BOOK REVIEW HER GUILTY SECRET BY EMILY CAVANAGH

Would a true friend lie to you? Ivy has been looking forward to seeing her oldest college friends for months. But this reunion couldn’t have come at a worse time.Her husband has left her and she is struggling to pay the bills. She’s never felt less like sitting around joking and drinking cocktails.But not wanting to let everyone down, Ivy boards the plane to Boston and makes her way to Elise’s Cape Cod summerhouse, where Ada and Libby are waiting.She knew Elise’s husband was successful, but the house on the ocean, with floor-to-ceiling windows, is more opulent than she imagined. And there are photographs of Elise’s perfect, happy family in every room. Already struggling to put a brave face on things, Ivy finds herself reaching breaking point.That evening, as the four friends gather on the sofa along with several bottles of wine, someone suggests they play truth or dare…As the game goes on, something is said that can’t be taken back. Something that makes Ivy question if these women were ever her friends to begin with.But this is not the only secret these women have been hiding. As new revelations come to light, will the weekend bring them closer or tear them apart for good

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is a new author for me.

Written from each of the friends perspectives and each with their own unique voice.

What happens when old friends spend a weekend together? Will it be like old times or is that even possible now they are all women with responsibilites and worries .

Tensions and secrets are on the verge of being exposed…Tense and addictive as I whizzed through.

Is all as it seems for each of the women? And will their restful break be exactly that?

Published 9th February

BOOK REVIEW THE OTHER DAUGHTER BY CAROLINE BISHOP

You only get one life – but what if it isn’t the one you were meant to live?
 
‘When it finally arrived I was shocked to see it; to read the words Mum wrote about these women fighting for rights I know I take for granted. Mum was here. And while she was, something happened that changed the entire course of my life.  Perhaps, if I can summon the courage, the next eight weeks will help me finally figure out what that was . . .’
 
When Jessica discovers a shocking secret about her birth, she leaves her London home and travels to Switzerland in search of answers. She knows her journalist mother spent time in the country forty years earlier, reporting on the Swiss women’s liberation movement, but what she doesn’t know is what happened to her while she was there. Can Jess summon the courage to face the truth about her family, or will her search only hurt herself and those around her even more?
 

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. A debut author and a fantastic first book.

I was transported away through the power of words , set in beautiful Switzerland.

Evocative,atmospheric and descriptive.

Thought provoking and gripping I  raced through this eager to know the truth.

Beautifully written and captures the readers imagination.

Published 18th February

BOOK REVIEW HIS HIDDEN WIFE BY WENDY CLARKE

The first time you see them, out for an evening walk on the cliffs, you’ll think they’re the perfect family. You’ll see a wife who looks so happy, strolling peacefully beside her husband in his dark winter coat, holding her daughter’s hand. But you have no idea what’s really happening in their house…

If you come a little closer you might hear the way the man speaks to his wife.

You might notice that the woman doesn’t have any close friends. That sometimes her husband doesn’t want her to leave the house. You might wonder if that’s a scar her beautiful daughter is hiding on her neck.

When you read the local newspaper and hear the news that the wife has fallen from the cliffs, you’ll question whether it was really an accident at all.

And when the husband starts dating someone new – a woman with the same long dark hair and big blue eyes as his wife – will you say something this time?

Because someone has to protect the little girl and stop history from repeating itself. And it may already be too late.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is a new author for me and I definitely look forward to reading more after enjoying this book.

As a psychology student this ticked a lot of boxes for me . Compelling and unpredictable.

What exactly is the truth regarding Mayas mums death? Is all as it seems ? As secrets are about to be exposed people’s lives change dramatically.

Completely gripping and an highly addictive thriller.

Set in a gorgeous location which is the perfect scene and atmosphere for this story.

Published 1st February

BOOK REVIEW WHO DO YOU TRUST BY KIRSTY FERGUSON

A perfect sunny day, a family celebration, a heart-stopping hour that changes everything…

Dana has all she ever wanted – a husband she loves, her four-year-old daughter Kelsey who is the apple of her eye, and another baby on the way to complete her perfect family.

But then the worst fear that Dana has, comes true, and everything she thought she knew, she now starts to doubt. As her world comes crashing around her, who can Dana trust?

Her husband Logan who seems to be getting worryingly close to Dana’s best friend Pippa?

Her new friend Melanie who has a sinister habit of turning up in the strangest places?

Her parents and her sister, who Dana knows are keeping a terrible secret from her?

Matt, who says he’s Dana’s friend, but sometimes she’s not so sure?

Or will Dana discover that it’s a dangerous mistake to trust anyone…

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. This is a new author to me and safe to say I’ll be reading more.

Wow what a book…my mind is quite blown away after devouring in one go. There’s a lot going on in this book so prepare for a twisty roller coaster and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

As the title suggests who do you trust? Because everyone has secrets and hidden agenda.

Chilling ,dark,unsettling thriller that will leave you quite disturbed….

A fantastic original psychological thriller and a author whos clearly not holding back in this genre!

Published 18th March

BOOK REVIEW I GIVE IT A YEAR BY HELEN WHITAKER

Her husband’s moved out – and her dad’s moved in…
Curl up with the page-turning story full of emotion about family, marriage and second chances

It’s New Year’s Eve, and Iris has just found out that her husband, Adam, is cheating on her. Furious, she kicks him out, and enlists her Dad to move in and help with the children whilst she tries to mend her broken heart.

But her Dad soon starts to display signs of Alzheimer’s, and Iris realises that if she loses her partner, she’ll be managing an awful lot on her own. Soon, she realises that Adam wasn’t the only one taking their marriage for granted, and for the sake of the children she decides to give him one more chance.

But is it braver to stay than to run? And can anyone fall in love with the same person twice?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review. This is a new author for which never gets old.

What happens when you discover your husband has been cheating?

A real honest look on what this does on not only the wounded party but those around.

Fresh funny and so relatable. It looks at the mundane routines married couples can get into especially when they have kids.

Temptations, secrets and a new outlook … what will Iris do and will she last the year?

This is a great modern love story about finding the truth and a lot more and perhaps even some rekindling of a flame…

Published 7th January and I’ll definitely be reading more from Helen.

BOOK REVIEW THE BEST IS YET TO COME BY KATY COLINS

Sometimes it’s the things we don’t say that we need others to hear the loudest . . .

Izzy has always taken everything in her stride but motherhood is proving more difficult than she thought. She keeps telling herself it’s just a phase but the dark clouds are starting to appear.

Neighbour and widower Arthur might be in the winter of his life but he’s not ready to be packed off to a care home. He’s determined to do things his way.

When Izzy hears about Arthur’s big move, she offers to help. But Arthur isn’t telling her the whole story. It takes courage to admit you need a friend and when you feel invisible, all you need is a ray of hope. After all, what if the best is yet to come?

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review. I have loved Katys other books and followed her very own love story.

I sat and read this in a afternoon and what a joy it was. Uplifting and heartwarming . This is the tale of 2 strangers at different milestones in their life ,neither very happy. What happens when they enter each others lives?

As a mum I could relate a lot to Izzys struggles!

There were many moments that made me smile. Katy has captured both characters perfectly despite being completely different.

Written with warmth , humour,love and sensitivity as it explores some touching subjects. Let hope and the wonder of new friendships into your heart this spring.

I highly recommend if you are fans of authors like Milly Johnson and Cathy bramley.

Published 18th March

BOOK REVIEW THE PUSH BY ASHLEY AUDRAIN

‘I think she pushed him,’ I said to you quietly. ‘I think she pushed him . . .’

The arrival of baby Violet was meant to be the happiest day of my life. But as soon as I held her in my arms I knew something wasn’t right.

I had always known that the women in my family aren’t meant to be mothers.

My husband Fox says I’m imagining it. He tells me I’m nothing like my own mother, and that Violet is the sweetest child.

But she’s different with me. Something feels very wrong.

Is it her? Or is it me? Is she the monster? Or am I?

I brought this back in January but watching a event last night with Ashley and Sarah Vaughan pushed me to take this off my tbr pile. Safe to say I loved it as I devoured in one go!

A fascinating and scarily accurate portrayl of motherhood in its unfiltered form. It is so refreshing especially as a mum to read about mothers finding it difficult especially as someone who’s been on both ends of the stick. Ashley weaves those emotions all mothers feel especially in the early days through her writing.

This is a compelling and captivating read and blew me away. Addictive and thought provoking . Gripping from page 1 and has you turning the pages feverishly throughout.

A phenomenal debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Published 7th January

BOOK REVIEW GREENWICH PARK BY KATHERINE FAULKNER

Helen has it all…
Daniel is the perfect husband.
Rory is the perfect brother.
Serena is the perfect sister-in-law.
And Rachel? Rachel is the perfect nightmare.
When Helen, finally pregnant after years of tragedy, attends her first antenatal class, she is expecting her loving architect husband to arrive soon after, along with her confident, charming brother Rory and his pregnant wife, the effortlessly beautiful Serena. What she is not expecting is Rachel.
Extroverted, brash, unsettling single mother-to-be Rachel, who just wants to be Helen’s friend. Who just wants to get know Helen and her friends and her family. Who just wants to know everything about them. Every little secret.

Masterfully plotted and utterly addictive, Greenwich Park is a dark, compelling look at motherhood, friendships, privilege and the secrets we keep to protect ourselves.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on net galley. This is a debut that was high on my radar not only because its called after one of my favourite places.

This is a incredible thriller that I can see will be a huge success. It is fresh and slick and In the style of many other fantastic women thriller writers. Such as Lisa Jewell and Louise Candlish.

You become connected to the characters and invested in the storyline pretty quickly.Written in alternate narratives and timeliness.

Unpredictable and cleverly written and plotted. I love Greenwich and in particular Greenwich Park so I could evoke being there just by her words. I definitely picked up TV vibes from this .

A highly intoxicating portrayl of friendship ,family and relationships.

I absolutely loved reading this and can’t wait for more from this author.

Published April 15 th in hardback and slightly earlier in e book…hit that preorder button for one of 2021 best thrillers.

BOOK REVIEW THE WEDDING PARTY BY TAMMY COHEN

Till death do us part . . .

Lucy has dreamt of her wedding day for as long as she can remember.

And now the day is almost here. Her nearest and dearest are gathered on an idyllic Greek island and she just knows it’s going to be perfect. It has to be.

But even the best-laid plans can go horribly wrong. Why are her parents behaving so strangely? Why won’t the rather odd lady from the airport stop hanging around? Who is the silent stranger her sister brought as a plus-1?

And then they find the body.

It’s going to be a day to remember.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I am a massive fan of Tammy’s so was thrilled.

How lovely it was to be transported to another location especially in lockdown and where better than beautiful Greece.

Weddings are always eventful even when you plan things to the t.. what could go wrong ? It’s all so perfect right?

Well secrets are revealed and cracks begin to show .We know something happens to involve the police but what exactly so this layers the suspense and intrigue for the reader.

Family secrets  rivalry, jealously and lies are all bubbling away under the heat . What is going on? Will the wedding go ahead?


A thought provoking exciting read about family and the dilemmas they are dealt with .

Published 24th June and look at this stunning cover.

BOOK REVIEW THE SERIAL KILLERS WIFE BY ALICE HUNTER

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.

Perfect for fans of Sam Carrington, SJI Holliday and Susi Holliday!

Firstly a big thank you to Avon for my copy to review . I whizzed through this tonight.. what an amazing debut!

I was hooked instantly . Compelling and completely unpredictable.

A fantastic psychological thriller that will leave you wondering who’s telling the truth…

Fast paced with twists and turns aplenty. Perfect for fans of gripping thrillers and you won’t be disappointed.

Published 27th May and I look forward to reading more from Alice.