Best of May 2021

There's plenty of new releases for book lovers to look forward to this May, and I'm lucky enough to have been able to preview some of them for you.

#1 The Cancer Ladies Running Club by Josie Lloyd (13 May 2021)

When Keira first receives her breast cancer diagnosis, she never expects to end up joining a running group with three women she’s only just met. Totally blind-sided, all she can think about is how she doesn’t want to be part of a group of fellow cancer patients. Cancer is not her club. And yet it’s running – hot, sweaty, lycra-clad running in the company of brilliant, funny women all going through treatment – that unexpectedly gives Keira the hope she so urgently needs.

In my opinion: ★★★★★

Wow - this packs an emotional punch! It made me laugh and cry, fearful yet inspired, entertained and educated, and everything in-between. It had me before it even began with the 'Dear Reader' letter in which the author reveals the book is based on her own cancer journey. Knowing that, at first I couldn't get my head around the characters in that Keira isn't an author but owns a shop and Tom is a regular husband and not part of one of my favourite author double acts. But I soon forgot that and those elements (teenage angst, poorly pets, difficult colleagues, leaky conservatories, etc) added something else to the story as like in real life cancer doesn't take place in a vacuum. Don't get me wrong the author doesn't shy away from the heartbreaking realities of cancer but her easy-going, contemporary, witty writing style makes for an enjoyable and uplifting read despite the melancholy subject. Everyone should read this - especially as I really can't do it justice in my review! 

#2 Family Secrets at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland (4 May 2021)

Every family has its secrets, and at Hedgehog Hollow there is no exception. When her self-absorbed cousin, Chloe, unexpectedly turns up at the farm - swiftly handing over her baby to Samantha to care for – trouble is definitely brewing. Especially as Chloe won’t tell anyone why she’s left her husband, James. As Samantha juggles new hedgehog arrivals, family dramas and her own health challenges, it soon becomes clear that she needs to start putting herself first for once. Little does she know that life-changing secrets from the past are about to unravel and turn their lives upside down...

In my opinion: ★★★★★

I loved this just as much as the previous one. Disappointingly there didn't seem to be as much of the hedgehogs and rescue centre in this one. But it was just like catching up with old friends, finding out what Sam and her family and friends had been up to since last time. I don't know how the author does it because this is a crazy cast of characters where everyone is somehow related to or been dating everyone else and all have turbulent pasts - it really should be too much. But, somehow it works and despite the drama it's still easy, warm, charming and light-hearted. This is the third in the series but don't worry if you haven't read the others as there's a helpful introduction (or recap) to the characters and story so far at the start. It's good to know that there's definitely going to be a fourth - I can't wait!

#3 The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall (13 May 2021)

As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is secretly hired by brides to be their right-hand woman, ensuring their big day goes off without a hitch. From wrangling rowdy hen dos to navigating last minute portaloo cancellations, there's no problem she can't solve. So when she's employed by an actual Marchioness to help plan the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is. Of course, it's not ideal that the bride, Cordelia, is rude, difficult and determined to make Sophie's life a nightmare. It's also a bit inconvenient when Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia's posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. 

In my opinion: ★★★★★

As a fan of chicklit I loved this! My favourites are multi-dimensional storylines with a smattering of romance alongside strong friendships, family bonds or community spirit and/or a creative job or small business. And, this was exactly that - a fun story based around Sophie's unusual job as a professional bridesmaid, creating the basis for an unlikely friendship and little romance too. A nice touch - and some of the funniest bits - were the email and text exchanges between Sophie and her brides detailing their crazy demands such as dying her hair to match the other bridesmaids. Sophie was a very likeable character supported by a cast of equally likeable supporting characters.

#4 Perfect on Paper by Gillian Harvey (13 May 2021)

Clare Bailey's life is perfect. Successful career, loving husband, two kids and a gorgeous townhouse. At least, that's how it looks from the outside. In fact, she's never felt more invisible. Her boss barely remembers her name, her husband is distracted by his new TV job and her daughter has never found her more embarrassing! But when she's given a chance to turn her life upside-down she wonders whether she should risk everything she loves for a life that's more than just 'perfect on paper'...?

In my opinion: ★★★★

This book is loosely based on Britain's Got Talent with the main character accidentally entering a reality TV talent show. And, much like reality TV it was good fun, ridiculously unrealistic, laugh-out-loud funny, light-hearted entertainment and pure escapism. Whilst I couldn't relate to Clare - a middle-aged woman whose family take her for granted - I could totally relate to some bits of her life such as being given a cupboard for an office. This everyday situational humour was both funny and also a nice balance with the fantastical reality show element. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed her contemporary, fun writing style. Enjoy this for it is and I'm sure like me you'll love it.

#5 The Couple by Helly Acton (27 May 2021)

Millie is happy, she's successful and, with a great support network of friends and family (and a very grumpy cat), she's never lonely. The last thing she needs is romance messing up her perfectly organised world. Besides, normal people just don't have romantic relationships. Everyone knows that being in a couple is a bit . . . well, odd. No, Millie is more than happy with her conventional single life. So, when Millie lands a new project at work, launching a pill that prevents you falling in love, it seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. That is, until she starts working with Ben. Will Millie sacrifice everything she believes in for love?

In my opinion: ★★★★

I absolutely loved the author's previous book #TheShelf, totally relating to so many of the refreshingly real, contemporary, feminist and hilarious view points and life lessons of a single woman in her early thirties “trying to find someone to do life with” whilst wondering if that's even what she wants. So, I was really excited to read this especially as in her introductory note Helly explains she wrote this imaging a society that doesn't question why women are single but why aren't they. I guess it was that with main character Millie more than happy with her conventional single life in a world where normal people just don't have romantic relationships, St Bridget's Day is celebrated, double occupancy fees exist and popular songs such as "I Will Always Love Me". But instead of a celebration of single life it seemed like a bit of a mickey take with its alternate society and extremes - kind of like being anti-men as opposed to feminist/pro-women. And, for me that feeling overshadowed everything to the detriment of the fabulous writing, wit, characters and romcom (which is the reason why I've rounded up from a 3.5 rather than down).

#6 The Guest Book by C.L. Pattison (27 May 2021)

Charles and Grace wanted a quiet staycation honeymoon, but when their train terminates early due to a storm up ahead, they wonder if they made the wrong decision. Forced to take shelter in the nearest seaside town, Saltwater, they discover that there is only one guesthouse left. Unlike the rest of Saltwater, The Anchorage is entirely deserted. That night, with the storm howling relentlessly, Grace is woken by a child crying. She is haunted by the sound, until Charles convinces her it was only her imagination. But the next day, she finds a warning scrawled in the guest book: Leave now. Do not trust them.

In my opinion: ★★★

This was an odd one - normally I'm gripped and love the read but then am disheartened once I know how it all pans out. Weirdly this was kind of the other way round - the story didn't really capture my imagination or connect me during the telling but once I understood it I saw everything in a completely different light. The cast was quite small, the characters fairly ordinary and under-developed and the pace quite slow which is why I wasn't captivated at the time. But in hindsight it's a heart-breakingly sad and unexpected tale - I just wish certain characters had been been given the air time they deserved and readers somehow given a deeper insight into them and their story.

#7 Stranger by Karen Perry (13 May 2021)

Abi Holland is worried about her daughter Beth. So when foreign exchange student Corinne comes to stay, it's a relief to see her daughter making a friend. But the Holland family have lots of secrets, and Corinne is quietly listening to them all. Watching. Waiting. Ready to show them what they should really be worried about . . .

In my opinion: ★★★

Having loved every single one of their books, Karen Perry is one of my all-time favourite authors. But, sadly this one just wasn't for me. I felt uncomfortable from the off with the early hints of what might be to come. With a cast of adolescent girls and young adults combined with a theme of sexual relations and abuse I really didn't enjoy the storyline and wouldn't have picked it up had I known.