BOOK REVIEW BOYS DONT CRY BY MALORIE BLACKMAN

In Boys Don’t Cry, bestselling author Malorie Blackman explores the unchartered territory of teenage fatherhood.

 

You’re waiting for the postman – he’s bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist – a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it’s your old girlfriend; and she’s carrying a baby. Your baby.

 

You’re happy to look after it, just for an hour or two. But then she doesn’t come back – and your future suddenly looks very different.

 

Malorie’s dramatic new novel will take you on a journey from tears to laughter and back again.

 

I feel like im on a malorie blackman binge read at the moment and even estellle  is joining in .She read the knoughts and crosses series years ago and had been nagging me to read them and im half way through .

This review though is for boys don’t cry and its so powerful and emotional .I cried a lot ,her characters are so well written  you forget they are in a book and you feel their pain and their joy.

I had Estelle young and as this book shows having a baby turns your world upside down however they bring joy and love where its most often desperately needed.

This is a story of love family and hope. I cant get enough of her books at the moment and wish I had read when I was younger .

 

BOOK REVIEW A PLACE FOR US PART 1 BY HARRIER EVANS

The FIRST of four exclusive part-serialisations of a A Place for Us by Harriet Evans – you’ll be desperate to read on …

The day Martha Winter decided to tear apart her family began like any other day.

So opens A Place for Us by Sunday Times bestselling author Harriet Evans, a book you’ll dive into, featuring a family you’ll fall in love with … and never want to leave. If you devour Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy and have discovered Jojo Moyes, you’ll be thrilled to add Harriet Evans to your collection of favourite authors.

The house has soft, purple wisteria twining around the door. You step inside.

The hall is cool after the hot summer’s day. The welcome is kind, and always warm.

Yet something makes you suspect life here can’t be as perfect as it seems.
After all, the brightest smile can hide the darkest secret.
But wouldn’t you pay any price to have a glorious place like this?

Welcome to Winterfold.
Martha Winter’s family is finally coming home

 

Thank you to headline for sending me a copy to review . I am not sure if I have read any of this  authors previous books so wasn’t sure what to expect.

I like the concept of it being done in parts although you are left at the end wanting more with lots of unanswered questions.

I thought it would be a light read but just after one part you can see there are family secrets and dark history that are about to be unravelled ….

Each  character was intriguing to me all with their own story wanting to be told .

I whizzed through this and really enjoyed it and look forward and am intrigued for part 2 ….

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW LITTLE MERCIES BY HEATHER GUDENKAUF

Sometimes, one small mistake can have life-altering consequences…

As a veteran social worker, Ellen Moore has seen it all – the vilest acts one person can commit against another. The only thing that gets her through the workday is knowing her job helps children. That, and her family: her husband, Adam, and three beautiful kids, twins Leah and Lucas, and eleven-month-old Avery. But with a blink of an eye – with one small mistake – Ellen is suddenly at the mercy of the system she works for. Avery is ripped from her clutches, and her whole world begins crashing down around her.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but good-for-nothing father since her mother left them. When her father decides to pack their belongings and move to a new state, Jenny thinks she might be on the road to a better life. But soon she finds herself on her own, forced to survive with nothing but a few dollars and her street smarts. Evading police and the social system, Jenny finds refuge with a kind-hearted waitress. The last thing she needs is a social worker, but when Ellen and Jenny’s lives collide unexpectedly, little do they know just how much they can help one another.

Firstly a huge thank you to Shane at Mira for sending me a copy to review .

I haven’t read any of this ladys books but after reading this one I will be sure to check those out!

This arrived yesterday whilst out and as soon as I opened the package I knew it had to be read there and then  so I read this within one evening .

The cover and title draw you in an you can tell its going to be a chilling read.

This book is amazing and gripping I literally couldn’t put it down.

It questions motherhood and trust and shows how one mistake can have a huge aftermath.

I really felt for ellen and everything she went through and thought it was such a clever concept of the tables being turned !!

I enjoyed the 2 stories running next to each other and how they entwined as you read on.

The grandmother was such a great character and I think we all could do with her when we are in need of comfort food and hugs .

Just a brilliant tense thought provoking chilling and emotional read .

 

 

‘Gudenkauf’s prose is searingly raw… Thrilling and emotionally tender, this novel, with its driving pace, will appeal to fans of…Jodi Picoult.’ – Booklist

 

 

So today the kids were off due to teachers being on strike and not once did I actually think wow this is gonna effect lynx and the lesson ive learnt today is autism is so unpredictable . Recently lynx has been sleeping well due to being on melatonin which has in all honesty given me a new lease of life. He has been actively trying new things and just things have been ‘ok’ …. suppose I was taken it for granted. Because boom tonight I feel numb and shit and largely guilty.

Today complety threw him as he thrives on routine and then ok we have a day off ?

You just never know when you are going to have a tough day . Then you have one and you kind of fee like ok my life is always going to be like this.

I adore lynx and im crying as I write this but u know what its tough .

To leave a event early through his behaviour and general hyperactivity …but I should have known it would have been too much today .To see him flapping and screaming covering ears waiting for our train …while Estelle looks on embarrassed. Having to guide him as he is stumbling down the street holding onto him in case he hurts himself or other people.

Tonight I just feel tired and so alone in it all .Its bloody hard and so unpredictable .I also have no one here to talk to give me hug make me a brew and just generally give me the tlc im always giving to lynx.

The truth is we don’t sign up for this when we have kids and some days its harder to deal with then others.

Today gave me a insight into the summer holidays and now hes not going to his dads ….you can kind of guess how im feeling .

a very honest negative account of my day im afraid but im a genuine mum and its important now to airbrush our lives and if anyone reads this thinking im glad im not alone in those thoughts then that’s even better .

 

 

 

BOOK REVEW NEAREST THING TO CRAZY BY ELIZABETH FORBES

Dan and a group of his friends enjoy a Sunday lunch together on a perfect summer’s day. They’re pleased to welcome their glamorous new neighbour and novelist, Ellie, who has rented a house in the village to work on her book. She likes to place herself in the centre of her plots, she says, although it’s hard to see what she’ll find to write about in this quiet country backwater. As Ellie slots effortlessly into the village social scene, Dan’s wife begins to feel increasingly alienated from her friends and isolated from her family, but, for the life of her, she can’t fathom why..

 

After reading Who are you ? and just being blown away I was dying to read her other book.

I read this within a day and just wow this lady is just a genius with her writing !

This book gets under your skin and is so chilling its scary.

This could happen to any of us and I think that’s what makes it more chilling .

I felt myself screaming at the book ,its so clever and dangerous .

When I finished my first thought was that would make a fantastic bit of tv drama !

I held my breath a lot .Its just a brilliant dark read …. go and read it!

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BOOK REVIEW A GIFT TO REMEMBER BY MELISSA HILL

Darcy Archer works in a small bookstore in Manhattan. A daydream believer, she refuses to settle for anything less than being swept off her feet by the perfect man…literally. One day, when cycling to work, Darcy accidentally crashes into a sharply dressed gentleman walking his dog. He is knocked out cold, rushed to hospital and the poor pup gets left behind. Wracked with guilt, Darcy takes the dog and makes plans to reunite him with owner, Aidan. As  she discovers the mysterious stranger’s world of books, travel, adventure and all the wonderful things she’s ever dreamt about, Darcy builds a picture of this man and wonders if he could be THE ONE…But does fantasy match reality? What happens when Prince Charming wakes up? Will Aidan be the happy ever after she’s always imagined?

I received this to review and with it was a beautiful gift of a snazzy mascara and the book was signed so that was beautiful book post..thank you to the lovely ladies at books and the city /simon and Schuster.

I read this book in hardback from the library last year but this was before I was reviewing books .I loved it the first time round and in fact love it even more reading it again.

This book is made for all those ladies who would rather read than shop ,who are never alone as they always have their books. On each chapter there is a beautiful quote from a book or regarding reading and this makes it even more of a delight to read . I felt like each quote was directed at me .

Its magical with a touch of romance .

I believe in fate and this shows how fate brought 2 people together .

I loved Darcy and everything abut her life because lets face it who wouldn’t want to work in a bookshop and then bump into a handsome man ?? 

I intend to read more of her books as this has such a beautiful feel good feeling 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEW SWORN SECRET BY AMANDA JENNINGS

‘When Anna, Lizzie Thorne’s charismatic sister, is killed in a tragic fall from the roof of her school, her family is devastated. One year on and grief still has a hold on them. Kate, Anna’s mother, has retreated from her family and is desperate to find someone to blame for her daughter’s death. Her father, Jon, is doing his best to care for his family but the pressure of holding his marriage together is pushing him to breaking point. Amid her parents’ turmoil, Lizzie, Anna’s younger sister, just wants to leave her sister’s ghost in the past and find happiness again. But then a devastating revelation begins to raise questions concerning what really happened the night Anna died. Whilst Kate and Jon grapple with Anna’s emerging secrets, Lizzie dives headlong into a passionate, but forbidden, first love affair. As the family battle to regain their footing they they realise it’s the love they have for each other that has the power to finally heal them .

After devouring The judas scar the other week I had to read more of Amandas writing . Its amazing this is her debut novel as yet again had me hooked and it captures you .

Her ability to create characters you want to read about and storylines which are real and raw .

This covers the subject of losing a child and the aftermath that has on a family and you can feel the pain from the pages .

I loved the chapters being titled and they were the perfect length ensuring you are kept hooked and wanting to read more.

I hope Amanda is writing lots and lots as I for one cant get enough.

 

 

BOOK REVIEW LITTLE LIES BY LIANE MORIARTY

*Published as BIG LITTLE LIES in Australia and the United States*

 

Liane Moriarty, million copy selling author of The Husband’s Secret brings us another addictive story of secrets and scandal.

 

Jane hasn’t lived anywhere longer than six months since her son was born five years ago. She keeps moving in an attempt to escape her past. Now the idyllic seaside town of Pirriwee has pulled her to its shores and Jane finally feels like she belongs. She has friends in the feisty Madeline and the incredibly beautiful Celeste – two women with seemingly perfect lives . . . and their own secrets behind closed doors.

 

But then a small incident involving the children of all three women occurs in the playground causing a rift between them and the other parents of the school. Minor at first but escalating fast, until whispers and rumours become vicious and spiteful. It was always going to end in tears, but no one thought it would end in murder….

 

Firstly a huge thank you to Katie at penguin for asking if I would like to review this book ..I  excitedly said yes and unwrapped my package the very next day. Enclosed with the book was a floral headband and I tweeted my pic wearing this .

I have read 2 of Lianes previous books what alice forgot and the husbands secret and I  loved them both and immediately found a incredible writing style.

So I was very chuffed to be able to read and share my review on it.

I read this in 2 days I think it would have been less if I hadn’t had other commitments !

Immodestly we know there’s a murder and we know when it’s happened .The story then starts in the past leading up to this night.

I was hooked ,couldn’t put it down. The writing style was clever and different keeping the story fresh .

It deals with some serious issues and this will connect to may women and parents reading this .

It covers domestic violence which I have openly spoke about my own experience. It shows how  it can happen to anyone ,even the mum in the playground who can afford the latest designer dress.

There’s a single mum who is immediately alienated and singled out.

Its a thought provoking emotive brilliant read and it shows how indeed LITTLE LIES can land in big trouble.

This is published 31st July 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIT FRIDAY

I am joining in and linking up with https://lifeonplanett.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/fit-friday-5/ t celebrate hot men….yes my fav thing to do!!

As I saw x men this week at the cinema this week its going to be Magneto ….for those who aren’t marvel freaks like me lol that’s Micheal Fassbender. My sister adores him …he just has a amazing screen presence and is bloody hot

so here we are ….enjoy

 

BOOK REVIEW IF YOU WERE ME BY SHEILA O’FLANAGAN

From Sheila O’Flanagan, the Number One bestselling author of Someone Special and Things We Never Say, comes an unputdownable, heart-searching new novel for every woman who still remembers her first love…

 

On a sultry summer evening in Seville, anything can happen…

 

Carlotta O’Keefe is happily engaged, and the wedding plans are coming together. She’s clear about her future path, both personally and in her busy career. Maybe Chris doesn’t make her heart race every time she sees him, but you can’t have that feeling for ever. Can you?

 

Then, on a trip to Seville, Carlotta runs into Luke Evans. Luke broke her heart so long ago she’d almost convinced herself she’d forgotten him. Now, he’s not that boy any more, but an attractive and intriguing man. And he can explain everything that happened way back when.

 

Suddenly Carlotta’s not so sure of anything any more. Except that what she decides now will shape the rest of her life…

 

Thank you to Bookbridgr and Headline for sending me a review  copy .

I don’t think I have read any of her previous novels so I wasn’t sure what to expect but as a avid reader its always good to read different  authors.

The size of this book slightly intimidated me as it seemed to be taking forver to read ,partly because I had a busy week and less reading time but also I don’t feel it was gripping enough to ensure a speedy read.

I think it was bulked out but would have maybe worked better for me if it was a shorter book.

The storyline had potential, a  classic will she wont she when she bumps into  her first love.I really enjoyed the parts when she was with Luke as I think we saw the real her and it was good reading the back story to what happened. 

The setting was beautiful and sheilas writing was very descriptive I imagined myself in that location . 

There were a few scenarios I would have liked to have seen delved into more.

A good read but didn’t quite work for me to hold my attention .