Tag: RATED 5/5

CHRISTMAS AT ROSIE HOPKINS SWEETSHOP OF DREAMS

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Curl up with Rosie her friends and her family as they prepare for a very special Christmas . . .

Rosie Hopkins is looking forward to Christmas in the little Derbyshire village of Lipton buried under a thick blanket of snow. Her sweetshop is festooned with striped candy canes large tempting piles of Turkish delight crinkling selection boxes and happy sticky children. She’s going to be spending it with her boyfriend Stephen and her family flying in from Australia. She can’t wait.

But when a tragedy strikes at the heart of their little community all of Rosie’s plans for the future seem to be blown apart. Can she build a life in Lipton? And is what’s best for the sweetshop also what’s best for Rosie?

My Review: I was so excited when I got an early copy of this book, because I only recently got around to reading the first book Rosie Hopkins Sweetshop of Dreams. I really enjoyed that and was excited to get stuck in to the follow up, which is set at Christmas (so perfect timing). First off I must just say that I LOVE Jenny Colgan covers, and this one is especially ‘christmassy’ (I know that’s not a word but you know what I mean). For those that haven’t read the first book, although it’s not a necessity I think it makes this book so much more enjoyable.

Although I really enjoyed the first Rosie book, I LOVED this one and it started from the first few pages. Mrs Colgan re-acquainted me with the main characters, Rosie and her live in boyfriend, grumpy but adorable Stephen; as well as Rosie’s cranky aunt Lillian who now lives in a home. There are also numerous characters that have progressed from the first book and we see them back in the second such as Tina, Moray and the strange and quirky young boy Eddison.

I felt like I had practically moved into the village within a matter of pages and found myself holding the book everywhere I went on the off chance I could squeeze a few more pages in. This time around Rosie’s family are making their way across the water from Oz and Rosie cannot wait to see them all. With the excitement of her family visiting, the running of the sweetshop and the general activity in the village; I almost felt as shocked as the characters were when a tragedy occurs in the village. This is a catalyst for quite a few things (which I can’t details because that would be spoilers!).

However, with the tragedy to one side, we see loads of things happen as a result of it and this includes some sad moments, as well as some legendary moments! There are some very funny scenes that go on featuring Lillian and Rosie’s Mum which had me giggling. These two particular characters make such a difference and are an absolute joy to read. There seemed to be a number of conclusions made with this follow up book which I was really chuffed about too.

All in all my review may sound vague, but I really wouldn’t want to spoil this for anyone as it was such a brilliant book. I couldn’t out it down from start to finish and think it was even better than the first one. It was full of love, laughter and plenty of tears and is without a doubt a perfect Christmas Present! Can’t recommend it highly enough and think that JC fans who are itching to get this will be thrilled!

Payback by Kimberley Chambers (Butlers #1)

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My Rating: 5/5

I need to start this review by explaining the fact that this is a follow up to the first book featuring the Butlers, entitled The Trap. If you haven’t already read this book then please don’t read this reviews as there will inevitably be spoilers in it. Kimberley Chambers came onto the Crime writing scene back in 2008, and has gone on to become an author which I can confidently place in my top 5. She created the series featuring the family’s the Mitchell’s and O’Hara’s and then last year she created a new series featuring the Butler family. I always felt that the characters in the Mitchell/O’Hara series would take some beating, but the Butlers are just as good. I apologise for the length of this review, but the book warrants a long review as there is so much to say.

We return to the Butlers lives following the death of Vinny and Michael’s brother Roy Butler and their cousin Lenny. Vinny Butler is the most ferocious of the Butlers and unfortunately has made many enemies on his journey to become a feared and well known face. Unfortunately some of his enemies are closer than he thinks. Vinny’s younger brother Michael also makes a return along with his wife Nancy and their kids. Nancy hasn’t been well and life has not been straightforward for Michael either. Nancy is trying to recover both in her health, and with her relationship to Michael. She also has the added pressure of trying to bond with Michael’s son Lee. Joanna is married to Vinny and has her own troubles as she struggles to bond with Vinny’s son (aptly named Little Vinnie) from another relationship. However, when she gives birth to Molly, Vinny changes for the better and Joanna wonders if the birth of his daughter will be the making of him.

As soon as I started this book I was drawn straight back into the crazy world of the Butlers. One thing that seems to be worlds apart from the Mitchell/O’Hara books and this series is the sheer volume of characters in this book. I’m not saying that as a negative, but there are a lot of characters and lots of threads to various storylines from start to finish. As plots go, this one was very detailed as there are so many things going on with various characters. This didn’t deter me, and actually I think if you love the story and characters (which I did from book 1) then it’s easy enough to keep track.

As per usual, there isn’t a moment without drama and the characters that make this book are endless. Thankfully the Butler’s Mum Queenie is back with a vengeance and still ruling her family along with her sister. We also see Vinny and Michael’s sister, Albie, Ahmed, Nancy’s parents and brother and Joanna’s mum and Dad to name a few. As usual, violence goes hand in hand with the Butlers and this book is no different. The story continues from book 1 and many issues from the previous book are brought up, dealt with, and then turned on their head to leave you hanging again (damn you Kim)! What I really loved was the fact that the women married to the Butler’s drive a lot of the storyline in this book and it gave it a different feel to the last one. I am keeping plot details to a bare minimum as to mention any of them would be considered spoilers in my mind. However, what you will find in this book is violence, treachery, drama, and a whole lot of people fitting each other up!

 What I will say is this. Kimberley Chambers has grafted her arse off on this book and it shows. Yes, it’s more detailed and longer (I think) than her other offerings, but I can understand why with so much ground and characters to cover. I picked this book up and didn’t want to put it down. I thought I had the answer to my questions about the story by around the last fifth of the book. That changed chapter by chapter until I literally got to the last few pages. Talk about a cliff hanger of an ending. This book, although different from the Mitchell/O’Hara series is absolutely brilliant and one that I think all her fans will love. Not only that, but by the last page, you become desperate for the next instalment. The last quarter of the book made me feel almost breathless with anticipation, and by the end I just felt shock! Shock that I didn’t see the ending coming, shock that I had to wait another whole year for the next part, and shock that ‘fuck it’ I’ve finished it now! The Mitchell’s and the O’Hara’s are still edging it slightly as my favourites but the Butler’s aren’t far behind.

I have a feeling I know where Kim is going with this book and the characters in the future, and whatever happens, if she carries on writing like this she will hit number one with every future book she writes. You lot have a little bit of a wait until this is published, but boy is it worth it! Make sure you get it pre-ordered now, because trust me, this book you won’t want to miss. KC, you’ve produced another amazing book, and I for on will be waiting with baited breath for the next book

Younger, Thinner, Blonder by Sue Watson

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Tough talking, ball busting, TV talk show host Tanya Travis is at the top of her game. For fifteen years she has steered The Truth With Tanya Travis to be a ratings winner, solving the problems of Britain’s great drug taking, shagging, DNA testing unwashed. But underneath the designer exterior, Tanya’s life isn’t so rosy. She is hounded by the press, who are desperate to prove her boyfriend’s infidelity, and her closest relationships are with her crazy Brooklyn agent and her sweet faced (but foul mouthed) cleaner. When reality TV show Celebrity Spa Trek comes knocking, Tanya turns them down flat, believing that her image and credentials as the Darling of Daytime raise her above participating. However, she may be forced to re-think when her carefully constructed life starts to come apart at the seams. With her relationship in crisis, her career on the line, and her finances in dire straits she may have to join the desperate gaggle of C-List wannabes trekking round Nepal after all…. 

My Review: Sue Watson’s debut novel Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes was released in 2012 and was an absolute winner with me. I was really excited and getting to read an early review copy of her new book and thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. If there are people out there that wants to read a thoroughly meaningful book with morals and meaning, then please don’t read this and then grumble. If, however, you are looking for an extremely humorous fictional take on what it’s like to be a failing celebrity then this will be a winner!

Initially I found it hard to get to grips with the lead in the book Tanya Travis and the beginning felt a little bit ‘bitty’. Luckily that lasted no more than a few chapters and I began to really like Tanya Travis. Yes, she is a daytime talk show and has the boyfriend, lifestyle and money to match; but we also get to see the normal side to this quirky and OCD inflicted character. Within the first quarter of the book the humour was ramped up and I found myself wondering why Sue Watson hasn’t been writing for longer. In addition to Tanya, we meet Tanya’s slightly eccentric and crazy agent Donna and the absolute legendary cleaner she employs, Astrid. One thing I will say is that in both of her books, there have been characters that haven’t necessarily taken the led but which you absolutely fall in love with, and Astrid is most certainly one of them!

When Tanya’s career takes a serious nosedive her life falls apart in front of the general public. With her life and career on the verge of crumbling, she manages to let her agent persuade her to take part in the reality TV show Celebrity Spa Trek. BY the second half of the book I didn’t want to put the book down. The cleaner Astrid had me in hysterics, and Tanya’s behaviour matched the hilarity. The section of the book where she takes part in the reality show doesn’t dominate the book, but certainly adds the extra layer in terms of characters. There were some brilliant characters and I couldn’t help making real life comparisons (which makes it even funnier).

I certainly guessed where the book would go towards the end, but am glad that it was written the way it was. I only have one criticism about this latest book and that is the cover! I know people may think that’s a trivial matter, but for some reason I just don’t think the cover is enough to make people want to pick it up if they were in a bookshop. The cover certainly doesn’t do justice to the book itself, that’s for sure.With the cover issue aside, I can honestly say that if you want a really funny book to transport you from everyday humdrums, and lift your mood then this is the book for you. This was an outstanding second book by Sue Watson which does exactly what it says on the tin. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Blood Whisperer by Zoe Sharp

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: The uncanny abilities of London crime-scene specialist Kelly Jacks to coax evidence from the most unpromising of crime scenes once earned her the nickname of The Blood Whisperer. Then six years ago all that changed. Kelly woke next to the butchered body of a man, the knife in her hands and no memory of what happened. She trusted the evidence would prove her innocent.

It didn’t.

Now released after serving her sentence for involuntary manslaughter, Kelly must try to piece her life back together. Shunned by former colleagues and friends, the only work she can get is with the crime-scene cleaning firm run by her old mentor. But old habits die hard. And when her instincts tell her things are not as they appear at the scene of a routine suicide, she can’t help but ask questions that somebody does not want answered.

Plunged into the nightmare of being branded a killer once again, Kelly is soon fleeing the police, Russian thugs and a local gangster. Betrayed at every turn, she is fast running out of options. But Kelly acquired a whole new set of skills on the inside. Now street-smart and wary, can she use everything she’s learned to evade capture and stay alive long enough to clear her name?

Kat’s Review: I have to clarify something from the outset! I started reading the Charlie Fox series from Book 1 not that long ago. I am currently up to book 4, yet my Mum and Sister are both now finished with book 10. This poses a number of problems for me; especially since they have started to “talk in code” because my mum is a nightmare for spoilers! So when I realised that I could beat them to it with a new standalone I was ecstatic. However, being a fan of the Fox series, there is always the question of whether another character can be created that will be as good. I can happily confirm that Zoe Sharp bloody well can!

Kelly Jacks is a character that I instantly fell in love with. She is in possibly the worst position possible having served time behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, and not only that but she was a serving police officer at the time. It took me a matter of pages rather than chapters to get into the story and it soon became apparent that Kelly Jacks has to now look out for number one. She is pretty guarded (understandable), and to people who don’t know her hard work (again totally get that!). She is currently working for another retired copper as a cleaner of crime scenes. Her working buddy Tyrone I really liked (although Zoe was NOT impressed with what happened there) as well as her boss and former colleague Ray.

Before long the story starts to unravel as Kelly’s casual observation that a crime scene looked wrong starts a chain reaction of death and some serious skulduggery. I found myself racing through the book as Kelly’s situation seemed to become more perilous with each nugget of information she uncovered. Before I knew it I was racing towards the end and once again feeling that feeling of disappointment that I had read it far too quickly! I just couldn’t help myself and think that Zoe Sharp fans will feel the same. I’m almost shocked that this is her first standalone book, although I’m secretly hoping we may see Kelly Jacks again in the future (I can dream). This was an outstanding book and one that I think people will love. If I were you, I’d get this either in your shopping basket or downloaded at the next available opportunity; I don’t think you will be disappointed.

For once, I am ahead of the game with both my Mum and Sister (ha ha) as they have yet to read it. Although no doubt I will have to suffer more talking in code regarding the Charlie Fox Series…best I get cracking with book 5.

Dishonour by Jacqui Rose

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: When Laila takes the chance of holding hands with her teenage crush Ray Ray on the walk home from school, she has no idea of the trouble she’s about to cause. Laila is sixteen years old and beautiful, kind and clever; traits liable to get her into trouble and make people dislike her. She doesn’t make her life any easier when she falls in love with an English boy, bringing shame on her family and attracting the attention of some very dangerous men. These men are always watching her and will stop at nothing to get things done their way.

Soon there’s a terrible ‘accident’ and Laila is forced to make a deal with the devil. And pay a very heavy price for breaking the rules. Laila has been forced to marry a cruel, controlling man by the people who are supposed to love her the most. Without anyone to help her, she has to find her own way out… 

Kat’s Review: Okay first off I am completely blaming Jacqui Rose for my tired and dishevelled state this morning. I only started her new book yesterday and found myself forcing myself to keep reading at 2am this morning! Her first two books were great, but this one…well it’s brilliant. Jacqui Rose is a relative newcomer to the Crime scene but with this book she is well and truly stamping her mark.

I started reading and was instantly taken into the shockingly controlling and abusive life of Laila. At sixteen she and her family are now living under the controlling ways of her uncle following her father’s death. I found myself horrified by the treatment she received and even more shockingly is that a case of this sort of treatment was recently in the news; proving this sort of thing still goes on. Following her treatment at the hands of her uncle Laila’s life takes a huge downward turn and things spiral out of her control.

On the other side of the coin we see Ray Ray and his family, with his father being the much feared gangster Freddie who is currently serving time. Jacqui Rose has created a story that had me well and truly hooked from the first to the very last page. SO much goes on with both Laila and Ray Ray and then add to the mix a crazed psychotic bloke named Arnold and you have yourself a tense read! There were some scenes in the book which were pretty graphic and made my stomach turn, but just proved that JR has done the job. If you haven’t read a Jacqui Rose book before maybe you should try because if you are a fan of people like Mandasue Heller and Kimberley Chambers, I PROMISE, you won’t be disappointed.

RUTHLESS BY JESSIE KEANE (ANNIE CARTER #5)

My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: SHE THOUGHT SHE’D SEEN THE BACK OF THE DELANEYS. HOW WRONG COULD SHE BE . . . Annie Carter should have demanded to see their bodies lying on a slab in the morgue, but she really believed the Delaney twins were gone from her life for good. Now sinister things are happening around her and Annie Carter is led to one terrifying conclusion: her bitter enemies, the Delaney twins, didn’t die all those years ago. They’re back and they want her, and her family, dead. This isn’t the first time someone has made an attempt on her life, yet she’s determined to make it the last. Nobody threatens Annie Carter and lives to tell the tale . . .

My Review: Well I have to start off this review by saying that if you haven’t read the other Jessie Keane books in the series (and you plan on doing so), then please do not read this review. Obviously if you are on the first or second book, there will inevitably be spoilers in this review! I was really looking forward to reading the next book in this series, especially with all the drama that has gone on in the past. We start off by seeing the Delaney twins making plans, yet as far as Annie Carter knew the Delaney twins were dead and buried. Of course, nothing is simple in Annie’s life, yet when things start getting dangerous a little closer to home she realises things are not that easy any more. She has her adult daughter Layla with her and her safety always comes first.

The one thing I love about this series is Annie Carter herself. She makes a brilliant lead character and I have always loved her and her husband, then ex-husband Max. One thing I forgot is just how damn good looking these two are (in my head of course). They are typical characters for the sort of lives they lead and they have to be hardened to things that normal people couldn’t cope with. The time frame for the Carter’s has now moved on to the eighties, and we also get to see Annie’s friend Dlly again, albeit briefly.
The story was gripping from the very beginning as you wonder whether the Delaney’s will actually make good on their plans. Added to this, we get to know Layla as a young adult and this is something that I think makes a great platform for a continuation of the Carter series of books (YAY). I have no idea if we will get to see any of the Carter’s again but I can live in hope:-) In this latest offering, we see the plot move between London and Ireland and it’s done (as usual) seamlessly. Jessie Keane has once again created a brilliant, gripping and thrilling book which I didn’t want to put down. The Carter’s have become one of my favourite series and I cannot wait for the next Jessie Keane book. It seems like the more she writes, the better she becomes. I can honestly say that if you haven’t read Jessie Keane before then you are seriously missing out

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 Keeper by Luke Delaney (Sean Corrigan #2)

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My Rating: 5/5

 Luke Delaney published his debut novel Cold Killing back in March 2013. I finally got around to reading it in May of the same year and literally couldn’t put it down. When I received an early copy of the second in this series featuring DI Sean Corrigan I couldn’t resist putting all my other books on hold. Sean Corrigan is a brilliant lead character. It’s hard to describe his ‘gift’ that he has for being able to walk in the killer’s shoes. His imagination lets him think just like the people he is chasing. In this current book, women start disappearing from their homes in broad daylight. Sean and his team need to work around the clock, and possibly against a crazy man’s timetable before women start turning up dead.

The first few chapters re-acquaint the reader with Sean and his team. DS Sally Jones is dealing with her own demons following the last case they worked on, and DS Dave Donnelly is as usual Sean’s right hand man. Both of these characters feature heavily in the book and they have both demanded my attention from book one. This follow up is no different, and each of the characters plays their part extraordinarily well. I’m surprised that this is only Delaney’s second novel. To those that maybe didn’t know you might assume he has been writing years. I think the authors previous years in the force has enabled him to put more experience than research into the book; and it shows!

From the very beginning we know who the killer is, there is no hiding from it. What the reader is treated to is the rather warped and sick world of Thomas Keller. What I really like about this book, is that although there are no surprises as such (like I said we know who the killer is), you instead feel like you are actually in the depth of a huge Murder Investigation. The added bonus about this book is Sean Corrigan himself. His character has a very dark side. Throughout this whole book you have that horrible feeling that he is teetering between good and evil. Is his ability to ‘recreate’ the killer’s thoughts and feelings pushing him closer to their world? From the beginning to the end it’s the pure chase that kept me hooked. It didn’t matter that I knew who was doing what, it still had me reading until late in the night.

I think Luke Delaney is set to be a big name in the crime genre. If he keeps this up, he will be on Peter James tail quicker than you can say Roy Grace. This latest instalment had me thoroughly gripped from start to finish. Yep, it scared the living daylights out of me (especially as the area it’s set in I live near to), but I truly am hooked and am eagerly anticipating the next one.  

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!

Me and Mr Jones by Lucy Diamond

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My Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Meet the women in love with three very different brothers . . .

Izzy’s determined to escape her troubled past with a new start by the sea – but flirtatious Charlie Jones is causing complications.

Alicia’s been happily married to loyal Hugh for years but secretly craves excitement. Maybe it’s time to spice things up?

Emma’s relationship with David was once fun and romantic but trying for a baby has taken its toll. Then temptation comes along . . .

As the future of the family’s B&B becomes uncertain, Izzy, Alicia and Emma are thrown together unexpectedly. It seems that keeping up with the Joneses is harder than anyone thought . . .

My Review: I started reading Lucy Diamond I think two years ago now. I have been trying to get through her back catalogue but when I got a review copy was dead chuffed and took it with me as my holiday read. Sadly, the book only got me as far as the airport and a 4 hour flight! Having said that, you may well realise I really liked it having finished it in such a short space of time.

As the title suggests, we meet Mr Jones; well actually we meet all the Mr Jones! Three brothers and their family are the heart of this latest story. Charlie Jones is the flighty brother who has trouble keeping his attention for longer than an advert. He is certainly the charmer of the group and when he meets Izzy, it seems he may well cause her trouble. Hugh Jones has been married to Alicia for years and although their relations ship has longevity, it seems that something is afoot as Alicia starts to secretly crave some excitement in her life. David Jones is married to Emma, but with the recent redundancy he suffered and Emma’s need for a child, things aren’t looking too rosy for them. Finally we meet the parents Eddie and Lillian. Eddie and Lillian run Mulberry House which is a guest house and the boys home they grew up in. When they decide it may be time to retire they look to the boys to see which one of them may be interested in taking it over.

Right from the outset I got drawn into this story. The three brothers are so different to each other and we get to see not only them but each wife in turn and what is going on with them. Within the first quarter of the book you are drawn into the family to the extent that you almost feel part of it! In addition to the family, we meet Izzy and her two girls. Izzy was quite simply a wonderful character even though her situation seemed so perilous all the time. For each family member I liked them the more I read about them. This was especially the case with the mother Lillian. By the end of the book I simply loved her and felt for her situation.

There are lots of issues dealt with in this book and as usual Lucy Diamond has dealt with all of them wonderfully. For some reason, every time I read a Lucy Diamond book, it makes me feel kind of inspired. I can’t quite put my finger on why or what it is exactly, but I always feel better about most things I think are un-manageable prior to reading one of her books. This wasn’t better than her last, but then I think Summer With My Sister will always be my number one LD book. Having said that I cannot see how anybody would be disappointed with this book and would highly recommend it!