Best of April 2021

Don't let April showers get you down. Just stay inside with one of these great reads instead....

#1 The Summer Job by Lizzie Dent (15 Apr 2021)

Can Birdy carry off a summer at a luxury Scottish hotel pretending to be her best friend (who incidentally is a world-class wine expert)? And can she stop herself from falling for the first man she's ever actually liked (but who thinks she's someone else).

In my opinion: ★★★★★

LOVED IT! A great story about a "ramshackle family hotel.....trying so desperately to be grander and more magnificent than it was....filled with imperfect people, all muddling along together with their ridiculous flaws and gigantic hearts". But, it was totally main character, Elizabeth Finch or Birdy to her friends, that made this for me. She's a wonderfully boisterous, attention-seeking, risk-taking, sarcastic gobshite or a thirty-one year old girl "lacking in credentials and experience".

But, mostly she's hilarious as this quote shows where Birdy is about to finally get it on with James: "I stink. I haven't had a shower and I'm still wearing yesterday's knickers. Oh, and in this light, I'd better warn you, there will be some disappointments." Or "Sorry, James, I'm a total mess. I'd like to say it gets better than this, but it really doesn't." She's also totally relatable. I could particularly relate to this one: "No one in history has moaned about bosses as much as me....Almost every boss I've ever had has fallen short in every conceivable way." Its written in the first person with plenty of random musings about anything and everything. 

#2 Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane (1 Apr 2021)

Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been friends since they were eighteen. Now in their 30s, the four are still as close as ever, and Eve is still secretly in love with Ed. Then one night, in an instant, all their lives change forever. And, as Eve learns she didn’t know her friends as well as she thought, she also discovers she isn’t the only person keeping secrets…

In my opinion: ★★★★★

I didn't even read the blurb for this, I just saw Mhairi McFarlane and thought must-read as I loved her previous book - so funny. Well WOW this couldn't have been more different yet at the same time similar. Like 'If I Never Met You' this was funny mainly due to the author's dry, cynical but spot-on writing style and witty musings. For example, a favourite of mine was Eve pondering "how many mistakes in life are born of a simple fear of being rude" or justification of bitching that some people are so intolerable that "there's only two ways of releasing the pressure. One, letting loose at the individual winding you up, or two, bitching mercilessly behind their back."

But, unlike 'If I Never Met You' which was based on a fauxmance this was essentially a heartbreaking story of friendship and loss (with a little bit of love obviously). As such I wasn't expecting the emotions and thoughts this provoked. But that said it was still essentially a light-hearted read with the author blending her wit and empathy seamlessly....and I for one LOVED it!

#3 The Lost Hours by Susan Lewis (1 Apr 2021)

Golden couple Annie and David Crayce have it all. A loving marriage, three beautiful children and a thriving family business. Life couldn’t be better. Until the unthinkable happens… A piece of damning DNA evidence has arisen, placing David as the prime suspect of a murder committed twenty-years ago. Annie is sure her David is innocent. But if he isn’t guilty, then either his father or brother must be. As the police investigate, so does Annie. And Annie begins to doubt the one person she thought she knew best… Her husband.  

In my opinion: ★★★★

Having only fairly recently discovered author Susan Lewis I have quickly become a huge fan. Once again this was another brilliant read that had me gripped from start to finish. The reason being that Susan Lewis always seems to tackle some really compelling and thought-provoking moral dilemmas with her plots. In this one familial DNA evidence means that there are only three possible suspects (the father, uncle or grandfather) and so in proving their own innocence each is effectively condemning a loved one instead. This explores the emotional impact on the close-knit family from divided loyalties to doubts, love, anger, guilt, disbelief and more.

I've given this 4 stars rather than 5 simply because in an exceptionally demanding way I was expecting more. Right from the start the remote shooting school setting filled me with nervous anticipation and dread - all those guns - but disappointingly that didn't really amount to anything. Mostly though whilst I didn't see the eventual culprit coming - and was in one way pleased with who it was (or wasn't) - they did seem an odd choice and the emotional fallout of it being someone else would have been even more powerful. I really wanted to give this 4.5 as it is brilliant......

#4 The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary (29 Apr 2021)

Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in rural Scotland. But, not long after setting off, a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver is none other than Addie's ex, Dylan, who she's avoided since their traumatic break-up two years earlier. Dylan and his best mate are heading to the wedding too, and they've totalled their car, so Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon jam-packed full of luggage and secrets, and with four-hundred miles ahead of them, Dylan and Addie can't avoid confronting the very messy history of their relationship...

In my opinion: ★★★★

This was a story of two halves - literally and figuratively speaking. I loved the 'NOW' which focused on the calamitous road trip of five very different and unlikely travelling companions and their baggage (again literal and figuratively). These chapters were fun, funny, witty, light-hearted and entertaining and I enjoyed the dynamic and banter between the group. That said though none of the characters were a patch on Eileen from Beth O'Leary's previous book (which earned a solid 5-star rating from me). The 'THEN' was important for framing the 'NOW' but was more intense, less funny, slower paced and less me if I'm honest. Here the author also made mention of issues such as mental health but I felt they were almost token tick-box references and topics that should either be done justice or left out. With Beth's easy to read style this was an enjoyable read but sadly didn’t quite reach the admittedly high expectations set by #TheSwitch.

#5 The Wild Girls by Phoebe Morgan (29 Apr 2021)

In a luxury lodge on Botswana’s sun-soaked plains, four friends reunite for a birthday celebration. Arriving at the safari lodge, a feeling of unease settles over them. There’s no sign of the party that was promised. There’s no phone signal. They’re alone, in the wild. The hunt is on.

In my opinion: ★★★★

I loved the premise of this and it was certainly an addictive, speed-read. The atmosphere was tense and sinister from the off, in no part due to the predatory safari setting, and I was literally holding my breath throughout waiting to see how it was going to pan out. Sadly though in the end I didn't really like the way it did pan out. The atmospheric setting didn't come to much, and I struggled to engage with any of the 'wild girls'. It didn't help that although the chapters alternated equally between the 'friends' some were in the first person and some the third which seemed both jarring and suggestive. But, mostly I found it a bit far fetched, very twisted and the motive uncomfortable (although for those reasons I definitely didn't see it coming). I also like things neatly tied up and justice to be done so naturally I didn't like the weird non-ending. Despite the dubious story line this was an enjoyable, gripping read nonetheless.

#6 The Therapist by B A Paris (15 Apr 2021)

When Alice and Leo move into The Circle, a gated community of exclusive houses, it is everything they’ve dreamed of. But appearances can be deceptive. As Alice is getting to know her neighbours, she discovers a devastating, grisly secret about her new home, and begins to feel a strong connection with Nina, the therapist who lived there before. Alice becomes obsessed with trying to piece together what happened two years before. But no one wants to talk about it.…

In my opinion: ★★★★

I've only read one of B A Paris' previous books #TheDilemma which I really liked. Others have said this is a departure from B A Paris’s previous psycho-thrillers so that maybe explains why I wasn't as invested in this one. It was a bit of a slow burn and I think maybe the characters just didn't have enough depth for me to really get behind them or the story. The early narrative is told from Alice’s viewpoint interspersed with anonymous therapy sessions but for me these chapters didn't really add anything because I'd completely forgotten them by the time I knew what/who they were about and wouldve had to re-read later to make any sense if them. The plot also got a bit strange and overdone towards the end with Alice managing to somehow tenuously link one-off events across multiple countries and years but not see what was right in front of her eyes. Definitely not a must-read but also not a miss either so why not make up your own mind....

#7 Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon (29 Apr 2021)

Best friends tell each other everything. Or do they? 

Setting up a fake Twitter account, Georgia hopes to give her friend some anonymous moral support by posing as a potential customer. But then Lydia starts confiding in her new internet buddy and Georgia discovers she doesn't know her quite as well as she thought. 

In my opinion: ★★★★

This has an interesting premise and is a very easy read but I wanted (and was expecting) more. I enjoyed the first part but once the characters work out what's going on, the story peters out a bit and just sort of plods on to a fairly tame conclusion. Surely after such jealousy and betrayal there would have been more fireworks, even revenge perhaps, something anyway? That said it was a enjoyable read but very much a nice read rather than a must read.

#8 The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc (1 Apr 2021)

Sally Parker is struggling to find the hero inside herself. Her husband Frank has lost his business, their home and their savings, in one fell swoop. Their bank cards are being declined. The children have gone feral. And now the bailiffs are at the door. What does an ordinary woman do when the bottom falls out?

Sally Parker is about to surprise everybody. Most of all herself.

In my opinion: ★★★

This had a few laughs but given that it's TV comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc's debut novel I was expecting more. It's more of a nice, relaxed, happy ever after read. With four children, two lay-about brothers, a snobby mum, estranged parent-in-laws, a feisty grandma and a brainiac business partner, the Parker family provided an interestingly diverse array of characters. But sadly I found myself getting annoyed with most of the characters particularly Sally (and Amerjit) who were frustratingly wet and Frank unbelievably defeatist - thank goodness for tenacious eleven year old Mikey. The story is nice enough but took a while to get going and finished too soon as I wanted to know what the Parkers were going to do next.

#9 Her Last Holiday by C.L. Taylor (29 Apr 2021)

Two years ago, Fran’s sister Jenna disappeared on a wellness retreat in Gozo that went terribly wrong. Tom Wade, the now infamous man behind Soul Shrink Retreats, has just been released from prison after serving his sentence for the deaths of two people. But he has never let on what happened to the third victim: Jenna. Determined to find out the truth, Fran books herself onto his upcoming retreat – the first since his release – and finds herself face to face with the man who might hold the key to her sister’s disappearance. The only question is, will she escape the retreat alive? Or does someone out there want Jenna’s secrets to stay hidden?

In my opinion: ★★★

I've wanted to read this author for ages but sadly this just wasn't for me. It was an easy read with an engaging writing style which kept me intrigued and reading quickly but I didn't enjoy the story line. I found the retreat and therapy aspect a bit much and also the characters a bit irritating and unlikable. But the main problem was the motivations of both the culprit and victim which seemed both ridiculous and unconvincing. The aftermath was also totally unbelievable - how the characters could be so forgiving and their personalities change instantaneously (particularly the dad). Whilst this wasn't my cup of tea I would try another of the author's books as I really do think it just this particular story line I didn't take too rather than the writing style so I would try another of her books.

Best of February 2021

It's February: the month of love and romcoms. See what's out this month....

#1 The Man I Didn't Marry by Anna Bell (4 Feb 2021)

What happens when the man she married can’t remember her at all? Ellie has the perfect life: a happy marriage, a gorgeous daughter and a baby on the way. But when her husband Max suddenly develops amnesia, he forgets everything about the last five years … including their relationship. Ellie’s determined to get to the bottom of his memory loss and find her Max again – he has to be in there somewhere, right? But then she discovers that before he lost his memory, Max was keeping a huge secret from her. 

In my opinion: ★★★★★

I absolutely loved Bell's previous book #WeJustClicked - which is one of the funniest books I've read. And as another brilliant light-hearted romantic comedy I loved this one too! Although this was more continuously funny throughout rather than big laugh out loud moments excluding Ellie being mistaken for a stripper, unicorn headbands and the camping kettle incident. Bell's created another great posse of characters from main character Ellie, who's warm, funny and still slightly geeky, to support characters like theatrical mother-in-law Judy. 

I particularly loved the baby group friends; sharp-witted Helen who says she brought Anneka reusable nappies from her baby shower list as the thought of her washing them "was like giving a gift to myself" and Anneka herself who says: "I can't go into the hospital. What if they make me give birth naturally." They are all people you'd love to know and be friends with in real life. I also enjoyed the contemporary love story of having to fall in love all over again and whether love really is fate or simply timing - can you recreate it? My only criticism is that I wanted an epilogue - I need to know whether the friends had baby girls or boys, names, etc.

#2 Lie Beside Me by Gytha Lodge (18 Feb 2021)

You wake up. 

You can't remember what happened.

The man lying next to you is not your husband.

And he's dead . . .

As Louise desperately struggles to piece her memories back together, it's clear to Detective Jonah Sheens and his team that she is their prime suspect - did she do it?

In my opinion: ★★★★

This totally screws with your mind - I mean main character Louise isn't even sure whether she did it or not. Although I wouldn't even say it's twisty and turny, more a cleverly plotted story line which just adds layer upon layer right up until the end. The u-turn is more on the characters than the plot, with the author turning you from hating someone (Louise) to rooting for them and vice versa with other characters (Alex). I also liked that while this was full of unexpected revelations, it remained realistic unlike so many books which push the boundaries too far in their attempt to deliver shock after shock. Its part police procedural and part psychological thriller alternating between the two.

I really really enjoyed this but couldn't give it the full five-stars for a couple of reasons. One I always find crimes of a sexual nature uncomfortable reading. I also dislike it in crime novels when the detectives' stories follows that of the victim - it just feels too much and unnecessary. This is the first/only one I've read but is actually the third in a series. It works as a standalone although at the start I did find all the different police detectives difficult to keep track of as it was obviously the first time I'd met them - it was perhaps also why I wasn't quite as invested in their stories too. I'll definitely be catching up with the previous two books though.

#3 Much Ado About You by Samantha Young (2 Feb 2021)

At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling's life in Chicago is missing that special something. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. As soon as she arrives, Evie's drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer.

In my opinion: ★★★★

This started so strongly. I liked the first person monologue style which felt just like chatting to a good friend - a witty American thirty something booklover friend. I also liked that it wasn't just a love story but had lots more going on too with village life providing lots of family, friend and neighbour interactions (as well as a great supporting cast). I also liked the realistic timeframe with the story spanning a number of months rather than the whirlwind romances typical of this genre. However, as it went on there were a few things that took it from a 5-star to 4-star. Firstly that newcomer Evie was able to fix everyone else's lives, even fixing long-standing issues that had been plaguing the village for decades. It was a bit much both in terms of the ease and speed she could help and the sheer number of things she got involved in. At least a couple of these could have been forgone and more focus given to the running of the bookshop (which was one of the things that really drew me to this book but was sadly given little time). I also thought after the build up, Roane's "betrayal" was really quite insignificant and personally I really couldn't understand Evie's distress at finding out the hot, single guy you've fallen for is actually extremely wealthy - I mean seriously?! But, most annoying for me was Roane's continuous use of the term "Angel" urgh! A good book though despite a few minor niggles.  

#4 Married at First Swipe by Claire Frost (4 Feb 2021)

Hannah has truly been living her best life. But she wishes she had someone to spend the quieter moments with too. Jess has been with her husband for twenty years. They have a stable marriage, great kids and run their own businesses. But Jess can’t help but wonder whether settling down is all it’s cracked up to be. When Hannah embarks upon her latest scheme: finding a man using Jess’s dating app and meeting him for the first time at the altar, both women start to realise the grass isn't always greener.

In my opinion: ★★★

Described as perfect for fans of Helly Acton and Mhairi McFarlane (which I am) and loosely based on one of my favourite TV shows 'Married at First Sight' I couldn't wait to read this. Sadly though I was left disappointed as it wasn't anywhere near as funny as 'The Shelf' or 'If I Never Met You' or as dramatic as the show. The big problem for me was that this focused way too much on the pre-wedding and not enough on the wedding or marriage. I wanted more of their first impressions of each other, more of what happened on the honeymoon, more dates, more getting to know each other, more Toby - just more of everything really. I also wanted more from the epilogue - which was too soon after the end of the story to see how things worked, particularly for Jess who wasn't even given an update. The other problem was main character Hannah - who I found slightly annoying and totally selfish. Overall, an easy read but one that ambled along and unfortunately just didn't live up to its potential.