BOOK REVIEW SEVEN DAYS BY EVE AINSWORTH

School should be a safe place for Jess, but at the moment it’s everything she dreads. Jess’s life is difficult enough without Kez picking on her. Kez’s life isn’t any sweeter. She has plenty of problems too but she finds comfort in knowing she is better off than Jess – or so she thinks…

I whizzed through this book ,its a great book covering the real side of what life can be like for teenagers .At times a difficult read as its very honest and I think every reader will relate to some bits at some point .

A fresh spin on bullying and the impact it has ,it makes you look at the whole picture and all involved .

Would recommend for any teenager to read this but equally enjoyable and insightful for any older reader .

I have now passed this on to my 13 year old who I think will  benefit from this ,

BOOK REVIEW SECOND LIFE BY SJ WATSON

The sensational new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Before I Go To Sleep . . .

She loves her husband. She’s obsessed by a stranger.

She’s a devoted mother. She’s prepared to lose everything.

She knows what she’s doing. She’s out of control.

She’s innocent. She’s guilty as sin.

She’s living two lives. She might lose both . . .

I have literally just finished this book …it was my valentines treat 🙂 and have spent my day devouring it .

I was so excited to read this authors next book especially after the success his debut thriller had .

I have read both and they are both disturbing thrilling and exciting reads.

I must admit I have a headache from reading it as its very intense and you do go right into the characters life and head …which is not a great place to be .

This will keep you turning the pages and thinking you have the plot covered then the unexpected happens making you feel edgy and anxious .

There are times when Julia irritated me but that added to the angst of  the book and drawing you deeper .

A incredible read that just swallows you up for the duration of reading it !!

Very cleverly written and full of suspense making it one of 2015 top psychological thrillers .

BOOK REVIEW LOBSTERS BY LUCY IVISON AND TOM ELLEN

Sam and Hannah only have the holidays to find ‘The One’. Their lobster. But instead of being epic, their summer is looking awkward. They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins for ever to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together. And in the end, it all boils down to love.

I borrowed this from the library as the cover really caught my eye .

I whizzed through this reading whenever and wherever I could .I loved it ,it made me laugh and swoon in equal measures and I let out a big awww at the end.

I have already said to Estelle she must read this .

This deals with real rites of passages that teenagers have and the stuggles they bring to anyone let alone sam and Hannah.

I loved going on their journey with them as they discover who they are and who their lobster is .

This is easy to read and relate to but still holds important message of liking who you are!!

Brilliant book

BOOK REVIEW THE TWO OF US BY ANDY JONES

If you loved One Day and The Rosie Project, you will fall head-over-heels for The Two of Us. Falling in love is the easy part. What matters most is what happens next…Fisher and Ivy have been an item for a whole nineteen days. And they just know they are meant to be together. The fact that they know little else about each other is a minor detail. Over the course of twelve months, in which their lives will change forever, Fisher and Ivy discover that falling in love is one thing, but staying there is an entirely different story. The Two of Us is a charming, honest and heart-breaking novel about life, love, and the importance of taking neither one for granted.

Firstly thank you to simon &Schuster for kindly sending me a review copy.

I struggled at times to get into this book and im not sure if its because it was written by a man and in a mans narrative . However this was a enjoyable sensitive realistic book .Its a love story but its telling it how it is after the honeymoon period!

I think this is a clever and interesting concept .

This deals with real things that happen in a relationship that can change dynamics . It also deals with some heavy subjects which took me by surprise .

It was interesting to get inside a guys head for a change on the subject of love and relationships .

A pleasant read and something different for me .

BOOK REVIEW THE DISH BY STELLA NEWMAN

The Dish by Stella Newman is the new novel from the much-loved author of Pear Shaped and Leftovers. This is a warm, passionate novel that will delight fans of Jill Mansell and Mhairi McFarlane and leave you happy and hungry in equal measure.

Love is on the menu. With a side order of lies.

When Laura Parker first crosses forks with Adam Bayley, she’s only after one thing: his custard doughnut. But when she takes a closer look she sees a talented, handsome man who outshines the string of jokers she’s been dating.

There’s just one problem. Adam’s job means Laura has to keep her job as restaurant critic for The Dish, a secret. Tricky for someone who prides herself on honesty.

Can the truth be put on ice long enough for love to flourish?

And how can you expect your boyfriend to be honest if you’re not quite telling the truth yourself?

Stella Newman. Fiction has never tasted so good.

Firstly a big thank you to Frances at headline for sending me a proof copy .

I enjoyed this book so much and its one of those that I feel I read at the right time of my life as I could relate to Lauras insecurities and self doubts so much ,it felt like I was reading my thoughts at some bits.

This book has it all comedy ,drama,love ,loss and friendship.

There was a  lot of emails telling the story and I think that gives it something different  and gave a insight into all the relationships had with al the characters in the story.

I loved reading all the descriptive food parts 🙂

A brilliant read which will leave your heart all warm and you will be rooting for a happy ending .

BOOK REVIEW THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB BY MICHELE GORMAN

A hilarious heart-warming read about normal women with normal problems.
Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Bridesmaids.

Can the curvy girls have their cake and eat it?

Meet best friends Pixie, Ellie, Katie and Jane. Fed up with always struggling to lose weight, they start a social club where size doesn’t matter. Soon it’s the most popular place to be – having fun instead of counting carbs. And the girls suddenly find their lives changing in ways they never imagined.

But outside the club, things aren’t as rosy, as they struggle with the ups and downs of everyday life.

In this funny, heart-warming read about normal women learning to love themselves, the curvy girls soon realise that no matter what life throws at them, together, anything is possible . . .

Liked The Curvy Girls Club? Try Perfect Girl – Cinderella meets Falling Down in a wickedly funny tale about having it all.

I got this from the library after seeing it all over twitter and the cover is really eye catching.I have had a slow reading week and not really having any great books which I hate.

This was just what I needed,I read the bulk of it in the bath last night lol

I think every woman can relate to this book whether it be for weight or something else we have all probably had those times of not quite fitting in and the feelings that can create .

This was funny and heartwarming but also covered some serious matters which were written with great sensitivity .

I found it interesting how so called friends of  Katie started to treat her different when she wasn’t so curvy and the fall out from that.

A enjoyable read that has got me out of my reading slump 🙂

BOOK REVIEW DONT TELL THE BRIDES TO BE BY ANNA BELL

Things are looking up for Penny Robinson. She’s kicked her gambling addiction and even started her own business: Princess on a Shoestring, an all-inclusive service for brides-to-be looking to pinch pennies on their big day.

Between family rows and wardrobe calamities, wedding planning is no piece of cake… but Penny’s got it all under control. That is, until a rival planner decides to take her down – one hard-won bride at a time.

Now Penny must fight to save her reputation and her livelihood before its too late. But when a romantic weekend away has some unexpected consequences, Penny’s expectations for her career are brought back down to earth with a bump.

A huge thank you to Quercus for sending me a copy to review  ,I was so excited to start this after loving her other books and here are my reviews to those .

Don’t tell the groom https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/book-review-dont-tell-the-groom-anna-bell/

Don’t tell the boss https://charlenejess.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/book-review-dont-tell-the-boss-by-anna-bell/

These books I borrowed from the library so feel very lucky to have my own copy of this one .

I felt like I was joinig old friedns on their adventures as they are so well written and likeable .

Again this was read within a day and a great easy read ,Penny sure knows how to get into mischief and mayhem and this book is no different even with a bump!

Penny meets a rival in this story and I found myself gasping at what tricks she was getting up to and thinking no hope penny will be ok .

I love her husband Mark he always sounds funny caring and supportive and I really hope we get to see him in his role of daddy….hint hint anna ??? lol

I really liked the added touch of tweets on the top of the chapters .

You cant help but really like and care for penny as she tries to spin many many plates at once keeping everyone happy ….but has she took on more than she can handle this time and at what cost ??

Another great funny romantic enjoyable read .

Published 12th February just in time for valentines day .

BOOK REVIEW STONEBIRD BY MIKE REVELL

When ten-year-old Liam moves house to be closer to his dementia-suffering grandma, he’s thrown into an unfamiliar place, with a family that seems to be falling apart. Liam doesn’t remember what his grandma was like before she became ill. He only knows the witch-like old woman who snaps and snarls and eats her birthday cards. He wants to fix it, but he can’t.

Walking his dog one day, Liam discovers an old stone gargoyle in a rundown church, and his life changes in impossible ways. The gargoyle is alive. It moves unseen in the night, acting out Liam’s stories. And stories can be dangerous things…

Seeking revenge against the bullies at his new school, Liam tells a story about the gargoyle attacking them. When one of them ends up in hospital, a regretful Liam vows never to go near the gargoyle again.

But his grandma’s illness is getting worse, his mum isn’t coping, and his sister is skipping school… What if the gargoyle is the only thing that can save Liam’s family?

Firstly a big thank you for Quercus for sending me a copy to review .It made a refreshing change to be sent something in a new genre .

I finished this over the course of last night and today ,a easy read but covers sensitive subjects .

Very descriptive and captured my imagination from first chapter .

This would be a great read for a less enthusiastic reader as its such a great book . A smashing debut which kids and grown ups can lose themselves in .

It gives great insight into how  dementia can affect not only the person but their families .

As a single mum it portrayed the stress and worries of that role really well but easy to relate to for the younger reader .

A very enjoyable book.

published 5th February