Ignored.
Seventy-something Janet Pimm is invisible. Spending most of her days alone, she tends her beloved allotment with the care and love she doesn’t receive from people. Plants, Janet thinks, are more important than friends.

Overlooked.
Janet’s neighbour, Bev, has reached the age when a cloak of invisibility threatens to descend. Her friendly advances are rebuffed by Janet, but when the council threatens to close the allotments, Janet must swallow her pride and enlist Bev’s help.

But they’re about to prove everyone wrong.
As the two join forces, Janet realises that she isn’t happy to be a wallflower after all. And that maybe there’s more to Bev than she thought. As the bulldozers roll in and they fight to save Janet’s treasured allotment, both women find their voice again. And no one can silence them now…

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much, this is definitely in my top five of my favourite books of this year. It is all about Janet, she lives alone and tends to her allotment, she is a big lover of plants but there is something missing from her life and she doesn’t realise it until something happens. Bev is her neighbour and is trying to encourage Janet to get out and about but Janet thinks she is just being nosy, what Janet doesn’t realise is that Bev needs her just as much as Janet needs Bev. I loved how the story unpeeled each of the layers of both women, it was a raw and emotional story about loneliness and finding friendship. I shed a tear or two for Janet and felt as though I wanted to give her a big hug. I think people will be able to relate to this story and I hope it helps them. There are some funny moments in the story too. I just loved it.

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

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When forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod is brought in to analyse a shallow grave on Scotland’s west coast, she is disturbed by a bundle of twigs crafted into a stickman and left in the victim’s mouth.

Then, when a young woman is reported missing from a nearby campsite with another sinister figurine left in her van, it seems that someone is targeting wild campers. An idyllic coastline known for providing peace and serenity, now the area is a hunting ground.

As her investigation proceeds, Rhona is forced to reconsider her closest bonds. Rumours of sexual assault offences by serving police officers are circling in Glasgow, which may include her trusted colleague DS Michael McNab. Could it be true, or is someone looking to put him out of action?

All the while a young woman’s life is on the line and the clock is ticking . . .

My Thoughts:

This is book 17 in the Rhona MacLeod thriller Series and my first book I have read by Lin. Rhona is a forensic scientist and we as the reader follow her on her cases. This case is intriguing to Rhona because the victim is left with a stickman made out of twigs in their mouth, when someone goes missing nearby they also have a similar figure left but can Rhona find this person before it is too late? I really enjoyed this story and where it lead to, I studied forensic science and am always fascinated by the subject. I liked Rhona and really want to read the other books in this series.

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

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When Travis Nelson arrived in London, he expected to embark on a new life and a new job. Coming from California, he’d uprooted his wife and his cat, Sigrid, and planned to be here for the long haul. Then Covid-19 struck. Travis’s new job vanished as the company cut staff. For two years, and through successive lockdowns, he was stuck in limbo in an unfamiliar city, trying to find his way.

To keep himself occupied, Travis set out to discover his adoptive home. He bought a bike and began cycling through London’s streets and parks with his unusual travelling companion, Sigrid – his deaf, Norwegian Forest cat – who came along for the ride. But what started as a way of injecting routine and purpose into Travis’s life in stressful times, created an internet sensation. When Travis began posting videos of the pair’s rides on social media, he drew in another community of people looking for moments of joy in an anxious world.

My Thoughts:

This is such a charming and joyful read about a man and cat going on an adventure together. I was intrigued to read about a cat who loves being on board of a bike. I love the bond that they share and it reminded me of my cat and how strong a bond we have. It was a lovely story and I loved following their journey and how Sigrid helped Travis to show him there is light at the end of the tunnel. Riding around London was magical also I love reading a story about a place I know and love.

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

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One cancelled wedding

When the day finally comes for Annie to marry Alexander, the last thing she expects is to be left standing at the altar. She was so sure he was Mr Right. Now, she has no idea how she could have got it so wrong.

One unexpected encounter

After a chance meeting with Patrick, an old friend who reminds her of who she used to be, Annie takes a vow of her own: she’ll say yes to every opportunity that comes her way from now on.

One spare ticket for the honeymoon

Could a spontaneous trip with Patrick be the way to mend Annie’s heart? She’s about to find out as she embarks on her honeymoon – with a man who’s not her husband…

My Thoughts:

I am so glad I picked this book up, this is an author I had heard of but never read any of her books and now Laura will be on my go to author’s list. So incredibly funny and so many laugh out loud moments that I just could not contain. I needed a little pick me up and chose this book and it had me tittering the whole way through. The story is about Annie and her life, she gets stood up by her fiancé so decides to go away on what would of been their honeymoon with a man who she has not seen for many years. Is this a recipe for disaster or can they both help each other? I found it an uplifting read and one that deals with real life subjects but can show you that there is hope for everyone out there. I loved it so much.

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Join travel writer Tom Chesshyre for a lakeland adventure like no other. Explore towering mountains, wide-open valleys and magnificent lakes – stopping off at a cosy inn or two along the way – on a 379-mile hike around the Lake District

From Penrith and back, via Keswick, Cockermouth, Coniston, Grasmere and Windermere, plus many places in between, Tom Chesshyre puts on his walking boots and sets forth in a “big wobbly circle” around the Lakes, drawn onwards by the dramatic scenery that attracts more than 19 million visitors each year.

Across landscape that so inspired the Romantic poets, he takes in remote parts of the parkland that many tourists miss – enjoying encounters aplenty with farmers, fell runners and fellow hikers, while staying in shepherds’ huts, bothies and old climbers’ hotels along the way, and even going for a (chilly) dip in Derwentwater.

This is the Lake District seen from its walking paths – with just a backpack, an open mind… and a spring in the step.

My Thoughts:
I couldn’t wait to get started on this read, I have been to the Lake District many times now and I am always blown away with the beauty of the place. Tom takes us on a journey to The Lake District and shows us all the beautiful and magnificent hikes you can do. The map at the front of the book makes it easy to see where he is and where he is going and the chapters are broken down into the different places he visits. If you have never been to The Lake District take a look at the pictures Tom has taken to share with his readers, you will literally want to step into the book and be transported there. It was an easy going and comforting read to one of my favourite places in the world. I feel as though I have more knowledge now about the different places that I didn’t know and have also added a few places to my list for when we go back. Thank you Tom for writing a great guide to The Lake District.

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

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‘Emily’ is a devoted single mother.
‘Jack’ starts a new job in a new town.
‘Russell’ may be falling in love.

They all share the same secret:
none of them are who they say they are.

They are among only nine criminals in the UK who have been granted lifelong anonymity, for their own safety, because of their terrible crimes.

But what if someone exposed their true identities to the families of their victims, who are desperate for revenge?

Probation officer Olivia Campbell is caught in the crossfire of this unprecedented crisis – and as the hunt for the mole behind it all intensifies, so too does the search for the vigilante killers let loose by the leaks…

Everyone is a suspect. Anyone could be a killer.
Who deserves justice? And who gets to decide?

My Thoughts:

M. J. Arlidge is one of my go to authors and this book was every bit as good as I knew it would be. I loved the sound of the plot line and at the start of the book is the authors note which I would recommend reading. The story is about nine criminals that are all out of prison for one reason or another and it is how they are brought back into a community and how they live their lives, but in this case the families of the victims get to know there whereabouts and have to make a decision what to do with that information. I learnt things from this book that I would not of even thought about let alone knew about. I was hooked from the first page and devoured the book in a couple of hours. M. J has a way when finishing a chapter that leaves the reader wanting to continue on. The story was every bit as chilling, tense, creepy, suspenseful and full of unexpected turns. I loved the beginning, I loved the middle and I loved the ending. The twist is a big one and shocked me. If you haven’t read a book by M. J. Arlidge then now is the time, you will not be disappointed.

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

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In a small town in balmy Provence, Marie-Jeanne has a gift.
She can see the marks Love has left on the people around her. Glowing faces, hands that shimmer brighter when enclosed in another. Before long, Marie-Jeanne is playing matchmaker.
When her foster father, Francis, sets up a mobile library travelling the many mountain towns of the Nyons region, Marie-Jeanne takes her quest further. Their library offers entertainment, guidance, reassurance and comfort – but for Marie-Jeanne, the books also allow her to bring soulmates together.
The only person that Marie-Jeanne can’t seem to find a partner for is herself. She has no glow of her own, though she waits and waits for it to appear.
Everyone must have a soulmate, surely – but will Marie-Jeanne be able to recognise hers when Love finally comes her way?

My Thoughts:

I love the cover of this book, I could almost feel the warmth of the sun on my back and the smell of lavender in the air. Marie – Jeanne thinks she is good at matchmaking people together, when her foster father sets up a mobile library, she thinks this is a perfect way of setting people up together. But even though she is happy at what she does, she doesn’t have that someone special in her life, can she find the one? It was a great little read, a quirky kind of read but one that works really well. I love reading stories that books are involved in. I have not read one of Nina’s books before and I will certainly be looking out for more of her books in the future.

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

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Blog Spotlight

When Travis Nelson arrived in London, he expected to embark on a new life and a new job. Coming from California, he’d uprooted his wife and his cat, Sigrid, and planned to be here for the long haul. Then Covid-19 struck. Travis’s new job vanished as the company cut staff. For two years, and through successive lockdowns, he was stuck in limbo in an unfamiliar city, trying to find his way.

To keep himself occupied, Travis set out to discover his adoptive home. He bought a bike and began cycling through London’s streets and parks with his unusual travelling companion, Sigrid – his deaf, Norwegian Forest cat – who came along for the ride. But what started as a way of injecting routine and purpose into Travis’s life in stressful times, created an internet sensation. When Travis began posting videos of the pair’s rides on social media, he drew in another community of people looking for moments of joy in an anxious world.

Being the fastest cyclist in the world at the start line means nothing if your mind isn’t strong enough to get you to the finish line

In 2018, Leigh Timmis became the fastest person to cycle across Europe – in just 16 days, 10 hours and 45 minutes – breaking the previous world record by an astonishing 8 days and 17 hours. But when he set out to break the record, Leigh wasn’t just trying to conquer the road.

As he prepared his body for this ultra-endurance world record attempt, Leigh realized that he would have to confront deeper problems to make it to the finish line. Although test results showed that he already had the physical ability of an elite athlete, something was holding him back: his troubled mind.

With the support of psychologists and sports science experts, Leigh confronted the past that had left him with vulnerabilities he would need to understand and overcome in the pursuit of performance. Then, cycling for 14 hours a day, from the west coast of Portugal to the edge of Siberia, he embarked on far more than just a physical journey.

My Thoughts:

This is not my usual kind of read but I am trying to be more open about reading books outside my comfort zone. I highly recommend reading this book, as a true story it shows what we can overcome our fears if we just put our minds to it. Leigh is the fastest cyclist in the world, and what he has achieved is truly inspirational and inspiring. This book is about how he trained for the world record attempt, he knew his body could cope with it all but could his mind. He works with a couple of experts to find a way to deal with what is going on in his head and how to achieve his goal. It is a book that I never thought I would read but I am so glad I have as it has inspired me to get out there on my bike. It covers quite a few topics but even if your not a cyclist, just give it a read, I loved it.

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

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Do you love trains? Do you love adventure? If so, join Tom Chesshyre on his meandering rail journey across Europe from London to Venice.

Escaping the rat race for a few happy weeks, Chesshyre indulges in the freedom of the tracks. From France (dogged by rail worker strikes), through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Poland he goes, travelling as far east as Odessa by the Black Sea in Ukraine. With no set plans, simply a desire to let the trains lead the way, his trip takes him onwards via Hungary, the Balkans and Austria. Along the way he enjoys many an encounter, befriending fellow travellers as well as a conductor or two.

This is a love letter to Europe, written from the trackside.

My Thoughts:

I have to say first off this is not my usual read however I am very glad I have read it as it was so captivating. I loved the sound of the blurb, Tom is a travel writer and likes to indulge by going on trains to different places. This time he makes his way through France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and Poland. He shows that you don’t need to plan every journey, just let nature lead the way. Even though I am not a big train fan, it was the adventure part that really excited me. I loved reading about Tom’s many encounters with other travellers and his sense of adventure and has really inspired me to go out and do something I wouldn’t normally do. If you are after a great travel read and you love a sense of adventure, read this book.

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

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