start the success they deserve to be… Even if – under the blazing sunshine – the romance novel superfan in her can’t help but hope the boss of the hotel might not be quite the grump he seems…

My Thoughts:
As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. This would be my dream job and I felt almost jealous of Harper, when she finds an ad for the job, she applies even though she is happy with how she is living now, wouldn’t it be nice to be a bookseller in the sunshine, and when she gets the job, she cannot believe it and starts living her life to the fullest. She meets Xavier but sadly he cannot be hers, so she plunges herself into being the best bookseller there is and it has it benefits too. I loved this story so much, it made me so happy and warm inside. It is a perfect pick me up read, little to worry about and pure escapism.

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

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Julian Rousseaux has a problem. He’s single, and for the world’s wealthiest vampires, the social season is about to begin. Julian would rather stake himself than get married. But as the eldest, eligible Rousseaux he has no choice but to find a wife before the season ends – whether he likes it or not.

When cellist Thea literally stumbles into his life at a gala, she’s the last person Julian could ever fall in love with. She’s too innocent, too kind and way too human. But now that she knows about his world, she’s also a walking target.

She needs protection; he needs a fake girlfriend to discourage overzealous vampire matchmaking… But with each moment they share, new dangers emerge: a desire as forbidden as their stolen touches, an awakening of a long-dead heart, and secrets that could tear them both apart…

My Thoughts:

This was a bit different read for me. I don’t usually read books about vampires but I thought I would give it a go. I am glad I did, it was an easy story to follow along with. Julian is a vampire and when he goes to a gala dinner her meets Thea and he cannot seem to stay away from her even though she is human and this could be bad news for the both of them, but the attraction is strong between them and neither of them can stay away from each other. There are some spicy scenes in this story but it was ok, it kind of fitted with the story. The only thing I was not keen on was he kept on calling her pet and that bugged me a little. I know there are other books to follow on from this book, which I may read at some point but I would not be racing out to get them. Overall a good read.

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HIS MISTRESS IS DEAD. HIS WIFE IS HIS ONLY HOPE.

Sarah Morgan is one of the best criminal defence attorneys in Washington, DC. With a perfect case record and having made named partner before the age of thirty-five, her life is going exactly as she planned.

However, the same cannot be said for her husband, Adam, a failed author, who’s grown to resent his wife’s meteoric success as he feels it’s come at the expense of their relationship.

For almost two years, Adam has kept his affair with Kelly Summers a secret, but everything changes when her body is discovered at the couple’s lake house and Adam is arrested on suspicion of murder.

Sarah now finds herself facing her most challenging case yet when she vows to defend her husband–a man accused of murdering his mistress.

While Adam is certainly guilty of sleeping with Kelly, the question remains: Is he guilty of killing her too?

My Thoughts:

I did not know what to expect with this book, the storyline sounded so good. It is all about Sarah who is a defence attorney and the best in the business and her husband who is a writer. But when he gets accused of murder, Sarah knows she needs to be his defence lawyer and take things in to her own hands, but how is she feeling about everything, her whole world has just come crashing down on her but she vows to help him at his worst. I liked the writing style and how each chapter was a different person so you got a feel of how each character was feeling. It was an addictive and compelling read, the twists shocked me and so did the ending. I am looking forward to reading the next book now. There was a lot of oh my god’s in the story. I could not believe how the story turned out. So good.

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