Tag: book reviews

Categories
Fiction Romance

Thirty Days in Paris, Veronica Henry

Over thirty years ago Juliet left a piece of her heart in Paris and now that her children have flown the nest, her marriage has come to an amicable end and the house is sold, it is time to go back.

Juliet rents a cosy little apartment with the aim to spend thirty days in Paris, as a writer this is her chance to write her own story.

As the memories come gushing back Juliet realises that to move forward sometimes you must face the past.

I’ve read a couple of books by Veronica Henry before and have found them to be the type of book you can absolutely lose yourself in. Thirty Days in Paris is no different! I fully immersed myself into this story and forgot the outside world; the seamless descriptions fully transform your thinking into believing you are breathing the same air as the main protagonist, Juliet.

The narrative of the book flashes between the past when Juliet was in Paris as a young girl and the present day. This works well as we can delve deep into the joys and pains of Juliet’s past and understand the truth behind why she left behind her desirable Parisian life.

In terms of characters, I found it inspiring and refreshing having a middle-aged protagonist who was so full of life. As someone in their 20’s I don’t know many people at this stage of their life and often when I hear about divorce or children leaving it is often depicted in quite a negative way. As a result, it was really enlightening to read about Juliet experiencing these changes in a more neutral way and those things not being the end of her life but instead she has moved on to a new stage. All the supporting characters were also well written but especially the female character’s – I wanted Corinne’s dress sense with Nathalie’s contagious energy and Juliet’s energy for life.

The book touches upon many themes including love (and the many different forms that comes in), the power of forgiveness and facing your demons, the devastating impact of post-natal depression and finally courage and the fact it is never too late to do something different or start something new.

Not only did this book make me want to book a trip to Paris immediately, it also left me feeling inspired to live, and I mean wholly and authentically live!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thirty Days in Paris will be published on 13th April.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

Murder in the Family, Cara Hunter

In December 2003, Luke Ryder was found dead in the garden of his family home in London, leaving behind his wealthy older widow and three stepchildren. No one was charged.

It’s now twenty years later and the case is being re-examined by a team of experts as part of a true crime series- but do those involved in the show know more than they are letting on or does the truth lie closer to home?

Murder in the Family is Cara Hunter’s first standalone novel and seeing as I absolutely love the DI Fawley series, I was excited to read this thriller.

The book is written in a script format, which I found off-putting initially, however I soon got used to it and by the time I finished I appreciated it for being different. You experience the story as a viewer would with each chapter marking an episode of the series and ending with reviews, emails, messages, and online discussions (the latter was impossible to read on Kindle format), all of which added depth to the story.

Whilst the format was different and felt modern one drawback was that it was very difficult to warm to the characters. This is because whereas in usual novels you would experience individual thoughts/emotions, the lack of narrative didn’t allow for this. As a result, I didn’t particularly think a lot of the characters- however I liked the way they all fitted into the story and thought the plot was well thought out.

As for the statement in the blurb of the book ‘the truth will blow your mind’, unfortunately I wasn’t left feeling that way. There was something at the beginning which already narrowed down my suspects so already that took many of them out of the equation. I felt like the clues were there- however on the cover of the book it does say ‘Can you solve the case before they do?’ so perhaps that was the intentions of the author for us to work it out as opposed to being shocked at the end?

Overall, whilst I enjoyed the different format of the book and the fact the mixed media made it feel modern- in terms of thrillers I have read this was very mediocre hence why I am giving it three stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Murder in the Family will be published on the 20th July 2023.

Categories
crime fiction Fiction

She Had It Coming, Carys Jones

In the middle of a school cross country run a girl goes missing. It’s Pippa’s best friend, Heather. Heather is pretty, popular, and your stereotypical ‘mean girl’.

Most people think Heather ran away for the attention… Others say girls like her always get what’s coming to them.

Firstly, to set expectations She Had It Coming isn’t an exhilarating thriller – more a slow burning crime journey. It’s not full of twists and turns but instead has a predictable storyline. However, aside from something at the end which I cannot understand, the plot is easy to follow and addictive.

The characters were so well written – I could almost feel myself sitting back at school myself. The typical popular/mean girls, the girls who always come top of everything, the gossiping mums at the gates- stereotypical but so realistic! Not only was the day-to-day portrayal of the teenage girls written exceptionally (which is reinforced through the letter writing) but I also loved the dynamics between the characters, particularly that of the two best friends- I am sure many of us have had a ‘toxic’ friendship in our life and can relate to the love/hate relationship.

Key themes in the book include how far people are willing to go for their children, which I found particularly intriguing, as well as female friendships and the ugliness which can hide under the complexities of them.

Overall, four stars.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

Stay Buried, Kate Webb

Detective Matt Lockyer receives a call from Hedy Lambert- a woman he put inside for murder fourteen years ago. She informs him that the man she was originally accused of killing has turned up alive and well and begs him to reopen her case. Lockyer had been the one who secured Hedy’s conviction, but he never truly wanted to believe she was guilty. This new information makes him question whether he got the outcome right -is he being manipulated or was he responsible for jailing an innocent woman?

Stay Buried is a slow burning mystery which had me hooked right to the very end. There were several layers to uncover, and around half way through the momentum really steps up as we have a number of suspects lined up with potential motives. I couldn’t stop switching from one to the other and enjoyed that we kept on uncovering new things throughout.

I thought the characterisation was spot on in this book. They were all very well thought out and even some of the most annoying characters you felt sorry for, as the author told us enough about their history for us to develop an understanding of them. I have read some people thought the main protagonist was ‘boring’, but you can feel the weight he is carrying. The grief, the guilt, the responsibility; you could truly emphasise with his pain.

Themes in the book include inequalities, injustice, loyalty, grief, and one which particularly resonated with me and was delivered well was the subject of sibling loss. This related to many of the characters in the book and Kate Webb did it sensitively and realistically!

Overall, a fantastic book for thriller lovers. Pleased it is the first in the series and we will be seeing more of Detective Matt Lockyer!

Categories
Fiction

The Sh!te Before Christmas, Serena Terry

Tara is a mum of three, with another baby on the way. Like most parents, she wants a perfect Christmas for all her family, but as many of us can relate things get in the way.

From her daughter being suspended to potty training her youngest, to her husband out of character and her usually absent mother returning for Christmas, Tara is up against it all!


Can Tara pull off the holly jolly Christmas of her dreams? Or is this a Christmas catastrophe waiting to happen?

The Sh!te Before Christmas is a sequel to Mammy Banter: The Secret Life of An Uncool Mum. However, I didn’t realise until the end and I got to the acknowledgements (so don’t worry if you haven’t read the prequel. The book is written by Serena Terry, who many may know as TikTok sensation @MammyBanter, who again I only followed having read this book, but shines through this novel.

The book is a light-hearted and hilarious read about family life in the lead up to Christmas. Whilst not a parent myself, I’ve seen elements of Tara in other parents and the authenticity really comes through in the novel. I’ve seen in other reviews of this book that some people question whether they would like this book if they weren’t a parent. If you are wondering this then I would say if like me you enjoy comedies centred around family life (think TV series such as Outnumbered and Gavin & Stacey), then this book will have you laughing.

Despite being a comedy The Sh!te Before Christmas also touches upon some very serious themes. These include discrimination against women in the workplace, the #MeToo Movement and how the place of women has changed over time. All of these are touched upon respectfully and highlight some of the issues we have faced and continue to face within our society.

Overall, The Sh!te Before Christmas is funny, relatable and will have you laughing out loud this festive season. Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Sh!te Before Christmas is out now.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

My Husband’s Killer, Laura Marshall

Liz, her husband Andrew, and their friends spend the weekend at the Amalfi Coast. By the end of the weekend Andrew is dead.

On the day of the funeral Liz discovers Andrew was having an affair, but the only suspects are the women they went on holiday with, Liz’s closest friends.

As more and more secrets begin to unravel, the question begs, was Andrew’s death really an accident?

My Husband’s Killer is fast-paced psychological thriller which is full of twists and turns. The plot is gripping and the author has a way of writing which keeps you hooked right through to the end. As soon as I saw that this book was written by Laura Marshall, I had no doubt that I would love it and I can confirm that theory was tested and proven once again.

In terms of characters, what I particularly loved about them was the fact that they had known each other a long time (since university). I felt that this added so much depth to each of them. Despite them not all being likeable it was interesting to uncover so many layers which had built up over the years and made them appear very credible.

Themes in the book included but were not limited to, friendship, love, power, class, widowhood, and grief. Some of the grief related quotes in the book really touched me and felt very authentic. It was only at the end of the book that I realised Laura Marshall herself was widowed young and she admitted to reflecting on some of her own experiences in the book. This came through sincerely.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. When I thought I had uncovered all the secrets there was more to uncover, when I thought I understood the twist it twisted again. My Husband’s Killer is a truly compelling read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. My Husband’s Killer is out on the 29th November 2022

Categories
Non Fiction Self help

Belonging, Geoffrey L. Cohen

We live in hugely divisive times. Them vs. Us cultures are on the rise, there has been growth in hate crimes, and, despite being more connected than ever before (with thanks to technology), one in five Americans suffer from chronic loneliness, it is no wonder people feel more alienated than ever!

To show how we can bridge these divides and create connection, Standford University Professor, Geoffrey L. Cohen, applies his and other’s research to the myriad problems of communal existence and offers concrete solutions for improving daily life.

Many of us have heard of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which highlights the importance of a sense of belonging to humans. Despite living in what feels like fractured times, Cohen uses science to show how we can establish connection as well as the ripple effects this can have on our entire society.

Belonging is the most academic piece of literature I’ve read since finishing my Sociology degree four and a half years ago. Whilst it was different from my usual, crime fiction reads, it was incredibly insightful and informative, and even made me miss studying!

Filled with statistics, studies, and anecdotes this book looks at our sense of belonging within society and the impact that has in a vast number of areas including school, work, policing, politics, and health. It is evident the effect sense of belonging, or lack of it, has on society as the studies show the increased/decreased potential, well-being, and outcomes for individuals, depending on whether they feel alienated.

As well as showing us the impact of whether you feel like you belong, Geoffrey Cohen also offers us practical advice on how we can foster a sense of belonging; showing us that even just the smallest acts, such as a change in language, can validate people’s sense of belonging. Knowing that there is stuff we can all do, was inspiring leaving me thinking how I can incorporate some of these things in my own life. It also offered a lot of hope- suggesting that we don’t need to feel alone, there is another way.

Overall, a very insightful read, teachers and managers would really benefit from reading this, but really any one of us can take something from it and take responsibility for fostering a culture where we feel like we all belong. Five Stars.  

Categories
Fiction Thriller

The Engagement, Nasheema Lennon

Victoria’s best friend Gwen is getting married, and whilst everyone seems to love the handsome and rich Michael something doesn’t sit quite right for Victoria. Not only does Michael remind her of someone she would rather forget but she is also sure he is hiding something.

As the countdown to the wedding is on, Victoria is determined to save her best friend from making a mistake, but first Victoria needs to discover what is Michael hiding?

The Engagement is Nasheema Lennon’s debut novel and what a fantastic debut it is. I was hooked and could not get through it fast enough. This was aided by the short chapters which meant I kept saying to myself ‘just one more’, as well as the fact that there was no unnecessary detail in the book- it was rapid and there was always something happening.

My only critique is there were a few leads which I would have loved to have known more about (for example, Victoria’s past) as well as characters who I felt were undeveloped and I was left questioning how they fitted into the story. However, this is just a minor critique and I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Overall, a solid four stars. This book is everything you want from a thriller- fast-paced, full of twists and turns and unpredictable.

The Engagement will be published on the 27th October. Many thanks to NetGalley & HarperNorth for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Categories
Children's Fiction Fiction

I’ve Never Met My Grandpa, Shannon Zigmund

I’ve Never Met My Grandpa follows a little girl, whose Grandpa died before she was born, as her family tell her all the things about him; that he was kind, that he liked the theatre and was brave to name just a few.

As she pieces together all the stories everyone tells her she realises that whilst she never met her Grandpa, having been told all the stories about him she does in fact feel like she knows him very well deep down.

 This book is a great starter to any conversations for young people around grief. It is written in an easy to understand way and accompanied with beautiful illustrations. The book also finishes with a few conversation starters for you to have with young children.

 I’ve Never Met My Grandpa will be published on the 18th October. With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Categories
Fiction Thriller

My Darling Daughter, JP Delaney

Susie Jukes receives a message out of the blue on social media. The message is from Anna, the girl she gave up for adoption fifteen years ago.

Susie is living a very different life now to what she was living in the past. She is happily married to her husband Gabe and when Anna describes her uncomfortable home life with her adoptive parents, Susie welcomes her into her life with open arms. 

All appears perfect but is Anna covering up secrets? And does Susie have some of her own?

I have read and enjoyed books by J.P Delaney before so I was very excited to start reading this one. Told from the perspectives of three main characters, Susie, Gabe and Sky, My Darling Daughter is a fast-paced psychological thriller which will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are fully dimensional and very well developed. We see them as they are now, discover about their pasts and experience every emotion with them as this journey takes them as a family on an emotional rollercoaster. They all come across as very real and complex humans. None of them are black and white which makes them easy to emphasise with and ultimately champion them.

Each chapter is short which I loved as it contributed to the fast pace of the book and made it easy to read- it was an incredibly difficult book to put down as I kept telling myself ‘just one more chapter’. 

The main theme of the book is adoption. You can tell the author did a lot of research as he really shined a light on the complexities of adoption and fostering. It was interesting to hear the perspectives of different people who have experienced the system – not only Susie, Gabe and Anna but also Anna’s adopted parents, Gabe’s friend who fosters – and understand this topic from a range of views. The detail of adoption added to the authenticity of the book. Other themes in the book include socialisation and the importance of the role of family, the #metoo movement and forgiveness and second chances.

Overall, a strong 5 stars J.P Delaney does a fantastic job of conveying difficult and traumatising topics with the upmost respect and yet tells them an exhilarating way. Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for giving allowing me to read an ARC. My Darling Daughter will be published on the 15th September 2022.