The atmosphere on board the first non-stop flight from London to Sydney is electric. Celebrities are rumoured to be among the passengers in business class, and the world is watching the landmark journey.

Flight attendant Mina is trying to focus on the passengers, instead of her troubled five-year-old daughter back at home – or the cataclysmic problems in her marriage.

But soon after the plane takes off, Mina receives a chilling anonymous note. Someone wants to make sure the plane never reaches its destination. They’re demanding her cooperation . . . and they know exactly how to get it.

It’s twenty hours to landing.
A lot can happen in twenty hours . . .

My Thoughts:

Clare has done it again and pulled an absolute corker out of the bag. This is such a brilliant thriller that will keep you thinking about it when you are not reading it. I was asking myself the questions what would I do in that situation? I liked how the story is set on a plane, I found that even more exciting as you can’t just get off a plane, you are literally trapped. The story all centers around a hijacking situation which was engaging and compelling, I found the story kept me guessing the whole way through and I didn’t guess what was going to happen. I would definitely recommend this book as well as Clare’s other books as they are just absolutely brilliant. This would be brilliant if it was to be made into a film.

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After the sudden death of her estranged husband, Clare is shocked to discover she has inherited a dog and a small fortune. Convinced by her adult children to finally do something for herself, Clare embarks on a coast-to-coast adventure – until she stumbles upon an unmarked location on the fringes of South Devon.

When Clare finds herself driving down a narrow road to the tiny village of Little Sorrell, she is met with distant, cold, and rude locals. But as she falls in love with a cottage she wishes to call home, can Little Sorrell truly be the place of second chances?…

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Sheila Norton and I cannot wait to read more of hers, they are such a brilliant easy read, perfect for a pick me up. This one is set in beautiful Devon, in a quiet village which sounds lovely. Even though the main story is quite sad there is plenty of humour and happiness. Another reason why I liked this book so much is because of the animals, in this story there are dogs and cats aplenty. It was just a really lovely story that touched my heart. I will definitely be reading more of Sheila’s books in the future.

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When Anna’s husband cheats on her, she’s sure she’ll never be happy again. But then she meets 94-year-old Grace. Despite an age gap of more than fifty years, the pair set out together on a life-changing journey halfway across the country in search of some answers.

Sometimes the only way to move on is to revisit the past. But will Anna and Grace be prepared for what they find?

My Thoughts:

I really fell in love with this book, it really warmed my heart seeing the relationship grow between Anna and Grace. Anna is a carer and her new patient is Grace, Anna is a people’s person and cannot wait to meet Grace, even though they have a very big age gap that is not a problem for them as they become firm friends. It was lovely to see as they both can help each other out. When Anna suggests they start going out, Grace cannot wait this is all she has been wanting to do for ages. The only problem is Grace’s nephew who is not happy about it all. He only wants what is best for his Aunt but he thinks Anna is after a lot more than she is willing to say. I found it such a lovely heart warming story that will leave you with tears in your eyes. I felt as though I knew the characters and cared about them too.

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

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A DARK FAMILY SECRET

When Alice’s father dies after a tragic hit and run, his death stirs up unanswered questions about her childhood. Who was her mother, why did her father never speak of the past, and why can’t she remember anything before the age of seven?

AN ISLAND CUT OFF

But when she receives an anonymous letter containing a photograph of a refurbished gothic guesthouse surrounded by water, and an invitation to stay, old memories fight to resurface.

Alice has visited before. She is certain of it.

WHO WILL SURVIVE?

Convinced the clues to her past lie at the hotel, she checks in. But once on the island, a wild storm rages, waves crash violently into the rocks, and the house is cut off by the roaring sea.

Then two guests are found dead. And the hotel owner is missing. Will Alice ever uncover her secret past?

And will anyone leave the island alive?

My Thoughts:

This book was brilliant, plenty to keep you entertained. I found it seriously creepy but compelling, Amanda is a brilliant author who has a certain way with her words that give you the chills when reading this book. I was gripped the whole way through with the fantastic twists that Amanda has pulled out. It is a very good story line that pulls you in, you feel as though you don’t know as a reader what the outcome will be? and that makes it ever so dramatic. I would recommend this read and I cannot wait to read more of Amanda’s books in the future. This one was just so good.

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

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Happiness. We chase it, we crave it…it’s so in demand… yet so scarce and fleeting.

But here’s the good news. In The Happiness Revolution: A Manifesto For Living Your Best Life, bestselling authors Dr Andy Cope and Professor Paul McGee deliver a page-turning self-help book of the times, for the times.  As the world wakes up to a new kind of normal, The Happiness Revolution challenges readers to sign up to an uprising of wellbeing and to making the most of the privilege of being on this planet.

The book outlines a 10-point Happiness Manifesto. Grounded in the science of human flourishing and the reality of life, the principles are simple, do-able and above all make a difference not only to yourself but to others too. Let the fight back to mental wealth start right here.

Welcome to global domination of the happiness kind!

Discover:

• How to regain your sanity, clarity, and wellbeing, even when your smartphone, kids, spouse, job, and possessions seem to be conspiring to keep you from doing just that.
• Why it can be so hard to maintain a happy outlook when the outside world has never been so fast, complex, and unpredictable.
• How to be at your best in a world that is doing its worst.

Happiness is the #1 thing you want for yourself and your family. The Happiness Revolution is an indispensable guide for everyone trying to live their best life and to spread some happiness whilst doing so.

Rise Up and Be Happy! Vive la revolution!

My Thoughts:

I have never read a book like this before but wanted to give it a go and see what it is all about. It is a manifesto for living your best life. I liked the fact it is written by two people as it gives two aspects to what they are trying to achieve. It also has some humour to it which makes it feel more relaxing and calm, and not too forced. It is a nice easy book to work through and I like the fact that the pages have parts to break it up a little. I feel as though everyone will be able to understand this book and I hope it helps people out. I certainly felt a lot happier after reading it, and I will be re-reading it repeatedly.

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

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‘Clothes… and other things that matter is a book not only about clothes but about the way we live our lives. From childhood onwards, the way we dress is a result of our personal history. In a mix of memoir, fashion history and social observation I am writing about the person our clothes allows us to be and sometimes the person they turn us into.’ – Alexandra Shulman

In Clothes… and other things that matter, Alexandra Shulman delves into her own life to look at the emotions, ambitions, expectations and meanings behind the way we dress.

From the bra to the bikini, the trench coat to trainers, the slip dress to the suit, she explores their meaning in women’s lives and how our wardrobes intersect with the larger world – the career ladder, motherhood, romance, sexual identity, ambition, failure, body image and celebrity.

My Thoughts:

This was a bit different to my usual reads but I am glad I have read it as I found it a fascinating insight into the world of clothes. It shows the reader how we live our lives through our clothes, it really was very interesting and insightful what Alexandra has written. I liked the fact that the chapters are broken down into different items of clothing, some I found more interesting than others but that is just personal preferences. If your into clothes this book will be a big hit for you, if your not, I would still recommend to read it as I did find it interesting about how clothes give us confidence and how we wear different items of clothing. I really enjoyed this book.

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

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Newly promoted to Detective, Sam Cross wants to prove himself, but his first assignment is routine—tracking down a stolen Ferrari to a town barely a blip on a map. Once inside the city limits his GPS goes nuts, his phone and radio lose their signal, and the gruff small-town Sheriff won’t take him seriously. Before long, Sam is warned he can’t leave town and the nervous town-folk won’t tell him why.

When the Sheriff’s daughter privately approaches Sam with an outrageous story, he is skeptical. But after she tells him that the town is controlled by a mysterious organization called the Hive, that no one is supposed to be able to enter, no one is allowed to leave and if anyone breaks the rules they mysteriously go missing, he decides to investigate, leading him down a dangerous path. Sam is left with only two choices: obey Hive’s rules and never see his wife and kids again, or try to free the town of its captors. The problem is, if he’s not careful, he might become one of THE MISSING.

My Thoughts:

Sam Cross has been promoted to Detective where he works and his first job is to track down a specific stolen car, he has to go to a town that makes his GPS go crazy and the town people say he cannot leave, apparently the town is controlled by the Hive, which has certain rules that need to be applied. But is Sam going to listen to the rules or will he break the rules? after all he has a wife and kids at home. I liked the sound of this story, it was well paced and an interesting scenario. The characters were all interesting and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into the book. For me halfway through I found it becoming a little slow and I felt as though I didn’t connect to the main character so wasn’t fussed about what happened to him. I am glad I have read this book though.

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

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CAN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN?

Alice and Alfie are strangers. But they sleep next to each other every night.

Alfie Mack has been in hospital for months recovering from an accident. A new face on the ward is about as exciting as life gets for him right now, so when someone moves into the bed next to him he’s eager to make friends. But it quickly becomes clear that seeing his neighbour’s face won’t happen any time soon.

Alice Gunnersley has been badly burned and can’t even look at herself yet, let alone allow anyone else to see her. She keeps the curtain around her bed firmly closed, but it doesn’t stop Alfie trying to get to know her. And gradually, as he slowly brings Alice out of her shell, might there even be potential for more?

My Thoughts:

I loved this story so much, it was a shame when I came to the final pages and I just wanted to read it again ( which I did) I loved everything about this book, the cover is so bright and vibrant and the story just really got to me. I know what it is like spending a lot of time in hospital so I felt as though I could relate to Alfie and Alice and knew their ups and downs of being in hospital. It was such a fresh idea of a story which really worked. Two people in one hospital ward, both going through a traumatic time but as they get to know each other they open up to each other and try to find their way back onto the path of recovery. It is such a beautifully told story and one that will remain in my heart for a very long time. I will never forget it.

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

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An isolated cottage…
After losing her job and boyfriend, Jan Hamlin is in desperate need of a fresh start. So she jumps at the chance to rent a secluded cottage on the edge of Coleshaw Woods.
 
A tap at the window…
Very quickly though, things take a dark turn. At night, Jan hears strange noises, and faint taps at the window. Something, or someone, is out there.
 
A forest that hides many secrets…
Jan refuses to be scared off. But whoever is outside isn’t going away, and it soon becomes clear that the nightmare is only just beginning…

My Thoughts:

I have previously loved Lisa Stone’s previous books but I didn’t enjoy this one as much. There is two stories running parallel with each other, they appear to be unrelated but are they? Jan rents out a cottage in the woods but very quickly on she realises what a mistake she has made when she hears strange noises in the evening. But what could they be? Ian and Emma Jennings are a young married couple who are trying for a baby, I wondered how it would all make sense and I didn’t know how the story would pan out at all, until the final few chapters. It was a good story but I just felt as though it lacked something. Maybe it was the storyline but it has not put me off Lisa’s books and I look forward to the next book.

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

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Hannah is twenty-eight when the worst happens.

Her first instinct? To call her mum.

The problem is, her mum having an accident, being rushed to hospital and never waking up was the worst thing.

Realising that she is now the Woman of the Family, Hannah has to be the rock for her emotionally-repressed father and chaotic younger sister, all while trying to muddle her way through the crucial life lessons her mother never taught her, like:

– How to ride a tandem
– How to react when your dad starts making lasagne for an unknown woman
– How to broker peace between feuding aunts
– How to know if you really want a baby or if this is just the grief talking

But what Hannah really wishes her mother had taught her is: when you’ve just lost the person who made sense of everything, how are you meant to find yourself?

My Thoughts:

I found this an emotional read about losing the one person who you came from and how it affects the person. The writing is beautiful and sensitive, I did find myself reaching for the tissues a number of times as the story is a little bit close to home. The subject is one I think most people find it extremely hard to talk about but I think Amy has pulled it off and done it justice. It was an honour to follow Hannah’s journey through loss and grief and understand it a little more from a person’s own journey through it. There are some funny moments in this book too, but I would certainly recommend reading this book, and I hope it helps people to realise they are not alone.

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

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