The longer the marriage, the harder truth becomes . . .

Meet the Hanrahan family, gathering for a momentous weekend as famous artist and notorious egoist Ray Hanrahan prepares for a new exhibition of his art – the first in many decades – and one he is sure will burnish his reputation for good.

His three children will be there: beautiful Leah, always her father’s biggest champion; sensitive Patrick, who has finally decided to strike out on his own; and insecure Jess, the youngest, who has her own momentous decision to make . . .

And what of Lucia, Ray’s steadfast and selfless wife? She is an artist, too, but has always had to put her roles as wife and mother first. What will happen if she decides to change? For Lucia is hiding secrets of her own, and as the weekend unfolds and the exhibition approaches, she must finally make a choice.

My Thoughts:

The cover for this book is simply stunning, the illustrator has captured the image beautifully. In this story Charlotte the author does a really great job of being a fly on the wall inside a families home so we as the reader can experience everything that the family are going through. It is such a great idea for a story and one that works really well. It is eye opening and draws the reader in. There are parts I found funny but also parts that made me stop and thinking. Such a thought provoking novel. I loved it.

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

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Poppy got married young. Too young in fact, and she put her dreams aside for love. Fast-forward eight years(ish) and now it’s time to reclaim her life and first love – photography.
 
What better way to celebrate her new-found freedom than a blissful week alone on an island with just her camera for company. Until her best friend has a catastrophe with the high-profile wedding she’s planning and begs Poppy to help. After all, she owes her.
 
Poppy doesn’t expect to recognise the groom as an old friend, nor for the bride to get cold feet but what’s a wedding without a little drama. And as the wedding week – yes, week – gets underway, Poppy might find happiness again, just not in the way she expected.

My Thoughts:

This was such a great and funny read, that I will be raving about to my friends. It is a tender story that will have you laughing one minute and I did shed a few tears at the end. I think the character Poppy is a relatable character, she got married young and put all her dreams on hold for the love of her life. Now we see her in a few years time regaining her dreams. Poppy heads to an island all by herself to have some alone time and compose what she wants to do with her life, until her friend has a major set to with her wedding and needs Poppy’s help as a photographer. She finds she knows a certain someone and is trying to forget all the drama, but will the wedding ever go ahead and if it does will things run smoothly. I have loved all of Abigail’s books so far but this one was the best. I would highly recommend this heart warming read.

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

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First, the clouds…
Tara Hunter is a therapist on a mission to restore Longhampton’s community spirit after catastrophic flooding. But with her boyfriend AWOL, her family fragmented, and only a cat for company, Tara’s own life is crumbling.

Then the storm…
On top of everything, Tara’s father – last seen as he walked out on her when she was ten years old – is suddenly back, with a surprising offer that could change everything.

And after the rain…
Dr David Dalloway is Longhampton Wellness Centre’s new star counsellor. He’s charming, caring and has a knack for reading people’s minds – which is the last thing Tara needs right now. Will having David and her dad around make for a bigger storm on the horizon? Or is this Tara’s chance for a fresh start?

My Thoughts:

This was a nice easy read when you need a break from reading thrillers, the story was ok, it is set in Longhampton where they have been hit by a terrible flood, therapist Tara has to come in and help the villagers restore some calm into their lives, Tara’s life is not perfect either so she has to try and balance the two together. And when her long lost father decides to make an appearance at the completely wrong time could anything be any worse for Tara. I thought it was a ok read, a little slow in parts, I was hoping that it would get going a little more but I felt it a little samey to other books I have read.

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

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It was meant to be paradise…

Winterfall Farm, spectacular and remote, stands over Bodmin Moor. Wanting an escape from the constraints of conventional life, Kit and Tara move to the isolated smallholding with their daughter, Skye, and a group of friends. Living off-grid and working the land, they soon begin to enjoy the fruits of their labour amid the breathtaking beauty and freedom of the moor.

At first this new way of life seems too good to be true, but when their charismatic leader, Jeremy, returns from a mysterious trip to the city with Dani, a young runaway, fractures begin to appear. As winter approaches, and with it cold weather and dark nights, Jeremy’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. Rules are imposed, the outside world is shunned, and when he brings a second girl back to the farm, tensions quickly reach breaking point with devastating consequences…

My Thoughts:

This book was my perfect pick me up, I felt as though I fell in love with the whole scenario but is something more sinister happening beneath the layers. I thought there were some intriguing characters in this story, ones I felt as though I could trust and ones that I didn’t. Kit and Tara move away from the city to a small holding with their daughter and some of their friends, they will live of the land and enjoy the fruits of their labour, but when Jeremy starts bring young girls back, Tara is concerned about Jeremey’s intentions, I felt as though the story got dark and tense and I was not sure where the rest of the story would lead, but was surprised where it did lead, it captured my attention and I didn’t want to put the book down. Such a fantastic story that will keep you on tenterhooks the whole way through.

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

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Everyone has a secret. But some are worse than you could ever imagine.
 
Nell Sweeney has led an ordinary life. Every day she walks to and from the hospital where she works as a nurse, believing that no harm can befall her.
 
Until one day she is taken.
 
Because someone out there has a secret. Someone out there has been watching Nell – and they’ve been watching others like her too.
 
Nell is the unlucky one – she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if she isn’t found soon, someone will make sure that she isn’t the last woman to be taken…

My Thoughts:

I have always enjoyed reading a book by Claire Allan, I think they keep getting better and better her books, this one was brilliant. I was hooked from the first chapter, it has just the right level of tension that builds up with a good pace. It sent shivers down my arms and a level of unease reading it, I wanted to devour the whole thing right away but then wanted to saviour the story. Claire has a way with her words that keep you guessing and she leaves the reader with a hint of intrigue as you never really know what will happen next. I loved the story line and it had some fantastic twists, I look forward to reading Claire’s next book.

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

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Nick: Failed writer. Failed husband. Dog owner.

Bee: Serial dater. Dress maker. Pringles enthusiast.

One day, their paths cross over a misdirected email. The connection is instant, electric. They feel like they’ve known each other all their lives.

Nick buys a new suit, gets on a train. Bee steps away from her desk, sets off to meet him under the clock at Euston station.

Think you know how the rest of the story goes? They did too . . .

But this is a story with more twists than most. This is Impossible.

My Thoughts:

This is definitely going to be in my top ten of this year. It was absolutely brilliant. It was a different kind of love story and very unique that is why I loved it so much. The two main characters are Bee and Nick, they speak over a misread email and then things kick off from there, but as they continue these emails is there more of a connection for the both of them. The only problem is they have never met or seen each other? what harm could it do to meet up? It was fate that brought them together but will fate be on their side when they meet? it was a rather entertaining and witty read that I read in a couple of days. There is so much suspense and you never really know what is going to happen in the next chapter so you feel compelled to read on. I think everyone should be raving about this book as it is just brilliant.

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

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Marissa and Mathew Bishop seem like the golden couple . . . until Marissa cheats. In a desperate attempt to repair her family, Marissa takes a chance on maverick therapist Avery Chambers, who lost her licence due to controversial methods.

If Avery Chambers can’t fix you in ten sessions, she won’t take you on as a client. She helps people overcome everything, from domineering parents to assault. Her successes almost help her absorb the emptiness she feels since her husband’s death.

When the Bishops glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course they never expected. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger. Not all of them are who they seem, and matters are about to turn deadly…

My Thoughts:

The Golden Couple is such a compelling read that you don’t want to put it down. I liked the pace of this thriller, it had everything a thriller needs to have to make it brilliant. I felt as though it was a cat and mouse game which intrigued me and I couldn’t wait to see the outcome. The characters are all brilliant, I liked getting to know them to see who I could trust. There are a few twists that popped up and surprised me, the ending was fantastic and wraps everything up incredibly well.

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

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In his latest murder investigation, DCI Steve Burt is drawn into the sleazy underbelly of London – gentlemen’s clubs and all – while tracking down a serial killer who is murdering young women and dumping their bodies soon afterwards.

Then the body of an American professor is found floating in the Thames, and the DCI and his team find themselves involved in another murder case – which is by no means a straightforward killing. In his search for answers, the DCI and his nearest and dearest are threatened as he uncovers police corruption at the highest level. As the investigation unfolds, links are discovered between murder, an attempt to auction a stolen formula for green energy, and unauthorised CIA activity in London.

This is DCI Steve Burt’s most complicated and most baffling case to date.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I have read by John and it certainly won’t be the last. This book was fantastic and everything I love in a crime story. We follow DCI Steve Burt on his latest case, what I liked about this story is there a few plot lines running alongside each other and each one will keep you guessing. This book kept me on my toes and I loved the suspense and drama that is packed into the story along all the fantastic characters that we meet along the way. It has a great pace and I really liked the detective’s story. I am already looking forward to reading more of John’s books and the next instalment.

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

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When Amy Ashton’s world fell apart eleven years ago, she started a collection.

Just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a life that could have been.

Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves – soon there’ll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery, and Amy’s carefully curated life begins to unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she’d lost still be hers for the taking?

My Thoughts:

This was such a great read, I warmed to Amy straight away and I felt as though I needed to be there to watch her life unfold. I was captivated by the story as I have not read too many books about being a hoarder but this one fascinated me and I felt as though I learnt a great deal too. I think people will be able to sympathise with Amy when they get to know her story and why she hoards. It is such a beautiful story that the author has captured it very well. I loved it and will be reading it many more times in the future.

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FIND A FUTURE. LOSE A PAST.

She’s a star on the rise, singing about the hard life behind her.

She’s also on the run.

Nashville is where she’s come to claim her destiny.

It’s also where the darkness she’s fled might find her. And destroy her . . .

RUN ROSE RUN: a story glittering with danger and desire.

My Thoughts:

If you really want an immersive experience, Dolly Parton has put 12 songs with this story. It was lovely to read a book where the story line was a bit different from the normal. Here we follow a young woman who is trying to chase her dreams, she has fled from her home and life and all she wants to do is sing. We see her trying everything she can do to get a spot on a stage to do what she loves to do best. Some people do not give her the time of day but then some do. Friends are formed and she is happy until something happens and it jeopardises everything, is she safe anymore? A truly great story that will keep you captivated with Rose’s story until the very end.

I received an ARC copy for an honest review.

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