Tag: RATED 5/5

It’s Not Me, It’s You by Mhairi McFarlane

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Delia Moss isn’t quite sure where she went wrong. When she proposed and discovered her boyfriend was sleeping with someone else – she thought it was her fault. When she realised life would never be the same again – she thought it was her fault. And when he wanted her back like nothing had changed – Delia started to wonder if perhaps she was not to blame. From Newcastle to London and back again, with dodgy jobs, eccentric bosses and annoyingly handsome journalists thrown in, Delia must find out where her old self went – and if she can ever get her back.

My Review: I’ve read one other Mhairi McFarklane book and enjoyed it so was looking forward to reading this latest release. Delia Moss in the beginning seems a nice enough girl and living with her boyfriend Paul life seems to be reasonably good for her. However, when she proposes to her boyfriend she has no idea that it will lead to the discovery of his infidelity. From that very moment I was rooting for Delia to change her ways and tell him where to go. Thankfully we see Delia’s escape route and take the journey with her.

Her friend Emma lives in London and this is where Delia escapes to. What starts out as her taking some time out, becomes a whole lot more with some very funny moments along the way. In addition to Emma, Delia meets people such as Naan, Stephanie and Adam along with her new boss Kurt. All of the characters play their part and make for brilliantly compulsive reading.

Mhairi manages to capture the lovely ‘Geordie’ accent without overkill with some of Delia’s sayings, as well as making you feel like you are walking the streets of London with her. There were some moments where I wondered where the storyline was going, but when it all came together it was a fantastic read. I can honestly say having only read one of her previous books, that she may well be a somewhat under rated author. I know for a fact that I will be putting her straight on to my ‘definite to buy/read/follow’ list. A fantastic read, one which will make for a perfect summer holiday!

The Wronged by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #3)

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: When the going gets tough, the Butlers get even… ‘Murdered in 1980 she was, bless her. Now I’ll tell you the story of everything that’s happened since…’ No parent should ever have to bury their child, but God knows the Butlers have buried more than their fair share. Now, Vinny and Michael are planning the downfall of all who’ve wronged them. The Butlers don’t forgive or forget, and they take their secrets to the grave. As yet more tragic events rip the family apart, loyalties are on a knife edge. Times are changing in the East End, and the brothers who have always stuck together are at each other’s throats. As the old saying goes – you keep your friends close, and your enemies closer… But you keep your family right where you can see them. Continue reading “The Wronged by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #3)”

Forgive Me by Lesley Pearce

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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

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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!

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)

51wy1tj5uflSynopsis: 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)”

Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose (Cincinnati #1)

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Deacon Novak has returned home. The experienced FBI Agent knows that his move to Cincinnati’s Major Crime Enforcement Squad will be challenging, but the greater challenge will be saving his younger brother before he becomes the kind of criminal Deacon is chasing.

Faith Corcoran has escaped her identity. Being a therapist to victims of sex crimes was rewarding, but her work with their offenders has jeopardized her life. Her move represents a chance to build a new life in the empty old house her grandmother has left her.

What Faith doesn’t know is that a killer has made the house his playground, taking girls into the basement and murdering them. And now Faith is about disturb his fun.

With a murderer focused on her, Faith is going to have to put her trust in Deacon if she’s going to survive. Because this killer is always closer than she thinks….

My Review: I have always been a fan of Karen Rose books and was looking forward to reading this latest release, which also happens to be the first in a new series…yay! When I first started reading this I actually put it down after just 2 chapters. It just didn’t feel right and sometimes I need to go back to a book if I’m not in the mood. This was the right thing to do as when I re-visited again two weeks later I picked it up and then subsequently read at least half in on sitting!

Faith Corcoran is a character that took me a while to like. The book starts with Faith plucking up the courage to visit the house that her Grandmother left to her when she passed away. It’s at this early stage in the book when you realise that Faith is carrying way more baggage than most people and her career as a therapist has brought trouble and danger to her door. What starts as a seemingly innocent visit to the house sets off a chain of events that puts two young women’s lives in danger as well as that of Faith‘s.

The house that her Grandmother had left her turns out to be the scene of particularly harrowing crimes and is just the start of a horrific game of cat and mouse between the killer and the FBI. At this point enter Deacon Novak, the FBI agent that has returned to his home town of Cincinnati to save his younger brother from a life of crime. When he gets called to his first scene he is instantly taken by Faith. I must just point out that Deacon Novak is a brilliant lead character and is so unique in his description that he instantly remains in your memory bank!

The story is packed full of suspense with the suspicion seemingly falling on more than one person. I found myself being more and more drawn in as the story progressed. The only real negative is that at nearly 600 pages I thought the book was probably about 150 pages too long. That one small point aside I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to meeting not only Faith and Deacon, but Greg and Dani in the next book 2. 

THE LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY BY JENNY COLGAN

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Polly Waterford is recovering from a toxic relationship. Unable to afford their flat, she has to move miles away from everyone, to a sleepy little seaside resort in Cornwall, where she lives alone above an abandoned shop.

And so Polly takes out her frustrations on her favourite hobby: making bread. But what was previously a weekend diversion suddenly becomes far more important as she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, and each loaf becomes better and better. With nuts and seeds, olives and chorizo, with local honey (courtesy of local bee keeper, Huckle), and with reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes . . . And people start to hear about it.

Sometimes, bread really is life . . . And Polly is about to reclaim hers.

My Review: OH MY! I have read most of Jenny Colgan’s books and am very fond of her Rosie Hopkins books. However, MOVE OVER Rosie because Polly is in town! I picked this book up and did not put it down until I managed to finish it later that day. I just fell in love again and again, and now I feel a little bit sad that Polly is gone. The only thing that perked me up was the idea of a re-visit in the form of Jenny Colgan’s release in February 2015 entitled summer at The Little Beach Street Bakery.

Polly Waterford is by far one of my favourite characters this year. She is without a doubt a gem of a woman who I literally cannot wait to read about next year. Polly is having a tough time and when her and her partners business fails she ups sticks and moves into a ramshackle flat which is basically an abandoned shop. The sleepy little town she is residing in is the furthest from what she is used to as you can get. It’s essentially an island that is isolated once the tides turn and the bridge to the mainland is inaccessible.

The way Jenny describes the place made me fall in love with it and immediately want to visit. While Polly is trying to recover from her past toxic relationship she realises that she has a whole new host of problems to deal with, such as a job, not knowing anybody and living in a place that is fit to be knocked down. However, Polly is not a pushover and her character from start to finish is just perfect. She is very sarcastic but funny with it and one of her relationships made me chuckle and it was with a bird!!!!

I don’t want to delve too much into the storyline as I don’t want to spoil it for anybody but trust me when I say this is a magical book and one which I read in one sitting. Jenny Colgan has won me over with Polly, and although Rosie remains one of my favourites she is beaten to the post by the brilliant Polly Waterford. If you haven’t read a Jenny Colgan, then what are you waiting for? A magical and reality escaping haven, it’s a book you should definitely have in your collection

Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake by Sue Watson

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: For Tamsin Angel, Christmas is always the biggest and best… chic parties and a little showbiz sparkle are a must. This year though, things aren’t going quite as planned… 

With bailiffs suddenly at the door and her husband nowhere to be found, it looks like Christmas just got downsized. Moving into her sister’s one-bedroom flat, she wonders whether things will ever be the same again. 

After losing her husband on Christmas Eve, Sam Angel has rebuilt her life around her son Jacob and her new business – The White Angel Bakery. She’s also found herself a very handsome, loving boyfriend, but is struggling to let go of the past. 

Thrown together with a sprinkle of Christmas magic, Sam and Tamsin might just learn a little more about each other – and themselves. But when disaster strikes at the bakery, will they be able to save the day in time for Christmas? 

My Review: I was delighted that Sue Watson had produced a lovely Christmas book to get me through the next year until her next release. Thankfully this little baby could tide me over until then and FYI how lovely and Christmassy (that’s a real word you know) is the cover?! 

At 254 pages this felt a little bit too short for me but I forgive the wonderful Sue as the book was so enjoyable! I adored the two main characters of this story who are sisters from the get go! Sam Angel is the sensible sister, but having lost her husband on Christmas Eve she now dedicates her time to her Bakery and her son Jacob. Her elder sister Tamsin is living what appears to be the high life.

Although I loved both sisters Tamsin (also called Tammy) stole the limelight a little bit in my opinion. Tammy’s life is just about being seen at the right parties, with the right people and being the best at everything among the other women who are part of the ladies that lunch group. When Bailiffs arrive at her door everything in her life is taken from her in the blink of an eye and she literally has to start again! Tamsin in particular is a brilliant character, and one that you end up rooting for even though she makes some shocking decisions.

One thing Sue Watson has is this magical ability to create characters you connect with. In addition her humour is apparent throughout this, and every other book she writes. Some of the characters that she throws in the mix are hilarious and in this case it’s most definitely Mrs J. This book also manages to transport you into that very fluffy and warm and cosy Christmas that will soon be upon us. I can’t say this is my favourite as that is reserved for Love, Lies and Lemon Cake. All this book resulted in was me wanting to read what happens next for Tammy. A total tease until the next novel is released. Come on Sue, stop all that Social Networking malarkey and get writing woman!

But For The Grace of God by Paul Grzegorzek

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Life is about choices, those already made and those yet to come. 

For John Cooper, more than most, this is especially true. Lost, hopeless and alone, he drifts through the Brighton underworld, a slave to his heroin habit and all but forgetting the man he used to be as he succumbs, dose by dose, to the drug that is both sustaining and killing him. 

The only people of import in his life are Mandy, a 16 year old prostitute who he cares for like a daughter, and Phil, mid-thirties and suffering from autism, a fact that many of the local drug dealers use to their advantage as they get him to ferry drugs all over the city. 

When Phil dies of a suspected overdose, however, John’s long-buried instincts begin to rise to the surface. Knowing that his friend would never use drugs, he begins to investigate what he knows is a murder when the police fail to show any interest. 

Unwittingly, John plunges himself and everyone around him into a murky world of drugs, violence and betrayal, all the while struggling against the addiction that consumes him.

My Review: From the very beginning of this book I was gripped. John is, although an addict, an immensely likeably bloke. It seems like the only people in John’s life are a 16 year old prostitute Mandy and an autistic guy named Phil. Life is the norm’ for John as he goes about his days waiting for the next fix. When Phil is found dead John instantly knows he has been the victim of a murder and not suicide like the police seem to be convinced by. At this early stage in the book we see John suddenly show a side to him from his previous years, as a copper!

As the story heats up Joh struggles to get anybody to take him seriously, but his persistence means other people in his life pay the price. The knock on effect for John is one that will have him putting his own life at risk to tell the truth. Between that and watching him try desperately to kick the habit, you can’t help but root for him! I really liked some of the other characters that appear such as Hannah and Gareth Bell. The story itself was brilliant and I read this (for the second time) in just over a day. There is plenty of action, as well as some dark and very serious moments. The book had my emotions ping-ponging all over the shop. I can honestly say I enjoyed it as much the second time around (if not more). 

There is one thing that baffles me though about this author. Before anybody asks the question, no I am not related to him and no I do not get paid for my opinion! Why on earth after 4 amazing books has this guy not been picked up and handed a publishing deal on a plate? I am certainly not an expert on the matter but I know what I like and I read a hell of a lot of books each year. I think Publishers are majorly missing out with this guy and feel compelled to ask the question why???? Having checked the reviews from all 4 books on Amazon it seems like nearly 80% of his reviews rate his books at 4 or 5 stars. Sometimes the book world baffles me. All I can say is if you want a gripping and enthralling read for less than the cost of a pint, this bad boy is the one!