The Summer Seaside Kitchen By Jenny Colgan

The Summer Seaside Kitchen By Jenny Colgan

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

summer-seasie

Flora is definitely, absolutely sure that escaping from the quiet Scottish island where she grew up to the noise and hustle of the big city was the right choice. What was there for her on Mure? It’s a place where everyone has known her all her life, and no one will let her forget the past. In the city, she can be anonymous, ambitious and indulge herself in her hopeless crush on her gorgeous boss, Joel.

When a new client demands Flora’s presence back on Mure, she’s suddenly swept back into life with her brothers (all strapping, loud and seemingly incapable of basic housework) and her father. As Flora indulges her new-found love of cooking and breathes life into the dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour, she’s also going to have to come to terms with past mistakes – and work out exactly where her future lies…

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Jenny Colgan and absolutely love her books and this book I decided to treat myself too. I liked it but it wasn’t my favourite book by Jenny. The writing has a certain warmth to it but I didn’t feel so connected to the characters as I usually do. There were beautiful descriptions of the scenery and the food of course. There are recipes in the back if you fancy making any of the food that Flora the main character makes. I wonder if there will be a follow on book from this. I will read it if there is.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Seaside-Kitchen-Jenny-Colgan

I See You By Clare Mackintosh

I See You By Clare Mackintosh

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When Zoe Walker sees her photo in the classifieds section of a London newspaper, she is determined to find out why it’s there. There’s no explanation, no website: just a grainy image and a phone number.

She takes it home to her family, who are convinced it’s just someone who looks like Zoe. But the next day the advert shows a photo of a different woman, and another the day after that.

Is it a mistake? A coincidence? Or is someone keeping track of every move they make . .

My Thoughts:

I thought this story was even better than Clare’s other book called I Let You Go. This was fast paced and exciting. It was a believable plot line with some very interesting characters. You think you may know who it but then you never really know till the very end. Brilliantly written and incredibly riveting.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-See-You-Clare-Mackintosh/

The Couple Next Door By Shari Lapena

The Couple Next Door By Shari Lapena

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You never know what’s happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbour told you that she didn’t want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn’t stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You’ll have the baby monitor and you’ll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She’s gone.

You’ve never had to call the police before. But now they’re in your home, and who knows what they’ll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?

My Thoughts:

I bought this book on my holiday and I am so glad I did. The story had me guessing till the end but when I got to the end I was in complete shock. There are a few red herrings which got me as I thought I had worked it out early on but I hadn’t. Very well written. A hard one to put down but one of my best reads this year. I will definitely be reading more of this author.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Couple-Next-Door-Shari-Lapena-x

Apple Tree Yard By Louise Doughty

Apple Tree Yard By Louise Doughty

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Yvonne Carmichael has worked hard to achieve the life she always wanted: a high-flying career in genetics, a beautiful home, a good relationship with her husband and their two grown-up children.

Then one day she meets a stranger at the Houses of Parliament and, on impulse, begins a passionate affair with him – a decision that will put everything she values at risk.

At first she believes she can keep the relationship separate from the rest of her life, but she can’t control what happens next. All of her careful plans spiral into greater deceit and, eventually, a life-changing act of violence.

My Thoughts:

I decided to read this book on holiday as before I left I watched the first episode on TV and was intrigued about what would happen next. I am glad I did read the book as I thought it was very well written. I found the story very enthralling, and was excited about what would happen. I liked the way it turned into a psychological thriller and how we make the choices that we do in our everyday lives.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-Tree-Yard-Louise-Doughty/

New York, Actually By Sarah Morgan

New York, Actually By Sarah Morgan

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Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

My Thoughts:

Just need to start by saying what a beautiful cover this book has. I especially love how the red umbrella has a shine to it. You have to pick up an actual copy to get what I mean. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this book and it was a real treat. I read this book in two sittings and couldn’t put it down.

I loved all the characters but I loved the relationship that struck up between the two dogs Valentine and Brutus. I could see things from both perspective and therefore felt as though I had a good understanding of both Molly and Daniel. I really look forward to the next book in this series. Another outstanding book by the lovely Sarah Morgan.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-York-Actually-Manhattan-Love

Stone Heart By C. D. Jameson

Stone Heart By C. D. Jameson

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stone-heart

Grant, a pharmaceutical scientist, loses a high profile malpractice court case. Now broke, ruined by legal fees, he along with his wife Beth and their two children, Daniel and Kate, are forced to give up the wealthy life they once knew. While Grant searches for new work they take up residence in a run-down inner-city manor house.

Already an angry and prideful man the loss is more than Grant’s weak ego can take. As his behaviour worsens it threatens to break whatever fragile bonds still hold the family together.

Daniel and his Kate try to make the best of their troubled lives but something waits for them in the city. Its only purpose, to destroy whatever happiness they still hold in their hearts.

My Thoughts:

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review. This is a short story where it was very easy to get in to. The characters were all brilliant in their own ways, I liked the relationship Daniel had with his sister Kate it was really warming to see. The story flowed well and it was easy to understand what was going on. You kind of know from the beginning that something weird may happen so there is alot of suspense which was good. I really enjoyed this book and would be very happy to read more by this author.

Get your copy here:

US- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1HSDCV

The Marble Collector By Cecelia Ahern

The Marble Collector By Cecelia Ahern

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marble

A box of possessions.
A father with no memory.
A daughter with just one day to piece together the past.

When Sabrina Boggs stumbles upon a mysterious collection of her father’s belongings, her seemingly uneventful life suddenly alters and shifts.

In the single day she has to search for answers about the man she thought she knew, a man who can no longer remember his own story, Sabrina uncovers far bigger secrets than she could have imagined. And discovers that sometimes it’s the people closest to us that we know the least.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoy Cecelia’s books but this one didn’t grip me as much as I thought it would. It took me back to my childhood as I use to love playing with marbles and I did enjoy the first hard but from the middle onwards I just found the story very slow and didn’t really want to finish it. I didn’t feel a connection to the characters and just didn’t really see the point of the story. This was a hard review to write as I said before because I normally enjoy Cecelia’s books.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marble-Collector-Cecelia-Ahern/

 

Corpus By Rory Clements

Corpus By Rory Clements

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corpus

This title will be released on January 26, 2017.

1936.
Europe is in turmoil.
The Nazis have marched into the Rhineland.
In Russia, Stalin has unleashed his Great Terror.
Spain has erupted in civil war.

In Berlin, a young Englishwoman evades the Gestapo to deliver vital papers to a Jewish scientist. Within weeks, she is found dead in her Cambridge bedroom, a silver syringe clutched in her fingers.

In a London club, three senior members of the British establishment light the touch paper on a conspiracy that will threaten the very heart of government. Even the ancient colleges of Cambridge are not immune to political division. Dons and students must choose a side: right or left, where do you stand?

When a renowned member of the county set and his wife are found horribly murdered, a maverick history professor finds himself dragged into a world of espionage which, until now, he has only read about in books. But the deeper Thomas Wilde delves, the more he wonders whether the murders are linked to the death of the girl with the silver syringe – and, just as worryingly, to the scandal surrounding King Edward VIII and his mistress Wallis Simpson…

My Thoughts:

I have to say this is not a book I would normally go for, but I decided to try it and I am glad I did. It is set in 1936 which was a very highly political time in the war. Stalin and Hitler were at their all time high and getting even more aggressive. I found that this book was very educational and infomative as I learnt a lot about that era that I didn’t actually know. I became entranced with Thomas Wilde and what he would do or come up with next that I had to read it within one sitting. The chapters are not too long so you just think just one more chapter and then I had finished the book. A very well thought out story with a new hero of mine Thomas Wilde.

I was given a ARC for an honest review.

Pre-order your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corpus-gripping-thriller-rival-Fatherland

Margot & Me By Juno Dawson

Margot & Me By Juno Dawson

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margot.jpg

This title will be released on January 26, 2017.

How can you hate someone in the present and love them in the past?

Fliss’s mum needs peace and quiet to recuperate from a long illness, so they both move to the countryside to live with Margot, Fliss’s stern and bullying grandmother. Life on the farm is tough and life at school is even tougher, so when Fliss unearths Margot’s wartime diary, she sees an opportunity to get her own back.

But Fliss soon discovers Margot’s life during the evacuation was full of adventure, mystery . . . and even passion. What’s more, she learns a terrible secret that could tear her whole family apart . . .

My Thoughts: 

I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review. I love the cover it is so vibrant, it makes you want to dive straight in. This story is about Fliss and how she and her mum( Fliss’s mum isn’t well) go to live with her very stern grandmother. Fliss comes across her grandmother’s diary and can’t help but take a peak. Well she does more than take a peak she reads the whole diary. Expect emotions, love, friendship and ups and downs in this very powerful novel. I really did admire Fliss and all that she did for her mum.  I like how the diary was set out in a different font and learning about what life was like back then for Margot.

Pre-order your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Margot-Me-Juno-Dawson

Perfect Daughter By Amanda Prowse

Perfect Daughter By Amanda Prowse

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Once upon a time, Jacks Morgan had dreams.

She would have a career and travel the world. She would own a house on the beach, and spend long nights with her boyfriend strolling under the stars.

But life had other ideas. First Martha came along, then Jonty. Then her mother moved in, and now their little terrace is bursting at the seams.

Jacks gave up on her dreams to look after her family. If only, just for once, her family would look after her…

My Thoughts:

Not having read any of Amanda’s books before I wasn’t sure what to expect. So in this story we meet Jacks who has two kids called Martha and Jonty and a husband called Pete. Not only does she run the house she also cares for her mother who has dementia. The story is told from the past and present and you get a bigger picture of what life was like for Jacks when she was younger. Be ready for lots of surprises that you would never have guessed in this emotional but beautifully told story. I sure am looking forward to reading more of Amanda’s books.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Daughter-No-Greater-Courage