REVIEW: This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

What a great debut from new author Sophie Cousens. Here's my review of this contemporary romcom.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 1 August 2020

The blurb 
When Minnie meets Quinn at a NYE party, it’s clear that they’ve got nothing in common – except for the strange fact of their being born in the same place at the same time on New Year’s Eve. He is a privileged party boy who believes the world is his for the taking. She is a hard-working realist, whose lack of confidence tends to hold her back.

Opposites don’t really attract…it’s not like this is a rom-com, right?

But if Quinn and Minnie are from different worlds, why do they keep bumping into each other? And why is it that each frustrating interaction somehow seems to push their lives in the right direction? Could it be that instead of clashing, their different outlooks might complement each other?

Perhaps now is the time for them to finally come together...

The Review
What a great debut from a new author. This is a contemporary love story featuring "love twins" jinxed Minnie and privileged Quinn. Minnie's jinx started (and is especially bad) around New Years which is also her birthday and also the day Quinn stole her name (as well the cash prize for being the first baby born in 1990). Despite being from such different worlds Minnie and Quinn are inexplicably drawn to each other, finally meeting on their 30th birthdays having crossed paths unknowingly many times before.

That's really the essence of this - fate and finding your "player two" - which is great and something I believe in (kinda) but the number of near meet cutes for this pair was slightly unbelievable. That said the author has an effortlessly easy writing style, cleverly intertwining the present-day story with these past fateful moments. As well as being told across multiple timelines, there's also two points of view Minnie's and Quinn's which is one of my favourite narratives.

Both main characters were engaging. I mean who couldn't like warm, funny, jinxed Minnie who takes losing her coat with house keys, getting puked on and locked in a of all night in her stride because that's just a typical New Year's Eve for her. But, like Minnie I fell for "cardboard girl" Quinn, a boy who seemingly has it all (looks, money, success) but because of family responsibilities can't entertain love, like the story of a penguin at a zoo who fell in love with a cardboard cutout that couldn't love him back.

There's lots of laugh in this and not just provided by Minnie's bad luck. One of my favourite moments being Leila's dream over-the-top Disney themed proposal complete with singing animals, knight in shining armour, mermaids and nutella pancakes only for Leila to reveal she had no recollection of ever having 'asked for such a thing.

The big thing I enjoyed about this was that it wasn't just a romance or even a romcom. It was about relationships in general between friends, family and of course of the romantic variety. It was also thought-provoking and dream inspiring with its sub plot of Minnie's pie business and typical New Year's Eve question of "where do you want to be this time next year?"

Finally, I enjoyed the London setting - who knew you could actually wild swim at Hampstead Heath?

The author
Sophie Cousens worked as a TV producer in London for more than twelve years. This Time Next Year is her debut novel.

Follow @SophieCous on Twitter. 

REVIEW: Just My Luck by Adele Parks

Having wanted to read best-selling author Adele Parks for ages, I'm pleased to share my review of her latest novel. I loved the concept of winning the lottery and it's impact on people, marriages and friendships but wanted a bit more drama and mystery to solve.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 14 May 2020

The blurb 
For fifteen years, Lexi and Jake have played the same six numbers with their friends, the Pearsons and the Heathcotes. But then, one Saturday night, the unthinkable happens. There’s a rift in the group. Someone doesn’t tell the truth. And soon after, six numbers come up which change everything forever.

Lexi and Jake have a ticket worth £18 million. And their friends are determined to claim a share of it.

The Review
This one got me pondering the definition of a psychological thriller. I expect drama, action, tension and most-importantly a mystery to solve - I want to try and work out 'who-dunnit' and why. So, in that respect this was quite slow paced as it was nearly two-thirds of the way in before there was any drama to unpick.

However, the definition of a psychological thriller is more about a story which emphasises the psychology of the characters and their emotional states and behaviour. So, from that respect this was totally a psychological thriller but it's definitely more a compelling tale of relationships, secrets and the dark sides of human nature. And, in hindsight I think that's what author Adele Parks is known for and the focus of her books - her astute observations of human nature.

Even without the drama and mystery that I was expecting the concept of winning the lottery and how much that would/could change your life was totally fascinating and more than enough to hook me in during the slow start. The question being would you be like Lexi who wanted to continue doing the job she loves, live in the same house and simply buy Teapig tea bags instead of own brand? Or would you be like Jake who wanted the biggest, flashier, most expensive or everything from clothes to Ferraris and houses just because he could.

You never truly know who you'd react and that's why Lexi is shocked as Jake changes from a loving family an into a frivolous, arrogant, self-obessessed man. I guess (hope) I'm more of a Lexi and that's why I took to her character - down-to-earth, kind and loyal. As the narrative is also mainly Lexi's point of view, with a few chapters from her fifteen-year-old daughter Emily, I also got to know and understand Lexi better than the other characters.

Once the mystery part got going there were a few twists and turns, but honestly I preferred the way it was going to the actual reveal. Disappointingly the author leaves a few questions unanswered with Lexi even saying "I guess that will remain a mystery for ever". I also didn't really understand the final chapter- I'm not sure if I just didn't get it or did but didn't see the point.

All-in-all an enjoyable, thought-provoking read but I wanted a bit more drama and mystery.

The author
Adele Parks is one the biggest selling women's fiction authors in the UK, having sold over a million copies of her novels.


Follow @adeleparks on Twitter or find out more at www.adeleparks.com

REVIEW: The Babysitter by Phoebe Morgan

I'm pleased to share my review of this well-written psychological thriller from author Phoebe Morgan. With thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 28 May 2020

The blurb 
On the hottest day of the year, Caroline Harvey is found dead in Suffolk. Her body is left draped over a cot – but the baby she was looking after is missing.  

Hundreds of miles away, Siobhan Dillon is on a luxurious family holiday in France when her husband, Callum, is arrested by French police on suspicion of murder.

As Siobhan’s perfect family is torn apart by the media in the nation’s frantic search for the missing baby, she desperately tries to piece together how Callum knew Caroline.

What happened that night? Was Caroline as innocent as she seemed – or was she hiding a secret of her own?

The Review
This was a good, solid whodunnit. A baby is missing, the babysitter is dead and the married man she was seeing has been arrested - but did he actually do it and if so, how does the baby fit into it all?

This is told in the viewpoints of the babysitter Caroline, Siobhan the wife and the investigating detective DC Wildy. The narrative also alternates between the present-day investigation, complete with excerpts of the police interviews (which I loved), and the days leading up to the murder. I really enjoyed Phoebe Morgan's writing style which was short and snappy, descriptive and clear, full of drama but to the point.

With a small pool of suspects (or characters) it was fairly easy to guess the murderer, the motive and backstories, particularly as all were fairly predictable and unremarkable. That's not a criticism though as I prefer that to plots that are so ridiculously obscure that they are totally unbelievable. Also while it was guessable it was only so just slightly ahead of the reveal so still kept my attention and whilst the murderer was guessable, what had happened to the baby wasn't at all.

So, like I said at the start this was a good, solid psychological thriller - not mind-blowing but very enjoyable all the same and definitely worth a read.

The author
Follow @Phoebe_A_Morgan on Twitter or find out more at phoebemorganauthor.com

REVIEW: His & Hers by Alice Feeney

I'm pleased to share my review of the latest novel from Alice Feeney which I found to be an addictive, unpredictable, page-turner with a great unexpected end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 28 May 2020

The blurb 
If there are two sides to every story, someone is always lying…

Jack: Three words to describe my wife: Beautiful. Ambitious. Unforgiving.
Anna: I only need one word to describe my husband: Liar.

When a woman is murdered in Blackdown village, newsreader Anna Andrews is reluctant to cover the case. Anna’s ex-husband, DCI Jack Harper, is suspicious of her involvement, until he becomes a suspect in his own murder investigation.

Someone is lying, and some secrets are worth killing to keep.

The Review
As the title implies this was written in my favourite style with chapters alternating between 'His and Hers' side of the story. 'His being DCI Jack Harper the police detective leading a murder investigation and 'hers' being Anna Andrews a news presenter covering the story - with both quickly realising that they knew the victim.

This was a real fast-paced, addictive, conundrum that kept me guessing from start to finish. I didn't guess the eventual identity of the killer, continually changing my mind with every twist and turn, and indeed every chapter as alternating between Jack and Anna's conflicting perspectives. I particularly loved the ending which apparently is a trademark of Alice Feeney but which having not read her before I was totally unprepared for. In explanation, you think it's all over when the author starts wrapping things up, having led you to a convincing conclusion, but then on the very last page she delivers a massive u-turn with one crazy last twist.

The author is also known for putting the psycho in psychological thriller - and this was no exception. Pretty much every character could be considered slightly psychotic or flawed, dysfunctional, dark and disturbing at the very least. Weirdly though, despite not being likeable, I still found myself rooting for some of the characters - and as such was really pleased with the unexpected swerve ending.

In terms of the plot itself there was quite a lot going on - and unnecessarily so in my opinion. There was obviously the murder investigation, which naturally was linked to a long buried but not forgotten secret, but there were also two other incidents. You could argue these added more intrigue, red herrings, etc and one perhaps did provide a bit of context but the other was really irrelevant and just devalued it a bit as I thought "really, all that happened to one person?' Just a warning too that there were some sensitive themes covered. I can't give specifics without spoiling the plot and it was nothing too disturbing but just a bit darker, gritted than some.

Overall an addictive, unpredictable, page-turner with a great unexpected ending - definitely worth a read.

The author
Follow @alicewriterland on Twitter or find out more at www.alicefeeney.com

REVIEW: Us Three by Ruth Jones

Not what I was expecting from Ruth Jones of 'Gavin and Stacey' fame but I'm thrilled to share my review of her second novel 'Us Three' as I totally loved it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb 
Meet Lana, Judith and Catrin. Best friends since primary school when they swore an oath on a Curly Wurly wrapper that they would always be there for each other, come what may.

After the trip of a lifetime, the three girls are closer than ever. But an unexpected turn of events shakes the foundation of their friendship to its core, leaving their future in doubt – there’s simply too much to forgive, let alone forget. An innocent childhood promise they once made now seems impossible to keep...

The Review
Ruth Jones is best known for 'Gavin and Stacey' aka outstanding and award-winning television comedy writing and as such I was expecting this to be a comedy. I was wrong but also pleasantly surprised.

This was about friendship; Lana, Judith and Catrin who swore on a Curly Wurly wrapper, aged eight, that they would be best friends forever. It's written in my favourite style with chapters effortlessly alternating between the three girls (with occasional guest chapters from one of the supporting cast) and three parts (or decades). We see how the girls navigate a lifetime of love, family life, work, betrayal, tragedy and life events that irreversibly shape each one and stretch their friendship to breaking point.

Of late I seem to have gravitated to romcoms (or thrillers), but one of my first and favourite ever authors is the late Maeve Binchy. And, in many ways, with its focus on relationships and their ever-changing dynamics, this reminded me of her and reignited my passion for this genre.

The three main characters are in their own words as different as "chalk, cheese and chocolate". But that's what made it so compelling as you see how each one handles life and the same events so differently. It also meant that I related to each one at different times. Ruth Jones describes each character so brilliantly that I felt like the fourth friend and that I'd also known them all my life.

The author
Follow @RuthJonesAuthor on Facebook.

REVIEW: My Lies, Your Lies by Susan Lewis

Here's my review of the gripping new book from bestselling author, Susan Lewis. I can't adequately put into words how well written and thought out this was in every respect. I literally cannot wait to read some of her other work.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The blurb 
His life was destroyed by a lie. Her life will be ruined by the truth.

Joely tells other people’s secrets for a living. As a ghost writer, she’s used to scandal – but this just might be her strangest assignment yet.

Freda has never told her story to anyone before. But now she’s ready to set the record straight and to right a wrong that’s haunted her for forty years.

Freda’s memoir begins with a 15-year-old girl falling madly in love with her teacher. It ends in a way Joely could never possibly have imagined. As the story unravels, Joely is spun deeper into a world of secrets and lies. Delving further into Freda’s past, Joely’s sure she can uncover the truth… But does she want to?

The Review
I've never read this author before and if I'm honest I found this a little hard to get into initially. First up there was a lot of talk about the main character's marriage breakdown and family relationships, which at the time seemed irrelevant particularly as I just wanted to get on with the mystery.

Chapters also switched between the present-day narrative and the past story of an as-yet-unidentified 15-year-old girl. The two were written in such different styles - and even fonts - that it was quite jarring and almost like reading two completely different books/authors.

Thirdly, Freda asks her ghost-writer Joely: "Do you think sex should be portrayed in graphic detail or should it be approached with the use of subtle innuendo and metaphor?" To which Joely answers: "Probably the latter" and with which I totally agree. And, as such some of the early extracts of the young girl were a bit much for me particularly given the nature/age of those involved. This leads me to a warning that this book does include paedophilia or more correctly hebephiliac (involving adolescents rather than children) - it's not stomach-churning but it is there nonetheless.

Anyway I preserved and I am so glad I did because from about a third of way in I became totally and completely hooked, didn't want it to end and would even go so far as to say one of favourite reads of the year so far. And, once you get into it you realise how relevant the seemingly irrelevant actually is, the reason for the different styles and the subject matter also becomes less significant.

Once underway this kept me continuously guessing - even though every single thing/sentence is totally relevant meaning that the clues are there all along, I just didn't predict any of the many twists and turns. And, there were so many (twists and turns), and Susan Lewis so masterful at dropping them at the exact right pace, ie just before you worked it out.

I also loved the characterisation and development. I don't want to give anything away but I was totally fascinated by one of the main characters who's somewhat accurately described as "Cool. Weird but cool." I loved the way that the others rallied around that person in the end despite some of the despicable things they'd done - it was a truly fitting and great ending. There's also a bit at the end where the 'weird character leaves a parting gift for another character which was genius and the exact thing that the character would've done if they were real.

I know (now) that the author is the best-selling author of over thirty gripping, page-turners but I can't adequately put into words how well written and thought out this was in every respect. I literally cannot wait to read some of her other work.

The author
Follow @susanlewisbooks on Twitter or find out more at susanlewis.com

REVIEW: The First Date by Zara Stoneley

Here's my review of the latest romantic comedy by Zara Stoneley - an author I've been meaning to read for ages. This was full of promise but unfortunately fell a bit flat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 24 April 2020

The blurb 
Right place. Right time. Wrong guy …

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up in person.

Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Stood up.

Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …

The Review
Zara Stoneley is described as an author of sex, scandal, live, lust and laughter. I was really looking forward to this expecting a witty, racy romcom but sadly found it a bit flat and a struggle to finish. I guess it had the sex, love and lust but was certainly missing the scandal and laughter.

The two main problems were the repetitiveness and the fact that nothing really happens. Newly single Rosie meets flirty, casual water Noah after her first date in fifteen years stands her up. Both obviously like each other, despite really not wanting to, and so run with the idea of Noah giving Rosie dating lessons pretty much as a reason to see each other again and again.

From the first meeting until the end, where they predictably and eventually get together, it's just a series of nice dates (aka lessons) between the same people, with the same feelings and intentions just a different setting/date activity each time. And, with no real drama, comedy or sub-plots it unfortunately starts to drag.

Also Rosie's dad is a cheater, Rosie's newly single, Rosie doesn't want to fall for a charmer and Rosie's pretty direct - I got it. I got it within the first few chapters yet the author felt the need to reiterate these things over and over again which was super repetitive and annoying.

Unfortunately, Rosie herself was also quite annoying as a character, moaning constantly about her Dad issues and wanting Noah to make all the moves or apologise even when she was the one in the wrong.

So, as much as I hate to say it disappointingly I just didn't really enjoy this - it definitely didn't live up to the blurb.

The author
Follow @ZaraStoneley on Twitter or find out more at www.zarastoneley.com

REVIEW: We Just Clicked by Anna Bell

Having absolutely loved this I am pleased to share my review the second novel from romantic comedy author Anna Bell. As one of the funniest books I've read in ages I totally recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The blurb 

Izzy Brown has always dreamed of being an Instagram influencer. So when fellow Instagrammer Luke suggests they ‘fake date’ to boost their profiles, Izzy says yes – against her better judgement.

Now Izzy’s profile tells the story of a confident, glamorous thirty-something with the perfect boyfriend, and her follower numbers are shooting upwards. So what if Izzy can’t stop bickering with Luke, his habit of checking his quiff in every single mirror is driving her insane, and behind the scenes she’s hiding a secret heartache? Everyone tells a few fibs on social media, right?

But when Izzy runs into Aidan, the mysterious stranger who saved her the day her world fell apart two years ago, major sparks start to fly between them. Izzy’s sure she can have the online success she’s always dreamed of, whilst continuing to fall in love – and heal her heart – in real life. After all, Aidan doesn’t use social media… what could possibly go wrong?

The Review
I absolutely loved this - one of the funniest books I've read in ages, perhaps even ever. 

The situational and observational humour was spot-on from the colleague who never makes tea to going out for the night but wondering how long you have to stay before it's acceptable to go home and get into your PJs. There's also the awkwardness of a glass-walled ensuite in your swanky hotel or not realising your girlfriend has a flat full of people when you start discussing your sex life over the flat' s intercom. 

A great contemporary story highlighting the difference between people's perfectly-filtered life online and their real life - including in Izzy's case a fake boyfriend. But, it wasn't all superficial hashtags though there's also deeper themes of a family moving on after the death of a loved one - which the author managed to blend seamlessly within the light-hearted romantic comedy. 

There's a great posse of characters from main character Izzy, whose feeds show Louboutins and candlelight dinners but really wears 80s slogan sweatshirts and eats ready-meals to work colleague Mrs Harris aka the winner of the Great Office Bake Off and also the one who never makes tea because of her dodgy knee. They are all people you'd love to know and be friends with in real life. I even loved fake boyfriend and fellow instagrammer, Luke, secretly hoping there were actually genuine feelings developing on his side.

I couldn't get enough of this, reading it at every opportunity and was gutted when the pages ran out as I just didn't want it to end. In case you hadn't guessed I would totally recommend this hilariously funny, fast-paced romance and can't wait to read more from this author.

The author
Follow @AnnaBell_writes on Twitter or find out more at www.annabellwrites.com