Invisible Girl By Lisa Jewell

26 February , 202126 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

YOU DON’T SEE HER. BUT SHE SEES YOU.

MIDNIGHT. In the bad part of town, where cats prowl and foxes shriek, a girl is watching…

When Saffyre Maddox was ten, something terrible happened, and she’s carried the pain of it ever since. The man who she thought was going to heal her didn’t, and now she hides and watches him, learning his secrets, invisible in the shadows.

Owen Pick is invisible too. He’s never had a girlfriend; he’s never even had a friend.
Nobody sees him. Nobody cares.

But when Saffyre goes missing from opposite his house on Valentine’s Day, suddenly the whole world is looking at Owen.

Accusing him. Holding him responsible for Saffyre’s disappearance…

My Thoughts:

I really enjoy reading a book by Lisa Jewell, to me this was not her best book, I really liked Watching you and her previous novels How Lisa writes is brilliant as I find it is like the layers of an onion, there are lots of layers and depth that you have to work through to get to the middle par. You just don’t get that in some thrillers. I felt as though this one was a little slow and it kind of felt as though I was reading two separate novels. Though saying all that, it did grip me and I wanted to know what the outcome was. The ending was good too, it wrapped up all the loose ends.

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

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Call Me Mummy By Tina Baker

25 February , 202125 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 3 Comments

Glamorous, beautiful Mummy has everything a woman could want… except for a daughter of her very own. So when she sees Kim – heavily pregnant, glued to her phone and ignoring her eldest child in a busy shop – she does what anyone would do. She takes her. But little foul-mouthed Tonya is not the daughter that Mummy was hoping for.

Meanwhile Kim is demonised by the media as a ‘scummy mummy’, who deserved to lose Tonya and ought to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media’s rules, she begins to spiral, turning on those who love her.

Though they are worlds apart, Mummy and Kim have more in common than they could possibly imagine. But it is five-year-old Tonya who is caught in the middle…

CALL ME MUMMY. IT’LL BE BETTER IF YOU DO.

My Thoughts:

I was blown away with this powerful novel. I liked the way there were no chapters but the story was told by multiple people, it made me want to keep reading. There are a few sensitive issues that I think people could find relatable. I felt as though I could relate to it, and I know I am not alone. The book deals with post natal depression, IVF, mental health and physical health issues. Kim is the mother of Tonya who goes missing and Mummy is the other woman (Tonya calls her that), that sees Tonya and decides to take her. The book concentrates on Motherhood and Childlessness and is written superbly. A story that will stay with me for a long time and I couldn’t believe it was a debut, I look forward to see what Tina writes about next.

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

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History of a Drowning Boy By Dennis Nilson

25 February , 202111 December , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

Dennis Nilsen was one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers, jailed for life in 1983 after the murders of 12 men and the attempted murders of many more.

Seven years after his conviction, Nilsen began to write his autobiography, and over a period of 18 years he typed 6,000 pages of introspection, reflection, comment and explanation.

History of a Drowning Boy – taken exclusively from these astonishing writings – uncovers, for the first time, the motives behind the murders, and delivers a clear understanding of how such horrific events could have happened, tracing the origins back to early childhood.

In another first, it provides an insight into his 35 years inside the maximum-security prison system, including his everyday life on the wings; his interactions with the authorities and other notorious prisoners; and his artistic endeavours of music, writing and drama. It also reveals the truth behind many of the myths surrounding Dennis Nilsen, as reported in the media.

Nilsen was determined to have his memoir published but to his frustration, the Home Office blocked publication during his lifetime. He died in 2018 entrusting the manuscript to his closest friend and it is now being published with the latter’s permission.

Any autobiography presents the writer’s story from just one perspective: his own, and as such this record should be treated with some caution. An excellent foreword by criminologist Dr Mark Pettigrew offers some context to Nilsen’s words, and this important work provides an extraordinary journey through the life of a remarkable and inadequate man.

My Thoughts:

I watched the ITV drama that they did on Dennis Nilsen quite recently and found it fascinating but wanted to know more so was lucky enough to be asked to read and review the autobiography. It literally sent shivers down my spine but I just couldn’t put it down. Nilsen was a notorious killer and killed 12 men and tried to kill more, he was jailed in 1983 for life, here we learn about his time in prison where he served 35 years, it is a strange story as he admits to killing the men but what we don’t know or understand is why these particular men. There are parts about the murders that are gruesome but that is just how he did it, I feel as though this story needs to be told and it is one that has intrigued me for a very long time. I am glad I got the chance to read this book.

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

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A Good Father By Catherine Talbot

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

Des is a good husband, a good father – a good man.

He encourages his wife’s artistic endeavours, reads bedtime stories to his children every night, and holds down a well-paid, if unfulfilling, job.

But appearances can be deceptive. Lately, his wife seems to be forgetting that her art is for his eyes only. And rumours at work are threatening his reputation as a devoted family man. And he can’t help but feel that his kids don’t seem to need him as much as they once did.

Des is afraid.
Afraid of the world encroaching on his home.
Afraid of past mistakes catching up on him.

So afraid of losing control over his family that he is contemplating the unthinkable.

My Thoughts:

This is the story of Des and his family, I found straight away that I wasn’t a big fan of Des he seemed to have a control over his wife that I didn’t like. I haven’t read a book like this before, it is like we really get into Des’s head. I felt the story was dark and shows a family living not knowing what is really going on. The story gives a good understanding of a person who is a psychopath and domestic violence is also featured. It was an interesting read but I just felt as though I didn’t connect with the characters.

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

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A Life Lost By Cathy Glass

23 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Jackson is aggressive, confrontational and often volatile. His mother, Kayla, is crippled with grief after tragically losing her husband and eldest son. Struggling to cope, she puts Jackson into foster care.

Cathy, his carer, encourages Jackson to talk about what has happened to his family, but he just won’t engage. His actions continue to test and worry everyone.

Then, in a dramatic turn of events, the true reason for Jackson’s behaviour comes to light …

My Thoughts:

Another brilliant read by the wonderful Cathy Glass, a read I just didn’t want to put down. I always speed through these books, this story is about Jackson but we also kind of follow Tilly’s story which follows on from the last book A Terrible Secret. Jackson is a very angry young kid who is struggling with his emotions after losing his brother and his dad. His mum can’t cope with his violent outbursts as she has two daughters to look after too and she is grieving too. Jackson’s mum puts him into care and he goes to live with Cathy. Cathy does her best for him and encourages him to speak about what has happened, at first he hates everyone but when he finally does speak up, you won’t believe what he tells them. I really appreciate Cathy telling us her stories about being a foster carer and trying to raise awareness of children in hope of improving the system. I know she touches on this in the book, I praise her for what an absolutely fantastic job she has done for all those kids and their families. I cried at the end of this book, I feel as though things may be coming to an end, I hope I am not right.

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The Foreign Girls By Sergio Olguin

18 February , 202122 December , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

When two European backpackers are found murdered after attending a high society party in northern Argentina, sacrificial offerings left near the bodies point to their involvement in a Macumba rite.

But for their friend Veronica Rosenthal, a courageous investigative journalist with a proclivity for sexual adventure, the story smacks a cover-up. Sure enough, Veronica’s determination to get justice for the ‘foreign Girls’ quickly reveals a political dimension to the murder and leads her into very dangerous territory, bringing her face to face with old enemies, as well as new ones.

My Thoughts:

This is book two in the Veronica Rosenthal series, here we see her trying to discover what happened to the foreign girls, Veronica is a journalist that investigates different things. Will she find out what really happened to them or will she get caught up in more than she bargained for? Will she get herself into trouble? We see a few characters that we met in the first book return good and bad ones. I found this one better than the first, you can read these ones as a stand alone but if you want the back story then I suggest reading them in order.

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

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Safe and Sound By Philippa East

18 February , 202118 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Home can be the most dangerous place…

In a small London bedsit, a radio is playing. A small dining table is set for three, and curled up on the sofa is a body…

Jenn is the one who discovers the woman, along with the bailiffs. All indications suggest that the tenant – Sarah Jones – was pretty, charismatic and full of life.

So how is it possible that her body has lain undiscovered for ten whole months?

My Thoughts:

Wow this book left me utterly breathless, the speed in which I read it shocked me, I just wanted to find out what had happened. This is a very engaging story that left me shocked by the ending. It was an absolutely brilliant story line and the characters were all brilliant, it kept me guessing till the end and the ending made me say oh my god. I liked how it felt as though two stories were running alongside each other, Jenn’s story but also Sarah’s story. It was an intriguing tale that I just didn’t want to put down. I feel as though this book is going to be a major hit next year. It would make a good film.

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

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The Promise By Lucy Diamond

18 February , 202118 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

When Patrick Sheppard suddenly and tragically dies, he leaves behind a family in pieces. Zoe has lost the love of her life. Ethan, Gabe and Beatrice have lost their larger-than-life dad. There’s a hole where Patrick should be and none of them can see a way forward.

For Patrick’s brother Dan, though: his mission is clear. He needs to help the Sheppards to find some sort of happy again, and he makes a promise to himself to try and come close to the man Patrick was. But as he immerses himself in the frantic school run, dishing up tea and sorting the bills, Dan begins to see he might not have known the man Patrick really was, underneath it all. His brother was keeping secrets.

Juggling his heartbroken family and the catastrophic truth that could break them all over again, Dan has to face what he’s been keeping from himself all this time: what really happened on the night that Patrick died.

My Thoughts:

You really can’t go wrong with a Lucy Diamond book. I loved this story, it is about Patrick and his family, when Patrick dies he leaves behind his wife and his children. Zoe his wife doesn’t know how to cope without him, his brother Dan tries to step in to help her out as he sees she is struggling but unearths something truly devastating, should he tell her? trying to do what is best for everyone involved he tries to help everyone out. I liked Dan, he always thinks about others first, he put his feelings on hold to help his family first. I really felt for Zoe and what she has been through and I can never imagine the pain she must of felt when Patrick died but also when she discovers the truth. You never really know what is going on behind closed doors. A truly heartbreaking ending made this book a wonderful yet emotional read.

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

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The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot By Marianne Cronin

18 February , 202118 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

As seventeen-year-old Lenni is about to learn, it’s not only what you make of life that matters, but who you share it with.

Dodging the doctor’s orders on the terminal ward, she bumps into fellow patient Margot, a rebel-hearted eight-three-year-old. Their bond is instant as they realize that together they have lived an astonishing one hundred years.

To celebrate their shared century, they tell each other their life stories: of growing old and staying young, of giving joy, of receiving kindness, of losing love, of finding the person who is everything.

As their extraordinary friendship grows, it becomes vividly clear that life is not done with them yet.

My Thoughts:

I can assure you now, you will need a tissue or two to read this emotional but tender story about Lenni and Margot. I fell in love with Lenni and Margot and loved seeing their friendship develop, it was heartwarming to see. I really liked how the book is set out, we go from the past to the present where we find out more about their lives. This book really made me grateful for the life that I live and my family and friends. The ending really got me and I was glad to have a tissue. A beautiful tale of two friends who form an unbreakable friendship through tough times.

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

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Long Shadows( The Silver Lake Series Book 5)

14 February , 202114 February , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Jake and Lori return to Rehoboth Beach to pick up the threads of family life.
As they look forward to Jake’s first solo tour with Garrett, the album launch and the arrival of the new baby, life is looking good but then a cruel twist fate casts Long Shadows over the Silver Lake family.
Will life ever be the same?

Long Shadows is the final book in the Silver Lake series

My Thoughts:

I have been waiting patiently for this book to read as I just loved all the other books in the series, I would thoroughly recommend to read all of the other books first to get a sense of all the characters and their stories. Jake and Lori have come back to pick up the pieces of their families life, so when they are looking forward to a number of different things including Jake’s first tour on his own and a baby, life is perfect for them until something completely out of the blue happens and threatens all of the Silver Lake Families lives. What could it be? Can anyone’s life go back to normal? I think Coral wrote a cracking last book to the Silver Lake Series. It is a shame to finish reading about their lives but all good things must come to an end. I look forward to seeing what Coral is going to write about next.

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

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The Silver Lake Series include:

Book One – Stronger Within

Book Two – Impossible Depths

Book Three – Bonded Souls

Book Four – Shattered Hearts

Book Five – Long Shadows