The Castaways By Lucy Clarke

18 March , 202118 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

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

18 March , 202118 March , 2021 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

17 March , 202117 March , 2021 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

16 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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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Virgin River ( Book 1) By Robyn Carr

15 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 4 Comments

Sometimes all you need is a fresh start

When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees an advert for a midwife in the remote town of Virgin River, she decides this is the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to revitalise the nursing career she loves.

However, her hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is uninhabitable, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. But when a tiny baby is abandoned on a front porch, Mel must decide whether to stay and help or cut her losses and leave.

Helped by local barman, and former marine, Jack Sheridan Mel must face her past, and finds that there may be a future in Virgin River after all.

My Thoughts:

I loved this story, I actually watched the netflix series first before reading this book, and I didn’t realise how many books are in the Virgin River series. I have some serious catching up to do. I loved the plot line for this story, and the characters are really brought to life. They make you feel as though you are a part of the story, it almost feels familiar, I fell in love with the scenery and where it is set, you just don’t want to leave. The story centres around Mel after an awful time in her life, she decides to escape to Virgin River to become a midwife, little does she know how much she will fall for the place. Lots of things happen that put her on edge but with the friendly locals will she feel settled or will she up sticks and leave? I thoroughly enjoyed this book, there was lots more descriptions than in the netflix series but they are both good.

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

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All You Need is Love By Jessica Redland

11 March , 202111 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

When you’ve loved and lost, how do you find the strength to let love in again?

Jemma thinks she’s found the love of her life. Scott is everything she ever dreamed of and she can’t wait to begin the next stage of their life together. But just as she is heading for her happy ever after, a shock revelation shatters Jemma’s life as she knows it. Left to pick up the pieces, Jemma’s friends and family rally round to help her find the courage to move on.

Sam think he has his future all worked out. A thriving career, lovely home and an amazing fiancée. But when tragedy strikes, he finds himself alone, far from everyone he cares about. Did he do the right thing by running away and trying to rebuild the tatters of his life alone?

This is the story of Jemma and Sam. Two lost souls, desperately trying to find closure and happiness. When a chance meeting brings them together a friendship is formed, but the guards are up.

Will it finally be their turn for a happy ever after? Or will the secrets from their pasts prevent them from moving on?

My Thoughts:

As much as I have really enjoyed reading Jessica’s previous novels, this has to be my favourite by far. It is about two people drawn together through heartache. It is emotional but explores real life issues that has been written in a sensitive manner. Two extremely loving people called Jemma and Sam who are always doing stuff for others and put everyone before themselves experience utter heartbreak, I loved how the story develops, there are lots of turns that I never saw coming, I just didn’t want the story to end. I couldn’t and wouldn’t put this book down. Jemma is a tough and strong woman, her mum is incredibly brave to accept what she is going through, the parts where her doctor doesn’t seem to care reminded me of my own similar experiences that I have had, Sam seems a wonderful man who has really taken it hard what has happened to him, he has been through a lot and holding on to alot of things isn’t helping him. This is a story that is relatable and will stay with me for a long time. It is sad and I did cry quite a bit, it made me feel really emotional finishing it which I have never had with a book before. It makes me want to hug my loved ones tighter as you never know what is around the corner.

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

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Dog Days By Erika Waller

11 March , 202111 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

George is a grumpy, belligerent old man who has just lost his wife. She has left him notes around the home and a miniature dachshund puppy called Poppy. But George doesn’t want a dog, he wants to fight everyone who is trying to help him.

Dan has OCD but has channeled his energy into his career as a therapist. Afraid to acknowledge his true feelings, his most meaningful relationship so far is with his dog Fitz. That is, until Atticus walks into his life.

Lizzie is living in a women’s refuge with her son Lenny. Her body is covered in scars and she has shut herself off from the world. She distrusts dogs, but when she starts having to walk the refuge’s dog, Maud, things begin to change.

As three strangers’ lives unravel and intersect, they ultimately must accept what fate has in store for them with their dogs by their sides. Set against the backdrop of Brighton, Dog Days is an inspiring, unflinching, and deeply moving novel about life, and the way dogs can help us understand it, and each other, a little better.

My Thoughts:

In this story we follow three people’s lives, dogs are part of each person’s story. George is a grumpy old man but when you read about his story, you can kind of see why. His story for me was the saddest and I wished for better things for him. His late wife had a dog and he doesn’t want anything to do with it until his saviour comes along and basically gives him a shove in the right direction. Lizzie has a son called Lenny and they are living in a women’s refuge, she has had alot to deal with in the past and is trying to put a brave face on for the sake of her son but can she really? she starts walking Maud and it makes a real difference to her life. Dan is a therapist who can’t admit his own feelings, he has his own dog that is always there for him until a man walks into his life and his chair, can he bring himself to admit his feelings or will he miss out on something that he has always wanted? Bringing these three people and their lives including all the dogs involved makes this book really stand out for me, dogs have their way of bringing people out of their shell in the best way possible. I liked how we weaved through George, Lizzie and Dan’s story and it wasn’t hard to keep up, I really enjoyed reading this story and found it inventive.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and ST. Martin’s Griffin.

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Mainely Money (A Goff Langdon Mainely Mystery Book 3) By Matt Cost

10 March , 202110 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Money is power. Those who have the money wield the power. Laid back, slacker detective Goff Langdon is confronted by this fact as he investigates the blackmailing of a U.S. senator. What starts as a simple extortion case quickly becomes a race for survival as Langdon faces off against a veiled villain with big money and little morals.

My Thoughts:

It is all coming to an end in the Goff Langdon series, as this is book three in the series, If you haven’t read the other two I would suggest reading them first as you get to know the characters and the back story about them. They are too good not to be missed. This story is just as good as the others if not better, Goff this time is investigating the blackmail of a U.S. senator, will it be an simple case or will Goff get himself into hot water again? We also see how Goff’s life has evolved since the last book. The story was engaging, I already felt as I knew Goff and his friends after reading book one and two. I was sad to finish the story but I look forward to seeing what Matt is writing next.

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

Get your copy here:

If you are interested in reading book one called Mainely Power, click on the link down below:

Book two is called Mainely Fear

The Dare By Lesley Kara

9 March , 20219 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 4 Comments

As a child, it was just a game. As an adult, it was a living nightmare.

‘This time it’s different. She’s gone too far now.
She really has.’

When teenage friends Lizzie and Alice decide to head off for a walk in the countryside, they are blissfully unaware that this will be their final day together – and that only Lizzie will come back alive.

Lizzie has no memory of what happened in the moments before Alice died, she only knows that it must have been a tragic accident. But as she tries to cope with her grief, she is shocked to find herself alienated from Alice’s friends and relatives. They are convinced she somehow had a part to play in her friend’s death.

Twelve years later, unpacking boxes in the new home she shares with her fiancé, Lizzie is horrified to find long-buried memories suddenly surfacing. Is the trauma of the accident finally catching up with her, or could someone be trying to threaten her new-found happiness?

Twelve years is a long time to wait, when you’re planning the perfect revenge . . .

My Thoughts:

This book has now made me want to read Lesley’s other books, it was a really good story that had anticipation, twists and turns that kept on coming through out. It held my attention and was intriguing all the way through. The story is about Alice and what happened to her and her best friend when they were kids, the story is set in the present but does go back to the day that changed everything and everyone. A number of years later Alice is moving into her her new home with her fiancé and living a good life when it all comes crashing down again as a surprise visitor turns up, who is it and what do they want? I found this story really addictive and can’t wait to read more by Lesley. This was a really good read.

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

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My Kind of Happy By Cathy Bramley

8 March , 2021 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Flowers have always made Fearne smile. She treasures the memories of her beloved grandmother’s floristry and helping her to arrange beautiful blooms that brought such joy to their recipients.

But ever since a family tragedy a year ago, Fearne has been searching for her own contentment. When a chance discovery inspires her to start a happiness list, it seems that Fearne might just have found her answer…

Sometimes the scariest path can be the most rewarding. So is Fearne ready to take the risk and step into the unknown? And what kind of happiness might she find if she does?

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to start reading this book, every book by Cathy gets better and better, they certainly do not disappoint. It is an engaging and comforting read, I wanted to savour this book but ended up reading it within two days, it was just too good. Fearne has been through an awful family tragedy and is not very happy with her life until a chance discovery of a letter makes her realise she has not fulfilled her true potential and sets out on a journey to discover her happiness. Is she ready to find happiness? It made me realise if you are not happy with your life then go and sort it out, do whatever makes you happy and do it for yourself. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

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