It started with a boy, of course. Seeking solace from the pain of heartbreak and her father’s illness, Laura Coffey embarks on what was meant to be a simple holiday. But her newfound fascination with ancient Greek myths transforms her trip into a six-month odyssey, around tiny archipelagos and mystical Mediterranean islands thought to be the setting of Odysseus’s epic journey. As she chases one of the most conflicted, flawed and yet beloved heroes through his fantastical sea-kingdoms, looking for the places where geography and mythology collide, she discovers the wild beauty of the islands, and the redemptive powers of travel and nature, cold-water swimming, long hikes up mountains, and luminous star-lit skies.

But her quest to find happiness, safety and the true meaning of home is overshadowed by the deepening illness of her father. Returning as he’s dying, forced to confront the very things she was running from, Laura reflects on what she has lost, how to live between story and reality, and the way we craft our own mythologies. Slipping between the mythical realm and the real world, she finds enchantment and healing in the magic of both.

My Thoughts:

Laura has a lot on her shoulders and to try and cope with everything that is going on she decides to embark on a solo journey to help her find herself again. I assumed this would be a travel journal type of story but it is so much more than that. The descriptions of the places sound wonderful but it really feels as though you are on that journey with Laura. Everything that Laura has been through and going through there are people out there that will be able to relate to what she is going through. It is a story that you can switch off from the outside world and focus your attention to Laura and her life. I would recommend reading this great book.

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

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Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords and hunt for allies in unexpected places. And her heart will face the ultimate test as she and her mate are forced to question whether they can truly trust each other.

My Thoughts:

This is the third book in the ACOTAR Series and one I had been warned about, that is it war heavy. But I did not find that, yes there is a little bit more war in it than the last two books but I would not say war heavy. Feyre has come back to the place she never thought she would return to but this time it is with deceit in mind. Feyre hopes she can trick Tamlin to give her some inside about what is going to happen very soon in the world they live. But is this a good idea or will it all back fire for her? This series for me has become addictive, I am thinking about it when not reading it and when I am I don’t want to stop reading. I love all the characters and the way they are described. It is truly one of my favourite series of all time.

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Elise was spending a lot of time crying on buses. She had just graduated from university; she had a shiny new flat, her first proper job and a budding relationship – and they were all making her utterly miserable. Sitting at work one day, she hit upon the obvious solution:

Run 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain, carrying her kit on her back.

Six months later Elise set off, with absolutely no ultra-running experience, unable to read a map and having never pitched a tent alone before. Over the 301 days that followed she developed a debilitating fear of farmyard animals, cried on a lot of beaches and saw Britain at its most wild and wonderful.

My Thoughts:

Elise is unhappy, there are new things happening in her life but she just does not feel so fulfilled. So Elise does something she has always wanted to do and that is to travel around the coast of Britain but by doing this she is going to run it. She has no experience and does not really know all of what will happen but she knows she needs to do it. I really feel as the reader that we are part of Elise’s journeys, we share the highs and lows with her and I really felt as though I was rooting for her the whole time. Elise is an inspiring woman and I like how the story was told. If your after an adventure, read this book.

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

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This isn’t a love story.

This is obsession.

Meredith McCall was once a respected New York City psychiatrist. But the night of the accident she lost everything: her husband, her reputation and almost her mind.

When she crosses paths with the man whom she shares the most tragic connection, Meredith can’t help but follow him. How is Gabriel Wright doing so well when her life is in shambles?

Watching Gabriel from afar becomes a compulsion she just can’t shake – her newest obsession. But when he walks into her office as a patient, seemingly unaware of who she is, she knows it crosses all ethical bounds to treat him. Yet, Meredith can’t bring herself to turn him away…

Could delving into Gabriel’s mind give her the answers that she needs? Or will their relationship set off a chain of events that she can no longer control?

My Thoughts:

The story is about Meredith who use to be a psychiatrist but one night everything changed for her and her life will never look the same again. Gabriel is a man who shares a connection with her and Meredith starts to follow him and become obsessed with him. But things take a dramatic turn of events as he becomes one of her patients, things start to spiral out of control for Meredith but can she ever get to the place she wants to be again? It was a good story to follow along to, as the reader I was not sure where this story would lead but I found the psychic parts interesting. It is a twisty thriller but has parts to it that are emotional and quite dark in places. One that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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

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Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court – but at a steep cost. Though she now possesses the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, the mesmerising High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates his dark web of political games and tantalising promises, a greater evil looms – and she might be key to stopping it.

But only if she can step into her growing power, heal her fractured soul and have the courage to shape her own future – and the future of a world cloven in two…

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the ACOTAR Series and I would definitely reading these books in order, I would say they are not a standalone. You really need the back story and also they are just brilliant reads. Feyre has returned to the Spring Court after her dealings with Aramantha, she struggles with her new powers and to find her place in her new world. But Feyre is strong and nothing is going to stop her finding her way into this new world. The characters in this book are out of this world. When reading you can really imagine what they would be like in real life. It was such a powerful and captivating read. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

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When a seventeen-year-old girl vanishes from her home overnight, DI Laura Hart knows that time is of the essence.

Then, an inmate at the local prison is murdered in her cell and suddenly Beaumaris CID is juggling two major investigations.

With inmates refusing to talk to the police, Laura is forced to take drastic action: going undercover behind bars.

With everyone under suspicion, Laura’s true identity must be kept a secret, meaning no one can protect her.

Locked in with a killer, it’s a race against time – can Laura find a lead… before she’s found out?

My Thoughts:

This is book five in The Anglesey Series but these books can be read as a standalone as I have done. DI Laura Hart is investigating a missing teenager but is there more to the case than meets the eye. A inmate in a prison is murder elsewhere and they have to solve the clues to work out who did it. DI Laura has to put herself in a position she never thought she would ever have to do but in her line of work, you have to be prepared to go undercover. There are two big investigations running through out this book, I found it a little hard to keep up sometimes but overall it was a great story and well put together. I liked the characters and found the ending brilliant.

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

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Katherine lives by the rules, ticks all the boxes and prepares for the worst, even while she hopes for the best.

Then the worst actually happens and, as she tries to navigate life as a young widow, it turns out she was not prepared at all.

Nothing scares Katherine more than stopping, but everyone insists she needs to take some time for herself. Head to a wellness retreat, they said. Enjoy some me-time, they said…

Except this retreat isn’t the pity party she was hoping for. Instead of massages, she has erotic meditation, and instead of spa treatments she has scream therapy.

Katherine has never lost control in her life. In fact, she’s fairly certain that if she starts screaming she might never stop.

But she’s about to let go, and everyone had better stand back…

My Thoughts:

Katherine’s life is mapped out, she thrives on being consistent in her life and not allowing anything or anyone to damage that. She is prepared for all eventualities. So when a tragedy happens, she is so shocked she had not even contemplated something like this happening. She does not know what to do in this situation. Katherine needs to get away and refocus and work out what she is going to do with her life but the retreat she is going to stay at is not exactly what she was hoping or expecting at all. It is a story of mixed emotions, there are parts when I was laughing but also sad moments. I liked Katherine from the off she reminded me a little of myself, how she deals with day to day life. It is a thought provoking read that is full of emotion and uplifting scenarios. A great read.

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

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Six months ago, something happened that changed everything for Hattie. The next morning, she came up with The Plan. It was time for a whole new life. That’s how Hattie ends up in a little cabin in the middle of nowhere, where the woodland stretches for miles and stars light up the night sky. Here, Hattie can be whoever she wants to be. At two years old, Hattie was diagnosed with a condition that would alter the course of her life. Ever since then she’s had to constantly explain herself and pretend that the pitying looks don’t bother her. If she wants The Plan to work, nobody back home can know why she really left, and nobody in her new life can know the truth about her. But it’s not long before she’s caught in her lies – trapped between who she really is, and who she so desperately wants to be. When everything falls apart, can she piece herself back together?

My Thoughts:

Hattie has got a plan, she needs to get away from her old life and start somewhere new without telling anyone the real reason why she has upped sticks and left. They all think she is moving in with her new boyfriend but no boyfriend exists and Hattie wants to break free from normality and start afresh. Hattie was diagnosed with a condition that affects her whole life and she hates how it affects her life and that everyone takes pity on her and she is struggling to be who she wants to be. Getting away from everyone, she doesn’t realise how much she needs her family and simple things are still a struggle. I didn’t think in a million years how much this book would resonate with me. I have struggled with health issues all my life but because people cannot see inside me, they think I am fine. Hattie really pulled at my heartstrings and I found a few things that were so relatable to me. I wanted Hattie to have a good life but I also know it is better to have family around you than to not. I laughed and cried throughout this most powerful read.

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

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

A gang war grips the city, and the police force is under fire from all sides. But Detective Inspector Helen Grace defies direct orders as she becomes drawn to the case of a missing teenager.

LOST BUT NOT ALONE

Naomi’s mother is desperate for help – and Helen is her only hope. Keeping the investigation secret, she finds a disturbing trail of questions – and more who have vanished off the streets…

WILL THEY FIND HER IN TIME?

Sometimes, the truth hides in plain sight. But proving it is another matter entirely. The clock is ticking – and the only person looking for Naomi is about to meet her match.

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of M. J. Arlidge’s books so was super excited to see this one. If you have not read any of his books before, they follow Detective Inspector Helen Grace as she investigates different cases. This one is about a gang war and a missing teenager. But is it a plain sailing case or will Helen get drawn deeper into the unknown where anything could happen? It was a well thought out story that captivated me right from the first page. I knew it would be good as I like M. J’s style of writing. When finishing each chapter you always want one more. I liked how the case played out and the tension and suspense was real as it gets. I loved it. I would love to see Detective Inspector Helen Grace played on the big screen, it would be fantastic made into a drama.

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

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She only wants three things. He isn’t one of them… 

Dumped by her cheating ex, fired from her dream job, about to lose her flat: Clementine Monroe is not having a good day. So when her sisters get her drunk and suggest reviving a childhood ritual called the breakup spell, she doesn’t see the harm in it.
 
But now Clemmie has accidentally ruined a funeral, had her first one-night stand, and she’s stuck with a new job she definitely doesn’t want – spending six weeks alone with the gorgeous and very-off-limits rock star, Theo Eliott. 
 
He’s the most famous man on the planet. Her life’s a disaster. When it comes to love, Clemmie is learning you should be careful what you wish for…

My Thoughts:
Clemmie is having a rough time at the moment, nothing is going right in her life, getting drunk with her sisters seems a good idea at the time but when they decide to do a spell that they used to do as kids, she thinks why not. But then things start to go dramatically wrong, is it to do with the spell or just coincidence? I was not sure what to expect from this read, this is my first book by Laura, the first couple of pages got me chuckling and throughout the story it was warm and fun. I really enjoyed it and would definitely want to read more of Laura’s books. It was a nice light read.

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

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