With so many eclectic and diverse book releases, there's something
for everyone this July. But, here's my best of....
#1 The Rising Tide by Sam Lloyd (8 Jul 2021)
Lucy has everything she could wish for: a beautiful home high on the clifftops, a devoted husband and two beloved children. Then one morning, time stops. Their family yacht is recovered, abandoned far out at sea. Lucy's husband is nowhere to be found and as the seconds tick by, she begins to wonder - what if he was the one who took the boat? And if so, where is he now? As a once-in-a-generation storm frustrates the rescue operation, Lucy pieces together what happened onboard. And then she makes a fresh discovery. One that plunges her into a nightmare more shocking than any she could ever have imagined . . .
In my opinion: ★★★★★
To be honest I didn't really understand the big reveal - well more the character's reasoning or motivation behind it - or the battle between good and evil. But, it really didn't matter as I was totally gripped for the telling. It was definitely one of those books where you keep reading late into the night thinking just one more chapter. There were so many twists and turns in this cleverly constructed and original plot that I was continually changing my mind on who or what to believe especially regarding main characters Lucy and Daniel - are they good or bad, do they love or hate each other, and are they reliable or unreliable narrators? The author also created a real sense of the coastal village and stormy weather both of which where used to compliment the plot perfectly. I will definitely be seeking out more by this author!
#2 All Her Fault by Andrea Mara (22 Jul 2021)
Marissa Irvine arrives at 14 Tudor Grove, expecting to pick up her young son Milo from his first playdate with a boy at his new school. But the woman who answers the door isn't a mother she recognises. She isn't the nanny. She doesn't have Milo. And so begins every parent's worst nightmare.
In my opinion: ★★★★
I enjoyed this but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. From the blurb, where Marissa arrives to pick up her son from a playdate but the woman who answers the door isn't anyone she recognises and she doesn't have Milo, I was expecting a psychological thriller with Marissa questioning her own sanity. But, it was more a domestic drama as it quickly became clear who'd taken Milo and it was just the why that unfolded. Don't get me wrong though the why was pretty powerful and intoxicating reading - it was twisty, turny, tense, fast-paced, shocking and I certainly didn't see that ending coming! It was a complex plot, with lots of characters and many parts that don't really add any thing to the story other than to mislead you, but it was very original, cleverly wrapped up and overall a good read.
#3 Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda (15 Jul 2021)
Welcome to Hollow's Edge - a picture-perfect neighbourhood where everyone has each other's backs. At least, that's how it used to be, until the night Brandon and Fiona Truett were found dead. Two years ago, branded a grifter, thief and sociopath by her friends and neighbours, Ruby Fletcher was convicted of murdering the Truetts. Now, freed by mistrial, Ruby has returned to Hollow's Edge. As Ruby's return sends shockwaves through the community, terrified residents turn on each other, and it soon becomes clear that not everyone was honest about the night the Truetts died....
In my opinion: ★★★★
Having loved the author's previous book #TheGirlFromWidowHills I was excited to read this. This one however was more of a nice, slow-burn mystery than a unique, psychological thriller. But again it was one of those stories where anyone could’ve been the murderer and I truly suspected pretty much every neighbour at one point or another. Once again I also loved Megan Miranda's effortless writing style and was totally invested in the community she created right from the off and the cute map illustrating who lived where and the layout of the neighbourhood. I totally wanted to live there with its idyllic lakeside location and communal swimming pool, BBQs and parties. I liked the irony of the original 'who-dunnit' but was disappointed and a bit confused by the overall ending which felt like a bit of a non-ending. I definitely would have liked to understand some of the characters more and the whys behind a few of their behaviours and actions.
#4 I Know What You've Done by Dorothy Koomson (8 Jul 2021)
What if all your neighbours' secrets landed in a diary on your doorstep? What if the woman who gave it to you was murdered by one of the people in the diary? What if the police asked if you knew anything?Would you hand over the book of secrets? Or ... would you try to find out what everyone had done?
In my opinion: ★★★★
Dorothy Koomson is one of my favourite authors with all of her stories completely unique and so different from each other. So, for that reason I guess it was bound to happen up some point but this particular plot sadly just wasn't didn't captivate like her others have. There were lots of characters/neighbours, lots of stories and multiple timelines which made it difficult to focus especially as some turned out to be just background noise and unusually I didn't really care or identify with any of them. I liked the irony of Priscilla's attempted murder but overall found the motives (particularly Lilly's) quite stretched. This definitely wasn't my favourite Koomson but others have loved it and my expectations are always ridiculously high when reading a much loved author - really a 3.5 rating but rounded up because I love the author.
#5 The Lock In by Phoebe Lockhurst (22 Jul 2021)
One Saturday morning a flooded kitchen leads best friends Ellen and Alexa into their attic. But when Ben - Alexa's date from the night before - walks in, the handle breaks, and all are trapped. While Ellen nurses her hangover, she watches her best friend fall for this gorgeous stranger. Only to come to the horrifying realisation that she knows him from somewhere. . . .
In my opinion: ★★★
Granted this only had four characters and one setting - its about four housemates getting locked in the attic - but even so I did expect slightly more action and definitely more humour. In fact that's why I was drawn to this with its promise of hilarity and recommendation for fans of Beth O'Leary and Mhairi McFarlane (two of my favourite authors). With such a fun and unique premise I was expecting lots of situational based humour and craziness. But, sadly the author didn't really make use of the lock-in and focused instead on a backstory that had no real baring on the plot or characters now. I usually like narration that switches between characters, because I love the way two people can view the same thing in a completely different way, but again I don't think the author made the most of this style. It was an easy, light-hearted read that's worth a try but it just wasn't the story I was expecting.
#6 You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry (8 Jul 2021)
Two friends and a pact: every year, one vacation together. Ten summer trips and their last chance to fall in love as this summer Poppy asks Alex to join her on one last trip. A trip that will determine the rest of their lives.
In my opinion: ★★★
I got the wrong impression of this after skim reading the blurb, thinking it was about fate; two people who fall in love after their paths keep crossing. But, it was actually two best friends and twelve years of summer vacations resulting in one of the longest will they/won't they's ever. The fact that there was essentially only two characters, one storyline and such an extended timeline made this quite a long, slow, repetitive read. Sadly even the the multiple "vacations" were very samey. I wanted more flavour of the places they were visiting and alternating Poppy's point of view with Alex's could also have been a nice touch. Lots of people have loved this slow-burn friends to lovers romance but sadly it wasn't for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment