Polly Morland was clearing her late mother’s house when she found a battered paperback fallen behind the family bookshelf. Opening it, she was astonished to see an old photograph of the remote, wooded valley in which she lives. The book was A Fortunate Man, John Berger’s classic account of a country doctor working in the same valley more than half a century earlier. This chance discovery led Morland to the remarkable doctor who serves that valley community today, a woman whose own medical vocation was inspired by reading the very same book as a teenager.

A Fortunate Woman tells her compelling, true story, and how the tale of the old doctor has threaded through her own life in magical ways. Working within a community she loves, she is a rarity in contemporary medicine: a modern doctor who knows her patients inside out, the lives of this ancient, wild place entwined with her own.

Revisiting Berger’s story after half a century of seismic change, both in our society and in the ways in which medicine is practised, A Fortunate Woman sheds light on what it means to be a doctor in today’s complex and challenging world. Interweaving the doctor’s story with those of her patients, reflecting on the relationship between landscape and community, and upon the wider role of medicine in society, a unique portrait of a twenty-first century family doctor emerges.

My Thoughts:

I have to say I really enjoyed this book, it was a little different to my usual reads but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I loved how the book A fortunate Man was found but how I found the stories so engaging and compelling. All the stories are true life and like me probably don’t even think how a country doctor would battle against the elements to see her patients and how living in the country is different. It was an eye opening experience but I felt as though I learnt things through out that I probably won’t have known unless I had read this book. It was also very interesting to read about the affects the pandemic and Covid had on the community. I also really liked the pictures through out the book, it gave it more of a personal experience. I would recommend reading this book.

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

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Ten seconds before the crash, Cate and Aiden Gascoigne are recorded on CCTV. The couple are laughing – happy, untroubled.

Then their car plunges into a ninety-foot ravine.

The impact should kill them. And if that doesn’t, the fire will. Within seconds, the vehicle is an inferno – with the Gascoignes trapped inside.

But when fire crews arrive at the scene , they find something impossible.

The Vehicle is empty.

Cate and Aiden have vanished.

Now only missing persons investigator David Raker can solve the mystery.

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read any of Tim’s books before and I am unsure why as this book was absolutely brilliant. I loved how fast paced it was and how involved I felt during reading it, I am going to read more of his books now as this one was so good. I loved the story and how intriguing it sounded, there are plenty of twists that I never saw coming. Whilst reading the plot I was trying to work out what was going to happen but never expected in a million years what was about to happen. Such a terrific thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down.

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

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Meredith Maggs hasn’t left her house in 1,214 days. But she insists she isn’t alone.

She has her cat Fred. Her friend Sadie visits when she can. There’s her online support group, StrengthInNumbers. She has her jigsaws, favourite recipes, her beloved Emily Dickinson, the internet, the Tesco delivery man and her treacherous memories for company.

But something’s about to change. Whether Meredith likes it or not, the world is coming to her door . . . Does she have the courage to overcome what’s been keeping her inside all this time?

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much. It probably has to be one of my favourites of this year so far. It is all about a lovely lady called Meredith, she has many things she loves to do and her friend Sadie comes over to visit her but what you don’t know about Meredith is that she has not left her house for quite some time. What we see unfold in this story is why and it is heart breaking and sad and so many emotions rolled into one. I just wanted to be there for Meredith and give her a big hug. But with the help from Sadie can she overcome her fear? I can understand that this is a problem that affects so many people, but some people don’t even have anyone to speak to, let alone help them. This book has made me realise to look out for others and make friends aware you are there for them for whatever is going on in their life. This is such a powerful novel that I would highly recommend.

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

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How can you pack for the journey of a lifetime?

George Baxter has settled for a comfortable life, content as the years unfold predictably – until Win, his wife of twenty-six years, dies.

With his loyal dog Monty by his side, George throws himself into his work as an antiques dealer. His business is at the heart of the village and all sorts pass through the doors, each person in search of their own little piece of history.

When George meets local widow Sylvia Newsome, he imagines a different kind of future. But life has more revelations to offer him. Over the course of an English summer George uncovers some unexpected mysteries from his past, which could shape his tomorrows . . .

My Thoughts:

I liked the sound of this book from the blurb so was looking forward to reading it. Not a great deal really happens in the story, George is the main character and after recently been widowed he finds unexpected time on his hands, along with his dog Monty they try and carry on no matter what. Then he meets Sylvia and he sees what his life could be like. It was an ok read, thought provoking and I felt calm reading it. I just felt as though a lot more could of been added to make it more interesting.

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My child has been taken. And I’ve been given a choice…
Kill a patient on the operating table. Or never see my son again.

The man lies on the table in front of me.
As a surgeon, it’s my job to save him.
As a mother, I know I must kill him.
You might think that I’m a monster.
But there really is only one choice.
I must get away with murder.
Or I will never see my son again.

I’VE SAVED MANY LIVES.

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Jack and it certainly will not be my last. I loved the sound of the plot and it didn’t disappoint, my level of intrigue about what would happen made me want to finish the book quickly but not so quickly that I would miss anything. I love how it made my pulse race and the tension that intertwined through the pages was brilliant. We follow Anna who is a heart surgeon and has to make an impossible dilemma but which one will she pick and will it be the right decision? It is a terrifying tale which made me feel as though I was in the room with her, I feel as though my heart was in my mouth many times. I look forward to reading more of Jack’s books in the future.

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

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Lucinda Green knows something is missing from her life. But what? Her catering business is enjoying modest success and she loves her cosy house, even if she does have to share it with her irritating ex-fiancé.

Whatever’s making her unsettled and edgy, Lucinda’s certain that a lack of romance isn’t the problem. How could it be when she doesn’t believe in true love?

But Lucinda’s beliefs are shaken by a series of electric encounters with Alex Fraser, a newly notorious actor who gradually proves himself to be infuriatingly funny and smart, as well as handsome.

Not that any of that matters. Because Lucinda doesn’t believe in all that ‘The One’ nonsense. That’s the rule.

But doesn’t every rule have an exception?

My Thoughts:
I love Book one in this series, if you haven’t read it, I would definitely recommend it, you can read this one as a standalone but the first book was really good and this one is even better. We follow Lucinda and Alex through this story, Lucinda has a comfortable life with a good career and a lovely home unfortunately for her she feels something is missing from her life until she meets Alex. Lucinda does not believe in The One but could Alex change her mind? A sweet romantic story that is believable. I found parts of this book very funny to say the least, Claire writes with passion and an understanding of the subject matter. I found this such an uplifting and full of romance story that I cannot wait to read book three.

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

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Horrifying, heartbreaking and eye-opening, these are the stories, the patients and the cases that have characterised a career spent being a doctor behind bars.

Violence. Drugs. Suicide. Welcome to the world of a Prison Doctor.

Dr Amanda Brown has treated inmates in the UK’s most infamous prisons – first in young offenders’ institutions, then at the notorious Wormwood Scrubs and finally at Europe’s largest women-only prison in Europe, Bronzefield.

From miraculous pregnancies to dirty protests, and from violent attacks on prisoners to heartbreaking acts of self-harm, she has witnessed it all.

In this eye-opening, inspirational memoir, Amanda reveals the stories, the patients and the cases that have shaped a career helping those most of us would rather forget.

Despite their crimes, she is still their doctor.

My Thoughts:

I do love a different kind of read from my usual reads and when I saw this it piqued my interest. I really enjoyed this fascinating true story about a GP who works at some of the most Notorious prisons in Britain. We get an insight into what Dr Amanda Brown’s job entails and we hear the stories about some of the inmates and what life is like in these prisons. It is quite hard hitting stuff and very eye opening to read about. But it is a down to earth account of what Dr Amanda Brown has experienced so we know we are getting the real details. I found this a really good read and I have now ordered her next two books so I hope they are just as good as this one.

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It only takes one…

A murder

A resident of small-town Visberg is found decapitated

A festival

A grim celebration in a cultish hilltop community after the apple harvest

A race against time

As Visberg closes ranks to keep its deadly secrets, there could not be a worse time for Tuva Moodyson to arrive as deputy editor of the local newspaper. Powerful forces are at play and no one dares speak out. But Tuva senses the story of her career, unaware that perhaps she is the story…

My Thoughts:

This is book four in the Tuva series and even though I have not read many of them in this series, the two I have read have been good. I liked the fact that there are some very highly suspicious characters throughout the story and some that are a bit creepy. Tuva is a journalist in a small town in Sweden and we really get to see Tuva put to work and investigating many different things. Will the author is so good at descriptions and bringing the book to life with his words, it is a bit like a horror story that you will find gripping, the ending was not something I could of foreseen though.

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

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Auschwitz, 1943: As I held the tiny baby in my arms, my fingers traced the black tattoo etched across her little thigh. And I prayed that one day this set of numbers, identical to her mother’s, would have the power to reunite a family torn apart by war…

Inspired by an incredible true story, this poignant novel tells of one woman’s fight for love, life and hope during a time of unimaginable darkness.

Ana Kaminski is pushed through the iron gates of Auschwitz beside her frightened young friend Ester Pasternak. As they reach the front of the line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares herself a midwife – and Ester her assistant. Their arms are tattooed and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. Holding an innocent new-born baby, Ana knows the fate of so many are in her hands, and vows to do everything she can to save them.

When two guards in their chilling SS uniforms march in and snatch a blond-haired baby from its mother it’s almost too much for Ana to bear. Consoling the distraught woman, Ana realises amidst the terrible heartache there is a glimmer of hope. The guards are taking the healthiest babies and placing them with German families, so they will survive. And there are whispers the war is nearly over… Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo little ones with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.

Then, early one morning, Ana notices the small bump under Ester’s thin striped clothing…

My Thoughts:

This is a must read, one of books of this year for sure. It is such a heart breaking story to find out what went on in 1943 in Auschwitz. You will need plenty of tissues to get through this real life story. Anna the author has a way with her words that makes you feel as though you are pulled into the story and don’t want to stop reading. The emotions I went through reading this book were unbelievable, these poor women, I just wish I could do something for them. It was interesting to learn about being a midwife in that era too as I haven’t read anything about their job role and such forth. This is historical fiction done brilliantly well. I loved it.

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

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The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires, and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good.

There is fourteen-year-old Jael, who nurses a crush on the preacher’s wife; the mother who bakes a sublime peach cobbler every Monday for her date with the married Pastor; and Eula and Caroletta, single childhood friends who seek solace in each other’s arms every New Year’s Eve.

With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be – and as free as they deserve to be.

My Thoughts:
This is a great read packed full of stories of what life is like to live in the USA as a church goer black woman. We follow a selection of very different women and see how their lives are affected. I found the characters believable and I felt their difficulties and struggles with life, we see many subjects touched upon including finding love, friendship and finding acceptance, with some form of connection to the Church. I found it a captivating read and one I will remember for a long time.

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

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