Fridge By Emma Zadow

2 May , 20212 May , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Alice hasn’t been home for a while – for seven years, in fact. But when her little sister Lo tries to take her own life, she has to return to the life she left behind. The change of scenery from London to Norfolk proves quite the culture shock, however, and Alice has to confront what she left behind all those years ago.

The sisters’ relationship hasn’t evolved in Alice’s absence, and when she steps through the door she’s plunged back into the same world she escaped from. Set against Norfolk’s bleak landscapes, but masquerading as childhood nostalgia, Fridge is an all-too-familiar exploration of the broken promises of youth, and a bitter exposition of a generation left behind.

My Thoughts:

This story is about Alice and how after seven years away from her home she returns because of her sister Lo, who has been struggling and needs family to help her. Alice is shocked by everything upon her return, London is so much different to the quietness of Norfolk. Will she be able to help her sister and help herself? I liked the way this book is set out as a play, it is unique and different to anything I have read before. I liked the journey both sisters go on too, I kind of imagined it as me watching a play which put a different spin on it entirely. It is a nice short read and easy to pick up and put down.

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

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The Bone Code By Kathy Reichs

1 May , 20211 May , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

NO CRIME CAN STAY HIDDEN FOREVER

When a hurricane hits the Carolinas it uncovers two bodies, sharing uncanny similarities with a cold case in Quebec that has haunted Temperance Brennan for fifteen years.

At the same time, a rare bacterium that can eat human flesh is discovered in Charleston. Panic erupts and people test themselves for a genetic mutation that leaves them vulnerable.

With support from her long time partner Andrew Ryan, in a search that soon proves dangerous, Temperance discovers the startling connection between the victims of both murder cases – and that both the murders and the disease outbreak have a common cause . . .

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read any of Kathy’s books before so didn’t know what to expect. I liked the sound of the plot line and it was a really good thriller with twists that pull you more into the story. When two bodies are uncovered, that share similarities to an older case, can Temperance connect the two cases together. Aswell as trying to find out about this case there is a panic going on over a bacterium that easts human flesh. I liked the story the only thing that I was not keen on was how a couple of the words were shortened. But overall I enjoyed it and would read more of Kathy’s books.

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

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Sixteen Horses By Greg Buchanan

30 April , 202130 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Near the dying English seaside town of Ilmarsh, local police detective Alec Nichols discovers sixteen horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen travels to the scene, the investigators soon uncover evidence of a chain of crimes in the community – disappearances, arson and mutilations – all culminating in the reveal of something deadly lurking in the ground itself.

In the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightening and insidious mysteries – no matter the cost.

My Thoughts:

Upon hearing that this was a debut novel, I couldn’t wait to get started. I found it deeply creepy, eerie and gruesome in every way shape and form. The local police officer finds sixteen horses heads buried on a farm with their eyes pointing to the sun, the forensic veterinarian who investigates the crime scene soon uncovers more than she bargained for. Some things are just not quite right and it is for the police and the forensic veterinarian to discover what. I had never heard of a forensic vet before so it was interesting to learn about the job, the way the story goes is pure evil but it works, I would love to see this made for TV, I think it would do really well as a series. I haven’t read anything like this before and I don’t think I ever will.

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The Ends of the Earth By Abbie Greaves

30 April , 202130 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Mary O’Connor has been keeping a vigil for her first love for the past seven years.

Every evening without fail, Mary arrives at Ealing Broadway station and sets herself up among the commuters. In her hands Mary holds a sign which bears the words: ‘Come Home Jim.’

Call her mad, call her a nuisance, call her a drain on society – Mary isn’t going anywhere.

That is, until an unexpected call turns her world on its head. In spite of all her efforts, Mary can no longer find the strength to hold herself together. She must finally face what happened all those years ago, and answer the question – where on earth is Jim?

My Thoughts:

This was such a beautifully written story with so much empathy. The characters felt so real, I almost felt as though I knew them. Mary and Jim’s story shows the complex relationship of a marriage and will show how every emotion can be used for both partners. I found it such a moving read, one that wrapped itself around me, I didn’t want the story to end but when it did I felt satisfied. Marriage is only hard if the both of you don’t put 100% into it, otherwise what is the point.

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

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The Wife Who Got A Life By Tracy Bloom

29 April , 202129 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Can Cathy Collins Ditch Cooking by spring?
Or Get a Life Outside the Family by summer?
Will her husband still be listening in October when it’s time to have a Really Important Chat?
And can she FALL IN LOVE AGAIN by December?

Cathy is left open-mouthed when her husband hijacks the family’s New Year resolutions and throws in a midlife bombshell, so after years of school drop-offs and housework, Cathy decides it’s time to take control of life before it takes control of her. She makes a list of monthly goals that she hopes will set her up for the coming of middle age.

Cathy soon realises that nailing the list isn’t quite as easy as it seems, but she’s a mum on a mission and nothing’s going to stop her now…

My Thoughts:

I loved this book a lot. I would happily re-read it a million times over as it is just too good. Cathy is a wife and mother, she has to do everything around the house as no one else is going to do it. I am sure a lot of women will be able to relate I know I did and I only have a husband. It is hilarious so much so I could not stop laughing through out. I think the fish finger scenario really had me in stitches. You need to read it for yourself. Her husband has a midlife crisis and Cathy decides she needs to take control of her life. A book that you really do not want to miss out on. I did feel sorry for Cathy at times but I could sympathise with her. Tracy Bloom is an addictive author. I can’t wait to read her next one.

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

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The Silent Suspect By Nell Pattison

29 April , 202115 January , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 3 Comments

On a quiet street, one house is burning to the ground…

By the time sign language interpreter Paige Northwood arrives, flames have engulfed her client’s home. Though Lukas is safe, his wife is still inside. But she was dead before the fire started…

Lukas signs to Paige that he knows who killed his wife. But then he goes silent – even when the police arrest him on suspicion of murder.

Is he guilty, or afraid? Only Paige can help him now…

My Thoughts:

I have loved reading Nell’s previous books, if you haven’t read them you really should as they are just as good as this one. All of Nell’s books are fast paced and chilling. You never know what is around the corner when reading, especially with this story. It is about Lukas and his wife, when a huge fire starts at their house, Lukas calls Paige who is his interpreter as he is deaf, when she arrives Lukas is fine but his wife is not. They find out that his wife was already dead before the fire started. But who killed her? all fingers point to Lukas but was it really him? or does he know more than he is letting on? Paige goes on a quest to find out what really happened. Will she be in trouble too? A dramatic, tense and on the edge of your seat read. I look forward to Nell’s next book.

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

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The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman By Julietta Henderson

29 April , 20216 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

It was a journey they would always remember . . . for a friend they’d never forget.

Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they’re fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides a tribute act for his best friend just can’t wait, so he rewrites their plan:

1. Look after mum | 2. Find Dad | 3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe

Sadie knows she won’t win Mother of the Year and she’s not proud she doesn’t know who her son’s father is. But when she finds Norman’s list, all she wants is to see her son smile again… So they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman’s dad along the way.

My Thoughts:

If this book taught me anything it was to never give up on your dreams, as long as you have the determination then anything is possible. I really warmed to Norman and wanted him to achieve all his dream goals in life. Norman and his best mate Jax have made a plan, one that involves being a comedy duo and going to the Edinburgh Fringe where they want to perform. Unfortunately tragedy strikes with Jax and Norman has to re write their plan but he is determined to get there, with his mum on his side the pair go on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, what will they find when they get there and will Norman be able to perform without his best mate by his side? A lovely tale of sheer determination and help from his mum makes this a perfect read.

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

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Her Last Holiday By C L Taylor

29 April , 202129 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

You come to Soul Shrink to be healed. You don’t expect to die.

Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat in Gozo that went terribly wrong.

Tom Wade, the now infamous man behind Soul Shrink Retreats, has just been released from prison after serving his sentence for the deaths of two people. But he has never let on what happened to the third victim: Jenna.

Determined to find out the truth, Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat – the first since his release – and finds herself face to face with the man who might hold the key to her sister’s disappearance. The only question is, will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna’s secrets to stay hidden?

My Thoughts:

I thought Cally’s last book was my favourite but this one most definitely is. Cally’s books just keep on getting better and better. When Fran’s sister Jenna disappears from a wellness retreat in Gozo, people are suspicious as to what really happened to her. Fran sets out on a journey to see if she can piece together what happened to her sister, did Jenna have secrets to hide and will Fran get caught up in it all. Expect drama, lies, secrets, twists and turns that I did not see coming. I thought I knew half way what had happened but I could never believe what I found out. The story kept me on edge the whole time reading it and my hand was over my mouth as I was shocked to discover the truth.

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

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The End of Men By Christina Sweeney-Baird

29 April , 202129 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Glasgow, 2025. Dr Amanda Maclean is called to treat a patient with flu-like symptoms. Within three hours he is dead. This is how it begins.

The unknown virus sweeps through the hospital with deadly speed.

The victims are all men.

Dr Maclean raises the alarm. But by the time the authorities listen to her, the virus has spread to every corner of the world. Threatening families. Governments. Countries.

Can they find a cure before it’s too late? Can they stop

THE END OF MEN?

My Thoughts:

The first thing that came to me whilst reading this book is it is very close to home with the pandemic that we are currently going through at the moment, when something like this happens it is absolutely devastating, this is the first book I have read that confronts this type of pandemic and I wonder if there will be any other books that confront this issue. It all felt very real reading this, the fact that no one really thought anything of it at the beginning but then how it all spiralled out of control. If we weren’t where we are at the moment then I would not believe this could ever happen. It really makes you think what life would be like if you were in this situation. A though provoking and emotional read, one that made me think and one I will never forget.

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

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The Wild Girls By Phoebe Morgan

29 April , 202129 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

It’s been years since Grace, Felicity, Alice and Hannah were together – The Wild Girls, as they were once called, are no longer so wild. Hannah has settled with a new baby and partner. Alice is now a teacher. Grace has gone to ground. Only Felicity seems to have the same spark she once had.

And now Felicity has invited them all on the weekend of a lifetime – a mini-break in Botswana to celebrate her birthday, a chance to put that night two years ago behind them, when things went so very wrong between them, and their bomb-proof friendship was shattered for ever.

But on arriving at the luxury safari lodge, a feeling of unease settles on Grace, Hannah and Alice. Felicity isn’t there to meet them. There’s no sign of the party she promised. The awful phone signal means that they are on their own, in the wild…

It’s a weekend with a difference. But who is hunting who?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to delve into my next Phoebe Morgan novel, this one was absolutely brilliant. When three friends are invited to a mini break to Botswana to celebrate their friends birthday what could possibly go wrong? since not seeing each other for a long time and having grown up and going their separate ways, what will have changed between them? I liked how the story grew more as it went on, you didn’t really know what was going to happen next. Secrets, lies and betrayals are all involved, which friend would you trust? It will be hard to top this as one of my favourite reads. Phoebe Morgan has written a masterpiece.

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

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