BOOK REVIEW THE WOMAN IN THE WOODS BY LISA HALL

Is her family in danger?

When Allie moves to a quaint old cottage with her husband, it’s their dream home. Nestled in the village of Pluckley, it seems a perfect haven in which to raise their two children. But Pluckley has a reputation. It’s known as England’s most haunted village. And not long after the birth of their new son, Allie begins to notice strange things…   
 
What’s the flash of white she sees moving quickly through the woods to the back of their house? And what’s the strange scratching noise coming from the chimney?
 
As Allie discovers more about the history of their new home, she uncovers a story of witchcraft and superstition, which casts a long shadow into the present day. And not everything is as it seems. Her family might well be in danger, but it’s a danger none of them could have foreseen…
 

I’m a big fan of Lisa’s books so couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this. Perfect halloween autumnal reading.

Atmospheric, spooky and a chilling read. This gets under your skin and in your mind.

Explores the effect of having a baby especially in those early days. I struggled post natal in many ways and I think Lisa has captured this sensitively and accurately.

Who can be trusted and are the myths true about their new house.. can they make it into a home or will they be scared away as a family.

Haunting and captivating this is another fantastic book from Lisa.

Published 30th September

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BOOK REVIEW THE OTHER HUSBAND BY KATHRYN CROFT

One dinner party will destroy everything.

The night that throws a wrecking ball into Abby’s life starts out perfectly at first. There’s still a hint of summer sun in the purple-streaked sky. Abby and her best friend, Sienna, look on fondly as their two husbands laugh under the garden gazebo. None of them know it’s the last time they will be together again.

What starts out as just a little fun, has devastating consequences for the couples. Alone with Sienna’s husband, Greg, Abby finds him unexpectedly charming. And something happens that night that neither she nor Greg can take back.

Abby is desperate to tell her husband and Sienna the truth, but can’t risk Greg sharing what he knows about her. She has no choice but to keep quiet. Then Greg suddenly disappears.

Is her best friend’s husband simply running from his secrets? Or has someone decided they can’t risk that he may share theirs?

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

I read this in one go so safe to say it’s a gripping read!

Unpredictable and very twisty making it a rollercoaster of a thriller. This is fast paced and reels you in straight away .

Who is telling the truth about that night ? Who’s got skeletons in their closet?

Cleverly written and plotted, this is a excellent book. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

Published 14th October

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BOOK REVIEW THE SANCTUARY BY CHARLOTTE DUCKWORTH

Four pregnant women. Three nights of pampering at an exclusive yoga retreat. One too many deadly secrets . . .

On a remote farm in the deepest Devonshire countryside, four pregnant women arrive at an exclusive yoga retreat for a five-star weekend of prenatal pampering. The location is idyllic.

Their host, Selina, is eager to teach them all she knows about pregnancy and motherhood. But, like Selina, each of the women has a secret.

And secrets can be deadly . . .

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley . I’m a big fan of her books so was thrilled to review.

Charlotte is a fantastic author who knows how to write not only a captivating active story but also characters you relate to or find compelling . The sanctuary is no exception to this with the focus being on friendship,family and parenthood .

All pregnant at a yoga retreat but that’s where the similarities end with these women .
Secrets , lies , revenge and betrayal are running trough these pages .

I raced through this eager to know what was really going on . Tense and addictive thid is another great psychological thriller.

Published 16th December and I highly recommend checking out not only the sanctuary but also her previous books.

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BOOK REVIEW I LET HIM IN BY JILL CHILDS

I like to keep things simple. I don’t let a lot of people in.

But when I first see Edward, I feel like we’ve met before; that I can trust him. He’s quiet, considerate and – I’m only human – handsome.

Guilt can do funny things to a person. After so many years, I thought I’d never tell, but my secret is suddenly out, hanging in the air between us. And to my surprise, he doesn’t pull away. He doesn’t gasp, or grimace or preach about what I did. And I’m so relieved to finally be free of the burden.

Until I learn that Edward has a secret of his own. One that changes everything…

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

This is without doubt a unusual read where the genre seems to switch and leave you feeling confused.

However this is a great read that’s compelling original and unpredictable.

Thought provoking and makes you question what you would do.

A frank and insightful read about humans and all that makes us who we are .

Published 17th August

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BOOK REVIEW SOMEONE I USED TO KNOW BY PAIGE TOON

So much can change in half a lifetime… 
 
Then
 
At fifteen, George is the foster brother Leah never asked for. As the angry, troubled boy struggles to come to terms with his circumstances, Leah finds herself getting drawn closer to him.
 
Theo’s wealthy family have mysteriously pulled him out of boarding school and he’s now enrolled at the local state school with Leah and George. When their worlds collide that summer, the three teenagers form a bond they believe will be unbreakable. But life doesn’t always go to plan…
 
Now
 
Shocking news brings Leah back to Yorkshire, baby daughter in tow. But Emilie’s father Theo isn’t with them, and George has unexpectedly returned. After half a lifetime, have they healed the scars of their pasts? Will coming back home set their hearts in a different direction?

I won a copy of this via the lovely sj at Simon and schuster, this kept me company as I waited at urgent care.

Paige is the queen of writing a swoon worthy man, I always find myself loving her leading man. Her books are the epitome of escapism. I’ve had the pleasure of reading a fair few of her books and also meeting her.

I loved this so much especially as I spent many years in a care home , I know too well the environment that’s being described. Paige sets the scene perfectly.

A story of love,loss, families and second chances. Emotional and powerfully written .

A fantastic love story that will take a piece of you’re heart along for the journey.

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BOOK REVIEW EVERY LITTLE LIE BY LESLEY SANDERSON

Lie #1 was to my new friends, about why I moved here.
Lie #2 was to my husband, about who I was before I met him.
Lie #3 was to myself, that I would get away with what I’ve done.

When I met Seb, it was like everything fell into place. My daughter Evie finally had a proper dad, and I had found the husband of my dreams – and what Seb didn’t know about my past wouldn’t hurt him.

But lately he’s been acting strangely. He won’t look me in the eye, he keeps coming home late and the other day at the school fair I saw him arguing with an unknown woman – the same woman I’ve seen hanging around outside our house.

And just as I start wondering whether I’m not the only one with a secret, Evie goes missing…

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley. I’ve read a few of her other books and really enjoyed them.

This is a action packed psychological thriller full of suspense and tension.

Unpredictable and will have you racing through to find out the truth .

Complex characters all with their own secrets to hide.

I really enjoyed this twisty tale of revenge, family,lies and parenthood.

Published 27th October

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BOOK REVIEW INVITE ME IN BY EMMA CURTIS

To those who think they know her, Eliza Curran has it all: two healthy children, a stunning home and a wealthy, adoring husband. No one would guess the reality of her life: trapped in an unhappy marriage to a controlling man, she longs for a way out.

When she takes on a new tenant, her life changes unexpectedly. Dan Jones is charming and perceptive, and quickly becomes a close friend to the whole family.

But Dan’s arrival threatens to tip Eliza’s fragile world out of balance. And when someone has as many secrets as Eliza does, the smallest slip could destroy everything . . .

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley.  I’m a big fan of Emma’s books so was thrilled to read.

I raced through most of this tonight in the bath…just wow what read.

On the surface they look like the perfect family but appearances can be deceiving. When a new arrival turns up one day it has devasting consequences.

Completely unpredictable and addictive. Twisty and gripping this will have you hooked.

I have been in a relationship like Elizas so I of course was cheering her on throughout. Its thought provoking and puts you in her shoes .

Cleverly written and excellent in terms of pace and plot. I highly recommend this if you love a good psychological thriller that you can really get your teeth into.

Published 22nd July

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BOOK REVIEW THE VACANCY BY ELISABETH CARPENTER

Running from her past, Rachel answers an advert to be a live-in assistant to glamorous and eccentric author Dorothy Winters. But behind the closed doors of Dorothy’s house, she quickly discovers that nothing is as it seems.

When Dorothy’s manuscript throws up striking similarities to events in Rachel’s own life, she becomes convinced that the past she’s tried to hide is catching up with her.

Then the phone calls start. The parcel arrives. The blood shows up in the bathroom.

And Dorothy’s friend disappears.

Terrified of being blamed for murder, Rachel has nobody left to turn to.

Because who can she believe when she doesn’t even trust herself…?

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

This is one hell of a rollercoaster of a read,packed with twists and turns. Full of suspense and tension this will have you turning the pages desperate to uncover the truth.

Who is being themselves and who is hiding under false pretenses?

Secrets,scandal, revenge and a hunt for the truth.

Unpredictable and cleverly written this is a fantastic psychological thriller.

Published 5th August

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