Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family’s ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke’s-on-Sea.

But the truth is, he’s never wanted to work for the family firm – he doesn’t even like ice-cream, though he’s never told his parents that. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world.

But what if this could be an opportunity to put what he wants first? This could be the chance to finally follow his secret dream: something Ted has never told anyone …

My Thoughts:

After reading Matt’s previous book The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle I was looking forward to reading this one. It is all about Ted who grew up working for his parent’s ice cream business and not living his life how he wanted. When his circumstances change however he is given an opportunity to change his life for the better but will he take it? I liked the story and I felt for Ted and what had happened to him, but I felt there were certain words in this book that didn’t need to be in there it was a little cringe for me. The story is all about becoming who you really want to be and not letting anyone stop you from doing that.

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

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Two couples, two close friends, one missing husband…

Jake Hayes is missing. This much is certain. At first, his wife Nina thinks he is blowing off steam somewhere after their heated fight the night before. But then a day goes by. Two days. Five. And Jake is still nowhere to be found.

Nina’s friend Lily thinks she may have been the last to see Jake before he went missing. After Lily confesses everything to her husband, Christian, the two decide that nobody can find out what happened leading up to Jake’s disappearance, especially not Nina. But Nina is out there looking for Jake, and she won’t stop until the truth is discovered.

My Thoughts:

I am not sure how I feel about this read, I really thought I was going to enjoy reading it, but I felt as though there were too many characters and I felt confused at times as to who was who. Also there is a lot of things happening and it was a bit rushed. It is a dark story that explores many different angles including loyalty and explores the idea of how far would you go to protect a loved one? I wanted to read until the end to find out what the ending was going to be, but it didn’t have me hooked like I thought it might.

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

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When war breaks out, three spirited women must set aside their differences to help Britain win the war. Fighting from the forests, they find new depths of courage, strength and love. But – when war threatens everything – would you risk your life to save a friend?

When feisty, bohemian Keeva signs up for war work in the forest, she’s already learnt the hard way that people can’t be trusted. For Rosie, a factory girl from London’s East End, the forest is an escape – but she can’t stop her big mouth getting her into trouble. And Beatrice, a wealthy debutante, wants to use her brain, not ruin her fine hands felling trees. Meanwhile, Lady Denman, director of the Women’s Land Army, battles with bureaucrats in Whitehall to defend the Lumberjills.

As these strong women struggle to survive in a tough men’s world, it seems they really may succeed in their dangerous war work… when a terrible disaster strikes and threatens everything they have achieved.

The Lumberjills Stronger Together is inspired by the incredible and heroic true stories of the Women’s Timber Corps, a branch of the Women’s Land Army. Author Joanna Foat researched and interviewed sixty women who served as Lumberjills in World War II. These first-hand accounts, and her own passion for adventure in wild landscapes, bring a rugged authenticity to this emotionally rousing novel of female courage, strength and determination.

My Thoughts:

This book sounded really interesting to me and I couldn’t wait to start reading it. It is all about the lumberjills which is a female lumberjack, this story is set in World War Two and we see a group of women from all different backgrounds joining up to do what they can for the War. It was incredibly interesting to learn about what they went through back then, and what is involved in being a lumberjill back in the War. I liked at the end of the book reading about how much planning and research went into this book. It was an interesting subject and one I feel I know a lot more about now.

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

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Quinn and Graham’s perfect love is threatened by their imperfect marriage. The memories, mistakes, and secrets that they have built up over the years are now tearing them apart. The one thing that could save them might also be the very thing that pushes their marriage beyond the point of repair.

All Your Perfects is a profound novel about a damaged couple whose potential future hinges on promises made in the past. This is a heartbreaking page-turner that asks: Can a resounding love with a perfect beginning survive a lifetime between two imperfect people?

My Thoughts:

I really love the cover of this book, the colour is so vibrant. I have to say after reading a few of Colleen’s books and loving them, this one was not my favourite. It is all about Quinn and Graham and their marriage. It is all about a troubled marriage and what happens behind closed doors, stays behind closed doors. It was quite heart breaking to read and I just wanted to jump into the book and tell them to just to get a divorce, but it is not my relationship to criticize. I found it thought provoking and I did want to see where they would end up at the end of the story.

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When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn’t think it’s love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realise they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realise almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

My Thoughts:

I didn’t realise how addicted I would become with Colleen’s books, this was a really good story about Tate and Miles. They both have their own lives and see each other around but have nothing to do with each other until they realise they have an attraction towards each other but for this to work Miles has two rules for Tate but is Tate to far gone to be able to stick to these rules. I read this book in a few days and was thinking about it when I was not reading it. I like how we get both sides of the story, how Tate is feeling and also how Miles is feeling, it made the book more exciting knowing we were getting both sides of the story. I just loved this book so much.

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Life can change in an instant, but that’s not always a bad thing.

A hotel explodes leaving staff and guests in peril; a woman retrieves an old clock from the attic with disturbing consequences; one man leaves heart break behind him, and another arrives to bring adventure.

In this haunting collection, Annalisa Crawford creates characters who will charm, captivate and intrigue you.

My Thoughts:

This is a collection of different stories, they are dark and a little paranormal but really great short stories that will keep you entertained. I enjoyed reading all of the stories and I like how short the stories are, the stories are all different and you never know what is going to happen in them. Annalisa the author is really good at bringing her characters to life and some of the stories I felt a chill run through me. A great read.

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

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Secrets lie at the heart of every family…

When the unthinkable happens…

Hanna’s world is crumbling.

An unimaginable crime has been committed, and everyone’s looking for someone to blame. Her loved ones are under suspicion.

Now Hanna must work out who is threatening her family – before it’s too late.

No one could have seen this coming…

My Thoughts:

Susan is one of my go to authors, I always know how much I am going to enjoy one of her books. And she has written some really good books in the past. This was just as brilliant as all of her others. It starts off leaving the reader intrigued about what is going to happen and then as we go through each chapter we peel off the layers about what is really going on. It goes along at a comfortable pace to keep the reader wanting more, and the twists that come out are so unexpected but oh so good. I loved the story and how involved I felt reading it. Such a fantastic read by a brilliant author.

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

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A young woman is dead.

A very wealthy client needs a favour. You’re newly qualified as a lawyer and this could be your big break, so you jump at the chance.

The case is about to be closed.

All you have to do is talk to a family, ask them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? Their daughter was found dead at a beauty spot on the outskirts of London in what you’re told was a tragic suicide.

Only you can uncover what really happened.

But the truth is never that simple. And this case could cost you your life…

My Thoughts:
I loved the sound of this book, a case is about to be closed but is it as simple as that, with the circumstances surrounding their daughters death, the family don’t believe it was suicide, so they piece together and try and find out what really happened with the help of a lawyer. I felt as though the story had many different layers to it, each chapter peeled off a little more. It was a good mystery whodunit that I enjoyed very much. The ending surprised me. I cannot wait to see what James writes about next. He is definitely one to watch out for.

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

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Keep your family close, and your secrets closer…

To the outside world, the Goodlights are perfect.

Julia is a lawyer, Paul a stay-at-home dad who has dedicated his life to helping their daughter Chrissie achieve her dreams as a talented violinist.

But on the night of a prestigious music competition, which has the power to change everything for Chrissie and her family, Chrissie goes missing.

She puts on the performance of a lifetime, then completely disappears. Suddenly every single crack, every single secret that the family is hiding risks being exposed.

Because the Goodlights aren’t perfect. Not even close.

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Philippa’s books, if you haven’t read her previous book Safe and Sound, go and read it as it was brilliant. Philippa is definitely one of my go to authors now. This is the story of Julia, Paul and Chrissie Goodlights. Julia and Paul do everything to help Chrissie their daughter to become a violinist. But one night everything changes, but what has changed and why? who in the family is hiding a secret or are they all? they aren’t the perfect family people see on the outside because what happens behind closed doors, stay behind closed doors. Such a thrilling and gripping read, as soon as I started reading the first chapter I knew everything else would have to wait. I love how the tension rises through the story and you never really know who to trust, all the characters are relatable and work really well. It is such a brilliantly thought of thriller that you will not want to put down. Highly recommend.

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

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Eve has always lived on Ennisfarne, an idyllic island just off the coast of Northumberland and only accessible when tides are low. There she runs a bar overlooking Darling Cove, a heavenly horseshoe-shaped beach named after her seafaring ancestors, whose links to the Farne Islands stretch back centuries.

Logan is a famous photographer desperate to evade the limelight after a difficult break-up. Renting a cottage from Eve, he chooses Ennisfarne in the hope of anonymity but is immediately spellbound by its natural beauty.

The pair don’t get off to the best start, butting heads over Eve’s adorable but boisterous Chocolate Labrador. But when Logan’s true identity is revealed, Eve realises her new tenant isn’t quite the man she thought he was. Is it too late to start again or will Logan’s island escape be over almost before it’s begun?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this read, I love the sound of Ennisfarne I feel as though I want to go and live there and experience it for myself. The story is about Eve who lives on Ennisfarne, when Logan turns up they don’t get off to the best of starts but as time goes on Eve discovers Logan is not the man she thought he was. What is going on with Logan and can Eve help him? The story swept me away and I really enjoyed Holly the author’s descriptions of Ennisfarne. I loved the story it was a shame when I had read the last page.

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

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