The Split By Laura Kay

The Split By Laura Kay

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Brutally dumped by her girlfriend, Ally is homeless, friendless and jobless… but at least she has Malcolm. Wounded and betrayed, Ally has made off with the one thing she thinks might soothe the pain: Emily’s cat.

After a long train journey she arrives home to her dad in Sheffield, ready to fold herself up in her duvet and remain on the sofa for the foreseeable. Her dad has other ideas. A phone call later, and Ally is reunited with her first ever beard and friend of old, Jeremy. He too is broken-hearted and living at home again.

In an inspired effort to hold each other up, the pair decide to sign up for the local half marathon in a bid to impress their exes with their commitment and athleticism.

Given neither of them can run, they enlist the support of athletic, not to mention beautiful, Jo. But will she have them running for the hills… or will their ridiculous plan pay off…?

My Thoughts:

It doesn’t get any worse for Ally when she is dumped by her girlfriend and has to go and live with her dad. Ally has taken one thing though that is precious to her and Emily her girlfriend, Emily’s cat Malcolm. Her dad has some ideas to get Ally back on track and enlists her old friend Jeremy who is the a similar situation to Ally. They each decide to come together to have a shoulder to cry on and help each other out by doing some of the things they wouldn’t of been able to do previous like run a half marathon. It is tender and sad but also uplifting to see friends reunited. There was some funny parts through out that made me chuckle, but I did really feel for her, it must be horrible to be dumped. Anyway at least she got the cat.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Quercus for sending me a copy of the book.

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Meet Me In Hawaii By Georgia Toffolo

Meet Me In Hawaii By Georgia Toffolo

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Where an ocean of love awaits

Malie Pukui doesn’t believe in happy ever after. After a tragedy caused her to flee her family and friends in Devon she found a fresh start in Hawaii. Here, working at a surf school, she can give back to those in need and try to overcome the greatest loss in her life.

Moved around foster homes throughout his childhood, Todd Masters has worked hard to be able to offer a brighter future to young disadvantaged children. Now he has his own charitable foundation working with a surf school in Hawaii, a job he loves, but he still can’t put his past behind him.

When Malie rescues Todd from the sea a spark ignites between them, and the two wounded souls find a common ground. But amidst the surf, sunsets and sizzling kisses, can Malie let go of her past and risk something she’d locked away forever… her heart?

My Thoughts:

This is such a lovely, dreamy romance story set in such a beautiful part of the world. Malie has a wonderful life, she runs surf lessons in the most romantic setting, after tragedy in her life she wants to give back so that is why she is running these lessons. Then she meets Todd, he has his own issues he has to deal with but can they learn to help each other? the spark between them is unreal, but can they make it work? At times I wanted to bash their heads together and say get on with it but the anticipation made it work. A story about finding love, hope and heartbreak in such a perfect setting in Hawaii, this story has really made me want to go there now. I look forward to Georgia’s next book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Mills and Boon and Netgalley for sending me a copy.

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The Lip By Charlie Carroll

The Lip By Charlie Carroll

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All of this is Bones Break.

All of this is mine.

I know every inch of it. I stand at dead centre, my feet teetering on the edge of the lip. Below, the thundering tattoo of waves on rock. The wind catches the tips of my hair; enough to make me right myself with a step to the left, and then another back again. Here on the lip, it is vital to know where my feet are.

My Thoughts:

The book is set in Cornwall where I wish I could just escape to right now. The Lip which the book is titled is a rocky overhang on a Cornish stretch of beach. No one knows it is there apart from Melody who lives in a caravan nearby. As no one knows it is there, she sometimes positions herself there and listens to what people say at the edge of this cliff. It is quite interesting what people have to say whether it is to themselves or other people. Melody lives by herself after some awful tragedies, she scavengers what ever she can get her hands on, and is very suspicious of everyone. The only person she trusts is Esther who checks on her regularly. The story is written in the present tense so as the reader you feel for this teenager. I think the book focuses on instability, all what Melody went through as is going through. The way Charlie has written about the scenery comes to life and you really feel as though you are there. It was an impressive debut novel.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Rachael and Two Roads for sending me a copy of this book.

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The Lake By Louise Sharland

The Lake By Louise Sharland

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The truth lies just beneath the surface…

Kate’s world falls apart when her teenage son drowns in the waters by his school. She’s convinced it wasn’t just a tragic accident, but no one will listen.

Then, six years later, Kate unearths Michael’s lost diary and realises she may finally be able uncover what really happened that night.

But as she delves deeper, she begins to realise that she didn’t really know her son – or the people in his life – at all. And that, sometimes, secrets are better left submerged…

My Thoughts:

I found this gritty, tense and couldn’t put it down. I craved it when I wasn’t reading it. Kate’s son is involved in a tragic accident, Kate doesn’t think all is as it seems so goes on a hunt to find out what really happened that night. What she finds out is truly shocking and the story takes you on a path that brings out secrets and she realises that she did not know her son at all. I will be looking out for more of Louise’s books as this one was a brilliant psychological thriller.

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

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The World at My Feet By Catherine Issac

The World at My Feet By Catherine Issac

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The secrets that bind us can also tear us apart…

1990. Harriet is a journalist. Her job takes her to dangerous places, where she asks questions and tries to make a difference. But when she is sent to Romania, to the state orphanages the world is only just learning about, she is forced to rethink her most important rule. 

2018. Ellie is a gardener. Her garden is her sanctuary, her pride and joy. But, though she spends long days outdoors, she hasn’t set foot beyond her gate for far too long. Now someone enters her life who could finally be the reason she needs to overcome her fears.

From post-revolution Romania to the idyllic English countryside, The World at My Feet is the story of two women, two worlds, and a journey of self-discovery that spans a lifetime.

My Thoughts:

I loved this story so much, this story will stay with me for a long time. The story centres around Ellie but also includes her mother’s story about how they came together. Hearing about those poor children in Romania in the state orphanages made me shed a few tears, I was absolutely shocked at their living conditions and how the children were in themselves. I really admired Ellie in all that she has achieved and life has been tough for her but with a good friend and her family I was hoping for the best. There is a love interest too but is it with the wrong person? I don’t think I have read a book where the person has a agoraphobia so it was interesting to learn about that side too. I just want to read this story over and over again. I think the story highlights that something needs to be done in state orphanages if it is still as bad as it was then.

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

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The Littlest Library By Poppy Alexander

The Littlest Library By Poppy Alexander

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It’s only the beginning of her story…

Jess Metcalf is perfectly happy with her quiet, predictable life – it’s just the way she likes it. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, her life is turned upside-down.

Packing up her grandmother’s books, she moves to a tiny cottage in a charming country village. To her surprise, Jess finds herself the owner of an old red telephone box, too – and she soon turns it into the littlest library around!

It’s not long before the books are borrowed and begin to work their magic – somehow, they seem to be bringing the villagers together once more…

Maybe it’s finally time for Jess to follow her heart and find a place to call home?

My Thoughts:

This is such a feel good story, what can you not like about a beautiful sounding setting, a little romance and lots of books. I fell in love with this story about Jess who after losing the one person that mattered most to her, she moves away and ends up in a tiny little village with a very small community. Has she made the right decision? after finding out she is the owner of a quaint red telephone box, what better to turn it into a little library. It was amazing to see how it bought the community together and helped people in their time of need. It was lovely to read and heart warming. I wonder if there will be another book.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Orion for sending me a copy of this book.

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The Castaways By Lucy Clarke

The Castaways By Lucy Clarke

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IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PERFECT HOLIDAY.

Day One on the island…
Seven strangers journey to Fiji for the holiday of a lifetime.
But the unthinkable happens – the plane crashing on a remote island, miles from home, miles from safety.

Day Thirteen on the island…
Thrown together in the wreckage of paradise, the list of survivors diminishes.
Names of the lost carved into the bark of a tree, one by one.

Day Thirty-three on the island…
And with each passing day, with each score on the tree, the tension mounts in the group.
Because when it becomes paradise lost, strangers are capable of anything…

IT WAS THE PERFECT MURDER.

My Thoughts:

I love a Lucy Clarke book and this has to be my absolute favourite one of her books so far, they way Lucy writes the end of a chapter leaves you hanging, so you feel as though you just have to keep reading on within a couple of hours I had finished the book. I found it tense and unsettling and I didn’t know who to trust. I imagined all sorts of things happening, but what does happen will shock you to the core. There are plenty of twists and turns that make for a truly gripping read, one that you will not want to put down until the very end.

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

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The Best is Yet to Come By Katy Collins

The Best is Yet to Come By Katy Collins

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

When you feel invisible, friendship can offer a ray of hope

Sometimes it’s the things we don’t say that we need others to hear the loudest . . .

Izzy has always taken everything in her stride but motherhood is proving more difficult than she thought. She keeps telling herself it’s just a phase but the dark clouds are starting to appear.

Neighbour and widower Arthur might be in the winter of his life but he’s not ready to be packed off to a care home. He’s determined to do things his way.

When Izzy hears about Arthur’s big move, she offers to help. But Arthur isn’t telling her the whole story. It takes courage to admit you need a friend and when you feel invisible, all you need is a ray of hope. After all, what if the best is yet to come?

My Thoughts:

This book was like having a big hug wrapped around you, it is a feel good story that may even have you shedding a tear or two. Izzy is finding it hard to balance motherhood and everything else after the recent arrival of her first baby, Arthur is her neighbour who is finding things a bit tough with being a widow and also he is not getting any younger. The pair bond over helping Arthur sort out his worldly possessions. Both are lonely but in different ways, can they help each other to see that they are not alone? I really loved this book, I think Izzy’s character is very relatable, I loved Arthur he reminded me of my grandad, it makes me want to check on my elderly neighbours more, you just don’t know who might be struggling a little bit. I love the way they help each other come out of their shells more. Such a lovely thoughtful story.

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

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The Secrets of Meadow Farmhouse By Katie Ginger

The Secrets of Meadow Farmhouse By Katie Ginger

by Hannah ♥ 3 Comments

Amelia loves her life in Paris. But with the surprise inheritance of her childhood home, Meadow Farmhouse, she has no choice but to return to the small village of Meadowbank to restore her great-aunt’s old farmhouse. However returning to Meadowbank means she has to confront her past, including old flame Adam.

When Amelia discovers a locket hidden in the farmhouse, containing the picture of a mysterious World War Two soldier, she starts to uncover the secrets of her great-aunt’s past and is drawn further into village life. Shocked by the warm welcome from the villagers and her own surprising feelings for first love Adam, Amelia is suddenly confused as to where she truly belongs.

Can Amelia finally confront her own past and find where her heart truly calls home?

My Thoughts:

I needed a little break from reading all the thrillers so picked this one to read to break it up a little. This was the perfect escape, Amelia is living in Paris and living her best life until she is surprised when she discovers she has inherited her childhood home Meadow farmhouse, even though she is not keen to return, return she must. She moved away for a reason and will that reason come back to haunt her? she is met with a few unfriendly villagers but actually finds solace in one villager who doesn’t know her aswell as the others do. Amelia has to get the farmhouse looking in top top shape if there is any chance of selling it, but she unearths some interesting things and looks deeper into her history. What will she discover? also she meets with her childhood friend/boyfriend at the time, will love bloom once again? this is a warm hearted easy read that you can escape to.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for sending me a copy.

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If She Dies By Erik Therme

If She Dies By Erik Therme

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How far would you go to right a wrong?

Nine months ago, Tess’s five-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident. The driver, Brady Becker, was sentenced to two years in prison. It didn’t make Tess’s pain go away.

Brady also has a daughter: A twelve-year-old named Eve who walks to Chandler Middle School every day. Tess knows this because she’s been watching Eve for the last three weeks. It isn’t fair that Brady’s daughter gets to live, while Tess’s daughter does not.

When Eve goes missing, all eyes turn to Tess, who doesn’t have an alibi. But Tess isn’t guilty.

Or so she believes.

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read any of Erik’s books before so didn’t know what to expect but I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading his other books now. I found the plot very engaging and also unpredictable, you never really knew as a reader where you were going to be taken next. Tess’s young daughter dies in a car accident, the driver has a young daughter too that Tessa has been watching for a few weeks, why? because it is not fair that her daughter died and the driver that killed her daughter, his daughter gets to live. When his daughter goes missing everyone points the finger at Tess, but was it her? I could never imagine how I would feel in Tess’s situation, it must be so hard for her, to write about experiencing a loss must be hard but it is written incredibly well with great descriptive writing. I liked how the story is set out with turns that I was never expecting. The ending was brilliant and well thought out. I now can’t wait to read more of Erik’s books.

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

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