England 1835. Eliza Acton is a poet who dreams of seeing her words in print. But when she takes her new manuscript to a publisher, she’s told that ‘poetry is not the business of a lady’. Instead, they want her to write a cookery book. England is awash with exciting new ingredients, from spices to exotic fruits. That’s what readers really want from women. 
 
Eliza leaves the offices appalled. But when her father is forced to flee the country for bankruptcy, she has no choice but to consider the proposal. Never having cooked before in her life, she is determined to learn and to discover, if she can, the poetry in recipe writing. To assist her, she hires seventeen-year-old Ann Kirby, the impoverished daughter of a war-crippled father and a mother with dementia. 
 
Over the course of ten years, Eliza and Ann developed an unusual friendship – one that crossed social classes and divides – and, together, they broke the mould of traditional cookbooks and changed the course of cookery writing forever. 

My Thoughts:

I found this a very interesting and knowledgeable read, one that took me on a journey of food. It is 1835 in England, Eliza is a poet and would love to have her poems published but when she takes them to a publisher, they don’t want her to write poetry, they want her to write a cookery book. She doesn’t want to do this but when her circumstances change she has to. Eliza cannot cook so when she employs Ann, she doesn’t look back. It was a very interesting read to learn all about how to set up a cookbook back in the day and also what kinds of foods Eliza was dealing with. The research along with the food is rich and delightful and the recipes seem to come alive across the pages. A wonderful read and one I would certainly recommend if you are a foodie like me.

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

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Veronica Beecham’s cottage is the neatest house on Mapleberry Lane. A place for everything, and everything in its place – that’s her motto. But within her wisteria-covered walls, Veronica has a secret: she’s hardly left her perfect home in years.

Then her teenage granddaughter, Audrey, arrives on the doorstep, and Veronica’s orderly life is turned upside down. Shy and lonely, Audrey is struggling to find her place in the world. As a bond begins to form between the two women, Audrey develops a plan to give her gran the courage to reconnect with the community – they’ll form a kindness club, with one generous action a day to help someone in the village, and perhaps help each other at the same time.

As their small acts of kindness begins to ripple outwards, both Veronica and Audrey find that with each passing day, they feel a little braver. There’s just one task left before the end of the year: to make Veronica’s own secret wish come true…

My Thoughts:

This was a great little read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It seemed to fit perfectly with the way I was feeling and cheered me up no end. I loved all the characters who were absolutely brilliant including Veronica. I felt drawn to her the most and wanted to help her. I adored the kindness calendar and I feel as though every school should do it as it teaches children to be kind and think of others, it was such a wonderful thing to do and look how many people it helped out. It has certainly made me think about what I can do to better others around me. This is a book that I would re-read time and time again as it was just brilliant.

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‘We can’t go to the island, Bryon. We don’t really know what we’re getting into . . .’

Eleanor Bennett won’t let her own death get in the way of the truth. So when her estranged children – Byron and Benny – reunite for her funeral in California, they discover a puzzling inheritance.

First, a voice recording in which everything Byron and Benny ever knew about their family is upended. Their mother narrates a tumultuous story about a headstrong young woman who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder, a story which cuts right to the heart of the rift that’s separated Byron and Benny.

Second, a traditional Caribbean black cake made from a family recipe with a long history that Eleanor hopes will heal the wounds of the past. Can Byron and Benny fulfil their mother’s final request to ‘share the black cake when the time is right’?

Will Eleanor’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

My Thoughts:

This was a cleverly written novel, I actually couldn’t believe it is a debut novel, it was just that good. All the characters felt relatable and brought the story alive, it was such a gripping and touching story. The black cake holds everything together, it was like I was dying to try a piece of this famous black cake, it was almost making me salivate wanting a slice. It touched my heart reading about this sensitive topic and I felt for Benny and Bryon but also what their mother had been through in her life. I fell in love with this story and wanted to re-read all over again. One story I will never forget and will keep recommending.

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

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Cherry, Maggie and Rose are mother, daughter and granddaughter, each with their own hopes, dreams and even sorrows. They have always been close, so when, in a moment of impulse, Cherry buys a gorgeous but rundown pub in the village she grew up in, it soon becomes a family affair.

All three women uproot themselves and move to Rushbrook, deep in the heart of Somerset, to take over The Swan and restore it to its former glory. Cherry is at the helm, Maggie is in charge of the kitchen, and Rose tends the picturesque garden that leads down to the river.

Before long, the locals are delighted to find the beating heart of the village is back, bringing all kinds of surprises through the door.

Could Cherry’s impulse purchase change all their lives – and bring everyone the happiness they’re searching for?

My Thoughts:
I loved this book so much, I am a big fan of Veronica’s books and this was just as good as all of her other books. This story follows Cherry, Maggie and Rose who are all related to each other Mother, daughter and grand daughter. They are all very close to one another so when Cherry makes an impulse purchase, they all decide to get stuck in and help make a go of things. As the story goes on we learn more about each of the women and what their dreams are, I feel as though each of the women someone will be able to relate to, you can never imagine how quickly your life can change so it is best to grab the bull by it’s horns and go for it as you never know what is around the corner. All three women inspired me, I loved reading their stories and felt satisfied at the end. A comforting read.

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

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The case was closed.
Everyone in Ådalen remembers the summer Lina Stavred went missing. At first, the investigation seemed like a dead end: there was no body, no crime scene, no murder weapon.

The records were sealed.
Then a local boy confessed to Lina’s murder. The case opened a wound – one the whole community has spent over two decades trying to heal.

But we know you remember.
Now Lina’s murderer has reappeared, and detective Eira Sjödin must face the spectre of his brutal crime. This is her chance to untangle years of well-kept secrets – but the truth is something Ådalen would rather forget.

My Thoughts:

I felt as though the plot line sounded quite good and intriguing but for me it was not as I would of hoped for. I found it a slow and long drawn out story, one I felt as though I wanted to finish incase it got better. It had promise with some well thought out characters and some twists that keep you from giving up reading it. I am not sure how I feel about the sensitive subjects that are spoken about in the story. I am not sure either how I would feel to read the rest of the books in this series. It is a shame really as the plot sounded good but for me didn’t live up to it.

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

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You should never judge how someone chooses to raise their child.
Elizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They’re the best of friends, and godmothers to each other’s daughters – because they trust that the safety of their children is both of their top priority.

But what if their choice could harm your own child?

Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child’s birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined . . 

My Thoughts:

I thought this was quite a unique, interesting and thought provoking story which is definitely a conversation starter. Not being a parent I still found it an interesting topic to write a story about, it begs the question what would you do? You basically get both sides of the story whose side do you choose? It had me gripped and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about both sides of the story. I mean I know what side I would of chosen if I was a parent to get the child vaccinated but I can see the argument from the other side. This would be a brilliant book for a book club up for discussion, I can see this book is going to be a hit. A really good read about a sensitive topic but one parents have to go through every day.

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

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Fourteen days together. Fifteen years apart.
Their love story isn’t over yet…

When Abbie met Oz they were young, idealistic students from different backgrounds, but their connection was unmistakable. Then Oz went home to Istanbul and life moved on.

Years later, Abbie and Oz meet again – a chance encounter that could change everything.

Despite leading very different lives, they find themselves drawn to eachother once more. But they have commitments, jobs and families that take priority – and too much time has passed… Hasn’t it?

My Thoughts:

What a magical love story that is told beautifully. The story is all about will they? won’t they? and Caroline has really hit the nail on the head when it comes to all the different emotions that come with it. It was so easy to get lost in the story and forget about everything else for a bit, Caroline’s writing was beautiful and the descriptions were absolutely perfect. I needed many tissues ready this book and you just have to wait for a surprising ending. Such a brilliant debut and I look forward to more of Caroline’s books in the future.

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

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It’s always the husband, isn’t it? 

One weekend, while Andrew Mason was on a fishing trip, his wife, Brie, vanished without a trace. Most people assumed Andy had got away with murder, but the police couldn’t build a strong case against him. For a while, Andy hit rock bottom – he drank too much, was abandoned by his friends, nearly lost his business and became a pariah in the place he had once called home.

Now, six years later, Andy has put his life back together. He’s sold the house he shared with Brie and moved away for a fresh start. When he hears his old house has been bulldozed and a new house built in its place, he’s not bothered. He’s settled with a new partner, Jayne, and life is good.

But Andy’s peaceful world is about to shatter. One day, a woman shows up at his old address, screaming, ‘Where’s my house? What’s happened to my house?’ And then, just as suddenly as she appeared, the woman – who bears a striking resemblance to Brie – is gone. The police are notified and old questions – and dark suspicions – resurface.

Could Brie really be alive after all these years? If so, where has she been? It soon becomes clear that Andy’s future, and the lives of those closest to him, depends on discovering what the hell is going on. The trick will be whether he can stay alive long enough to unearth the answers…

My thoughts:

What a fantastic story, I was on tenterhooks the whole way through. It was an action packed, fast paced thriller that will not disappoint. I loved the how the plot line really got under my skin, I wanted to know if it was Brie who was still alive and if so what happened back then? There were so many questions I had going round my head when reading this book, Linwood does a great job of leaving the reader wanting more after a chapter has finished, I just kept on reading until the early hours of the morning. I tried to guess what would happen but I couldn’t, the twists made it harder to work out. The ending was perfect and I felt bereft that the story had ended.

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

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A novel of love, homelessness, and learning to be fearless

In the garden, there were three flamingos. Not real flamingos, but real emblems, real gateways to a time when life was impossibly good. They were mascots, symbols of hope. Something for a boy to confide in.

First, there were the flamingos. And then there were two families. Sherry and Leslie and their daughters, Rae and Pauline – and Eve and her son Daniel.

Sherry loves her husband, Leslie. She also loves Eve. It couldn’t have been a happier summer. But then Eve left and everything went grey. Now Daniel is all grown-up and broken. And when he turns up at Sherry’s door, it’s almost as if they’ve all come home again. But there’s still one missing. Where is Eve? And what, exactly, is her story?

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much, it made my heart sing and is all about love, kindness and being around people that accept you for who you are. We see the chapters flit back and forth from the 80’s up to 2018 where the book is set. It is such an enchanting and charming read and the way it has been written was beautiful. It was a story that really got to me, and even after I had finished it I was still thinking about the characters. I think it is a relatable story that people may find comfort in, a tender story that in time will heal.

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

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Whir, beep, click, breath. Whir, beep, click, breath.

Pippa Gallagher is rushed in to hospital following a traffic accident.

As Pippa lies unconscious, she is aware of fragments. The day she met Steve Gallagher, her best friend and the man who would become the love of her life. The heartbreak she felt tonight as she got into her car, her eyes blurry from tears.

Meanwhile Steve sits at her bedside, his eyes fixed on her pale, still face. He has no idea where his wife was going when she crashed. No clue as to why she became distracted behind the wheel. All he knows is that she is his world. And that he wasn’t there when she needed him most.

For the next twelve hours, Steve tells Pippa all the reasons he loves her.

But is it too late? Can Pippa find her way back to him?

My Thoughts:

I loved the way this book has been written by not one author but by two. Not only do we experience the woman’s perspective but also the man’s perspective on a love story. It is such a clever concept and it really did work. We also as readers get to hear Pippa and Steve’s story from when they first met and what happens after. Then we flit to the present day and find Pippa has been in a car accident, Steve had no idea where she was going, but will she be ok? they both have a lot of history and they both managed to find each other again but will it be a second time lucky? The story had me gripped the whole way through, some parts of the book I couldn’t believe what I was reading. There are parts that are funny but some parts I did shed a few tears. I was just hoping Pippa would be ok. The last few pages I raced through as I just had to know, I think I was holding my breath incase. A book I will truly not forget in a long time. It is such a moving story. An excellent read, the authors have done a sterling job writing this one.

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

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