The Little Dreams of Lara Cliffe

10 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Lara Cliffe and her three friends are off on a mini break for her hen party. It’s three weeks before her wedding to ’Steady Freddie’, one of the kindest men on the planet. But something is worrying Lara. Her friends say it’s wedding jitters, but she isn’t so sure. Fifteen years ago the love of her life, Danny Belfont, walked out on her three weeks before their wedding and she has never been able to fully get him out of her heart.

Then, on the overnight ferry, Lara finds out that Danny is playing in the onboard band and he spots her in the crowd. Will she meet him the next night to talk?

As the wonderful city of Amsterdam works its magic on Lara, she tries to sort out her thoughts. And if fate has brought Lara and Danny back together … is it really for love or for something quite different?

My Thoughts:

If you want a little gap filler inbetween reading then any of the quick reads books are for you. I actually won this one in a competition set up by Milly Johnson. It is a quick read so it is only about 100 pages. I devoured it in one sitting as it was too good to leave. A nice easy read that makes you feel as though you are there with the girls. There is quite a lot of drama packed into this short read, the characters and plot were wonderful but I know Milly Johnson’s books are the best anyway. If your looking for a short story that packs a punch this is the book for you.

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kindle edition

Paperback

I know your secret By Ruth Heald

10 June , 202011 May , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

You’re not who you say you are. Neither is she.

She thinks she’s got away with it. She thinks she’s turned over a new leaf, that the past is in the past.

She thinks she’s finally safe, with her perfect son, her devoted husband, and her immaculate suburban house.

She believes the memories of what she did all those years ago are confined to her bedside drawer, tucked carefully away.

She believes she deserves a second chance.

I have to know, how can she live with herself? Isn’t she haunted by the wail of the alarm, the smoke in her lungs, the echoing scream? Doesn’t she lose sleep over the way the flames licked the walls, devouring everything they touched? Why hasn’t the guilt eaten her alive?

So how can I forget? How can I forgive?

Because I know her secret. And I’m not letting her get away with it.

My Thoughts:

This is a very cleverly written story, it makes you think you know what is going to happen but then it takes a turn that you were least expecting. The story started off ok but towards the middle was when I really started enjoying it. There are lots of shock twists that are edge of the seat stuff, it makes you think who do you believe of want to believe. I need to read more of Ruth’s books.

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

get your copy here:

Kindle edition

Maybe One Day By Debbie Johnson

8 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

What if you had the chance to find a lost love?

Jess still thinks about the man who disappeared from her life seventeen years ago, and the tragedy that tore them apart. So when she discovers a hidden box of letters in her mother’s attic, Jess realises that the truth about why he walked away has been kept from her all this time.

Jess sets out to follow the faded postmarks across the country, determined that her journey will bring her closer to him. As each clue falls into place, Jess discovers new things about herself – and the man who once broke her heart. Maybe she can find him. Maybe their love story isn’t over.

Maybe one day, they will be together again…

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this moving, and heart wrenching story. I really liked how it was set out there is wonderful characters with real life situations going on, road trips, going down memory lane and also how the letters are written in a different font. I did find the start of the book a little slow but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. The story is set around Jess who goes on a search for her lost love Joe, there are other people who crop up too, including their daughter, which is such a sad story, I did need a tissue for that part. There is an almighty road trip between Jess and her cousin and some funny banter along the way too. What I found was lovely and just perfect was the ending. You will have to read this book to find out how it ended.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

Paperback

My Lies, Your Lies By Susan Lewis

8 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

His life was destroyed by a lie.

Her life will be ruined by the truth.

Joely tells other people’s secrets for a living. As a ghost writer, she’s used to scandal – but this just might be her strangest assignment yet.

Freda has never told her story to anyone before. But now she’s ready to set the record straight and to right a wrong that’s haunted her for forty years.

Freda’s memoir begins with a 15-year-old girl falling madly in love with her teacher. It ends in a way Joely could never possibly have imagined.

As the story unravels, Joely is spun deeper into a world of secrets and lies. Delving further into Freda’s past, Joely’s sure she can uncover the truth… But does she want to?

My Thoughts:

I have only read a couple of Susan’s books and enjoyed them, however with this book I found it a little slow going to start with, towards the middle it started to get better and the ending was good. The story could be an uncomfortable story for some, teacher being with pupil I am not saying I agree with it all so I was curious and intrigued about where the story would lead. Throughout the second half of the book I found turns that I was shocked I didn’t pick up on, the characters are captivating and the twists are very good.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

Hardcover

Little Boy Lost By J. P. Carter ( A DCI Anna Tate Thriller)

3 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 4 Comments

Little Boy Lost: The new and absolutely gripping British detective crime thriller in 2020, for fans of books by Cara Hunter (A DCI Anna Tate Crime Thriller, Book 3) by [J. P. Carter]

Innocence is no protection against evil…

One early October afternoon, ten-year-old Jacob Rossi begins the short walk home from school. But he never makes it.

Days later, DCI Anna Tate is called to the scene of a burning building, where an awful discovery has been made. A body has been found, and the label in his school blazer reads: J. Rossi.

As Anna starts digging, she soon learns that a lot of people had grudges against the boy’s father. But would any of them go so far as to take his son?

And is the boy’s abductor closer than she thinks?

My Thoughts:

This is the third book in the DCI Anna Tate Series, you can read them as a standalone but to get a good grip of the characters I would suggest read the other two first. These books just keep getting better and better, brilliant storyline that pulls you right in. It had me gripped for the whole of the book, I did guess who the abductor was half way through but I still enjoyed this fast paced thriller. Continuing on from the last book I liked seeing where the characters were and how Anna and her Daughter’s relationship is after all this time of being apart. I am looking forward to reading the next book in great anticipation.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

Paperback

The Gin O’Clock Club By Rosie Blake

2 June , 20203 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

Lottie is always in a hurry, rushing through her days ticking tasks off her to-do lists. Teddy is worried about his granddaughter – and he knows that his late wife, Lily, would have known exactly what to say to make things better. Now that Lily has gone, it’s up to Teddy to talk some sense into Lottie.

With the help of Arjun, Geoffrey and Howard, the elderly reprobates who make up his Gin O’Clock Club, Teddy makes a plan to help Lottie find her way back to the things that really matter – family, friendship and love. But as Lottie balances a high-powered job with her reluctant attendance at whist drives, ballroom dances and bingo, Teddy wonders if she’s really ready to open up her heart to the possibility of true happiness…

My Thoughts:

Reading about a grandfather’s bond with his granddaughter reminded me of my relationship with my grandad, disclose they are. There are some feisty and unforgettable characters in this book mainly the Grandad and his friends, it shows growing old doesn’t have to be boring. It was heart warming to read when her grandad want a her to spend more time with her boyfriend but does she have more time or will the relationship fizzle out? There are a few giggles in this story too.

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

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition

Paperback

Why Should You Read A Debut Novel?

1 June , 20201 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 6 Comments

You might think why should I bother reading a debut novel, Well I want to change your mind and get more people reading these cracking reads.

First off, What is a Debut Novel?

This is the author’s first ever book that has been allowed to be published.

It might be really awful?

Well authors have to make their first novel as brilliant as can be as it can affect whether the author will be able to publish books in the future.

How many books do authors have to publish in a year?

The author has to publish at least 3 books per year, if they maintain this with the same quality then that is really good.

Why I read debut novels?

I like to give the author’s a chance to wow me. I have only had a small percentage of debut novels to review that weren’t that great, but don’t be put off as there are many that are absolutely brilliant and you wouldn’t expect them to be debut novels. If a book is really good I am more likely to keep an eye out for their next books.

Here are some of my favourite debut novels that are coming out or are already out:

The Silent House By Nell Pattison- out now

Secrets of a Serial Killer By Rosie Walker – out 17th July 2020

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Serial-Killer-absolutely-gripping-ebook/dp/B083P3P6NZ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591000326&sr=8-1

The Magnolia The Bloomed Unseen By Ray Smith – Out now

The Lonely Fajita By Abigail Mann – Out now on kindle

I hope you like a few of my choices, I have really enjoyed all of these books and will certainly be looking for them in the future.

I personally would give a debut author a chance and read a debut novel, you never know you may find your next favourite author.

Hope you enjoyed reading this.

Happy reading.

The Day Henry Died By Lynda Renham

1 June , 20201 June , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Suppose you wake up one morning to find yourself dead. You can see yourself clearly in the mirror, and feel the same as you did the day before. But today is the day of your funeral. What do you do?

This was Henry’s dilemma. Henry decides he can’t possibly be dead, so he sets out to prove he is alive. Then, he discovers that Rita, a product demonstrator at the supermarket, can see him.

Even with the help of Rita, proving you’re not dead was harder than Henry imagined, but when Henry discovered that he was murdered, the question was why and by whom?

My Thoughts:

I have read most of Lynda’s books and have enjoyed them thoroughly. I thought I would give this one a go even though I don’t normally read supernatural reads and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The story centres around Henry who has died but is freaked out by the fact he can see himself and he feels exactly the same as if he were alive. He sets out on a quest to prove he is still alive. He then meets Rita who helps him in his quest. Henry discovers more about himself that he didn’t even know. Had he gone to far or will be let himself be at rest? This story really made me think and be thoughtful. I look forward to the next book of Lynda’s.

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

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition

The Babysitter By Phoebe Morgan

31 May , 20203 April , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

On the hottest day of the year, Caroline Harvey is found dead in Suffolk. Her body is left draped over a cot – but the baby she was looking after is missing.

Hundreds of miles away, Siobhan Dillon is on a luxurious family holiday in France when her husband, Callum, is arrested by French police on suspicion of murder.

As Siobhan’s perfect family is torn apart by the media in the nation’s frantic search for the missing baby, she desperately tries to piece together how Callum knew Caroline.

What happened that night? Was Caroline as innocent as she seemed – or was she hiding a secret of her own?

My Thoughts:

This was a great, intense read. It was creepy and dark with some twists that will leave you second guessing. Each chapter is a different person to get a perspective on the whole story, you see if from the wife, husband and also the police officers point of view. Makes very good reading, I read it in a day. I have now ordered Phoebe’s other two books.

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

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition

Paperback

The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen By Ray Smith

29 May , 2020 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

ray smith

“You’ve seen the woman in the photo. The woman screaming . . .” So begins the story of Molly Valle, who at forty-eight thinks she knows all that life has to offer a single, middle-aged woman—namely, men’s dismissal and disrespect.

But when handsome activist John Pressman arrives in her Mississippi hometown, he challenges her self-doubt along with nearly everything else in her world. Soon, Molly discovers a strength and beauty she never knew she had—and a love so powerful, it can overcome the most tragic of consequences.

The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen is a love story, an adventure novel, and a self-realization journey. It reignites the truth that many women—and men—have unconsciously extinguished: you are special and worthy of love, and it’s never too late to make your dreams come true.

My Thoughts:

This is a story about love and self realization, growing up in the 1960’s seemed to be extremely hard for John (not going to say too much as don’t want to give away any spoilers). Reading this story you can tell the author Ray has done his research and as the story unfolds we get more information about that era. I liked the way the story was set out about a boy called RC writing a memoir about Molly Vale, the story centres around her and her love for John, after meeting in a diner in Mississippi in 1961 just as the Civil Rights Act is coming into effect.

Unfortunately for them back in the day their relationship was dissaproved by so many people. As the story unfolds we learn what they had to do back then just to keep their relationship going. It would of been nice to learn a little more about what they had to do but their is just the right amount of information to kind of understand what they did. A novel that makes you think and one that will stay with me for a long time.

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

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnolia-That-Bloomed-Unseen-ebook/

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnolia-That-Bloomed-Unseen