BOOK REVIEW THE PUPIL BY ROS CARNE

She wants to learn everything – about you.

Mel has practised law for twenty years. She is well-regarded by her peers. Her clients are happy. But behind the scenes her life is disordered. Her son grows increasingly distant from her. The married man she is sleeping with fails to give her what she needs.

When a trainee lawyer is allocated to Mel it is poor timing. The last thing she wants is a pupil watching her every move. And Natasha does watch. She sees each detail – and every mistake. Mel cannot shake the feeling that Natasha isn’t just learning the job. She is learning Mel.

Natasha is good at getting what she wants, and now Mel has the power to give her all she desires. But when Mel chooses not to, Natasha knows just what Mel’s vulnerabilities are – and how to turn them against her. Mel’s secrets could ruin her. But who will be believed?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for approving my request to read on netgalley.

I believe this is the authors debut and its such a great book. If you enjoyed apple tree yard and blood orange then pick up this read.

Packed with suspense and anxious anticipation this is the epitome of female friendship and rivalry.

Cunning and sly, what is natasha really up to?

Tense and thrilling and will have you hooked.

Published 13th August.

BOOK REVIEW WE ARE FAMILY BY NICOLA GILL

You can’t choose your family…

Jess and Laura might be sisters, but they’re very different people. Laura is laid-back, eats cheese in bed, and takes life as it comes. Jess, meanwhile, is the classic overachiever: Chief of Chivvying, Queen of all WhatsApp groups. They’re family, but they’re not exactly friends.

…but you can let them in.

When their mum dies, the sisters struggle to agree on anything, from where to scatter the ashes to whether “passed away” is an acceptable term. But as life forces them together, Laura and Jess realise: the only way through this is as a team. After all, they’re stuck with each other – and drinking wine is more fun as a pair…

Firstly thank you to Avon books for approving my request to read on netgalley.

I really enjoyed Nicolas debut so was looking forward to reading this.

Sibling rivalry and long time resentment have come to a head now the sisters mum has died. Will they be able to work together in these difficult times?

A story of loss,secrets, family and new beginnings.

Its packed with humour and warmth this is a great read. Its relatable as im sure each of us has family they havnt always seen eye to eye with.

Published 3rd September

BOOK REVIEW THE DAY SHE CAME BACK BY AMANDA PROWSE

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a story that asks: how do you forgive the family that lied to you, and love the mum you never had?

When her loving, free-spirited grandmother Primrose passes away, Victoria is bereft, yet resilient—she has survived tragedy before. But even her strength is tested when a mysterious woman attends Prim’s funeral and claims to be the mother Victoria thought was dead.

As the two women get to know each other and Victoria begins to learn more about her past, it becomes clear that her beloved grandmother had been keeping life-changing secrets from her. Desperate for answers, she still struggles to trust anyone to tell her the truth.

To live a full and happy life, Victoria knows she must not only uncover the truth, but find a way to forgive her family. But after so many years, is trusting them even possible

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. Ive read and loved a few of Amanda’s books. She is a fantastic author who captures the essence of family.

This is a tale of loss,love,forgiveness and family. Can lies be forgiven? Especially ones that threaten to change everything? Can a new future be formed and can Victoria find who she really is to live a full life.

Written with emotion and sensitivity this is a beautiful book. As someone whos adopted it resonated with me a lot.

Published 7th July

BOOK REVIEW IF I COULD SAY GOODBYE BY EMMA COOPER

Jennifer Jones’ life began when her little sister, Kerry, was born. So when her sister dies in a tragic accident, nothing seems to make sense any more.

Despite the support of her husband, Ed, and their wonderful children, Jen can’t comprehend why she is still here, while bright, spirited Kerry is not.

When Jen starts to lose herself in her memories of her sister, she doesn’t realise that the closer she feels to Kerry, the further she gets from her family.

Jen was never able to say goodbye to her sister. But what if she could?

Would you risk everything if you had the chance to say goodbye?

Firstly a huge thank you to the publishers for approving my request to read on netgalley. I read Emmas last book and loved it so was very excited to read it.

What a heartfelt beautifully emotive story. Emma is a expert of her craft , making magic with words.

This is a life affirming tale of grief first and foremost. But not just the grief for the dead but for what its done to the living.

You can feel the pain the family are experiencing. I loved having the double narrative to gain a richer understanding of both Jen and her husband.

This got me right in the heart , a powerful read but also filled with humour and romance.

Published September 17th and I wish her every success with it.

BOOK REVIEW MEMOIRS FROM A COUNCIL ESTATE BY GRAHAM BUCKLEY

Born in Huddersfield in 1961 to parents Frederick and Jean, Graham Buckley grew up living on a council estate. Now, he looks back on his youth in Memoirs… From a Council Estate, a hilarious collection of the ridiculous japes and outrageous situations Graham encountered.With tales of dangerous games that would make parents wince, playing pranks on his pals and schoolyard scuffles, Graham fondly remembers his childhood and his side-splitting misadventures. Readers follow his story as he enters adolescence and adulthood, with the world of work and marriage providing equally humorous encounters.With characters ranging from the funny to the unbelievable, Memoirs… From a Council Estate is a laugh-out-loud trip down memory lane, perfect for fans of nostalgia and readers who grew up in the area.Firstly thank you to the publishers for my copy on netgalley. Im writing my own memoir so its always interesting and a must to read ones that are published. Unfortunately it wasnt very long or well structured with no chapters. There was definitely room for more which is a good thing .I live in a council estate in a rough area so safe to say there is a similarity between his words and my reality.The author writes with wit which is inspiring actually as im hoping to have that come through on my writing. He writes with honesty and raw detail not hiding anything.This will be a eye opener for some and a trip down memory lane for others.Who knows one day maybe he’ll read my memoir. Publisjed 23rd June

BOOK REVIEW THIS TIME NEXT YEAR BY SOPHIE COUSENS

Get ready to fall for this year’s most extraordinary love story

Quinn and Minnie are born on New Year’s Eve, in the same hospital, one minute apart.

Their lives may begin together, but their worlds couldn’t be more different.

Thirty years later they find themselves together again in the same place, at the same time.

What if fate is trying to bring them together?

Maybe it’s time to take a chance on love…

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy on netgalley. What a fantastic debut!This will be everyones next favourite love story . I believe in fate and all that jazz, this is perfect for that. Great loveable and relatable characters that you will get attached to.Although this is a love story its also a story about life and the hardships it can give to people. Its also about facing your demons and self discovery. A great storyline that will have you swooning.I highly recommend and perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Jojo Moyes Published ebook 1st August and paperback 15th October.

BOOK REVIEW THE SHELF BY HELLY ACTON

A funny, feminist and all-too-relatable novel about our obsession with coupling up, settling down and the battle we all have with accepting ourselves, The Shelf introduces the freshest new voice in women’s fiction.Ever feel like you’re losing a race you never signed up for?Everyone in Amy’s life seems to be getting married, having children and settling down (or so Instagram tells her), and she feels like she’s falling behind.So, when her long-term boyfriend surprises her with a dream holiday, she thinks he’s going to finally pop the Big Question. But the dream turns into a nightmare when, instead, she finds herself on the set of a Big Brother-style reality television show, The Shelf.Along with five other women, Amy is brutally dumped live on TV and must compete in a series of humiliating and obnoxious tasks in the hope of being crowned ‘The Keeper’.While inside the house, will Amy learn that there are worse things than being ‘left on the shelf’?Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy on netgalley .Wow what a debut! I absolutely loved this book and everything it represents. Its funny,genuine,real,warm and completely empowering.Its a fantastic concept and i cant wait to read more from helly.Reading this as a single woman it ticked so many boxes , its about finding yourself in the places you least expect. A tale of friendship,love, and self discovery. Published 18th june and cant recommend enough .

BOOK REVIEW TRUTH BE TOLD BY KIA ABDULLAH

ARE YOU READY TO START THIS CONVERSATION?

Kamran Hadid feels invincible. He attends Hampton school, an elite all-boys boarding school in London, he comes from a wealthy family, and he has a place at Oxford next year. The world is at his feet. And then a night of revelry leads to a drunken encounter and he must ask himself a horrific question.

With the help of assault counsellor, Zara Kaleel, Kamran reports the incident in the hopes that will be the end of it. But it’s only the beginning…

Powerful, explosive and important, Truth Be Told is a contemporary courtroom drama that vividly captures today’s society. You will not stop thinking about it for a long time to come.

Firstly a big thank you to HQ for my copy to read on netgalley. I loved her debut which i had the pleasure of reviewing.

Another fantastic courtroom thriller which focuses on a moral dilemma. Asking huge questions and getting the brain working overtime. Thought provoking and culturally relevant.

Unpredictable and suspenseful.

A great read which introduces various cultures to the reader and their morals.

Excellent storyteller who clearly has done her research .

Published 3rd September

BOOK REVIEW THE LIST BY CARYS JONES

Beth Belmont runs every day, hard and fast on the trail near home. She knows every turn, every bump in the road. So when she spots something out of place – a slip of white paper at the base of a tree – she’s drawn to it.

On the paper are five names. The third is her own.

Beth can’t shake off the unease the list brings. Why is she on it? And what ties her to the other four strangers?

Then she discovers that the first two names are both dead.

Is she next?

Delving into the past of the two dead strangers, the truth Beth finds will lead her headlong into her darkest, deadliest and most dangerous nightmares…

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for approving my request to read on netgalley. This is a new author for me so will definitely be reading her other books.Compelling and chilling. Who is after Beth and why? You can feel the tension in the pages.Fast paced and a original concept. Excellently written ,thought provoking and will make you question things.Published 1st july

BOOK REVIEW IMPERFECT WOMEN BY ARAMINTA HALL

Nancy, Eleanor and Mary met at college and have been friends ever since, through marriages, children and love affairs.Nancy married her college sweetheart and is now missing that excitement of her youth.Eleanor put her career above all else and hasn’t looked back, despite her soft spot for Nancy’s husband.Mary fell pregnant far too young and is now coping with three children and a mentally unwell husband.But when Nancy is killed, Eleanor and Mary must align themselves to uncover her killer. And as each of their stories unfold, they realise that there are many different truths to find, and many different ways to bring justice for those we love…Everyone wants a perfect life. But there is no such thing…Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is new author to me but one ive heard a lot of praise over.This kicks off with a murder and suspicions running wild as to who killed her.This analyses what on paper appears perfect lives,perfect relationships and friendship. But cracks are there if you look hard enough.Fast paced and excellently written to keep you hooked.Things are not all that they seem and even the closest of friends have secrets from each other.Scandalous and real .This is a great book and highly recommend. Published 4th August