Who is Maud Dixon? By Alexandra Andrews

7 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Florence Darrow wants to be a writer. Correction: Florence Darrow IS going to be a writer. Fired from her first job in publishing, she jumps at the chance to be assistant to the celebrated Maud Dixon, the anonymous bestselling novelist. The arrangement comes with conditions – high secrecy, living in an isolated house in the countryside. Before long, the two of them are on a research trip to Morocco, to inspire the much-promised second novel. Beach walks, red sunsets and long, whisky-filled evening discussions…win-win, surely? Until Florence wakes up in a hospital, having narrowly survived a car crash.

How did it happen – and where is Maud Dixon, who was in the car with her? Florence feels she may have been played, but wait, if Maud is no longer around, maybe Florence can make her mark as a writer after all…

My Thoughts:

Oh this is so good. If you like twisty thrillers that keep you on the edge this is the book for you. It is about Florence who gets fired from her job in a publishing house, a jb offer comes her way to be an assistant to an anonymous author. Florence jumps at the chance, even with specific conditions she doesn’t hesitate. On a research trip to Morocco, things are not all they seem, and when Florence wakes up in hospital not knowing how she got there, reality hits hard, where is the author and can Florence get what she has always wanted to become an author. The characters are described well and can be relatable. It is a fast paced read with twists and turns, I could see this becoming a film.

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

Get your copy here:

Trick By Sean Hancock

2 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Trick is fifteen and the only black kid growing up in a dead-end country town. He wins approval from his tough gang of friends by spotting an opportunity for a robbery at a local supermarket. He just never thought they’d go through with it. Even though they escape with more money than they’d anticipated, it is a botched job and cataclysmic events unfold. To make matters worse, Kelly Jenkins, the girl Trick has been in love with since he was seven years old, is planning her escape from their small town. If he doesn’t tell her how he feels now, he risks losing her forever.

A gritty fast-paced story full of suspense and intrigue, Trick is about friendship, love and a good kid’s determination to make something of his life, against all the odds

My Thoughts:

This is the story of Trick and his life as a teenager. In his town he is the only black kid and we see how what his life is like. Trick is part of a gang with a few interesting characters, they decide to rob the local grocery store, so that they can get enough money to go to London and see a music gig. They are surprised at how much they actually get. But not everything is well as they have robbed from a drug dealer who wants their blood on his hands, can they get away in time? some parts of this story are amusing but there is also a more serious side to it including the drug parts. Also we see how a teenage romance blooms too. A well written story that I am sure some people will be able to relate to. I warmed to Trick straight away.

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

Get your copy here:

You Love Me By Caroline Kepnes

1 April , 20211 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Joe Goldberg is done with cities, done with the muck and the posers, done with Love. Now, he’s saying hello to nature, to simple pleasures on a cosy island in the Pacific Northwest. For the first time in a long time, he can just breathe.

He gets a job at the local library – he does know a thing or two about books – and that’s where he meets her: Mary Kay DiMarco. Librarian. Joe won’t meddle, he will not obsess. He’ll win her the old fashioned way . . . by providing a shoulder to cry on, a helping hand. Over time, they’ll both heal their wounds and begin their happily ever after in this sleepy town.

The trouble is . . . Mary Kay already has a life. She’s a mother. She’s a friend. She’s . . . busy.

True love can only triumph if both people are willing to make room for the real thing. Joe cleared his decks. He’s ready. And hopefully, with his encouragement and undying support, Mary Kay will do the right thing and make room for him.

My Thoughts:

I have to admit I haven’t read any of the previous books but I have watched the Netflix series, and loved it. I wouldn’t normally read something before I watched it but I couldn’t miss an opportunity with this book. Even the cover looks creepy but oh so good. We follow Joe as he leaves the City and goes and lives on an island, who will he set his eyes on next? Joe has been written very well as a character you get the unease and creepiness from him, from watching the Netlix series I can see him and hear his voice too. If you haven’t read or watched the previous series I suggest you catch up before even attempting this book as you will get the back story. He starts working in a library where he meets Mary Kay. Can he win her over or does she have skeletons in her closet like him? The ending was superb and left me feeling shocked, but as this is my first read by Caroline I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but I rather enjoyed this story, complicated characters mixed in with a sexy and crazy storyline works wonders and makes it a highly recommended read from me.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Jess Barratt at Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy.

Get your copy here:

The Dinner Guest By B P Walter

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

Four people walked into the dining room that night. One would never leave.

Matthew: the perfect husband.

Titus: the perfect son.

Charlie: the perfect illusion.

Rachel: the perfect stranger.

Charlie didn’t want her at the book club. Matthew wouldn’t listen.

And that’s how Charlie finds himself slumped beside his husband’s body, their son sitting silently at the dinner table, while Rachel calls 999, the bloody knife still gripped in her hand.

My Thoughts:

I liked the sound of the plot, completely original to the psychological thrillers I am use to but it keeps it fresh and exciting reading something different. Four people that walk into a dining room and one never leaves, you start asking yourself all these questions even before you pick up the book. Like why? what did they do? so many questions but then you want to start reading and through out the book everything becomes apparent. We learn about each character throughout the book, Matthew is Charlie’s husband and Titus is Matthew’s son, Rachel is a stranger but does she know more about their life than they do? I did find it a little slow towards the middle but the ending made up for it. You won’t in a million years guess what the twist is. A very fresh and interesting read.

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

Get your copy here:

The Lost Hours By Susan Lewis

1 April , 20211 April , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Golden couple Annie and David Crayce have it all. A loving marriage, three beautiful children and a thriving family business. Life couldn’t be better. Until the unthinkable happens…

A perfect crime?

A piece of damning DNA evidence has arisen, placing David as the prime suspect of a murder committed twenty-years ago. Annie is sure her David is innocent. But if he isn’t guilty, then either his father or brother must be.

As the police investigate the cold case, so does Annie. Trawling through her old diaries, she begins desperately looking for answers. But it all comes down to a few lost hours she can’t solve.

And Annie begins to doubt the one person she thought she knew best… Her husband.

My Thoughts:

This is a captivating and intriguing read, you won’t want to put it down. I love how the story wove itself around each chapter, at the end of the chapter it leaves you hanging, so I felt as though I had to read on. The storyline is a good one where you never really know what is going to happen and is full of mystery. David is suspected as the prime suspect of a murder that happened several years back, DNA evidence shows it, his wife can’t believe her husband did it? but is David guilty or is someone else from his family guilty? webs of lies and betrayals surface to make one hell of a ride to find out who the murderer is. Will it be David? I think this is my most favourite of Susan’s books yet. Though all of her books are brilliant.

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

Get your copy here:

The Perfect Nanny By Karen Clarke and Amanda Brittany

31 March , 202131 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

You trust her with your home, your husband, your baby… but she is about to destroy it all.

Sophy Pemberton is struggling to cope with the pressures of becoming a new mother. Her nine-month-old son never settles in her arms and the unrelenting tiredness from late night feeds is all consuming.

So, when Liv Granger from the mother and baby group offers her services as a nanny, Sophy is overcome with relief. Now she can finally get some sleep… She can stop failing at being a mother.

But Liv has a secret.

She is convinced that Sophy was accountable for her brother’s tragic death and she has been searching for her for years.

And now that Liv’s found her, she’s outraged Sophy seems oblivious to the pain she has caused her family.

Sophy’s perfect house, perfect husband and perfect baby are too much for Liv to bear… and she’s going to make her pay.

My Thoughts:

I was not sure how this book was going to work with two authors but they have certainly pulled it out of the bag. It is gripping and full of twists and turns that makes for a brilliant read. Sophy is a first time mum who is struggling with her nine month old. Sophy meets Liv at a mother and baby group where Liv is a nanny to a little girl. Liv is having problems with the little girl’s dad so decides to help Sophy. But does Liv have more than just helping out Sophy up her sleeve? She knows Sophy from when they were young and when something terrible happened, but was it Sophy’s fault and can Liv get her revenge? I liked how the story was written, you are lead to believe it could be one person but is it really? I feel as though people can relate to the issues that are raised in this book too. It makes for a decent read. I can’t wait to see what these authors come up with next.

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

Get your copy here:

The Further Selected Poems of K Morris

29 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

This little book consists of serious and humorous verses. The poems range from those dealing with nature and mortality, through to limericks and other humorous verses.

My Thoughts:

Here we have some funny but also thought provoking poems and limericks. I have to say I do prefer the limericks that are in this book as they are very amusing. My favourite poem in the book is Sparrows in the tree as we get a lot of sparrows in our garden, they are very common in the UK. Now every time I see a sparrow I will be thinking of this poem. My favourite limerick in here is There once was a turkey called Paul, just from the title alone you know it is going to be funny. I laughed my socks off on this limerick. Thank you once again to Kevin who has written some truly fantastic verses.

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

Get your copy here:

The Sister Surprise By Abigail Mann

25 March , 202125 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Journalist Ava takes a DNA test hoping to discover her roots. Instead, she finds out she has a half-sister … whilst on a live stream watched by 100,000 people. Her boss thinks it’s the perfect click-bait story. Ava just wants to go to Moira’s tiny Scottish village and meet her.

But when Ava arrives undercover as a volunteer farmhand, she realises Moira – who’s her pig-wrestling, chatterbox polar opposite – might not be delighted by the news. And the longer Ava stays in Kilroch, with its inappropriately attractive reverend and ties to her hidden family past, the more complicated this surprise is going to get…

My Thoughts:

If you need a cheery and funny read, this is the book for you, I loved Abigail’s first book The Lonely Fajita and this one is just as good. Ava works as a journalist and when the opportunity comes to do a DNA test she decides to discover her family history. On discovering she has a half sister, she goes to meet her. They are the complete opposites what will happen as these two meet for the first time. A well thought out plot and some relatable characters make it a charming story. This is such a good book to escape to and really funny too. I look forward to her next book.

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

Get your copy here:

Backstories By Simon Van Der Velde

25 March , 202125 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

These are people you know, but not as you know them. Peel back the mask and see.

CAN YOU FIND THE FAMOUS PERSON HIDDEN IN EVERY STORY?

Dreamers, singers, heroes and killers, they can dazzle with their beauty or their talent or their unmitigated evil, yet inside themselves, they are as frail and desperate as the rest of us. But can you see them? Can you unravel the truth?

My Thoughts:

This book consists of several short stories that I found really enjoyable, they are thought provoking but at the same time I was trying to guess who they were. The theme to this book is unique but works incredibly well, it is different but in a good way. It made me want to go back for more. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. A truly unique book of short stories that is good for the mind.

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

Get your copy here:

http://bit.ly/Amazon-Backstories

http://bit.ly/Goodreads-Backstories

http://bit.ly/BookBub-Backstories

AUDIBLE

https://adbl.co/3rw4boT

www.simonvandervelde.com

Kill List By Vicki Fitzgerald

24 March , 202124 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Emilia has a secret hobby; killing.She’s hunting the Dark Web gamers who stole her life. The players underestimated Emilia’s will to survive and her thirst for vengeance. It’s her game now. Her rules, her kill list, and she has an unlikely accomplice teaching her how to get away with murder.

But revenge has a price that’s both breathtaking and disturbing. Will Emilia overcome betrayal and tragedy to settle the score and end the game?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this fast paced and captivating read, I liked the plot and couldn’t wait to see what would happen through out the story. Emilia is the main character, she is a strong and feisty woman who likes to kill. When she decides to hunt the gamers that stole her life, they were not expecting her to fight back as much as she does, but it’s up to her to get justice and she has a plan, a plan with the help of someone that will bring everyone and everything down. Will she get the closure she needs or not? I really liked the way the book was set out, the writing is descriptive so you really feel as though you are alongside her, thought I don’t think I would want to be as she is a little scary for me. I wouldn’t want to mess with her. I feel as though there are more great books to come from Vicki and I cannot wait.

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

Get your copy here: