BOOK REVIEW A LIE FOR A LIE BY JULIE CORBIN

What is the worst lie you’ve ever told?

As a school nurse, Anna Pierce is a well-respected and trusted member of the community. So when she is accused of hitting a pupil, the reaction is one of shock and disbelief.

The pupil is Tori Carmichael – Anna’s mentee and a troubled child known for bending the truth.

With her career and reputation on the line, Anna is determined to clear her name. But before she can, the worst happens: Tori is found dead.

Suspicion mounts against Anna, who says she didn’t do it.

But if she isn’t the killer, there is someone out there who is . . .

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to read on netgalley . This is a new author for me and look forward to reading more from her.

I whizzed through this excellent haunting psychological thriller.

This had me hooked straight away. Who is telling the truth? Who is hiding secrets?

As the pages turn we realise people are not who they say they are.

Fantastically written and plotted. Lots of twists and turns this is a excellent and exciting book.

Published 15th October

BOOK REVIEW THE ISLAND BY CL TAYLOR

Welcome to The Island.

Where your worst fears are about to come true…

It was supposed to be the perfect holiday: a week-long trip for six teenage friends on a remote tropical island.

But when their guide dies of a stroke leaving them stranded, the trip of a lifetime turns into a nightmare.

Because someone on the island knows each of the group’s worst fears. And one by one, they’re becoming a reality.

Seven days in paradise. A deadly secret.

Who will make it off the island alive?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to read on netgalley. Im a massive fan of her books and how exciting that the younger readers can discover her too.

It addresses a lot of issues that can be related to in real life whether a young reader or not. This is important as ya doesnt need to be light and fluffy. It shows the relationship between trauma and mental health.

Who can be trusted on the island ? They are all friends…right?

Will they all survive?

A fantastic addition to this authors library. A exciting page turner from start to finish .

Published January 21st 2021

BOOK REVIEW THE PERFECT SISTER BY ZOE MILLER

Once inseparable, years of resentment and jealousy have driven Alice and Holly apart. But, though they barely speak these days, Alice knows her sister is hiding something.

When she hears that a discovery at a soon-to-be-demolished apartment building has led police to re-open an ‘accidental death’ case, Alice thinks nothing of it. She’s distracted by a recent chance encounter with a charismatic man named Damien, and the possibility of romance when she had given up all hope. Until someone knocks at her door, with questions about Holly.

Alice doesn’t believe her sister is capable of involvement in anything so sinister. But when she tries to contact Holly, she can’t be reached…

Forced to dig through the past in order to uncover the truth, Alice starts to uncover years of Holly’s secrets – and to doubt her innocence. As the evidence mounts up, Alice has a choice to make: does she want to help her sister clear her name, even if the price is her own future with Damien?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is a new author for me which never loses its excitement.

Packed with twists and turns this is a great read. Family secrets and sibling rivalry pave the way for these sisters.

Can they move on whilst their past lingers?

Unpredictable and kept me hooked.

I could relate to Alice who is a single mum with a not too kind ex. I could also relate to Holly who’s made many mistakes and is living in a controlled relationship, though she doesnt realise.

Can they bury their differences to work together?

Published 1st October

BOOK REVIEW THE SHADOW MAN BY HELEN FIELDS

The brand new crime thriller from the bestselling author of the Perfect series – Helen Fields is back with her first stand-alone novel!

He collects his victims. But he doesn’t keep them safe.

Elspeth, Meggy and Xavier are locked in a flat. They don’t know where they are, and they don’t know why they’re there. They only know that the shadow man has taken them, and he won’t let them go.

Desperate to escape, the three of them must find a way out of their living hell, even if it means uncovering a very dark truth.

Because the shadow man isn’t a nightmare. He’s all too real.

And he’s watching.

Firstly a big thank you to Avon for my copy to review on netgalley . Im a huge fan of Helens books , i was very excited to read her first stand alone.

This is devilishly creepy and terrifying. She writes crime perfectly. You are engrossed straight away and hooked till the last page.

Fantastic charactars especially connie the forensic psychologist who i wouldnt mind meeting again. Shes a brilliant strong woman who has her own way of cracking a case. Through her mind we get to see the mind of the shadow man.

This is chilling and captivating.

Highly recommend if you want a read that is haunting and gets under your skin.

Published 4th February 2021

BOOK REVIEW SHIVER BY ALLIE REYNOLDS

How far would you go to win? Hyper-competitive people, mind games and a dangerous natural environment combine to make the must-read thriller of the year. Fans of Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell will be gripped by spectacular debut novel Shiver.

When Milla is invited to a reunion in the French Alps resort that saw the peak of her snowboarding career, she drops everything to go. While she would rather forget the events of that winter, the invitation comes from Curtis, the one person she can’t seem to let go.

The five friends haven’t seen each other for ten years, since the disappearance of the beautiful and enigmatic Saskia. But when an icebreaker game turns menacing, they realise they don’t know who has really gathered them there and how far they will go to find the truth.

In a deserted lodge high up a mountain, the secrets of the past are about to come to light.

Firstly a big thank you to headline for my copy to review on netgalley. This is a exciting debut coming in early 2021 and i can tell you now this will be big!

Set in the icy conditions in temperature and the ongoing rivalry between Milla and Saskia . Female competitiveness at its peak and who will win? This is tense and thrilling .

Written in alternate timelines this builds the atmosphere up as we lead to the truth. Unpredictable with twists and turns.

Who is telling the truth and who can be trusted? A reunion brings up many emotions good and bad but is that all that will be unburied..

Addictive and compelling this is a fantastic, fresh and exciting voice in thrillers.

I loved it and wish her every success with this release.

Published January 21st so get preordering if you like your books with a extra chill this winter.

BLOG TOUR SECRETS IN THE SNOW BY EMMA HEATHERINGTON

As the winter snow falls on the small Irish village of Ballybray, Roisin O’Connor and her young son, Ben, are saying goodbye to their beloved neighbour Mabel Murphy. Mabel lived a bold and colourful life, but the arrival of her brooding nephew, ‘blow-in’ Aidan Murphy, just makes life more complicated for Roisin.

However, in one final act of love, a message arrives from Mabel that changes everything. And as winter turns to spring and the cold snow melts, the secrets both Roisin and Aidan are hiding must be revealed at last…

Firstly a huge thank you to Harper Collins for my copy to review and having me on the tour.

I left it to last minute to read but there was no worry as i sped through it. I loved her previous book so was very excited to read this.

This is a tale about life, love and loss. And all the messy and beautiful bits in between.

I felt like i was reading my diary as i related to Roisin so much i felt emotional. She has shut her heart down to possibility of love after a troubled childhood and a abusive marriage .

A heartwarming ,uplifting and emotive book as we join the charactsrs on their journey after losing someone.

Can they find happiness and love?

I loved this book and it definitely was thought provoking and spoke to my heart.

Published 15th October and do check out the other blogs taking part in the tour.

BOOK REVIEW THE EX BOYFRIEND BY RONA HALSALL

He promised to love her until her dying day…

When Becca’s first love shows up on her social media feed, she can’t help but smile fondly. Once upon a time Connor was the love of her life, and though it was over ten years ago, he’s always held a place in her heart.

Then he sends her a message. He sounds happy – still kind and funny, still living across the world in Australia. But he wants to know everything about her life now. How can Becca tell him the truth? About her workaholic husband, her stressful job, and the challenges of caring for her elderly father and her longed-for, adorable but exhausting three-year-old daughter Mia?

Becca hesitates, knowing she shouldn’t even reply. But Connor lives on the other side of the world. Just how dangerous can becoming friends again be?

It feels harmless. Until Mia gets sick – in a way that no one can explain. And it starts to become clear – someone will do absolutely anything to make sure Becca never escapes her past…

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to read on netgalley. This is another new author for me and another fantastic bookouture publication, they certainly pick great writers.

This was tonights choice of book and i was completly swept away with it. A plot that hooks you straight away, untrustworthy characters and lots of twists and turns. This had all the ingredients for a great thriller.

This kept me on my toes and was completey unpredictable.

I loved everything about it!

Published 30th September

BOOK REVIEW MY ONLY CHILD BY SAM VICKERY

There he is, my baby boy. His eyes are closed, his tiny rosebud mouth is pursed in sleep. My eyes well up as I catch a whiff of his newborn skin and I swallow back a wave of emotion. I should feel happy, I should feel grateful, but all I can think about is everything I just lost…

It’s a miracle when Katherine’s baby boy is born healthy. But his twin sister doesn’t survive, and when Katherine is told she can’t have any more children the loss is almost too much for her to bear.

Katherine always saw herself having a big family: she remembers how the loneliness of being an only child used to overwhelm her, and she is desperate to adopt a sibling for her son.

But her husband Davis won’t agree. He worries that Katherine will struggle when the new baby arrives. What if growing their family only adds to the grief she feels over losing her little girl? What if this breaks their marriage apart?

And Katherine is forced to make a choice. Give up the second child she has always dreamed of or risk losing the family she already has?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. Ive recently read one of Sam’s books and it was my first. Having read this one its safe to say shes a great writer.

This is a story of family, and all the trials and tribulations that make up that family. Lies,secrets,loss and love.

With each chapter another layer is revealed meaning this really keeps you on your toes.

Emotive writing that is thought provoking and relatable.

Published 2nd November and i highly recommend.

BOOK REVIEW SHADOW SANDS BY ROBERT BRYNDZA

When Kate Marshall finds the bloated body of a young man floating in the Shadow Sands reservoir, the authorities label it a tragic accident.
But the details don’t add up: why was he there, in the middle of the night? If he was such a strong swimmer, how did he drown? As Kate and her assistant Tristan Harper follow the evidence, they make a far darker discovery . . .
This is only the latest victim in a series of bloody murders dating back decades. A mythic serial killer is said to hide in the rolling fog, abducting his victims like a phantom. And when another woman is taken, Kate and Tristan have a matter of days to save her from meeting the same fate.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I absolutely loved nine elms which i read a early copy of. So couldnt wait to read this next book.

I practically inhaled it which is the sign of a good book. Fantastic writing which has you hooked from the start.

Great plotting and charactars you will love. We learn more about kate and her son ,and what they have been through. Packed with suspense and mystery.

Another chilling and thrilling installment of Roberts writing. I cant wait for more!

Published 3rd November

BOOK REVIEW GLORIOUS ROCK BOTTOM BY BRYONY GORDON

Bryony Gordon is a respected journalist, a number-one bestselling author and an award-winning mental health campaigner. She is also an alcoholic.

In Glorious Rock Bottom Bryony opens up about a toxic twenty-year relationship with alcohol and drugs and explains exactly why hitting rock bottom – for her, a traumatic event and the abrupt realisation that she was putting herself in danger, time and again – saved her life. Known for her trademark honesty, Bryony re-lives the darkest and most terrifying moments of her addiction, never shying away from the fact that alcoholism robs you of your ability to focus on your family, your work, your health, your children, yourself. And then, a chink of light as the hard work begins – rehab; twelve-step meetings; endless, tedious, painful self-reflection – a rollercoaster ride through self-acceptance, friendship, love and hope, to a joy and pride in staying sober that her younger self could never have imagined.

Shining a light on the deep connection between addiction and mental health issues, Glorious Rock Bottom is in turn, shocking, brutal, dark, funny, hopeful and uplifting. It is a sobriety memoir like no other.

I absolutely adore this woman; have loved all her other books and even had the pleasure of meeting her at one of her walks. She is a inspiration. I knew this was being published ,it was on my radar but for some reason i wasnt purchasing. Well it would appear i had been in some denial myself.

So this week is a new chapter for me and this was the first book i ordered . Not as a guide but almost like a hug in a book from someone who gets it. There were parts in there i could have written. There were feelings and events that were very similar to my own.

This is a beautiful yet ugly emotive memoir about Bryonys truth about alcohol. Its not a self help book it doesnt claim to know all the answers . But my goodness how refreshing is it when you are in a daek place to connect with someone who was there.

Books have and alaays will be my lifeline whatever my mood or current situation.

Fantastically written and a complete inspiration.

Thank you for sharing your truth and making others truth that little less shameful.