I promised her I’d protect him… and I’ll do anything to keep him safe. 

Five years ago, my sister Rachel left her baby boy on my doorstep. A little bundle wrapped in blankets.

I loved him. I cared for him. I called him Noah and raised him as my own.

Rachel was full of secrets, and the truth about Noah was one we shared. A secret just between sisters.

Now, my sister is dead. The police say it was an accident… But I’m convinced that’s a lie.

I owe it to Rachel to uncover the truth… Even if I risk losing the family I’ve fought so hard for.

My Thoughts:

I think Karen writes a brilliant psychological thriller, her stories are always packed full of intrigued and twists and turns. There are some great characters with believable and relatable lives, the plot is paced well, it captivates you so you want to keep reading on. I liked the sound of the plot too. Karen’s writing gives you that level of intrigue that you just want to read a bit more. You wonder what is going to happen but the twists that happen in the book will leave you on the edge of your seat, when the first big twist came, I didn’t really know what the outcome was going to be. But it was very good, and kept me engaged till the end. I look forward to Karen’s next book. They are just brilliant.

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

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Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Do you often find yourself seeking approval from others? Is beating yourself up getting you down?

Then this book can help you.

With thought-provoking advice, a step-by-step action plan and a simple method to challenge your inner critic, You Are Enough will help you embrace your flaws and celebrate your unique awesomeness. Let go of the myth of perfection, finally stop comparing yourself to others, and learn how to be happy with all that you are.

My Thoughts:

This is a bit of a different kind of read for me, but one I wanted to read as it really did help me. This book is all about embracing your flaws and to be happy being you, which I have struggled with for a long time. It is broken down into three sections with different parts in those chapters. I suggest getting a notebook which I did and when a chapter asks you questions, you can write down your answers to come back to later, this really helped me. It is all about helping to shift your mind set and thinking more positively about yourself, and I have to say this book has taught me a lot and also helped me feel more positive about who I am. I hope this book helps other people too. I can re-read it as many times as I like and I truly think it will help me in the future if I ever need it again. I am so glad I have read it and I like that at the back of the book there are more reading suggestions.

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

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Twelve clues. Twelve keys. Twelve days of Christmas.
But who will survive until Twelfth Night?

Lily Armitage never intended to return to Endgame House – the grand family home where her mother died twenty-one Christmases ago. Until she receives a letter from her aunt, asking her to return to take part in an annual tradition: the Christmas Game. The challenge? Solve twelve clues, to find twelve keys. The prize? The deeds to the manor house.

Lily has no desire to win the house. But her aunt makes one more promise: The clues will also reveal who really killed Lily’s mother all those years ago.

So, for the twelve days of Christmas, Lily must stay at Endgame House with her estranged cousins and unravel the riddles that hold the key not just to the family home, but to its darkest secrets. However, it soon becomes clear that her cousins all have their own reasons for wanting to win the house – and not all of them are playing fair.

As a snowstorm cuts them off from the village, the game turns deadly. Soon Lily realises that she is no longer fighting for an inheritance, but for her life.

This Christmas is to die for . . . Let the game begin

My Thoughts:

I love a good murder mystery so was keen to see what this book was all about. It is a little like Agatha Christie and shares some similarities. For me I enjoyed it, it was predictable and a little slow but I was intrigued with how the story line would pan out whilst being a game. Even if you don’t solve the clues, it was still a nice story to follow along to, it is a story with a murder mystery and alongside it is other content for people who want to solve the clues. I think it is a fun book with a predictable ending.

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

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The coastline of Cumbria stretches for almost two hundred miles from Morecambe Bay to the Solway Firth and passes through the beautiful Lake District National Park. The Cumbria and Lake District Coast provides suggestions for places to visit along the coast, including picturesque harbours, stately homes, museums and seaside resorts. Readers will also discover less well-known sights such as medieval buildings, lighthouses and stone circles. The Lancashire shores of Morecambe Bay and the Scottish shores of the Solway Firth are included too.

For those interested in the history of the coast, there is an introduction to the role of coastal trade through the centuries. Topics include the Roman coastal defences that once extended to Maryport beyond Hadrian’s Wall, how mining contributed to the growth of ports such as Barrow, Millom and Workington, and the canals that linked ports at Lancaster, Ulverston and Carlisle to the shore.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the book highlights the many nature reserves that dot the shoreline and the varied habitats that are found, such as sand dunes, lowland raised mires and spectacular sea cliffs. There are also tips on watching waterbirds, for which Morecambe Bay and the Solway Firth are famed, and on where to see seals and tidal bores such as the Arnside Bore.

With stunning colour photographs, The Cumbria and Lake District Coast is a must-read for travellers and local residents alike. It will also be of interest to walkers along the England Coast Path, a fabulous new long-distance trail which is due to be completed shortly.

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to read this book after going to the Lake District recently and loving it, I wanted to learn more about this stunning place and this was the perfect book to do that with. It is a very interesting and engaging read, where you can learn so much from, it is filled with lots of information about different things. The parts that really interested me the most was learning about all the different wildlife and birds. It gives a detailed look at things ranging from the different estuary’s and water safety to a bit about the history to the different wildlife and birds, I feel as though there is a bit for everyone in here. The pictures are great and really makes me want to go back now, now I have a bit more knowledge up my sleeve about this beautiful and breathtaking place. This book is such a handy guide to keep with you when you are out and about.

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

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London, 1903. Two women are hanged in Holloway Prison for killing babies. More than thirty years later, Josephine Tey sets out to write a novel about Amelia Sach and Annie Walters, the notorious Finchley baby farmers. Meanwhile, her friend, Inspector Archie Penrose is investigating the sadistic murder of a young seamstress, found dead in the Motley sisters’ studio, amid preparations for a star-studded charity gala. The girl’s death seems to be the result of a long-standing domestic feud, but Archie is unconvinced; and when a second young woman is involved in an horrific accident soon afterwards, the search begins for a vicious killer who will stop at nothing to keep the past where it belongs.

My Thoughts:

This is book three in the Josephine Tey series, and the second book I have read by Nicola. I found it an ok read. Some parts I felt were a bit too gruesome for my liking Nicola has done her research extremely well and it is shown through out the pages. Between all the history there is the mystery and all the people that make up this story. I guessed the murderer very early on which was a bit of a disappointment for me, and I feel as though some parts of the book were pointless and didn’t need to be added. It was just like a filler. The actual main story was good and what it was about interested me though.

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

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It can be hard keeping secrets in a tight-knit neighbourhood.

In a tranquil, leafy suburb of ordinary streets – one where everyone is polite and friendly – an anonymous note has been left at some of the houses.

‘I’m so sorry. My son has been getting into people’s houses. He’s broken into yours.‘

Who is this boy, and what might he have uncovered? As whispers start to circulate, suspicion mounts.

And when a missing local woman is found murdered, the tension reaches breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they’re telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their secrets?

Maybe you don’t know your neighbour as well as you thought you did . . .

My Thoughts:

I found with this book that I raced through the beginning but didn’t really like the ending, it could of been such a great ending but it was not. The idea of the story intrigued me, a kid breaking into houses, but who is the boy and what has he seen? especially when a local woman is found dead, is the boy the missing part of this puzzle? secrets, lies and betrayals all play their part in this whodunit read. The neighbours are all suspicious but who was the culprit? I didn’t feel as though I gelled with any of the characters, I just felt suspicious of them all. An interesting story but the ending was not what I was expecting.

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It is 1981. Glasgow is dying and good families must grift to survive. Agnes Bain has always expected more from life, dreaming of greater things. But Agnes is abandoned by her philandering husband, and as she descends deeper into drink, the children try their best to save her, yet one by one they must abandon her to save themselves. It is her son Shuggie who holds out hope the longest. Shuggie is different, he is clearly no’ right. But Shuggie believes that if he tries his hardest, he can be normal like the other boys and help his mother escape this hopeless place.

My Thoughts:

This book got a lot of hype when it came out, so I thought I would give it a read and be honest in my own opinion. Unfortunately it was not for me, I just didn’t connect with any of the characters and felt the story was slow and just not the one for me. There were parts that were really difficult to read and I felt as though I couldn’t finish reading the book as it felt as though it was just too much for me. I hate giving up on books but this one I couldn’t bring myself to finish. That is why you should never read about the hype of a book as it may not be for everyone. This is just my opinion.

A Josephine Tey Mystery

December 1938: Storm Clouds hover once again over Europe.

Writer Josephine Tey and Detective Chief Inspector Archie Penrose gather with their friends for a Cornish Christmas, but two strange and brutal deaths on St Michael’s Mount – and the unexpected arrival of a world-famous film star, in need of sanctuary – interrupt the festivities. Cut off by the sea and a relentless blizzard, can Josephine and Archie prevent the murderer from striking again?

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Nicola, and this book is book nine in the Josephine Tey series so I have a lot of catching up to do. I think Nicola did a great job about writing about that era and as a crime point of view too. I liked that it is set in Cornwall and I have been to St Michael’s Mount before so it made it more exciting for me knowing a place. I would say it is a light read, a group of friends are stuck on St Michael’s Mount at Christmas because of bad weather, then there are two deaths, can Josephine and Detective Chief Inspector Archie work out who the killer is before there are any more murders. I found It was an ok read, but this type of plot has been done so many times and they can become a little boring but I will be reading Nicola’s other books to see what they are like.

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

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One small act can make a big difference

Violet Strong is strong by name but not by nature, or so she thinks. She listens but never talks about herself. She’s friendly but doesn’t have many real friends. She’s become good at keeping people at a distance ever since she left home at eighteen and never looked back.

But when Violet is forced to return home to care for her estranged mother Glenys, she quickly finds out that life as a carer isn’t easy. Feeling overwhelmed, she’s forced to turn to the other local carers, including childhood friend Adam, for help. Although returning home still feels like a mistake, maybe it will help Violet right some wrongs. After all, she can’t keep running from her past forever, and in learning to look after others, perhaps Violet can start to finally love herself.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book so much, it made my heart feel warm full. This story is about Violet who is such a sweetheart and I really felt for her, her mum is not well so she has to return home, we find out why she is reluctant to return home and you can understand why Violet doesn’t really want to . Her sister always came first and was the more loved child. Violet finds out what it is like to be a carer and she finds it tough but with the support of the local village she gets some help. Also she finds out more about one of her neighbours called Tammy who is having a tough time, I love seeing how Violet helps Tammy, it made my heart swell and I felt emotional as the two bonded. The story flowed so easily and I wanted to be there to hold Violet’s hand through all the tough times. I really loved this book, I think Jessica is becoming one of my favourite authors. I will treasure this book for ever. It needs more than a five star.

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

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HER PARTNER. HER SON. SHE’S NEXT.

Hannah Thomas returns home one morning to every mother’s worst nightmare: a missing child and a dead fiancé. When DI Gaby Darin questions her, Hannah insists she can’t think of anyone who’d want to hurt her family – and yet it all feels disturbingly personal.

Mere hours into the investigation, a second body is found. As Gaby and her team dig into the victims’ lives, they hit dead ends at every turn – particularly when it comes to Hannah’s past. What is the grieving woman hiding?

But when Gaby stumbles upon Hannah’s tragic secret, it doesn’t bring her any closer to the truth. Can she connect the dots before the killer strikes again?

My Thoughts:

This is book 5 from the Detective Gaby Darin series and I have not read the others, but will be going back to read them in time. I found this a very clever thriller that makes you as the reader think about who the killer is? I almost felt like I was working with the Detective to hunt down the killer. There are lots of twists and turns and red herrings that make you feel as though your going down one path but then you get led down another. A very good story, one that I would recommend. It made me feel tense knowing that the ending and could the story wrap up in time. A very good ending.

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

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