Your big secret is out. What next?

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life.

Eliza needs answers – and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store…

My Thoughts:

There is just something so comforting about reading a Lucy Diamond book. I loved it but then I have loved all of Lucy’s previous books, I feel as though the subject line could be a relatable situation to many people, and I hope it helps them feel as though they are not alone. I loved the characters, I liked Eliza I felt as though she is a strong young women but sometimes can get things wrong, but her mum Lara is always there to help pick up the pieces. Eliza has never known her father and she wants to find out who he is but Lara her mother is keeping a secret from her. What happens when they track him down and Lara is face to face with him that she has not seen for a very long time. How will it go? the story is based on love and second chances but there is also an element of how we can be lead down a completely different path that we were expecting to go down. I think the ending was good too, when I had finished it I had a warm and uplifting feeling.

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

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Some secrets are worth killing for.

Jo Finnegan is leaving work one evening when she’s attacked and threatened by a criminal gang who want information from her – information she doesn’t have.

After a desperate struggle Jo escapes.

When she gets home, Jo finds her sister dead in her front room. Jo’s wife has gone missing. While Jo is still in shock from what she’s seen, the police arrive and arrest her. Jo realises she’s been framed for her sister’s murder, but that’s only the beginning of her nightmare . . .

My Thoughts:

I like how this book is written by a husband and wife writing team, I feel as you though you get the best of both worlds with a man’s perspective and also a woman’s perspective. The story is a really good one, there feels as though there is a lot going on but it doesn’t feel too heavy, there is the right amount of tension to make the story engaging, I found the story shocking, I wanted to help Jo but I didn’t know how to. I can’t believe what she has had to endure and that is only the start of it. It put me right on edge and I felt as though I was on the edge of my seat the whole time wondering what was going to happen. It was very good and I look forward to reading more of these authors books.

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

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It’s time for the wedding we’ve all been waiting for…

Life at Hedgehog Hollow is never dull, although Samantha hopes that the new year ahead will be a little less chaotic as she prepares to marry the love of her life, Josh. But disaster strikes when she checks the rescue centre’s bank account after the festive season and discovers it has been emptied. Who would do such a thing, and why? With the future of Hedgehog Hollow now in jeopardy, planning a wedding has lost its shine.

Phoebe is desperate to escape the shadow of her family, infamously known for their attacks on Samantha’s beloved rescue centre. Could the kindness of the Hedgehog Hollow team be the chance she needs for a fresh start, or will her family’s secrets continue to drag her back?

My Thoughts:

This is the next book in the Hedgehog Hollow series and if you haven’t read the others what are you waiting for? It was lovely to catch up with all the characters from the series and see what was in store this time for Samantha who owns and runs Hedgehog Hollow, which is a rescue centre for hedgehogs. It was lovely to meet some new hedgehogs too, there is lots going on in this book, with some nice and not so nice characters. It was lovely to see how the community all pulled together to help Samantha. I have loved all of this series and will be sad when it ends. I really feel as though I know all the characters personally, and I would love to help Samantha out at the rescue centre caring for all those gorgeous hedgehogs. Also at the back of the book there is information about hedgehogs which I found very interesting and feel as though I learnt a thing or two.

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

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Ronke, Simi, Boo are three mixed-race friends living in London. They have the gift of two cultures, Nigerian and English, though not all of them choose to see it that way.

Everyday racism has never held them back, but now in their thirties, they question their future. Ronke wants a husband (he must be Nigerian); Boo enjoys (correction: endures) stay-at-home motherhood; while Simi, full of fashion career dreams, rolls her eyes as her boss refers to her urban vibe yet again.

When Isobel, a lethally glamorous friend from their past arrives in town, she is determined to fix their futures for them.

Cracks in their friendship begin to appear, and it is soon obvious Isobel is not sorting but wrecking. When she is driven to a terrible act, the women are forced to reckon with a crime in their past that may just have repeated itself.

My Thoughts:

This is a powerful story about friendship and shows the highs and lows of such a close bond. The characters Ronke, Simi and Boo are three mix raced friends who are living in London, now in their thirties they all are questioning what they want from their future. They are three very independent women, all different but hold a close bond between them. When an outsider comes into their clos knit group, she threatens to shake them all up, can their friendship survive? The story also shows how these women have to deal with racism and how some people can be so cruel, the story also intrigued me and I wondered where it would lead to, there is a twist at the end that I would never of believed. I found this a very joyous and insightful read and I feel when it comes out, it is going to do really well. I cannot wait to read Nikki’s next book.

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

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If she’d turned off her phone, instead of listening in, perhaps no one would have died…

When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce.

But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people. Bribery and blackmail are the least of his worries as someone comes after the women in his life – someone who is out to destroy Laurence and his empire, whatever the cost.

And Cressida and her teenage daughter could soon be collateral damage, if she and Brioni don’t act fast.

My Thoughts:

I liked this story, I liked how the story builds as a good pace. I found it quite an interesting and intriguing story line, Cressida thinks her husband is having an affair so she hires Brioni to find out what he is up to and with who but things get more out of control when they realise the people he has connections with. Bad things are just around the corner but can Cressida save herself and her daughter? It really got under my skin about what Laurence was doing and I really felt for Cressida, I was not sure how the story would pan out but it went completely opposite to the way I thought it would. A very good read.

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

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‘Everyone has secrets. And now, one of mine is yours…’

As the only two teenagers in a small village, Hollie and Niamh tell each other everything. Behind Abingworth’s closed doors, every family has its secrets – and theirs might hide the worst ones of all.

One day Hollie tells Niamh about a devastating discovery, swears her to secrecy … then vanishes. All the villagers claim to know nothing. Until Hollie’s body is found, and the police know one of their number isn’t just a liar, but a killer…

What did Hollie tell Niamh before she died? And who would kill to keep the secret?

My Thoughts:

Set in a small village, Niamh and Hollie are the only youngsters that live there. They are very close friends and tell each other everything until one day Hollie goes missing but she told Niamh something before she went missing but Niamh promised she wouldn’t tell anyone. Then Hollie’s body is found but who killed her? suspicions grow around all the villagers but which one killed her? secrets, lies and betrayals all surface. Will Niamh be able to tell the police everything she knows. I think this is my first book by Debbie and I would read more of hers, this was a good paced thriller that kept me engaged throughout, I did find the middle part a little slow but the ending was a shocker and one I didn’t see coming.

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

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Jasmine Tran has landed herself behind bars—maple bars that is. With no boyfriend or job prospects, Jasmine returns home to work at her parents’ donut shop. Jasmine quickly loses herself in a cyclical routine of donuts, Netflix, and sleep. She wants to break free from her daily grind, but when a hike in rent threatens the survival of their shop, her parents rely on her more than ever.

Help comes in the form of an old college crush, Alex Lai. Not only is he successful and easy on the eyes, to her parents’ delight, he’s also Chinese. He’s everything she should wish for, until a disastrous dinner reveals Alex isn’t as perfect as she thinks. Worse, he doesn’t think she’s perfect either.

With both sets of parents against their relationship, a family legacy about to shut down, and the reappearance of an old high school flame, Jasmine must scheme to find a solution that satisfies her family’s expectations and can get her out of the donut trap once and for all.

My Thoughts:

This is a story not to read when hungry, I was literally drooling over the tasty sounding donuts that Jasmine’s parents make at their donut shop. This was a nice easy story to read, away from all the thrillers I usually read. It was a light hearted read with characters that you want to make friends with, I liked the story, Jasmine’s parents run the donut shop and she feels as though she will be working there all her life, can she find a way out? I think this would be a good read for a teenager as it explores young love, and career ideas, and would help anyone that is struggling to find their place in the world. Also the donuts sounded divine. I cannot wait to read Julie’s next one.

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

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Once Upon A Crime…

Nancy Hunter and her grandmother Jane Hunter run the Dedley Endings Bookshop, selling crime, thriller and mystery books, in a small, quiet Cotswold village where nothing ever happens…

That is, until the wealthy and reclusive Roth family open up their mansion for the first time in thirty years, inviting the people of Dedley End to a lavish engagement party.

While everyone is thrilled to finally look around the mansion on the hill, the festivities are quickly cut short when beautiful Lucy, recently married to young Harry Roth, is found dead after being pushed over the first-floor balustrade.

But who among the guests could have been capable of her murder – and why?

Nancy and Jane decide to investigate – after all, not only do they own a crime themed bookshop, they were also both named after famous literary detectives – but soon wonder if they’ve taken on more than they can handle. Especially when it seems the killer has worked out that they’re hot on their heels…

Can they catch the murderer before the murderer catches up with them? Or will there be a deadly ending to this story?

My Thoughts:

I loved the setting for Nancy and Jane’s cosy bookshop in the Village of Dedley End, it made me want to visit them and spend hours perusing the shelves. I loved the relationship between Nancy and Jane and also with Jonathon too, their relationship was very comforting. The story line was a good one, there is a murder at a lavish party, someone dies, can Nancy, Jonathon and Jane find out who the killer is before it is too late? it was a warm, cosy and comforting read, I love how they are always drinking tea, such an English thing to do, when the going gets tough, drink tea. There is mystery and suspense too, which makes this book an absolute winner. I could see this book as a series on TV. I look forward to the next book.

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In the darkness we all need a little light . . .

After Mike loses Pia, his partner of seventeen years, her best friends Vicky and Zaza try to help pick up the pieces.

But though Pia’s gone, she left a plan. A list of love and instructions to hold Mike and her best friends together.

And they’re each going to need it.

Just-engaged Zaza fears committing any further.

Mum Vicky can’t see a way past her kids and back to her career.

While Mike just feels lost without the love of his life.

But when the list sends them to Peru, where high mountains and sweltering rain forest take them to the brink,
all they have to guide them is their faith in Pia’s instructions and themselves.

Did anyone say Walking On Sunshine was easy?

My Thoughts:

When I saw there was a new book out by Giovanna, I couldn’t wait to read it. This is such a lovely heartwarming real life situation story. I think people will be able to relate to some of the situations in this story, I hope after people read it they will feel as though they are not alone. I like how Giovanna has a way that makes it seem as she is caring not only for her characters but also for her readers. This story blew me away and I had tears in my eyes thinking what they all had gone through. The story is about two best friends Vicky and ZaZa who unfortunately have lost their best friend Pia, even though they are struggling without her, they are putting on a brave face for Pia’s partner Mike. But Pia had other plans for them all once she had gone and I think at the end of the day this has helped them all. One of the lists sends them to Peru, they are all finding it hard without Pia but when they get together and do what Pia has asked them to do, they find a way to get themselves back together again. The author Giovanna has experience of trekking as she did a trek in 2019 for Coopafeel so I feel with this story we are getting first had experience of what trekking is actually like. It is such a lovely story and one that I will stay with me. I hope it has helped people that are in these situations that you are not alone and there is help out there. A beautiful story about friendships and love.

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

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