BOOK REVIEW OLIVE BY EMMA GANNON

OLIVE is many things.

Independent.
Adrift.
Anxious.
Loyal.
Kind.
She knows her own mind.

And it’s ok that she’s still figuring it all out, navigating her world without a compass. But life comes with expectations, there are choices to be made and – sometimes – stereotypes to fulfil. So when her best friends’ lives branch away towards marriage and motherhood, leaving the path they’ve always followed together, she starts to question her choices – because life according to Olive looks a little bit different.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my netgalley copy . Im yet to read any of her non fiction books but i have heard great things.

This is a modern ,relevent and importamt novel about women . The friendships,the relationships,careers,highs and lows. What makes us who we are in todays society?

For anyone who has questioned their place and purpose in the big wide world ,meet Olive.

Olive is brave ,strong and unique. Not afraid to be herself and to ask the questions others wont. Shes outspoken and honest. Something that has got me in trouble myself as a woman.

Warm,witty and hits the spot like a g&t after a long week.

Highly recommend and will make the perfect summer read.

Published 23rd july

BLOG TOUR LIAR BY LESLEY PEARSE

In a Shepherd’s Bush bedsit, Amelia White dreams of being a reporter. The closest she’s come is selling advertising in the local paper.

Until the fateful day she stumbles on a truly shocking scoop.

Round the corner from her home, she discovers the body of a murder victim, dumped among the rubbish. When the police and reporters descend, Amelia is horrified at the assumptions made and lies soon to be spread about this poor young woman.

Determined to protect the victim from these smears and help her grieving family, she convinces her paper’s editor to allow her to take up her pen and tell the true story.

But when another body is found and the police investigation stalls, Amelia – uncovering new witnesses and suspects in her search for clues – discovers that she may be the only one with any chance of learning the truth and stopping more killings.

If only she can work out who the liar is . . .

Firstly a big thank you to edpr for my copy and having me on the tour. Ive been really lucky and had chance to review her last few books.

I think this is my favourite of hers.

I really related to the main charactse.Gutsy, genuine and had a tough childhood…she also wanted to better her life too .

This is very twisty and you cant trust anyone.

Loved it and highly recommend

Completly unpredictable and will have you racing thtough.

Do check oyt yhe other blogs taking part in the tour .

BOOK REVIEW THE NOTHING MAN BY CATHERINE RYAN HOWARD

I was the girl who survived the Nothing Man.
Now I am the woman who is going to catch him…

You’ve just read the opening pages of The Nothing Man, the true crime memoir Eve Black has written about her obsessive search for the man who killed her family nearly two decades ago.

Supermarket security guard Jim Doyle is reading it too, and with each turn of the page his rage grows. Because Jim was – is – the Nothing Man.

The more Jim reads, the more he realises how dangerously close Eve is getting to the truth. He knows she won’t give up until she finds him. He has no choice but to stop her first…

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my netgalley copy to read.

This is a unique and fascinating concept and style of a book. A book within a book and who is reading the book..none other than its title . The nothing man.

Cleverly written and plotted. Dark and chilling as the truth gets nearer to the surface.

Will he get caught or will he get away with it?

Packed with tension and makes a gripping story.

Published 6th August

BOOK REVIEW BLURRED LINES BY HANNAH BEGBIE

When Becky walks in on her boss with a woman who isn’t his wife, she’s horrified, but says nothing. She owes Matthew too much.

But when the same woman accuses him of rape, Becky is trapped in a nightmare. Was what she saw rape – or is Matthew, her trusted mentor, telling the truth? Becky must try to ignore her own traumatic past and its terrible hold on her.

As Becky attempts to untangle these blurred lines, she risks everything, even her home and family, to find the truth…

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for approving my request to read on netgalley. This is a new author to me and wow ill definitely be reading more in the future.This book is amazing and so culturally relevent today in 2020. Deals with sensitive topics and written expertly. I loved Becky and all of her problematic ways due to a traumatic event. This has made her the woman she is today .This is thought provoking and will make you question your moral compass.Highly recommend if you enjoy gripping psychological thrillers .Published 20th August

BOOK REVIEW PLAYING NICE BY JP DELANEY

Pete Riley answers the door one morning to a parent’s worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, who breaks the devastating news that Pete’s two-year-old, Theo, isn’t Pete’s real son – their babies got mixed up at birth.

The two families – Pete, his partner Maddie, and Miles and his wife Lucy – agree that, rather than swap the boys back, they’ll try to find a more flexible way to share their children’s lives. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an investigation that unearths disturbing questions about just what happened the day the babies were switched.

And when Theo is thrown out of nursery for hitting other children, Maddie and Pete have to ask themselves: how far do they want this arrangement to go? What secrets lie hidden behind the Lamberts’ smart front door? How much can they trust the real parents of their child – or even each other?

Firstly a big thank you to Quercus for approving my request to read on netgalley. Im a big fan of this author so was excited to read this.

Whizzed through this as it intoxicates you and you will be hooked.Packed with tension and chilling drama this is a great psychological thriller.

A fantastic original concept and written so you dont know who to trust.

Completely unpredictable and addictive.

A fascinating insight into a subject that would indeed cause any family to have dilemmas! Its certainly thought provoking and will make you question where you would stand if it was you .

A great range of charactars that evoke many emotions. I got quite angry at this book especially with one man….say no more.

Highly recommend and published 6th August.

BLOG TOUR THE HALF SISTER BY SANDIE JONES

Her arrival will ruin everything

Kate and Lauren. Sisters who are always there for each other. But as they gather for their weekly Sunday lunch, a knock on the door changes everything.

The new arrival, Jess, claims to be their half-sister, but that would mean the unthinkable . . . That she’s the secret daughter of their beloved, recently deceased father Harry. Their mother Rose is devastated and Kate and Lauren refuse to believe Jess’s lies.

But as the fall-out starts it’s clear that each is hiding secrets and that perhaps this family isn’t as perfect as they appear.

Where there was truth, now there are lies and only one thing is certain, their half-sister’s arrival has ruined everything . . .

Firstly thank you to the publishers for having me on the tour .
I loved her debut book so was excited to read this .

Starts with a bang,straight into action.

Secrets,lies and scandal.

Intriguing and fast paced.

A great thriller thats compelling and unpredictable . This explores what happens to a family dynamics when someone new comes along.

Published 25th June and do check out the other blogs taking part in the tour.

BOOK REVIEW HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD BY ROBERT KOLKER

Don and Mimi Galvin seemed to be living the American dream. After World War II, Don’s work with the Air Force brought them to Colorado, where their twelve children perfectly spanned the baby boom: the oldest born in 1945, the youngest in 1965. In those years, there was an established script for a family like the Galvins – aspiration, hard work, upward mobility, domestic harmony – and they worked hard to play their parts. But behind the scenes was a different story: psychological breakdown, sudden shocking violence, hidden abuse. By the mid-1970s, six of the ten Galvin boys, one after the other, were diagnosed as schizophrenic. How could all this happen to one family?

What took place inside the house on Hidden Valley Road was so extraordinary that the Galvins became one of the first families to be studied by the National Institutes of Mental Health. Their story offers a shadow history of the science of schizophrenia, from the era of institutionalization, lobotomy, and the schizophrenogenic mother, to the search for genetic markers for the disease, always amidst profound disagreements about the nature of the illness itself. And unbeknownst to the Galvins, samples of their DNA informed decades of genetic research that continues today, offering paths to treatment, prediction, and even eradication of the disease for future generations.

Firstly thank you to Ana for sending me a copy to review.

This is a insightful read about family and mental illness.

Packed with information to cover the science behond schizophrenia and personal accounts from the family.

Its a heavy read in places as covers a range of sensitive topics.

Captures the families hope,love,loss and despair at this illness.

As a psychology student this gave me a in depth understanding .

Highly recommend whether you have a personal or academic interest in the subject.

BOOK REVIEW A PATCHWORK FAMILY BY CATHY BRAMLEY

Gina Moss is single and proud. She’s focused on her thriving childminding business, which she runs from her cottage at the edge of The Evergreens: a charming Victorian home to three elderly residents who adore playing with the kids Gina minds. To Gina, they all feel like family.

Then a run-in (literally) with a tall, handsome American stranger gives her the tummy-flutters… Before a tragedy puts her older friends at risk of eviction – and Gina in charge of the battle to save them. The house sale brings her closer to Dexter, one of the owners – and the stranger who set her heart alight.

As the sparks fly between them, Gina carries on fighting for her friends, her home and her business. But can she fight for her chance at love – and win it all, too?

Cathy is one of my favourite authors and i love getting her latest to read.

Perfect escapism and beautiful storytelling.

Heartwarming and uplifting tale of friendship,loss ,love and new beginnings.

I loved the characters all unique and bring their own ingredient to the mix.

BOOK REVIEW BECAUSE SHE LOVES ME BY MARK EDWARDS

A gripping tale of jealousy, obsession and murder, from the No.1 Bestselling author of The Magpies.

When Andrew Sumner meets beautiful, edgy Charlie, he is certain his run of bad luck has finally come to an end.

But as the two of them embark on an intense affair, Andrew wonders if his grasp on reality is slipping. Items go missing in his apartment. Somebody appears to be following him. And as misfortune and tragedy strike his friends and loved ones, Andrew is forced to confront the frightening truth…

Is Charlie really the girl of his dreams – or the woman of his nightmares?

Im finally working my way through Mark’s catalogue of books.He is a incredible writer who is the master of suspense. A fascinating insught into a mans world of being in a not too healthy relationship. Twists and turns galore and compelling. Absolutly loved this .
Its a shocking exciting read .

BOOK REVIEW LIFE AND OTHER HAPPY ENDINGS BY MELANIE CANTOR

Three letters. Two mistakes. One Last chance.

When Jennifer Cole is told she has three months to live she decides to write three letters sharing the desires, fears and frustrations she has always kept to herself. And at first she finds that telling the truth makes her feel free and liberated.

But three months later, Jennifer’s secrets are alive and out in the world… and so is she. As she discovers, sometimes the truth has a way of surprising you…

Firstly thank you to Georgina for my copy to review and sorry in my delay in reading .

What a refreshing,funny,witty life affirming book . I loved it .

Fantastic characters and a great original concept.

I whizzed through this and highly recommend.

This will give you the push needed to do those things you keep putting off . Also it shows how standing up for yourself can be a good thing.

Packed with warmth and humour this is perfect summer read.