The Nearest Far away Place By Hayley Long

13 July , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

hayley long

A powerfully told story of the love between two brothers in the aftermath of a family tragedy

Griff and Dylan are driving into Manhattan with their parents when the worst happens. There is a terrible car accident and Dylan and Griff¹s parents are killed.

The boys are suddenly orphans with nowhere to go, until a kind aunt and uncle give them a new home in Wales. Now Dylan and Griff have everything they need love, a happy home and a future. But Dylan is worried about Griff: whether he is OK, whether he is coping with his grief. He doesn¹t seem to want to speak about it or really acknowledge the loss of their parents.

But Dylan needs to be even braver than Griff, because there is something very important he needs to face up to before he can move on.

My Thoughts:

This a story about two brothers called Griff and Dylan and how their world is turned upside down when a horrific tragedy occurs. It shows how they deal with the situation and how they pull together and look after each other. I found it a little different from the books I normally read but I still enjoyed it. I did have a few tears though. It is a fairly quick read. For a YA read it is one that will stay with me.

I was given a advanced reading copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

Kindle Edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nearest-Faraway-Place-Hayley-Long-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nearest-Faraway-Place-Hayley-Long/

Aurabel By Laura Dockrill

13 July , 201713 July , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It has been two years since Rory drowned, and Lorali is in Hastings, living the quiet life of a normal teenage girl. But her safe life on land won’t last for long. Life in The Whirl has become a hotbed of underwater politics and as the council jostles to oust the king, one Mer in particular has her eye on Lorali as the key to her own rise to power.

Meanwhile, Aurabel, a lowly Mer from the wrong side of the trench, is attacked by sea beasts and left for dead – and without a tail. Raging with righteous anger, she rebuilds herself a mechanical tail and reinvents herself as a fearless steampunk Mer seeking revenge. But she never expected the most important job that was about to drop into her lap.

My Thoughts:

The cover of this book is absolutely stunning. The picture does not do it any justice. This story follows on from Laura’s previous novel Lorali, I do wish I had read that one first as then I would of had a bit of background about all the characters. I did feel as though I was missing out. I don’t know if it was just me but I found the forum interactions slightly annoying, I know it is suppose to be teenage fans talking but I couldn’t understand some of the text language. I would highly recommend reading Lorali before reading this book.

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

Get your copy here:

Kindle Edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aurabel-edgiest-mermaid-written-Lorali-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aurabel-edgiest-mermaid-written-Lorali

Her last breath By Tracy Buchanan

6 July , 20176 July , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

tracy

Food writer Estelle Forster has the perfect life. And with her first book on the way, it’s about to get even better.

When Estelle hears about Poppy O’Farrell’s disappearance, she assumes the girl has simply run away. But Estelle’s world crumbles when she’s sent a photo of Poppy, along with a terrifying note: I’m watching you. I know everything about you.

Estelle has no idea who’s threatening her, or how she’s connected to the missing teen, but she thinks the answers lie in the coastal town she once called home, and the past she hoped was long behind her.

Estelle knows she must do everything to find Poppy. But how far will she go to hide the truth – that her
perfect life was the perfect lie?

My Thoughts:

I found this story very well written with enough twists and turns to keep the suspense. The main character Estelle I found childlike at times with her constant storming off and arguing. I found she rushed her responsibilities too. There is a shocking twist at the end.

I received a advanced reading copy for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Last-Breath-page-turner-bestseller-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Last-Breath-page-turner-bestseller

Beneath A Burning Sky By Jenny Ashcroft

6 July , 201719 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

jenny ashcroft

When twenty-two-year-old Olivia is coerced into marriage by the cruel Alistair Sheldon she leaves England for Egypt, his home and the land of her own childhood. Reluctant as she is to go with Alistair, it’s in her new home that she finds happiness in surprising places: she is reunited with her long-estranged sister, Clara, and falls – impossibly and illicitly – in love with her husband’s boarder, Captain Edward Bertram.

Then Clara is abducted from one of the busiest streets in the city. Olivia is told it’s thieves after ransom money, but she’s convinced there’s more to it. As she sets out to discover what’s happened to the sister she’s only just begun to know, she falls deeper into the shadowy underworld of Alexandria, putting her own life, and her chance at a future with Edward, the only man she’s ever loved, at risk. Because, determined as Olivia is to find Clara, there are others who will stop at nothing to conceal what’s become of her . . .

My Thoughts:

This is a book full of mystery and intrigue and romance. I was drawn to the cover as it looks very Exotic and wants to draw you in. The story follows Olivia and her sister Clara who live in Egypt. The story is set in the 1880’s, there is lots going on in the sister’s world including secrets, intrigue and passion. I did feel like I had to concentrate quite a bit reading the story but not in a bad way. I liked this book.

Thank you Sphere for sending me the book. I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beneath-Burning-Sky-gripping-beautiful-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beneath-Burning-Sky-gripping-beautiful

Frogkisser By Garth Nix

29 June , 201729 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

frog kisser

Garth Nix is on hilarious form as he spins his very own fairy tale, featuring Princess Anya, who, with her loyal dog, must embark on a terribly important (capital Q) Quest to acquire the ingredients for a reversal lip balm, the vital item needed to change a frog back to a prince . . . oh, and save her kingdom from her villainous step(step)father.

My Thoughts:

I was interested in reading a modern fairytale based on the story of the frog prince, but for me I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I might. I just didn’t find it that funny, I mean I can see why young readers may enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me. It is a shame. I did like the cover and all the frogs inside the cover, I thought it looked enchanting.

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frogkisser-Magical-Fairytale-Garth-Nix-ebook

Hardcover:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Frogkisser-Magical-Fairytale-Garth-Nix/

Wilde Like Me By Louise Pentland

26 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

wilde like me

This title will be released on June 29, 2017.

You’ll never forget the day you meet Robin Wilde!

Robin Wilde is an awesome single mum. She’s great at her job. Her best friend Lacey and bonkers Auntie Kath love her and little Lyla Blue to the moon and back. From the outside, everything looks just fine.

But behind the mask she carefully applies every day, things sometimes feel . . . grey. And lonely.

After 4 years (and 2 months and 24 days!) of single-mum-dom, it’s time for Robin Wilde to Change. Her. Life!

A little courage, creativity and help from the wonderful women around her go a long way. And Robin is about to embark on quite an adventure . . .

My Thoughts:

I was intrigued to meet Robin Wilde who is the main character in this story with her cute daughter Lyla Blue, a single mum who is a makeup artist and wants to change her life, some aspects I did feel sorry for her but there were some parts I just had to snigger at. I personally thought it would of been more funny but I did enjoy it. Some of the stuff Robin’s daughter Lyla comes out with though is pretty cute and you would expect that from a little one, she is rather inquisitive though.

I was given a advanced reading copy of this book for an honest review.

Pre-order your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilde-Like-Me-summers-hottest-ebook

Hardcover:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wilde-Like-Me-summers-hottest

Summer at Hope Meadows By Lucy Daniels

22 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

lucy daniels

Newly qualified vet Mandy Hope is leaving Leeds – and her boyfriend Simon – to return to the Yorkshire village she grew up in, where she’ll help out with animals of all shapes and sizes in her parents’ surgery.

But it’s not all plain sailing: Mandy clashes with gruff local Jimmy Marsh, and some of the villagers won’t accept a new vet. Meanwhile, Simon is determined that Mandy will rejoin him back in the city.

When tragedy strikes for her best friend James Hunter, and some neglected animals are discovered on a nearby farm, Mandy must prove herself. When it comes to being there for her friends – and protecting animals in need – she’s prepared to do whatever it takes…

This gorgeous and heartwarming novel, based on the globally bestselling Animal Ark series.

My Thoughts:

I was so excited when I saw that Lucy Daniels had a new book out, I grew up reading her young children books that were a series called Animal Ark. I loved them and have recently purchased a set of them to re-read again. This story brings us up to date with Mandy and what is happening in her life now. I love the fact when she comes back to Welford that she meets people she recognises when she was growing up. Her best friend James Hunter is back too and when he has a tragedy in his life Mandy is there to look after him. As for all the animals well, there are some really cute ones, I would love to be there and help Mandy, she has a lovely job and I can’t wait to see what she gets up to next. I am so looking forward to the next book which is not out till November.

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Hope-Meadows-perfect-escapist-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Hope-Meadows-perfect-escapist

The Honey Farm on the Hill By Jo Thomas

19 June , 201719 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

jo thomas

This title will be released on August 24, 2017.

We never forget the one who got away.

Eighteen years ago Nell fell in love in the mountains of Crete and life changed for ever. Nell’s daughter, Demi, has never met her dad. Nell never saw him again.

When she gets the chance to return to the hilltop town of Vounoplagia – where everything began – Nell can’t resist the urge to go back and find him.

Working on a honey farm perched high up in the hills, there’s plenty to keep her busy. And she will quickly realise the town harbours just as many secrets as she does.

But if Nell’s favourite romantic films are right, there’s a happy ending in store for each of us. All she has to do is seek out the magic of the mountains…

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Jo Thomas and her books. I couldn’t wait to delve in to one of her wonderful stories again. As with it being so hot in the UK at the moment, I kind of felt as though I was in Crete experiencing some of the temperatures that Nell was experiencing in the book. There are some wonderful characters in the story especially the family that Nell goes to stay with. I enjoyed reading about the bees and how a factory to make honey is put together, I am not a big fan of honey but still enjoyed the book nether the less.

I was given this book for an honest review.

Pre – order your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honey-Farm-Hill-Jo-Thomas-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Honey-Farm-Hill-Jo-Thomas

A Storm of Strawberries By Jo Cotterill

17 June , 201717 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

stawberries

This title will be released on June 29, 2017.

Darby loves summer on her family’s strawberry farm – but is the weather about to turn?

Darby’s favourite things are listening to music – preferably The Beatles – picking strawberries on the farm and spending time with her big sister. She is looking forward to doing all three over the long weekend, but when Kaydee has a friend to stay and the sunshine disappears, everything gets turned on its head.

When the storm clears, will Darby find everything is back to normal, and what is ‘normal’ anyway?

My Thoughts:

The cover of this book reminded me of growing up and going in the summer to pick strawberries. I found this a nice easy read but one that also tackles a few sensitive issues. I like the fact that it centres around Darby who is twelve years old, she is a lovely young lady who has down’s syndrome. I found I could relate to what she was saying as my cousin has down syndrome and I use to look after him when he was little and I know the struggles he use to have to put up with. I saw at first hand how people treat people with downs syndrome and people can be very nasty, at the end of the day they are just normal people and shouldn’t be judged differently. Everyone is equal. A short read but one I enjoyed very much. I liked hearing Darby remembering stories of her growing up.

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.

Pre-order your copy here:

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Strawberries-Jo-Cotterill-ebook

Paperback:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Storm-Strawberries-Jo-Cotterill

Last Seen By Lucy Clarke

15 June , 201715 June , 2017 by Hannah ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

lucy clarke

Seven years ago, two boys went missing at sea – and only one was brought to shore. The Sandbank, a remote stretch of coast dotted with beach huts, was scarred forever.

Sarah’s son survived, but on the anniversary of the accident, he disappears without trace. As new secrets begin to surface, The Sandbank hums with tension and unanswered questions. Sarah’s search grows more desperate and she starts to mistrust everyone she knows – and she’s right to.

Someone saw everything on that fateful day seven years ago. And they’ll do anything to keep the truth buried.

My Thoughts:

I have loved Lucy’s previous novels and couldn’t wait to get started on this one. I love the fact that Lucy’s books are always based around the beach or the sea. I know she writes from a beach hut and when I am reading one of her books I can imagine her writing in her beach hut. It is a lovely feeling. This story gripped me from the first chapter, there are lots of twists and turns and I felt like I stopped breathing a few times as I didn’t see what was going to happen. Superbly written.

Thank you Harper Collins for sending me an advanced copy for an honest review.

Get your copy here:

paperback: Pre -order your copy – This title will be released on June 29, 2017.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Seen-thriller-secrets-gripping

Kindle edition:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Seen-thriller-secrets-gripping-ebook

For more of Lucy Clarke’s books, click on the link below:

http://www.lucy-clarke.com/