When her husband Harry walks out after just six months, a girls’ weekend away with two friends seems like just what Sam needs.

But they aren’t even halfway to their destination when things start to go wrong: car trouble that just happens to leave them stranded in the town where Harry lives.

And that’s only the beginning.

Because there are three things Sam doesn’t yet know:

One of her friends is lying about what happened.
One is lying about who she is.
And one of them will never make it home . . .

My Thoughts:

This was such a brilliant constructed thriller about three friends that embark on a getaway but things start happening and things that do not feel right, one of them won’t be leaving but who and why? It was a nail biting and twist turning thriller that kept me awake till the early hours of the morning. Each chapter is a different person so we get all different perspectives which made the book even more brilliant, I found the story eerie and creepy and one that I raced through. It had a great pace to it and the ending blew me away. I will definitely be wanting to read more by Leah.

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

Get your copy here:

Check out my twitter @bookbloghannah for a giveaway to win a copy of this book

Travel agent, Hester Monday, has been keeping a secret …

Thanks to her fear of flying, she hasn’t been on a plane in years. Now Hester wants to make a good impression on her newest client, Jake Oakenfield, who was heroically injured saving an old lady, and is now laid up in a luxury hotel.

For Jake, unable to return to New York, binge watching Netflix just won’t do. He wants Hester to invent the ultimate escape and re-create her most magical holidays abroad from the confines of his hotel room.

As their perfect mini-breaks around the globe take on a life of their own, Hester wonders if her world of make-believe is all starting to feel just a little too real…

My Thoughts:

I loved the idea of this story, it was original and a fresh idea. After an accident where Jake has to be laid up for a while, he sinks into a low mood and cannot see anyway out, until his sister brings in Hester to arrange a holiday for him but he wants to get out of his hotel room now, he is not a good patient, so Hester comes up with a unique way of sending him across the world without him going anywhere. I loved the story line and where it leaded, it was a uplifting and romantic story with some wonderful characters including Hester, she seemed like such a lovely woman, always putting people before herself. I want to read it again now to bring me some warmth and joy.

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

Get your copy here:

It’s time for Ellie to return home and rediscover the past she left behind… After a tough break-up, Ellie returns to the only place she’s ever really felt at home – the coastal town of Sanderson Bay. A year later, she’s living her dream, brewing delicious artisan teas and selling them at her very own cafe.

And when the mysterious and brooding Ben walks into her tearoom, Ellie finally dares to dream of true love. But then her ex shows up in the Bay, and just as Ellie discovers some tragic truths about her family’s past, she learns Ben might be hiding an unwelcome secret of his own… Can Ellie let go of her past and brave a future with Ben?

My Thoughts:

This was a lovely calming read that has me more aware of the different teas that are on offer some of them sounded delicious, though I would love to go and visit Ellie’s place as it sounds a relaxing and tranquil place. It was a comforting read that involves a tearoom with other things which to me just sounds wonderful. I got caught up in the story and wanted Ellie to be happy again but will Ben be the one for her or will she never find love again? It is such a sweet and romantic story that I was sad when it finished.

Get your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here:

‘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.

Get your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here:

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.

Get your copy here: