General Fiction – Page 3 – Best Crime Books and More

ESCAPE TO THE FRENCH FARMHOUSE BY JO THOMAS

Synopsis: Del and her husband Ollie moved to a beautiful village in Provence for a fresh start after years of infertility struggles. But six weeks after they arrive, they’re packing the removal van once more. As Del watches the van leave for England, she suddenly realises exactly what will make her happier…a new life in France – without Ollie.

Now alone, all Del has is a crumbling farmhouse, a mortgage to pay and a few lavender plants. What on earth is she going to do? After discovering an old recipe book at the market run by the rather attractive Fabian, Del starts to bake. But can her new-found passion really help her let go of the past and lead to true happiness?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I am a recent fan of Jo Thomas books and was pleased to see another one I had yet to read. Del is our lead character and she has been living in France with her husband Ollie. She has a moment of realisation as she decides that their relationship is over and she wants to make a go of it in France on her own. Once alone she wonders what on earth she has done.

Jo Thomas has an amazing knack of being so descriptive that you are in the place with the character. As we see Del start to tackle her current predicament we also get to meet other people living in her village. Del slowly starts to become a part of the village and creates new and lasting friendships. Stefanie becomes another character that has a huge impact in Del’s life along with Fabien and a number of other characters.

This story is escapism at it’s finest and was a pure joy to read. It transported me to somebody else’s world where village life and the farmhouse along with its lavender became the focal point. I really am a true JT fan now and will look forward to reading another book by this great author.

I Found You by Lisa Jewell

Synopsis: Everyone has secrets. What if you can’t remember yours?

‘How long have you been sitting out here?’

‘I got here yesterday.’

‘Where did you come from?’

‘I have no idea.’

Lily has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night, she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one.

Alice finds a man on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, no idea what he is doing there. Against her better judgement, she invites him into her home.

But who is he, and how can she trust a man who has lost his memory?

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I find with Lisa Jewell books I either love them or I feel indifferent, there never seems to be an in-between…until now! Alice is our first introduction and she sees a man sitting on a beach. What starts as a mere conversation to check on his wellbeing turns into a mission to help this man who has lost his memory! I liked Alice but found the whole storyline a little incredulous and that sort of put the mockers on it for me.

Aside from not liking the idea behind the story, the writing itself and the characters I had no problem with. As time passes Alice and her new found friend ‘Frank’ start to try and uncover his past and this seems to happen in stages. In another are entirely waits Lily a newly married woman whose husband failed to come home.

Now it didn’t take a genius to figure out which element of the story fitted in where however the reasoning behind it was not something I was prepared for. I would say this book is a little out of the ordinary and certainly not a bad book, just one that I didn’t entirely gel with.

The Friend by Dorothy Koomson

Synopsis: What secrets would you kill to keep?

After her husband’s big promotion, Cece Solarin arrives in Brighton with their three children, ready to start afresh. But their new neighbourhood has a deadly secret.

Three weeks earlier, Yvonne, a very popular parent, was almost murdered in the grounds of the local school – the same school where Cece has unwittingly enrolled her children.

Already anxious about making friends when the parents seem so cliquey, Cece is now also worried about her children’s safety. By chance she meets Maxie, Anaya and Hazel, three very different school mothers who make her feel welcome and reassure her about her new life.

That is until Cece discovers the police believe one of her new friends tried to kill Yvonne. Reluctant to spy on her friends but determined to discover the truth, Cece must uncover the potential murderer before they strike again . . .

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: It’s been a while since I have read a Dorothy Koomson and I am now very glad I decided to pick this one up. The main storyline focuses in the beginning on Cece who has oved to Brighton with her three children following her husbands job opportunity. Cece is so easy to engage with as our main character and she is desperately trying to find her feet and meet new people in the area. She meets some of the school Mums namely Maxie, Anaya and Hazel but she soon realises there is something going on. All she knows is that it involves their other friend Yvonne.

What starts out as Cece just trying to meet new people seems to start a chain reaction that has consequences for everybody involved. I don’t want to say too much more about the storyline for fear of spoiling it for other people. What I will say is that this absolutely gripped me. As the chapters went by there seemed to be only more questions raised and the intensity seemed to rise with each chapter I read.

By the time I finished this I was truly sorry I had read so quickly. This was an all encompassing read that was absolutely brilliant and I would highly recommend

The Promise by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis: When faced with the sudden death of his brother, Dan’s mission is clear. He puts together a project to help pick up the pieces and support his grieving sister-in-law Zoe, plus her young children. This is Dan’s promise – to ensure his family’s happiness, and to try and live up to the man his brother was.

But tying up loose ends brings a shocking secret to light, and calls into question everything Dan knew about his older brother. With more than just his promise on the line, Dan is faced with an ultimatum: Should he tell the truth and risk his family’s fragile happiness, or will his brother’s secrets end up becoming his own?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: When Patrick Sheppard dies suddenly his brother is plunged into a place where he is lost and isn’t quite sure what to do. It’s clear from the outset that Dan feels a little responsible for his brother dying and although as the reader we don’t know what happened on that fateful evening, it’s clear that Dan needs to try and help in any way he can. It’s them that he decides to try and be there and support Dan’s wife Zoe and the three kids, his niece Bea and nephews Ethan and Gabe. He has absolutely no clue what Patrick’s life was like and even less idea about helping run a family home.

Dan is a very endearing character and you can’t help but feel for him as he tries and then fails miserably to get everything right. All of the characters that are in this story are easy to read about and likeable. As the story progresses the reader gets to see that everything was not as it seemed and we take the journey alongside Dan as he uncovers secrets that he knew nothing about. A lovely read that kept me intrigued about everybody in the story and a book I would definitely recommend.

Something to Tell You by Lucy Diamond

Synopsis: When Frankie stumbles upon an unopened letter from her late mother, she’s delighted to have one last message from her . . . until she reads the contents and discovers the truth about her birth. Brimming with questions, she travels to York to seek further answers from the Mortimer family, but her appearance sends shockwaves through them all.

Meanwhile, Robyn Mortimer has problems of her own. Her husband has become distant, and she begins to wonder exactly what he’s keeping hidden. Dare she find out more?

As for Bunny, she fell head over heels in love when she first arrived in town, but now it seems her past is catching up with her. She can’t help wondering if her relationship will survive when everyone discovers who she really is – and what she did.

As secrets tumble out and loyalties are tested, the Mortimers have to face up to some difficult decisions. With love, betrayal and dramatic revelations in the mix, this is one summer they’ll never forget.

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: I would definitely say I am a fan of Lucy Diamond and as much as this book was very enjoyable and passed the time it certainly wasn’t one of my favourites from this author. We meet Frankie who has found a letter from her late mother and it’s a gift and a curse all in one. The letter explains about her father along with his name and all of this comes as such a surprise her impromptu trip ends up not going quite as she expected it to.

Frankie takes a chance and travels to York and ends up stumbling into the middle of a party to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Harry and Jeanie Mortimer. Of course this becomes an instant bombshell among the Mortimer family and as such the dominoes start to fall. I actually liked reading about the various Mortimer family members however there are a lot of threads to the story which normally doesn’t bother me too much but for some reason it seemed a little too much with this story.

It was certainly an enjoyable read and an author that I will continue to read, however this one just wasn’t one of my favourites

Faking Friends by Jane Fallon

Synopsis: Best friend, soulmate . . . backstabber? Amy thought she knew everything about her best friend Melissa. And she also thought she was about to marry the man of her dream. Until she discovers he has been having an affair . . . and Melissa is The Other Woman. In one disastrous weekend she has lost her home, her fiancé and her best friend. But instead of falling apart, she is determined to get her own back . . .

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Well my first book by this author and to be honesty probably won’t be my last. I won’t bore readers with the synopsis as that can be found in the book description, however what I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! No it isn’t a totally original idea and it’s a tried and tested formula that works…but for a reason. Amy is our lead character and she is extremely likeable if a little naïve. Her best friend Melissa along with Amy’s boyfriend Jack form the main storyline. In a nutshell (and trust me it’s not a spoiler) Amy finds out that Jack is cheating on her with her best friend Melissa. Amy decides that revenge is the order of the day and this is where the book comes into its own. Continue reading “Faking Friends by Jane Fallon”

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Synopsis: Carmen has always worked in her local department store. So, when the gorgeous old building closes its doors for good, she is more than a little lost.

When her sister, Sofia, mentions an opportunity in Edinburgh – a cute little bookshop, the spare room in her house – Carmen is reluctant, she was never very good at accepting help. But, short on options, she soon finds herself pulling into the snowy city just a month before Christmas.

What Sofia didn’t say is that the shop is on its last legs and that if Carmen can’t help turn things around before Christmas, the owner will be forced to sell. Privately, Sofia is sure it will take more than a miracle to save the store, but maybe this Christmas, Carmen might surprise them all… Continue reading “The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan”

Hope and Happiness in Bluebell Wood by Ali McNamara

HAHIBW Synopsis: Ava loves city life but when something happens to make her feel unsafe, she retreats to the calm and quiet of Bluebell Wood. The once high-flying Ava now locks herself away in her fairy-tale cottage, only leaving to explore the trails of the nearby woods or to potter in the garden with her dog, Merlin.

When Ava begins to feed the wild birds that flock to her bird table, they start leaving her trinkets of appreciation in return. The gifts seem innocent at first, but they soon seem to take on a deeper meaning.

It isn’t until Ava meets Callum, the handsome parish priest, that she can’t help but wonder if the birds might have been trying to get her out of the house all along. But will their curious behaviour help to heal Ava, and transform her and Callum into the lovebirds they clearly long to be?

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I have to admit that I am a big Ali McNamara fan and every time I read one of her books I am reminded why! This was an absoluteky joyous book to read. Due to the sheer volume of death and destruction I read about within the thriller books I love, it’s always nice to have a reprieve from that and this is the perfect solution! Ava has given up city life to try living among the peacefull Bluebell Wood. As a reader you don’t know her exact circumstances until much later in the book, you only know she is crippled by anxiety. AMN has such flair when decsribing these beautiful fictional towns that you almost want to go there on holiday.

Ava is struggling but persisting in her need to get over her problems such as leaving the house. Somehow Bluebell Wood and the retal cottage she is staying in seem to cast a spell over her. You get to meet many villagers including Callum the parish priest. Ava also shares her journey with Marvin her new dog. There is something so calming about the book, the characters and the setting. It was a purejoy to read something so lovely and it certainly put a smile on my face.There are many that say these type of books are too predictable but thats the joy of these books. They may have a sad story behind varioud characters but it’s the joy in seeing them grow, adapt and overcome. Another wonderful book by an author I think is amazing!

A Family Recipe by Veronica Henry

A Family Recipe Synopsis: Laura Griffin is preparing for an empty nest. The thought of Number 11 Lark Hill falling silent – a home usually bustling with noise, people and the fragrant smells of something cooking on the Aga – seems impossible. Laura hopes it will mean more time for herself, and more time with her husband, Dom.

But when an exposed secret shakes their marriage, Laura suddenly feels as though her family is shrinking around her. Feeling lost, she turns to her greatest comfort: her grandmother’s recipe box, a treasured collection dating back to the Second World War. Everyone has always adored Laura’s jams and chutneys, piled their sandwiches high with her pickles . . . Inspired by a bit of the old Blitz spirit, Laura has an idea that gives her a fresh sense of purpose.

Full of fierce determination, Laura starts carving her own path. But even the bravest woman needs the people who love her. And now, they need her in return .

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: I have really enjoyed Veronica Henry’s books in the past but this felt like a step up from anything she has written in the past. It was an amazingly good read full of warmth, feeling, love, laughter and tears across two timelines. Lark Hill in Bath with the character Laura is front and centre with this story. Laura is suffering empty nest syndrome when her youngest daughter Willow leaves for University. With her elder daughter already at Uni she finds herself struggling to find her place. Laura’s grandmother Kanga (AKA Jilly) lives on the grounds in the smaller house having given up her house for Laura and her husband Dom to raise their family. In addition to seeing Laura and Dom’s life in current time, we also see Jilly living through the Blitz in the 1940’s.

Both storylines were totally engaging and full of emotion to the point that I really didn’t want to put the book down. Its a real story of overcoming adversity and in the case of Jilly and Laura their love of food and family recipes is one of the key things that they are both drawn to. I don’t need to share any more of the storyline because it will just ruin the book so please take my advice, pick this one up I really don’t think you will regret it!

Sunrise by the Sea by Jenny Colgan (Mure 4)

41MfLOxFySL Synopsis: When she is given the opportunity to move to a remote tidal island off the Cornish Coast, Marisa Rossi decides some peace and quiet might be just what she needs.

Since the death of her beloved grandfather back in Italy, she’s been struggling to find a way out of her grief. Perhaps this will be the perfect place for her to recuperate.

But Mount Polbearne is a far cry from the sleepy little place she was imagining. Between her noisy piano-teaching Russian neighbour and the hustle and bustle of a busy community, Marisa finds solitude is not so easy to come by. Especially when she finds herself somehow involved with a tiny local bakery desperately in need of some new zest to save it . . .

My Rating: 5/5

My Review: Oh how I have missed Mount Polbearne! I was SO excited that this latest book was set in one of my favourite fictional places. We get to see characters from other books such as Polly (but don’t worry if you haven’t read previous books as this won’t affect reading this as a standalone). Marisa Rossi sadly loses her Grandfather and spirals into a place where she cannot function and her solution to this issue is to move to Mount Polbearne which should give her the peace and space she needs to grieve. She didn’t count on a noisy piano teacher Alexei from Russia as her new neighbour.

Polly and her husband Huckle are having financial problems with their bakery and we get to catch up on their lives. When disaster strikes Marisa manages to become involved in the solution to fixing Polly’s problems. As such Polly unwittingly manages to help Marisa deal with her grief and build her confidence once again. These Plobearne books are pure escapism and are books that I think I could read over and over again and still enjoy just as much. Another brilliant book that delivers pure escapism at its finest.