Category: General Fiction

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: North Carolina, 1960. Newlywed Jane Forrester, fresh out of university, is seeking what most other women have shunned: a career. But life as a social worker is far from what she expected. Out amongst the rural Tobacco fields of Grace County, Jane encounters a world of extreme poverty that is far removed from the middle-class life she has grown up with. But worse is still to come. Working with the Hart family and their fifteen-year-old daughter Ivy, it’s not long before Jane uncovers a shocking secret, and is thrust into a moral dilemma that puts her career on the line, threatens to dissolve her marriage, and ultimately, determines the fate of Ivy and her family forever. Soon Jane is forced to take drastic action, and before long, there is no turning back.

My Review: I was unsure whether I would take to this book, especially since the setting is in rural North Carolina in the 1960’s. This was a time when race was divided and although we are now in the 20th century, racism is sadly still an issue for some in that part of the world. For that reason, I was undecided as to whether I really wanted to read this, but having read other DC books and loved them I started. I was pleased I made that choice as Diane Chamberlain has created a book that tells a story, and just that. She doesn’t sensationalise anything about it, but creates a story that will maybe make readers aware of the struggles that went on at that time.

Jane Forrester is far from the norm’ in the sixties as she is determined that although she is newly married, she still wants to have a career. I liked Jane and DC did an amazing job of recreating the unease that people felt in the sixties when women working was out of the ordinary. Very quickly we see Jane start her job as a social worker and are instantly taken into the world of the poorest people that are working in the tobacco fields. Ivy Hart is a young girl and lives with her Grandmother and sister. It took me not time to be transported to the conditions and type of life they had to lead.

As the story unfolds and we meet more workers and we begin to see the effects of the Eugenics Programme which was widely used in the sixties, and something I had never heard of until reading this book. As the book progresses you begin to see that there is a lot more to it that at first glance. The story peels back layers and weaves an absolutely gripping storyline making it impossible to stop reading. It’s a pretty sad story in one respect but one which had an absolutely amazing ending and a story that I loved from start to finish. Diane Chamberlain has singled herself out as an outstanding author by touching the reader emotionally, but at the same time still producing an amazing story which highlights historical events that some people may know nothing about.

This may not be for everybody as the subject matter may be too sensitive for some, but I found it absolutely gripping and would highly recommend it. It’s a book that will have remain in my memory banks for some time and I think if you haven’t read it you should certainly give it a try.

When Love Takes Over by Caroline Grace-Cassidy

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Mia Doyle has a talent for selling houses. She values her independence – weekly visits home for her Mam’s corned beef and cabbage are enough to bear! So when her boss cuts her wages and takes on his niece Anita to share commissions with her, it’s quite a blow. Worse still, the two women don’t see eye to eye.

Anita is dealing with a bad family situation and unfortunately she brings her problems to work. Mia is torn between sympathy for her and anger at her self-serving attitudes. Meanwhile Mia’s friend Carla needs her wholehearted approval when she decides to have a boob job to please her boyfriend – approval Mia is not able to give. Suddenly their rock-solid friendship seems more like quicksand. 

To add to Mia’s tensions, her love life is shaky too. When she first met Paul the Builder it was love at first sight – or so she thought. But what does he think? She really can’t tell as he blows hotter and colder than an Irish summer’s day. Then Mia takes on a client of Carla’s, the millionaire Gordon McHale who reveals a secret about Carla that Mia would prefer not to know. 

At a time when she needs to put the head down and get on with it, Mia is distracted by the disastrous events unfolding rapidly all around her. Suddenly she isn’t so sure she knows herself at all or has any idea of what she wants from life.

Continue reading “When Love Takes Over by Caroline Grace-Cassidy”

TEMPTING FATE BY JANE GREEN

My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: When Gabby first met Elliott she knew he was the man for her. In twenty years of marriage she has never doubted her love for him – even when he refused to give her the one thing she still wants most of all. But now their two daughters are growing up Gabby feels that time and her youth are slipping away. For the first time in her life she is restless. And then she meets Matt . . .

Intoxicated by the way this young, handsome and successful man makes her feel, Gabby is momentarily blind to what she stands to lose on this dangerous path. And in one reckless moment she destroys all that she holds dear.

Consumed by regret, Gabby does everything she can to repair the home she has broken. But are some betrayals too great to forgive?

My Review: I was looking forward to reading this latest release by Jane Green and as usual she hasn’t disappointed. Gabby and Elliot are a normal couple, and it’ clear from the outset, still very much in love. Gabby and her friend Claire often have discussions regarding women who risk it all by having an affair. We meet Gabby and Elliot and get a real feel for their everyday life along with their two teenage daughters. At first glance it seems like they are one of the few couples that are rock solid.

However, as time progresses we learn more about Gabby and after a while I could almost feel her lack of confidence in herself. On a girls night out she meets a young man called Matt and at that point it seems her life is altered. As soon as she meets Matt, I could feel Gabby changing. Jane Green has that knack of making the reader really feel what the character is experiencing. In this  case you can see what is happening in front of us, which is a slightly older woman being flattered and given attention. Matt has the ability to make Gabby feel a little bit dangerous and reckless.

Initially, I wasn’t sure how the story was going to play out, but wasn’t expecting what occurred. This is a story that is probably a real possibility for many women out there and although I know that what Gabby was doing was dangerous, I totally understood why she did it! The actual story isn’t particularly anything original, but Jane Green has managed to create a wonderful story out of something so ordinary; and more to the point, a story I didn’t want to put down.

I am rarely disappointed with a Jane Green book and this one is no different. I wouldn’t say it’s the best she has ever written, but was a book that I was thoroughly absorbed in. I’m already looking forward to the next book!

It’s Raining Men by Milly Johnson

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My Rating: 3/5

Synopsis: Best friends May, Lara and Clare are desperate for a holiday. They have been dreaming of a little cottage in the middle of nowhere, long walks in the country and just a bit of time away from it all. But when they arrive in Ren Dullem, a small Yorkshire seaside town, it seems it is not the place they thought it was…

May can’t wait to get away from men after being cruelly deceived. Then in Dullem she falls hook line and sinker at first glance for one of the inhabitants – but he’s already taken…

Lara is living with James and his awful step-children who taunt her with tales of his younger, prettier ex whom they adored – the woman who Lara walks in to find James in bed with despite all his protestations that he wouldn’t touch her again with a barge pole. Reeling from the hurt, she needs the sea air of Dullem to heal her. What she doesn’t need is to be constantly in battle with the owner of the holiday cottage – a man who is every bit as bitter and resentful and untrusting of the other sex as she is.

Clare’s kind, steady boyfriend Lud wants her to go and live abroad with him for two years, but she’s just been offered the promotion of a lifetime. It gives her the excuse she needs to end the relationship and find some single excitement which happens to turn up in the form of a very bad boy who is everything Lud isn’t – impulsive, wild and dangerous. Will this holiday be the break they all need? Or will the odd little town with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point…?

My Review: I was looking forward to reading the new Milly Johnson as there isn’t one of her books I have yet disliked! This one sounded interesting and I knew that it wouldn’t take me long to get into it, if her past books are anything to go by. I really liked the three main characters Lara, May and Clare. All of them were very different and as they prepare for their holiday you can see why things might go very wrong for all of them.

As soon as they arrive at Ren Dullem, they realise the place they are staying is not quite what they imagined. Milly Johnson did a stellar job of describing the quaint town and the mad and crazy characters that live there. The only thing that I found different in this book to other’s, is that I didn’t really feel like I had an opinion on the men of Ren Dullem either way. I was so indifferent I surprised myselfJ. By the end of the story I felt a little warmer towards them, but felt like we never really got to know them very well.

The girls on the other hand I felt we got to see for who they really were. I liked all of them, and felt like this highlighted just what Milly Johnson is fabulous at! She manages to create characters the reader really likes. This current book is no different and as more characters are added in, to weave the tale of the mysterious village, it makes the story so much more interesting. IF I am being 100% honest, there was one slightly ‘magical’ element to the story which just wasn’t to my taste. Thankfully, this didn’t deter from me liking the book. As usual Milly Johnson has created an enchanting book that I’m pretty sure the majority will like. It’s not one of my favourite MJ books, but I enjoyed it all the same.

A Night On The Orient Express by Veronica Henry

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My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: For one group of passengers settling in to their seats and taking their first sips of champagne, the journey from London to Venice is more than the trip of a lifetime. A mysterious errand; a promise made to a dying friend; an unexpected proposal; a secret reaching back a lifetime…As the train sweeps on, revelations, confessions and assignations unfold against the most romantic and infamous setting in the world.

My Review: I am a pretty big VH fan and was looking forward to her latest release. Especially when learning that this would be set on one of the most romantic places, the Orient Express! When I think of the Orient it automatically conjures up images of beautiful and romantic splendour! I would say the main characters of the book are Adele and her granddaughter Imogen. She sends Imogen on the Orient to collect a painting from a man named Jack. This in itself leads to another thread to the story whioch involves Adele’s past with Jack.

In addition to Imogen and Adele, we meet a couple that are in a relatively new relationship; Stephanie and Simon along with Simon’s kids. Archie and Emma both win a competition to have the ultimate blind date on the Orient Express, and finally Riley and Sylvie who are an older couple who have been friends for years and are taking their regular ‘birthday’ trip on the Orient. Initially, I was surprised to see so many characters, but this wasn’t a negative as such in my eyes. I liked all of the characters and was keen to see what happened to each of them.

Veronica Henry has managed to bring the trip and experience on the Orient to life for me. I could almost imagine myself taking the trip alongside these characters, and experiencing all the old fashioned glamour. There were two things that I wasn’t sure about with this book though. The first was the length of it, I have no idea if this was shorter than her usual books; or whether I just read it really quickly but it seemed to be far too short for my liking. The second thing was that although I enjoyed it, I almost felt like it was 4 short stories combined into one book. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I would love to see books on all the individual characters.

Overall, another great read by Veronica Henry and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I would love to think there could be a possibility of books following these characters onward (especially Archie and Emma!). Who knows….

Party Games by Jo Carnegie

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My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: I’m Vanessa Powell. People think they know me because I’m famous. They think I’ve got the world at my feet and the husband every woman wants to marry. But fame can be a lonely place and the perfect marriage can be even lonelier. Now someone’s come into my life who makes me feel alive. For the first time ever, I’m thinking about what I really want; no matter what the consequences.

My Review: As usual Jo Carnegie has delivered a book that brings to life the characters from yet another quirky village. The town of Beeversham is a small place but also lays claim to being home to some of the rich and famous. Vanessa Powell and her husband Conrad are one such couple. There are also additional characters such as Beau Rainford the local playboy, Beau’s brother Felix and his wife Ginny, Fleur and her Dad who live on a local farm, and Catherine, the once Editor of Soiree magazine and her husband and John. Now that may sound like a lot of characters (and that’s not all of them) but they all play a part in this story.

It was easy enough to get to know them all and what exactly went on behind closed doors. As the story gets past the initial ‘introduction’ stage Jo Carnegie starts launching all sorts of trouble onto the characters living in Beeversham. I really liked all the characters and found myself willing each of them to sort their lives out! There are plenty of threads to the story providing just enough drama, and plenty of moments that will have you laughing. Although the synopsis leads you to think that Vanessa Powell is the main character, each storyline and villager draws you in. Catherine’s story and character were actually my favourite although Vanessa drew a close second.

Jo has also introduced two men in the book, both whom I love! You have the naughty Beau who is adorable (even though he is a naughty Playboy), and then we have Dylan who is the Conrad’s gardener. Although these two played a big part in the story, I couldn’t help loving John who is Catherine’s husband. As always in a Carnegie book, the men play just as big a part as the women of the village; and frankly a wonderful distraction from all the drama in Beeversham!

This latest release of Jo Carnegie’s was a brilliant read, but if I’m being totally honest the Churchminster series is still my favourite! I would love to see whether she will continue this village with a new series as some of the characters were brilliant, but you maybe didn’t see enough of them! Although the Churchminster series pips this book to the post, if this were to continue I could see a brilliant series coming out of it. Although this isn’t maybe my favourite JC book so far, it was certainly a brilliant and entertaining read as usual. This will keep you entertained from start to finish!

About A Girl by Lindsey Kelk

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My Rating: 5/5

So I recently discovered that I was extremely behind with my reading and promptly picked up the last book Lindsey released in the I Heart Series and absolutely LOVED it! With Angela Clarke, the heroine of the series, fresh in my mind I wondered how I would feel about reading a Kelk book that didn’t feature Angela. I needn’t have worried.

Tess Brookes is a girl that likes to plan everything. From the very beginning I absolutely loved Tess. She is different from Angela Clarke, but a character I can see running for a long time! When her planned life starts to fall apart, Tess finds herself in an unusual position. She is without a job, hates her flatmate, and has had a fall out with her friend Charlie.

All in all life is not going to plan so when her demon flatmate Vanessa’s phone rings Tess answers it. In that split second she takes the ‘bull by the horns’, and decides to become somebody else. She pretends to be Vanessa, and finds herself on a plane, on the way top Hawaii, to do Vanessa’s job which just happens to be a photographer. Yes I know it all sounds crazy, but when you read the first few chapters it really isn’t that crazy at all. I was willing her to just go for it and I’d only known Tess for all of a few chapters!

As usual (with any Lindsey Kelk book), I was giggling like a schoolchild. I found the dialogue between some of the characters hilarious. The characters that featured also made the book so great. Nick was the journalist who turned up in Hawaii to help with the shoot and inevitably that causes Tess a whole host of problems. Then there is her new best friend Paige who is the creative Director. However, Kelk still made room for Tess’s slightly mental but absolutely brilliant best friend Amy. I normally don’t quote from books, but the last two Kelk has produced leaves me no other option! “The Andrex puppy had morphed into a Rottweiler and Cupid had traded his bow and arrow for an AK-47”. See what I mean, flipping brilliant!

This is what makes Lindsey Kelk’s books just that little bit moiré fabulous than others. She creates crazy characters that you end up wanting as your own best friend! From start to finish this book was absolutely brilliant. Yep, it certainly has an element of ‘un-realism’ (if that’s even a word) in them, but that’s why I read books like this.

I was truly sad to finish this book but have to say Kelk has managed to create another book that leaves you exasperated that you can’t reach out for the next one in the series. A perfect summer beach read that will have you giggling like a teenager into your Margarita!

The Husband Diet by Nancy Barone

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My Rating: 3/5

The Husband Diet is Nancy Barone’s debut novel and after reading it I have to say a pretty good one at that! This debut features Erica Cantelli is a mother whose husband Ira tells her constantly that she needs to lose weight. It didn’t take me long to like the main character Erica and you can tell by the way her life is that her sole focus is her children and husband. It also didn’t take me too long to loathe the selfish and pig-headed husband. Erica’s mother is also a hideous woman who does nothing but criticise Erica about anything and everything. Erica decides it time to turn her life around and makes positive changes.

Some of the highlights in the book for me were moment’s where Erica fantasises about killing her husband, and trying to buy healthy food in the shops to discover its half the size and tastes of nothing! There were quite a lot of funny moments in the book and it just made me root for Erica even more. She even starts dreaming of her children’s Principal Julian Foxham and along with her quest to improve herself, she starts to see some real changes in her life. The question is whether or not she can ever achieve her ideal dream of living in Tuscany.

This book didn’t stand out as particularly different from many other books in this genre I read. Having said that, I enjoyed the characters and the humour running through the book was brilliant from start to finish. I wouldn’t say this was the best book I have read but it is certainly a great debut novel and I would definitely look out for her next book as I think this may be an author that will improve with every book she writes.

Deep Blue Sea by Tasmina Perry

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My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Beneath the shimmering surface lies a dark secret…

Diana and Julian Denver have the world at their feet. With a blissful marriage, a darling son and beautiful homes in London and the country, Diana’s life, to the outside world, is perfect. But nothing is as it seems…

When Julian dies suddenly and tragically, Diana is convinced there is more to it than meets the eye. She calls on the one person she had never wanted to see again – her sister, Rachel.

A former tabloid reporter, Rachel appears to be living the dream as a diving instructor on a Thai island. The truth is she’s in exile, estranged from her family and driven from her career by Fleet Street’s phone-hacking scandal.

For Rachel, Diana’s request opens old wounds. But she is determined to make amends for the past, and embarks on a treacherous journey to uncover the truth – wherever it may lead…

My Review: Tasmina Perry has been on my must read list for some time now. With her latest release Deep Blue Sea (being her 8th release) out; I was looking forward to delving into another rich and glamorous story. The premise sounds great, with a wealthy couple Diana and Julian Denver seemingly having it all. However, when Julian commits suicide Diana realises she needs to reach out to her estranged sister for help.

Rachel is Diana’s sister and is currently living in Thailand following the death of her career surrounding a phone hacking scandal. When Diana reaches out for help, Rachel decides it’s high time to try and make amends with her family. And so begins a journey across many countries to find the answers behind Julian’s death. As usual Tasmina Perry certainly weaves a great tale; however I had real issues with Diana. Rachel I really liked, especially as she was the underdog, but Diana was just too frail and pathetic for my liking.

With that one small flaw out the way, I can honestly say the story itself certainly didn’t disappoint. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue and the more questions Rachel asks, the more questions it raises too. There were a few additional characters I really liked such as Rachel’s business partner Liam and her old colleague Ross. There were lost of dark and murky elements to the storyline including affairs, drugs and contested will. Overall it was again what I would rate a success from Perry, however it lacked that certain something to make it a 5 star read from me. Still a solid 4/5 book and one that I think her fans will love. 

I Heart London by Lindsey Kelk (I Heart #5)

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Angela’s back on home turf – and in her biggest romantic scrape yet…Angela Clark has fallen in love with America – and it’s starting to love her back. Throw one expired visa into the mix, and things quickly take a turn for the worse. She might love her life as a Brit in New York, but now she has no choice but to return to London. Not only does she leave behind her gorgeous boyfriend Alex – she must also face unfinished business back on home turf. There’s the ex-boyfriend – who she moved to New York to get away from. Then there’s her best friend, with her perfect new baby. And there’s her mum. Now, there’s another wedding in the offing – and everyone remembers how well the last one went . . .

 *Please note, if you are planning on reading this series from the beginning then do not read this review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

My Review: I have grown to love this series more and more, however this latest release is the cream of the crop in my eyes. With Angela visiting London and being on home turf is bound to bring more trouble and chaos, as it normally does with Angela. With loads going on when Angela gets home such as meeting her ex-fiancée, seeing her best friend Louisa and the new baby, as well as he own wedding. In true Angela Clark style things go from bad to worse from the outset. Having left her boyfriend Alex at home, it leaves even more room for drama too.

We also see the return of her other friend Jenny Lopez who I absolutely love. She is the complete opposite of Louisa and is brash, rude but downright entertaining. On my morning commute (which was atrocious as usual) I found that it was a lot more enjoyable than normal, and I need to thank Lindsey Kelk for that. I don’t often quote bits of books, but this had me laughing so hard I didn’t care about being squashed for the last three stops of my tube journey. Angela’s friend is explaining that the only way her baby stops crying is by watching certain TV programmes.

‘Top Gear and The Only Way is Essex’ she sighed. ‘Three months old and she’s already a fake-tanned boy racer with a vajazzle’.

It was lines like that that had me chuckling throughout the book. From start to finish I was, as usual, engrossed. I absolutely love all of the characters and especially Angela’s parents. I love the fact that we are seeing her grow up and make her numerous mistakes, although they are normally slightly bigger than mistakes! All in all, an absolute corker of a book in this series by Kelk (her best yet!) and I am looking forward to the next one!