BOOK REVIEW A YEAR OF MARVELLOUS WAYS BY SARAH WINMAN

Marvellous Ways is eighty-nine years old and has lived alone in a remote Cornish creek for nearly all her life. Lately she’s taken to spending her days sitting on a mooring stone by the river with a telescope. She’s waiting for something – she’s not sure what, but she’ll know it when she sees it.

Drake is a young soldier left reeling by the Second World War. When his promise to fulfil a dying man’s last wish sees him wash up in Marvellous’ creek, broken in body and spirit, the old woman comes to his aid.

A Year of Marvellous Ways is a glorious, life-affirming story about the magic in everyday life and the pull of the sea, the healing powers of storytelling and sloe gin, love and death and how we carry on when grief comes snapping at our heels.

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

There has been a lot of hype surrounding this book and her previous debut book which I hadn’t read .

As a avid reader I like to mix my reading choices up and believe you should try new things .

For me again where there seems to be  a lot of hype …I just didn’t get it .

This is  a quirky read and written in a way I struggled to understand at times .

I didn’t connect with the character’s or really understand what was happening .

I can see why it is a success but for me it just didn’t tick my boxes .

BOOK REVIEW HELLO GOODBYE AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN BY JENNIFER E SMITH

One night. A life-changing decision. And a list…

Of course Clare made a list. She creates lists for everything. That’s just how she is.

But tonight is Clare and Aidan’s last night before college and this list will decide their future, together or apart.

It takes them on a rollercoaster ride through their past – from the first hello in science class to the first conversation at a pizza joint, their first kiss at the beach and their first dance in a darkened gymnasium – all the way up to tonight.

A night of laughs, fresh hurts, last-minute kisses and an inevitable goodbye

Firstly thanks to Frances at Headline for sending me a copy to review .This is the first of this authors books I have read despite liking the look and sound of her others.

This is a pleasant love story about first love and new challenges .

For me it didn’t quite have me hooked and think it would appeal to the more younger reader of the ya genre especially my daughter .

The characters were a bit dull and in fact I enjoyed reading more about their friends .

The concept is good and it provides some sweet romantic moments .

I will still look forward to reaidndg her other books .

Published 1st September

BOOK REVIEW EVERYTHING EVERYTHING BY NICOLA YOON

Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. So allergic, in fact, that she has never left the house in all of her seventeen years. But when Olly moves in next door, and wants to talk to Maddie, tiny holes start to appear in the protective bubble her mother has built around her. Olly writes his IM address on a piece of paper, shows it at her window, and suddenly, a door opens. But does Maddie dare to step outside her comfort zone?

Everything, Everything is about the thrill and heartbreak that happens when we break out of our shell to do crazy, sometimes death-defying things for love.

I won this on goodreads and it was sat on my shelf for a while before I got round to reading and I wish I had picked it up sooner .

I read this in a day and loved every page .

This is a beautiful read and everything a ya book should be .

It has a similar feel to The fault in our stars but to me this is more unique .

There’s a lot of character and it a very clever book ,the text includes illustrations and emails that are sent between the 2 characters .

I really took pleasure and felt I grew as  a person from reading this and  can see this being a huge hit for the author. I cant quite believe this is her debut novel .

Her writing is beautiful ,it captures so much emotion .

This is a love story with a difference and really warmed my heart .

I wish her every success with this book as it really is everything you could need and want from a book .

Published 3rd September 2015

BOOK REVIEW MY EVERYTHING BY KATIE MARSH

On the day Hannah is finally going to tell her husband she’s leaving him, he has a stroke . . . and life changes in an instant.
Tom’s only 32. Now he can’t walk or cut up his own food, let alone use his phone or take her in his arms. And Hannah’s trapped. She knows she has to care for her husband, the very same man she was ready to walk away from.
But with the time and fresh perspective he’s been given, Tom re-evaluates his life, and becomes determined to save his marriage. Can he once again become the man his wife fell in love with, or has he left it too late?
My Everything is an unputdownable debut novel. It will make you cry, laugh, and stop to think about what’s really important in life.

A huge thank you to Hodder and Bookbridgr for sending me this life affirming debut novel to review .

Ive not long ago finished it and it made me sob and I had to review straight away while the emotins and feelings were fresh .

This book is beautiful not just in the authors writing but the concept of the story .

I adored this couple and found myself wishing and hoping they would be ok as they have a great spark and love for each other .

We get to see key moments in their relationship which is a powerful and crucial part of this book as we get to see them before tom has his stroke . Its romantic ,sweet and funny and will no doubt warm your heart .Whereas when we read about the couple after the stroke its tense ,strained and unhappy .

But something shifts and its just so beautiful and tender to read and watch it unravel .

There are hard decisions to be made and there’s so much at risk but the question is can you truly be happy when you know someone you love isn’t ?

Theres a  personal reason as to why this book really touched me and I could relate a lot ! Twice this year ive had suspected mini strokes and im the same age as tom .There were certain parts that brought it back and mine was nowhere near as serious as his. However I can relate to the frustration ,exhaustion and confusion he and his family have .

A genuinely heartwarming story about love ,family  and courage .

Tom is so determined and strong and I think im in love with him 🙂 

I can not wait for other bookworms to discover this book and also to read more from this author.

Published 27th august

BOOK REVIEW THE SILENT ONES BY ALI KNIGHT

He’ll do whatever it takes to find his missing sister.

Darren Evans was only eleven when his beloved sister Carly and four other teenage girls disappeared, sparking a huge police investigation.

Eventually, a woman confessed to their murders. But although she admitted her guilt, Olivia Duvall refused to say what had happened to those five missing girls. Or where their bodies might lie.

Ten years later, Darren’s family are still no closer to the truth. Desperate to alleviate his parents’ heartbreak, Darren gets a job as a cleaner in the psychiatric hospital where Olivia was committed, hoping he can make her tell him his sister’s fate once and for all.

But playing a killer is a very dangerous game . . .

Firstly thanks to Hodder and Bookbridgr for sending me a  copy to review .I haven’t read any of her books before and after loving this one I will now be reading her collection.

I read this in one evening as I was hooked and addicted .

This blew my mind and I had to find out the answers ,and when you get the answers its a shock .

Despite this I was a little disappointed with the ending and the direction the storyline went .

I studied psychology for may years and the human mind and behaviour does indeed fascinate me and this book delves into that aspect of how and why a person behaves a certain way .We got to enter a secure unit and into the mind of one if its inmates .

We see the damage this person has done to many .

The idea was fresh and clever and I really warmed to Darren who is a brother on a mission and will not let anything stand in his way . Despite this being a dark crime oriented book ,through Darren there is a lightness and fun brought to the pages .

Very addictive and clever and really enjoyed the flow and writing style of this author . This had me hooked to the last page.

BOOK REVIEW PRETTY BABY BY MARY KUBICA

A chance encounter

She sees the teenage girl on the train platform, standing in the pouring rain, clutching an infant in her arms. She boards a train and is whisked away. But she can’t get the girl out of her head…

An act of kindness

Heidi has always been charitable but her family are horrified when she returns home with a young woman named Willow and her baby in tow. Dishevelled and homeless, this girl could be a criminal – or worse. But despite the family’s objections, Heidi offers them refuge.

A tangled web of lies

As Willow begins to get back on her feet, disturbing clues into her past starts to emerge. Now Heidi must question if her motives for helping the stranger are unselfish or rooted in her own failures.

After loving and being entranced by The good girl which was Mary fantastic debut novel, I could not wait to read this .

This does not disappoint ,you will be hooked from the first page. This is a psychological thriller at its best and will play on your emotions .

Incredibly written and very unpredictable .Through Marys chilling account I was able to go into each of the characters heads which helps to get a feel for the scene and what is happening !

Disturbing and chilling ,all is not what it seems and your in for a real journey with this book .

BOOK REVIEW ITS GOT TO BE PERFECT BY HALEY HILL

Ellie Rigby isn’t holding out for a hero; she just wants a decent guy

But the promise of meeting thousands of ‘likeminded singles’ has come to nothing and she is fed up negotiating the minefield of one online dating disaster after another.

In a moment of clarity, Ellie realises that she must take matters into her own hands. Her mission? Reclaim

Cupid’s bow from soulless software and become a matchmaker. As her client list grows, Ellie becomes an expert. She knows twenty eight is the most eligible age for a women, that most relationships fail and, most of all, that it’s got to be perfect.

Until a match with one of her clients changes everything .

Firstly thanks to Cara for sending me a copy to review .

I whizzed through this and was great chick lit providing an insight into the dating world.

This is a fresh voice in this genre providing laughs and easy to relate to characters .

I have been single for ages so was particularly enjoyable read !

My only critiscm is that there were jumps in the story which left unanswered questions.

Great beach read this summer.

Published 27th august

i have lots of words and thoughts rattling around  today.

the kids have  gone for the week which is yeah on one hand as get to recharge  batteries but after 5 solid  weeks with kids it does feel strange. I cant help but feel sadness and lonely at thought  of  week ahead.what is my purpose when not caring? esp as a mum of a autistic  child where it is constant  and it is draining  but my kids  are my life and almost my identity.

a lot of people are away or obv busy with it being the school holidays so not even gt much planned

i can always entertain myself in form of swimming netflix and of course books so its not that il be bored. but j have  been reflecting  a lot on the past present and i suppose the future .

ive been single 5 years next month and doesnt look set to  change .i dont need a man but i miss certain things and i cant help but look at other people and see their life moving  on to next relationship  marriage even.new job or baby and i feel bit stuck.

this year  has been tough and i know things are not forever but i just wonder how i got to be 32  sat in on a Saturday  night  even when no kids  here.

ive lost  a lot of friendships and  even family over recent years and ive had lots of counselling  as there does seem to be a pattern of rejection  which triggers emotions from my  past.

i never seem to fit in despite trying  .its always me chasing  people then getting let down. from being a child  in foster  care  it has lingered  this need to be wanted and accepted but now i tend to just stick to myself so dont get hurt.

when you  dedicate  all your  time and energy on your kids because they don’t often go away especially  lynx its very hard to maintain a separate life for you.

it gets quite isolating at times and hard to let people in.

i miss having company and adult interaction.i miss being in the thought  of someone.

i never planned this life and at times its frustrating and lonely. I settled down very young and never really discovered who i was etc and even now can feel quite lost .

suppose kids going just highlights  things.il b ok and will enjoy my  break but needed to voice these feelings.

today i slept and went  swimming which was lovely  🙂

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BOOK REVIEW SUMMER OF SECRETS BY SARAH JASMON

The summer the Dovers move in next door, sixteen-year-old Helen’s lonely world is at once a more thrilling place. She is infatuated with the bohemian family, especially the petulant and charming daughter Victoria.

As the long, hot days stretch out in front of them, Helen and Victoria grow inseparable. But when a stranger appears, Helen begins to question whether the secretive Dover family are really what they seem.

It’s the kind of summer when anything seems possible . . .

Until something goes wrong.

Thanks to Ben for sending me a review copy .The cover and title grab your attention and screams mystery .

I read this in a day and very easily got drawn into life by the canal and the long summer days .

I could relate to Helen and her lonely days filled by books and daydreams .

Along comes the intriguing and exciting Victoria who reeks of trouble in my opinion and I didn’t like her and the way she treated Helen.

Both the girls are dealing with not so happy families and need to escape  and find happiness .

This book captures the angst and frustrations of teenagers really well.

Its set in 1983 mainly which is when I was born so was interesting to read .

Things come to a head and decades later the truth is revealed on what happened that fateful night .

This is a impressive debut and a great summer read .

Published 13th august

 

BOOK REVIEW SECOND CHANCE SUMMER BY JILL SHALVIS

Fans of Jill Mansell, Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts and Marie Force will fall head over heels for the new Cedar Ridge series from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis, featuring her trademark gift for humour, warmth and romance.

What do you do when you run into the man who broke your heart?

Lily’s been back in Cedar Ridge for less than ten minutes when she bumps into Aidan, the former love of her life. So much for sneaking back into town unnoticed. And thanks to frizzy hair and armfuls of junk food, she’s turning his head for all the wrong reasons.

No one knows why Lily is home after ten years, and she’s determined to stay no longer than the summer. But Cedar Ridge and Aidan have other ideas. As they set about persuading Lily to give them a second chance, she finds herself falling under the spell of the Colorado mountains … and the one man she could never forget.

Want more warm, funny romance? Visit spellbinding Lucky Harbor or experience some Animal Magnetism in Sunshine, Idaho in Jill’s other unforgettable series.

Firstly a big thanks to Bookbridgr for sending me a copy to review .Despite following each other on twitter I haven’t read any of Jills books so wasn’t sure what to expect .Il be straight up and say this exceeded my expectations so much !!

This book was hot ,Aidan was hot and Channing Tatum  was mentioned more than once ….PERFECT!

This Is the first in a new series of books ,I will most certainly  be reading the rest of the series and her other books .

I loved everything about this book  and read in one afternoon sitting in garden . I loved it that much I was sad when it finished and annoyed that Aidan  wasn’t mine …

Great storyline  and a mixture of characters ,I could really relate to  Lily .She comes into the book with frizzy hair buying junk food …me . She also has had a troubled past ,one she’s been running from and in coming back to cedar   Ridge she’s facing them demons . Her guard is up immensely and she’s determined to not let anyone in until a blast from the past appears in the form of sexy Aiden . Will she let him in and risk getting hurt ?

The chemistry between these two is incredible and you as a reader are willing them to realise what’s staring them in face.

I laughed a lot especially from char Aidans  mum who herself is getting back in the saddle much to her sons disappointment .

This book had everything for me and left me smiling 🙂 cant wait to read more .