General Fiction – Page 21 – Best Crime Books and More

The Dandelion Years by Erica James

My Rating: 5/5

Available: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Kobo, Nook, Paperback due 18.06.15

Synopsis: Ashcombe was the most beautiful house Saskia had ever seen as a little girl. A rambling pink cottage on the edge of the Suffolk village of Melbury Green, its enchanting garden provided a fairy-tale playground of seclusion, a perfect sanctuary to hide from the tragedy which shattered her childhood.

Now an adult, Saskia is still living at Ashcombe and as a book restorer devotes her days tending to the broken, battered books that find their way to her, daydreaming about the people who had once turned their pages. When she discovers a notebook carefully concealed in an old Bible – and realising someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to hide a story of their own – Saskia finds herself drawn into a heart-rending tale of wartime love.

My Review: I wasn’t entirely sure about the synopsis of this book but all those reservations went away when I started reading this latest release by Erica James. It was a bit of a slow burner but well worth the wait. Saskia seems something of a loner and following the death of her mother and grandmothers her life has fallen into an unusual situation. She lives with her father and two grandfathers in relative harmony. Saskia is a book restorer and along with her father they arrive at a job where Saskia finds a hidden notebook which soon becomes a bit of an obsession.

Saskia wasn’t a character I was drawn to immediately, but as you get to know her father and two grandfathers each character means you understand Saskia that little bit more. Matthew Grey is recovering from the death of the man closest to him Jacob, who he considered a father figure. When Saskia and Matthew meet they have no idea how they are linked but their awkward and faltering start makes for compulsive reading.

The notebook is the second thread of the story and features a man who falls in love with the love of his life Kitty during the war. This element of the story was one that made me question whether I would enjoy the book, but Erica James has a way with storytelling that means it matters little what era you are in. The war time love tale between Kitty and the man in her life had me hooked. I would say this is the furthest from what I would traditionally read, but a book that took me completely by surprise. An absolutely wonderful book by an author I love, and I cannot recommend this highly enough!

Forgive Me by Lesley Pearce

download

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Available: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle, Audio, Nook, Kobo

Synopsis: Eva Patterson’s life is forever altered by the devastating discovery of her mother, Flora, dead in the bath leaving only a note: ‘Forgive Me’. Until Flora’s suicide, Eva’s world had been secure – but overnight everything changes. For when Flora leaves Eva a London artist’s studio in her will, she finds her mother had a secret past. In the studio’s attic are Flora’s paintings and diaries, and Eva learns her mother was a popular artist in the swinging sixties. Eva’s hunt for answers uncovers clues to a shocking crime which led Flora to hide her past. But will discovering the truth destroy Eva’s belief in everything she holds dear? And will this journey lead her and those she loves into danger?

My Review: I have never read a Lesley Pearce which I now realise was a huge mistake on my part. However, this gave me the added advantage of having no expectations when I started reading. The main character Eva Patterson is the lead character and the opening chapters put you firmly into the horrifying discovery Eva makes as she finds her mother following her suicide. It is this event that starts a chain reaction that is horrifying and I certainly didn’t expect from a book with some an endearingly beautiful cover.

Aside from her Mothers suicide it’s hard to mention anything else within the story for fear of spoiling it for others. As a reader you literally follow Eva throughout her life and as each new trauma unfolds you feel yourself willing her on and hoping that things turn out okay for her. It’s an extremely gripping book and I can honestly say buy the end of it I was certain that I needed to stock up on Lesley Pearse’s back catalogue.

From start to finish I was taken on an emotional rollercoaster and found myself utterly enthralled by this book. The cover (although beautiful) didn’t even give me the slightest hint that this book would be so full of drama and tension. I would truly recommend this book and am thrilled that I have discovered just how great an author she is. I am now eagerly looking forward to reading her other books.

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

51Urr6vkX7L._SY346_

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her in every way, but he’s seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn’t have long to live. Time is running out…

Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more.

Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.

Three Amazing Things about You begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she’s about to be given new lungs. But whose?

Kat’s Review: For some reason, although I had this copy early, it just got pushed out of my mind. When I took a look through my books I realised with horror I still hadn’t read it and it had been out weeks. I made an immediate start and as usual devoured this in one sitting. The book revolves around three characters and although the synopsis doesn’t say too much (and neither will I), it’s clear when you start reading that this isn’t all going to be plain sailing.

The three main characters were all extremely likeable and their lives were full and happy for the most part. Hallie is the one who has an illness. It doesn’t stop her trying to do things, but with the clock ticking it seems like she really doesn’t have much time left. I really liked Hallie and her condition (which I confess I know nothing about) was written about sympathetically without it being ‘poor me’. I really liked her and she seemed like a ballsy kind of girl that would give anything a try.

There is also Flo who is the caring and nurturing one. She realises she has a problem when she falls for Zander, as his sister absolutely loathes Flo and is determined to make Flo’s life as difficult as possible. Lastly there is Tasha who made me laugh as we see her circumstances as she meets her boyfriend for the first time. I loved reading about all of the characters and the storylines have plenty going on in each of them.

However, as the book continues, you just know that the murky ‘elephant in the room’ is there waiting to happen and you just don’t know who it’s going to effect. Eventually the reader discovers that all three women are linked, it’s just a hell of a journey to find out how. I am very aware this review may sound sketchy but I really don’t want to spoil the plot for people. All I will say is that this book is the usual exceptionally high standard from Jill Mansell and has a few tears as well as laughter along the way. This is a wonderful book that I truly adored and enjoyed from the first page to the last. Jill Mansell continues to amaze me with each and every release, and somehow never disappoints me. 5 Stars from me!

Behind Closed Doors by Susan Lewis

51P7ZRVV0-L._SY346_

My Rating: 3/5

Synopsis: When fourteen-year-old Sophie Monroe suddenly vanishes one night it looks at first as though she’s run away from home. Her computer and mobile phone have gone, and she’s taken a bag full of clothes. As the police investigation unfolds a wealth of secrets from the surrounding community start coming to light. And it seems everyone has something to hide. For Detective Sergeant Andrea Lawrence, the case is a painful reminder of the tragedy that tore her family apart over twenty years ago. She is convinced there is more to Sophie’s disappearance than teenage rebellion. But is the past clouding her judgment, preventing her from seeing a truth that neither she, nor Sophie’s family, would ever want to face?

Kat’s Review: I am a fan if Susan Lewis and am rarely disappointed. This latest book didn’t disappoint me, but it felt like there was something missing. The one thing I really loved was the Detective Sergeant Andrea Lawrence. She had her own experience with missing persons and it makes her such an interesting character as her past inevitably affects her future. The story becomes quite involved quite quickly as the 14 year old Sophie Monroe goes missing. The parents are distraught and the police move quickly to try and establish if she has run away of her own choice.

The storyline was certainly engaging and like I say the lead character was great, but the whole time I was reading it I felt like there was something I just couldn’t connect with. Having said that, it was still an incredibly good read, I guess I just have high expectations from this long time and reassuringly good author. There were parts where I felt like things were dragging and I wasn’t as engaged as I normally would be.

Overall, an interesting and enjoyable read but not one of Susan Lewis best. I think when you buy an SL book you know you are in for a great story, but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.

SUMMER AT THE LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY BY JENNY COLGAN

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn’t be happier. Because Polly is in love: she’s in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she’s in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she’s in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.

And yet there’s something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that’s floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend’s fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he’d left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.

Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?

*Please note, If you plan on reading the first book, then do not continue to read this review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

My Review: OMG! I recently read The Little Beach Street Bakery and was overwhelmed. I just adored Polly Waterford as she makes a new life in Mount Polbearne. This time around we are back to re-visit them and it felt like I had never been away. Polly is now shacked up with her other half Huckle, and with her job at the bakery and weird choice of pet (a Puffin named Neil) life couldn’t be better.

However, things are about to change for Polly as her boss’ nephew turns up and starts creating havoc. In addition to the work issues Polly has, the recently widowed Selina turns up to live on the island. All of my favourite characters make a re-appearance too and I felt like I had never been away. Of course there is drama with a capital D, because wherever Polly goes, something just has to happen.

I was absolutely entranced from the first to the last page. I just adore Polly, Huckle, Neil and all the gang at Mount Polbearne and it felt like taking a holiday with friends. The story had funny moments, sad moments as well as the laugh out loud moments (especially where Neil is concerned). Jenny Colgan has a certain magic about her writing and it is always a joy to pick up one of her books and just escape from reality for a few hours. I am yet to not enjoy one of her books but Polly and the ‘Polbearne Posse’ are without a doubt my absolute favourites. This was a wonderful book that I didn’t want to end. Hugely recommended by me, that’s for sure!

The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alex Brown (Tindledale #1)

Synopsis: Heartbroken after being jilted at the altar, Sybil has been saved from despair by her knitting obsession and now her home is filled to bursting with tea cosies, bobble hats, and jumpers. But, after discovering that she may have perpetrated the cock-up of the century at work, Sybil decides to make a hasty exit and, just weeks before Christmas, runs away to the picturesque village of Tindledale.

There, Sybil discovers Hettie’s House of Haberdashery, an emporium dedicated to the world of knitting and needle craft. But Hettie, the outspoken octogenarian owner, is struggling and now the shop is due for closure. And when Hettie decides that Sybil’s wonderfully wacky Christmas jumpers are just the thing to add a bit of excitement to her window display, something miraculous starts to happen…

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Continue reading “The Great Christmas Knit Off by Alex Brown (Tindledale #1)”

As Good As It Gets by Fiona Gibson

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: “Midlife crisis? WHAT midlife crisis?!”

Charlotte Bristow is worried about her husband Will. Their fourteen years of marriage have been rather lovely so far, but things have been a bit odd lately. With their stunning 16-year-old daughter Rosie newly signed to a top modelling agency and Will recently out of a job, Charlotte can’t help but notice that things are changing in their household. As Will dusts down his old leather trousers and starts partying with their new, fun neighbours, Charlotte begins to wonder what on earth is going on. So when Fraser, Charlotte’s ex – and father of Rosie – suddenly arrives back on the scene, Charlotte starts to wonder what might have been…

Kat’s Review: Charlotte is a typical Mum to her kids Rosie and Ollie. She and her husband Will have been married for fourteen years and with Will unemployed life at home has become somewhat different. I liked Charlotte and instantly warmed to her. Life just ticks along and she constantly has to think about everybody else apart from herself.

When new neighbours move in across the road her husband’s behaviour changes and at that point Charlotte isn’t really sure what is going on. In addition to that Rosie, who is a typical 16 year old gets signed to a modelling agency and suddenly its all about the latest colour palette that’s in style.

This book had its funny moments and also some moments where I was sure the ending would be very predictable. Thankfully the ending was just right and the story certainly kept me entertained. I liked the characters and Fiona Gibson has managed to make it light-hearted enough that the characters are very real. Having said all of that there was something that was maybe missing from this latest book that has been there for previous ones. I’m not sure what it was exactly but certainly lacking its usual oomph. Even though that may sound like a negative it was still a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

The French for Christmas by FIona Valpy

My Rating: 4/5

Availability: Paperback, Kindle, Nook and Kobo

Synopsis: Evie used to LOVE Christmas, but this year she can’t wait for the tinsel and presents to be a distant memory.

When her best friends offer the use of their cottage in the beautiful French countryside, Evie jumps at the chance. With her soon-to-be-ex-husband, celebrity chef Will Brooke, plastered over the news with his latest ‘love interest’, leaving the country seems like the perfect plan.

Armed with her French grandmother’s tattered notebook of recipes, Evie is determined to ignore Christmas altogether and bake herself back to happiness.

And when Evie meets her next-door neighbour – the très gorgeous doctor Didier she finds a very willing taste-tester. But is it possible that he could be interested in more than just her Tarte Tatin?

My Review: I recently read on of Fiona’s other books The French for Love and really enjoyed it so was looking forward to reading this book. The main character Evie seems like such a sad and forlorn character in the beginning I wondered if life could ever look up for her. When her friends offer her their cottage in the rural countryside of France, Evie jumps at the chance to take some time out. Although it’s Christmas she wants to spend some time alone and recharge her batteries and try and get a fresh perspective on her life.

Although the reasons for Evie’s sadness are extremely sad Fiona Valpy manages to make this book more about hope and survival rather than a ‘poor me’ kind of book. She also does a wonderful job of making the reader feel like they are right next to Evie as she takes in her new surroundings. Her neighbours in France are not quite what she was expecting but the introduction of Didier the local doctor, and the elder couple Mathieu and Eliane are a pleasant addition.

In addition to the beautiful descriptions of this idyllic French house and area, we also get the mouth-watering descriptions of the beautiful food that Evie cooks. I did spend quite a bit of the time whilst reading this feeling extremely hungry! The story is a very happy and uplifting one which has the festive touches guaranteed to make for a wonderful Christmas read. It has everything you could want from a book for this time of year, all you need is the time to read it and a warm and cosy fire to sit in front of.

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

My Rating: 4/5

Availability: Hardback, Audio, Paperback (15.01.15), Kindle, Kobo and Nook

Synopsis: WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU BELIEVED TURNED OUT TO BE A LIE? Riley MacPherson is returning to her childhood home in North Carolina. A place that holds cherished memories. While clearing out the house she finds a box of old newspaper articles – and a shocking family secret begins to unravel. Riley has spent her whole life believing that her older sister Lisa died tragically as a teenager.

But now she’s starting to uncover the truth: her life has been built on a foundation of lies, told by everyone she loved. Lisa is alive. Alive and living under a new identity. But why exactly was she on the run all those years ago, and what secrets are being kept now? As Riley tries to separate reality from fiction, her discoveries call into question everything she thought she knew about her family. Can she find the strength inside herself to decide her future.

My Review: Riley MacPherson is the lead in this latest release from Diane Chamberlain. Riley is making her way back to North Carolina to sort out her father’s house shortly after he passes away. Whilst she is there she tries to communicate more with her elder brother Danny, who is practically a recluse. Having served and been severely injured in the war, Danny is a very difficult character to read. Riley’s elder sister Lisa is something of a taboo subject. All Riley grew up knowing was that her oldest sibling had committed suicide. However, when she starts organising things at her Dad’s house, she starts to realise that wasn’t the case.

Riley soon starts to uncover many secrets and the biggest one would be that her sister may still be alive. I wouldn’t say I instantly liked Riley, but her and her brother Danny were intriguing and made me want to read about them more. Like many others their family was a dysfunctional one and I wanted Danny and Riley to talk again. The story shows early on that there are many layers to the various stories and each one brings another emotional dilemma.

The really nice thing that I loved about this book was that nothing is ‘prettied up’, neither is it written without empathy. I really felt for the various situations Riley found herself in. There is also an extremely subtle thread of imminent danger to various characters which made the story that little bit more edgy. DC is also not afraid to touch on subjects that aren’t always easy to discuss, but does so with her beautiful writing skill in a way which is just perfect for the storyline. It was certainly a book that I didn’t want to put down that’s for sure. There was only one minor thing which threw it away from a 5 star read and that was the ending. Although I have since thought about it and I’m not sure any other ending would have fitted any better. I think the position Riley finds herself in the very end is just a sad ending maybe (I’m still not sure why I felt like that). Aside from that another wonderfully captivating read from Diane Chamberlain.

A Christmas To Remember by Jenny Hale

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Everyone loves Christmas – don’t they?

Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life. As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree! The only problem could be her boss… single-dad, Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realise he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter? As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realises that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… after all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it?

My Review: I feel very torn with this book. On the one hand I loved it and it’s a true romantics dream. On the other hand there was one minor irritant which was the main characters constant referral to self-help books…grr.it drove me mad. That aside, I absolutely loved reading this book. Carrie Blake is going to a new job as a nanny. The Fletcher family are a strange bunch when she first gets there and she instantly feels like maybe she won’t fit in.

What follows is the fairy-tale type of story that I absolutely love reading about. Carrie wasn’t necessarily easy to like, due mainly to the constant feeling of insecurity. I think the character minus the reference to self-help books would have been a lot more likeable. Adam Fletcher is a bit of a dark horse and seems to favour work over his children which Carrie just can’t work out. It seems before too long there is a lot more to the family than meets the eye.

I absolutely adored the rest of the Fletcher family, especially Adams parents, his sister Sharon and especially Grandpa Walter. With an especially festive feel this is the absolute perfect stocking filler and would be a perfect gift. A thoroughly enjoyable read from an author I haven’t read before. I will certainly be looking out for more by Jenny Hale and would definitely recommend this to put on your Christmas to read list.