Sweeping from the French Riviera to the wind-blown Cornish cliffs, lose yourself in this spellbinding novel about one golden family – and a devastating secret that binds them, forever…

Year after idyllic year, the Challant family retreat to their summer house on the glittering French Riviera.

Until one stormy night in 1928 when a local boy suffers a fatal accident in the grounds. Overnight, it becomes a place of ghosts.

As time unspools, those dark memories loosen their grip on the four Challant children. And yet the local whispers about that night never quieten, calling them back to the house on the Riviera.

A family secret lies waiting in the past.

But dare they unlock the truth?

My Thoughts:

Set in 1900’s and The Challant family have returned to their family summer house on the French Riviera, with a whole family to entertain some are happy to be back but some are not. There are lots of characters to read about all with their own agenda. When a storm blows through and something dreadful happens, all the ghosts from the past rear their ugly heads and will life ever be the same again for the Challant family. It was a good read packed with history and full of mystery. I liked the way the story flowed and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was brimming full of secrets.

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

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You’re driving home from work to your husband and children.
Suddenly a woman is front of your car. She’s being attacked.
You call the police and they tell you to stay in the car.
But what if you got out to help? What might the consequences be?

You save the woman, but the attacker takes your handbag. And your car.
And then, the next day, when you think it’s all over, your husband disappears.
He’s gone without a trace.

And then he texts you. I’m sorry.

But is it really him?

Nothing could have prepared you for what happens next…

My Thoughts:

When Cassie finds herself in an unpredictable situation she does what her instinct tells her to do and help, but the police are on their way but will it be too late before then? in that split second Cassie does not realise how much of an impact it would change her life forever. I liked the sound of the story, it was engaging and captivating and there was a sense of mystery about what would happen. I felt halfway through the story got a little slow but then it did pick up again. There are secrets and lies to contend with and a twist that was cleverly done.

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Richmond Upon Thames is one of the most desirable areas to live in London. And Riverview Close – a quiet, gated community – seems to offer its inhabitants the perfect life.

At least it does until Giles Kenworthy moves in with his wife and noisy children, his four gas-guzzling cars, his loud parties and his plans for a new swimming pool in his garden.

His neighbours all have a reason to hate him and are soon up in arms.

When Kenworthy is shot dead with a crossbow bolt through his neck, all of them come under suspicion and his murder opens the door to lies, deception and further death.

The police are baffled. Reluctantly, they call in former Detective Daniel Hawthorne. But even he is faced with a seemingly impossible puzzle.

How do you solve a murder when everyone has the same motive?

My Thoughts:

The story is set in Riverview Close where everyone knows everyone else’s business so when Giles Kenworthy and his family move in and set about making the other residents life a misery , none of the residents are very happy, so when they call a meeting expecting Giles to turn they are all shocked when his body is found but are they? When Detective Daniel Hawthorne investigates, he could ever imagine what he will discover eventually, it takes time to work everything out. I tried to piece together what I could but I came up with nothing. It was a great mystery to follow along with and as this is my first book by Anthony I am suitably impressed. I love reading a book where it is set in a place I know very well, I liked reading about places I know it just adds something more to the story. I cannot wait to read more by Anthony.

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

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A fresh start where no-one knows her name is exactly what Catie is looking for from her Sicilian escape.

When Catie meets handsome Giancarlo, she has stumbled across a love that could last forever… If only she can admit the truth about her past.

But the scars of betrayal from her broken marriage and fragile family are only part of the story.

Some secrets are too devastating to share…

My Thoughts:

I was excited when I received this book as I am a big fan of Susan’s book and it was everything I wanted and more. The story is about Catie, and her life. She has things that have troubled her in the past so she discovers Sicily as soon as she steps of the plane you can feel the warmth of the sun on your back. It is what Catie really needs to just get away from it all. When she meets Giancarlo, she wonders if he could be the one but nothing is as it seems and she must open up to him to put the past to rest but can she do it to live happily ever after? Susan’s books always blow me away about how from the first chapter I am always hooked. I liked the characters I felt they could be relatable and I like how the story evolved. It had a great pace to it and I felt invested in the story. A really good mystery and the ending was brilliant. Just what I needed to read.

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

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Rape and organised crime sully even the pretty streets of the small Yorkshire town DC Donna Morris is beginning to think of as home. The National Crime Agency inevitably gets involved but their methods put more people in danger. Guns – though she used one once in anger and fear – are really not how Donna would prefer to nail the guilty. And there are some people who believe their actions are always justified. Then there are others who will never get justice. Can DC Donna Morris negotiate some kind of resolution while dealing with betrayal in her own life?

My Thoughts:

The story is set in North Yorkshire in a seaside town. Kate has written the descriptions of the place well as you can imagine the scenery and the beach. DC Donna Morris is investigation another case. Gun crime and how to get around the fact that different people have different opinions about guns. Her story also runs alongside the main story so we get to focus on her back story a little. It was a well thought of story, one that is thought provoking and I found it interesting to get DC Donna Morris view on things. The story I felt lacked a little something but it was ok.

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

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Two perfect strangers in San Francisco. Gracie and Weston have their futures mapped out.

Gracie’s future is glossy, glam and loved-up. Flawless like her influencer lifestyle. Weston’s is all tattoo parlors, hitting the bar on the regular, and earning his police officer’s badge. Tough guy, or so he tells himself.

What they have in common is heartbreak. In the aftermath of shattered romances, they’re reeling. Gracie’s been unceremoniously dumped … by the guy who promised to be her forever. While Weston is realizing he never showed his ex quite how much he loved her.

When two sets of friends stage an intervention – no more pity parties – worlds collide in a downtown club. There’s spilled drinks, thrown punches and ugly tears in the back of an Uber. Not exactly a cute meet-cute.

Their futures uncertain, Gracie and Weston gravitate toward one another. The chemistry between them is undeniable – but they’re just friends, right. Right?

My Thoughts:

This is the story about Gracie who has her future planned being an influencer is what she likes doing best. Weston is doing what he loves doing and is learning to become a police officer. They both have had their fair share of failed romances but they both want to be happy in a good relationship. So when they chance upon each other, they cant believe the connection between them but is it too good to be true? should they chance it to be happy? I enjoyed this story it was an nice easy read to pick up as of when. The characters are all relatable and some of the issues that have been raised have been dealt with sensitively. A good summer read to get stuck into.

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

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At the age of sixty, and having lived with Parkinson’s disease for over ten years, Guy Deacon CBE set out on one last adventure: to drive solo from his home in the UK 18,000 miles and through twenty-five countries to Cape Town on the southern tip of Africa. This incredible journey, across Europe and down the full length of Africa, took the former British Army officer over twelve months. Along the way, he broke down five times, underwent one emergency evacuation, and took 3,650 prescription pills.

There are only a handful of vehicles each year which attempt this difficult journey; many never complete it. Ongoing conflicts in Libya, South Sudan, Mozambique and many other countries make any journey exceptionally dangerous. In central Africa, road conditions, particularly in the rainy season, often make the going treacherous. Further hazards include illegal checkpoints, extortion, contaminated fuel and a lack of services.

My Thoughts:

I fancied something a little different from my usual reads and came across this book. I have to say it is a must read. Guy has Parkinson’s but is not letting it take over from his life. In this incredible story he decides that for one last time he will do something that he knows he can achieve come hell or high water and that is to go on adventure by himself and drive all the way from his house to the end tip of Africa. There is a lot he goes through on his way and at times I thought would he give up and go home but he has pure determination and does not let anything stop him or get in his way. I am not sure why but I felt as though he was my dad and I was spurring him on in this lengthy journey of his. I felt super protective and proud of him. Guy is a true inspiration to everyone and I am so glad I got to go on his last adventure with him. I felt as though I learnt things about my person and how to deal with certain situations in the future. Thank you Guy for writing such an inspiring book.

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

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What is normal? There is so much beauty and identity to be found in being unique.

Projectile bodily fluids…

A strangely shaped baby coming into the world…

A stubborn patient and her cancerous ‘beauty spot’…

With a delightful blend of gentle humour, empathy, and refreshing honesty, Chloe delves into the highs and lows of the human experience – from the magical moments of birth to the heart-breaking farewells of death, from the courage displayed in the face of chronic illness to the unsettling selfishness witnessed in times of suffering.

In this memoir, Chloe invites you to join her on a path less travelled, offering a unique perspective on the wonders and fragilities of the human body, whilst navigating the complexities of her own life, as the truth behind her challenges are unveiled. Whether you’re a fan of medical dramas or simply captivated by life’s complexities, this charming and quirky exploration of Chloe’s life as a physician associate student is sure to evoke laughter, tears, and unwavering entertainment.

My Thoughts:

I found this a really interesting account of someone who works in the medical profession. Having been in and out of hospitals all my life because of my health I have always been fascinated with this type of topic so for me I really enjoyed reading all these stories and learning new things. There were some funny parts to this book but also some really deep and moving stories that really got to me. I really admire Chloe for writing this eye opening and insightful book and I really hope people enjoying reading it as I did.

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

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Mrs Quinn is the unlikely star of Britain’s favourite baking show, but could her newfound stardom cause her biggest secret to unravel?

Jennifer Quinn has a secret. Her love of baking has just won her a spot as a contestant on a primetime TV show. It’s only the second time in fifty-nine years that she’s kept something from her beloved husband Bernard.

She’s about to be whisked into an unfamiliar world of cameras, timed challenges and celebrity judges. She could be in with a chance of being crowned the best baker in Britain.

But, as Mrs Quinn’s quiet ambitions turn into unexpected stardom, the other secret she’s been keeping is in danger of resurfacing. It was supposed to stay hidden forever.

Will Mrs Quinn rise to the challenge? Or, will her success become a recipe for disaster?

My Thoughts:

As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I love a good comforting read especially when there are delicious sounding cakes involved. This was like heaven on a plate to me. It is about Mrs Quinn who has a quiet life with her husband but decides as she is not young anymore wants to do just one last thing for herself. She loves baking and applies for a baking TV show not expecting to get through but as she opens up to them she enters a different world when they choose her. The only thing is she decides to keep it a secret from her husband who has noticed she is acting strange, he is thinking she is not well. We see her go through the process of getting to the critical stages with her delicious sounding cakes but when something happens at home, she wonders where her priorities land, will she give up or will she keep rolling ahead? I absolutely loved this story, it is a comforting and uplifting read with some absolutely lovely characters including Mrs Quinn and her husband, bless them. It is a book I would treasure forever and want to keep on reading whenever I needed comfort.

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In a cosy corner of Paris, a delicious little patisserie is just waiting to be discovered. And romance might just be on the menu…

As the youngest of four, Nina Hadley has always had her big brothers telling her what to do. So, when she’s given the chance to move to Paris and help run a patisserie course, she can’t say au revoir quick enough!

There’s just one problem: high-flying chef Sebastian Finlay is the owner of the patisserie. He’s also her brother Nick’s best friend – and the man she has secretly been in love with since forever.

Amongst the mouth-wateringly delicious eclairs and delicate macaroons, Nina’s culinary creations aren’t the only tempting thing she’s working with…

My Thoughts:

This is book three in this Series of Romantic Escapes, and I would highly recommend eating before you start this book as the sound of the mouth watering patisseries sound incredible and made me feel very hungry. Nina is looking to break away from her over bearing family so when a job comes up with one of her brothers friends in Paris, she decides to go for it. But Sebastian is not the easiest to get on with and as her job is to help him run classes at his patisserie, she finds that this is what she wants to do in life. Maybe moving away from her family and becoming whatever she wants is a good idea. I felt a instant warmth for Nina and wanted more for her, there was something about this book that felt really comforting and I couldn’t wait to read more. I am excited to read more of the books in this series. All the cakes and wonderful goodies sounded delicious and made me crave something sweet. The outcome at the end was just what I wanted too.

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