One Minute Away by Mark Watson

One Minute Away by Mark Watson

For delivery rider Damir, time is money.

He races through cycle lanes next to Uber drivers and grocery vans, delivering your every desire. He arrives with your sushi rolls and pizzas and disappears into the night – Ping! Onto the next drop.

He is invisible: one player in the boardgame of the city.

But one summer’s evening, in a postcode that could be another universe, Damir arrives on Decca’s doorstep and there’s an immediate connection between them.

The man on the bike crosses the divide – suddenly fully seen. And a throwaway delivery sparks a chain of events that will change all their lives, forever.

My Thoughts:

I really liked the concept behind this book, it was fresh and exciting reading about a delivery rider, I have read many books but not one that is based around a delivery rider. It started off really good, Damir is the delivery rider and he doesn’t have much to his name, he works to make ends meet and lives with his friend where they don’t have a lot. However one night, one angry customer he does not realise how much this would change his life. The angry customer’s wife gives him a tip and a big one at that and then they start messaging and meeting up. Damir is quids in quite literally and likes living this life. Life is good until it’s not. I felt as though the first half of the book was really good, but the second half let it down, it was very drawn out and its one of those books that made me cringe a little with the affair storyline.

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

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You Lied First By Annabel Kantaria

You Lied First By Annabel Kantaria

The truth is, everyone lies. All that matters is who lies the best…

Sara is about to spend a week in a villa with people she barely knows.

Sara’s daughter Liv, her boyfriend and his parents have invited Sara on their holiday. After what happened, she’ll jump at any chance to spend time with Liv.

She tries to be the perfect guest, and while the Forrests seem like the perfect family, something isn’t right.

By the end of the trip, someone will be dead. Lies will tie the rest of them together. But who can lie the best?

My Thoughts:

When Sara gets invited on holiday with her daughter’s boyfriends family, she is a little nervous, not knowing his family well but Sara will do anything to make her daughter happy. Things seem to go well, they all make time for each other and they have a good laugh. But when tragedy strikes, is this family really who they say they are. And then things start to unravel and Sara wishes she never came on this holiday. This was such a good thriller read, quick paced, dark in places and full of suspense. I guessed half way what the ending would be but it was still good, there are a few twists along the way and it had me on the edge of my seat on anticipation for the ending. It was so good and I really enjoyed it. I will be looking out for Annabel’s books in the future.

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

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The Secrets of Harbour House By Liz Fenwick

The Secrets of Harbour House By Liz Fenwick

When Kerensa is sent by her father’s auction house to catalogue a neglected house overlooking the sea in Newlyn, Cornwall, it’s a welcome escape. Once the home of two female artists, Harbour House is a treasure trove, but one painting in particular catches Kerensa’s eye – a hypnotically sensual portrait of a beautiful young woman which dominates the hallway.

Captivated and intrigued, Kerensa finds herself piecing together the enigma of Bathsheba Kernow, a fiercely talented young artist who left St Ives almost a hundred years before, eager to escape a society that wouldn’t understand her, and her sweeping journey from the underbelly of Paris to the heady luxury of Venice, where a chance encounter would change her life for ever, drawing her into the most dangerous and forbidden of love affairs.

For Kerensa, still reeling with a grief of her own and facing an uncertain future in love, Harbour House will have secrets that will change her life too, and in ways she could never have imagined…

My Thoughts:

This is a story that will whisk you away not only to Cornwall but also to Venice, a place I have heard about but never been too. Kerensa is from Venice and working for her father, she finds herself in Cornwall to valuate items in a very run down property. This is perfect for her as she needs to get away for a bit. When Kerensa finds a painting, she goes and researches into it. She has things going on in her life that she needs to come to terms with. This was storytelling at it’s best, Liz always finds a way to make you completely entranced in her books. I enjoyed all aspects of this book, the history and the art and I found it useful to know a little more about both of these. I really enjoyed this spellbinding read.

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

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Back in the Saddle By Maggie Eckersley

Back in the Saddle By Maggie Eckersley

Saddle up for love…

Caroline swears she’s done with love. Fleeing her Scottish homeland with a broken heart for fresh start in Oklahoma is supposed to be smooth riding – until a whisky-soaked night at a local bar leads to a smouldering kiss with a devastatingly handsome cowboy. Hunter’s charm stirs something wild in her, awakening desires she thought she’d buried for good after her divorce.

Hunter has no time for distractions. With his family’s ranch on the line, he has enough on his plate. But then he meets Caroline, a sultry, sharp-tongued, whip-smart doctor. Their chemistry is electric, their connection undeniable – and that kiss? Unforgettable.

As their worlds collide, Caroline and Hunter find themselves drawn together in a whirlwind of passion and longing. But both are tied to the past and neither is ready to let go.

My Thoughts:

This is a story about two people bought together by chance. Caroline is starting a new life in Oklahoma, when she sets her sight on Hunter you can feel the instant attraction between them both. But they both have things in their past they are trying to run away from. But can they both help each other to forget about the past and enjoy their future. I can almost imagine Hunter’s character being the hot cowboy. It was fun and enjoyable read, it does get pretty steamy in parts but an easy read to follow along with. Light hearted and uplifting and some horses too. The perfect read.

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

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One Summer in Provence By Carol Drinkwater

One Summer in Provence By Carol Drinkwater


Celia Grey appears to have the perfect life: married to Dominic, the man of her dreams, and living on a glorious, thriving vineyard in the south of France. To celebrate their good fortune, she decides to throw a huge party.

When she is contacted by a stranger who claims to be her long-lost son, David, the newborn she gave up at twenty and has never spoken of since, Celia impulsively invites him for the weekend of celebrations – without mentioning it to her husband.

Despite his surprise, Dominic graciously welcomes David and his unexpected companion – but secretly he harbours doubts. Is David really Celia’s son? And who is the mysterious young woman travelling with him?

Only Celia can decide how far she will go to hold everything together, to keep her perfect life from unravelling…
One Summer in Provence is a story of betrayal and belonging, and of discovering love in unexpected places.

My Thoughts:

This is a feel good summery read that whisked me away to the south of France. Celia is married to Dominic and they have the perfect life living in the south of France, when she arranges a big party, this is going to be epic but many years ago she gave up her new born son and now there is someone who says he is her son but is he? Celia decides to invite him to their party but a woman turns up with him who is she? will Celia and her husband’s life going to be the same again? It was a good solid story to follow along with, with relatable characters, and I found it a light easy read. Perfect for the summer.

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

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The Good Father By Liam McILVANNEY

The Good Father By Liam McILVANNEY

Gordon and Sarah Rutherford are normal, happy people with rich, fulfilling lives. They have a son they adore, a house on the beach and a safe, friendly community in a picture-postcard town.

Until, one day, Bonnie the labrador comes in from the beach alone. Their son, Rory, has gone – the only trace left behind is a single black sandal.

Their lives don’t fall apart immediately. While there’s still hope, they dig deep and try to carry on.

But as desperation mounts, arms around shoulders become fingers pointed – at friends, family, strangers, each other. Without any answers, only questions remain. Who can they trust? How far will they go to find out what happened to Rory?

And the deadliest question of all: what could be worse than your child disappearing?

When the truth begins to emerge, they find themselves in a world they could barely have imagined.

My Thoughts:

This is the first thriller I have read for a number of weeks and it was a great one to get stuck into. The story is about a married couple, who are leading a normal and happy life with their son. They live in a nice and safe area and everything is going swimmingly until it’s not. Their son was out walking the dog until it is only the dog that comes back but where did he vanish too? When they get the police involved everything starts to fall apart, have lies been told and is the answer much more closer to home than they think? will they ever get their son back alive? It was a slow burner but it was in a good way as you kind of get to peel the layers away to begin with, a bit of back story and intrigue and then it builds up in to a tense, gritty and suspenseful read. An author to watch out for. This was a brilliant read with a superb ending. I did not want it to end.

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

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The Wedding Forecast By Nina Kenwood

The Wedding Forecast By Nina Kenwood

One best friend’s wedding.
One predicted love match.
And no way of guessing how the story will end . . .


Anna was never going to have an easy time at her best friend’s wedding. She’s the bridesmaid; her ex, Joel, is a groomsman. But she’s determined to get through the weekend with a smile. Despite the fact that Joel is bringing his new girlfriend. Despite the fact that they are all staying in the same house. And despite the fact that at thirty, Anna’s life is, objectively, not going to plan. Luckily she has her feelings completely under control – right up until the moment Joel drops a bombshell that changes everything.

Anna needs a distraction, and Patrick, the wedding photographer, might be the ideal solution. After all, a psychic literally predicted she would fall in love with a man named Patrick. Everyone has decided he is perfect for her. He is perfect for her.

Except the arrival of Mac, a not-quite-famous actor who has flown in from New York, complicates Anna’s plotting. And she must accept that when it comes to love, destiny doesn’t always follow the rules . . .

My Thoughts:

This is romantic comedy at it’s best. I laughed the whole way through this story. It really brightened my day and I could not put it down. Anna is at her best friend’s wedding but she is not having the best of time as her ex is the groomsman and he has brought along his new girlfriend. Anna has to get along with them all, just for one day as she keeps reminding herself. Then Joel tells her something that she never thought she would hear and it is not good. Patrick is the wedding photographer and Anna knows that this is the only way she can forget the news she has just heard. But then another man is thrown into the mix and Anna has never been more confused in her life. It was a brilliantly funny romantic comedy that will leave you in stitches and I cannot wait to read more of Nina’s books.

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

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The Girl with the Suitcase By Lesley Pearse

The Girl with the Suitcase By Lesley Pearse

London, 1941

When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different. Elizbeth is beautiful and charming, about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Ireland where she’s inherited a grand house. Mary, shy and meek, has nothing to look forward to but the dreary life of a maid in Hampstead.

But when an air raid forces them to take shelter underground Mary’s life is suddenly changed forever. After waking up in hospital, injured but alive, the nurse mistakes her for Elizabeth and hands over her suitcase with Elizabeth’s money and tickets to Ireland inside.

This is Mary’s chance to escape the hardship of her life and start afresh.

Will she take it and what could go wrong?

My Thoughts:

The story is set in London in the 1940’s which I found such a fascinating era. There is a war going on, people have to take cover in air raid shelters, to live in that ear would of been so scary not really know what will happen next. Mary meets Elizabeth and the two could not be anymore different from each other. Mary does not have the best of lives but Elizabeth does. So when Mary ends up in hospital, she cannot believe it when the nurse thinks she is Elizabeth, she decides to play along with it and little does she realise how much her life will change but will it be for the better? It was a great story, I loved the historical side of the story and to follow Mary along her journey of being someone completely different intrigued me. It was a story that I did not want to end. I wanted to saviour it. Brilliant.

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

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Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge By Alison Sherlock

Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge By Alison Sherlock

Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue!

Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?

My Thoughts:

Ben’s family own Maple Tree Lodge and the hotel has seen better days and hardly has any guests staying, Ben has had to come back home to deal with the mess and to save his struggling families hotel. Lily is Ben’s sisters best friend and she needs a new project so when she gets called into to help the struggling hotel, she has some great ideas to transform the place and get the much needed cash flow problem sorted but Ben has other ideas that Lily is not keen on so Lily needs to work out which option is better and go with it. It was an easy story to follow along to, for me the storyline was quite similar to other books I have read before so I found it a bit of the same. It was a nice easy gentle read that did not require too much thinking.

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

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The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant


When midwife Zoe Padbury moves into Kestrel Cottage, high on a misty hill above the village of Thimblebury, everyone rallies round to make sure she doesn’t feel lonely. And as she begins her job at the doctor’s surgery, dealing with expectant mums and helping to bring newborns into the world, warmth begins to flood back into her battered and broken heart.

But the evenings are long and as Zoe sits on her cornflower-blue sofa, looking at the golden peaks crowned by clouds, she can’t help but wish she had someone to share her new life with. Her ex-husband treated her badly, but it’s still hard to resist his warm and loving messages begging for a second chance.

Distraction arrives when she meets Alex out walking his shaggy grey dog, and discovers that he will be moving in next door. As she chats to Alex, Zoe finds it hard to ignore his thick dark hair and eyes the colour of chocolate, and her heart clenches at the worried frown that creases his brow.

She soon learns why Alex is anxious when she pays his pregnant daughter a home visit and learns of the tragedy that has brought them to Thimblebury. Zoe is no stranger to sadness, and as she and Alex lean on each other, a tentative spark begins to flicker.

But when Alex gets the wrong idea and thinks Zoe has betrayed his trust, followed by Zoe’s ex appearing on her doorstep, swearing he’s a changed man, will that spark be snuffed out? Coming to the Lake District was meant to be a fresh start for Zoe. But what if the pull of her old life is too overwhelming to resist?

My Thoughts:

I have read Tilly’s books before and enjoyed them so when I saw this one pop up, I knew I had to read it. When Zoe moves to the Lake District, she has moved for a reason, she gets stuck into her new job and is loving it being a midwife, everyone is so lovely but Zoe feels as though something is missing in her life until she meets Alex and then it suddenly hits her why. Both of them have been through tough times in the past but can they help each other find happiness again. You could tell what was going to happen in this read but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Great characters and an easy and light hearted storyline. The perfect read.

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

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