Best of March 2022

With so many books out this month I've discovered new authors (Sarah Turner) as well as cemented my feelings for other authors (Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen). Read on to find out what I've been loving, lolling and puzzling over.

Stepping Up by Sarah Turner (17 Mar 2022)

Beth has never stuck at anything. She's quit more jobs and relationships than she can remember and she still sleeps in her childhood bedroom. Then, in the space of a morning, her world changes, and she finds herself guardian to her teenage niece and toddler nephew, catapulted into an unfamiliar world of bedtime stories, parents' evenings and cuddly elephants. It's time to step up.

In my opinion: ★★★★★
In this Beth who describes herself as "a runner, a bolter, reliably Team Flight in a fight or flight  scenario" finds herself having to 'step up' to look after her niece and nephew when her sister has a terrible car accident. As you'd expect it's funny from Beth getting fired from pass-the-parcel after giving one kid two prizes or ending up on the village Facebook group after putting her bins out on the wrong day to 3-year-old Ted calling  "angry swimming dad" a "stickhead" or telling the hot swimming coach that "Aunty Beth put crayons on her face....but she wouldn't share." But it's also really poignant with a lot of depth and some really moving moments - I particularly enjoyed Beth's friendship with lonely octogenarian Albert, her next door neighbour. It's testament to Sarah Turner's talent that she manages to combine the two so seamlessly - in her debut fiction novel nonetheless. I especially liked the realistic timescale of this book and that whilst the ending was positive it wasn't the fairy tale ending it could so easily have been. It's difficult to convey how good this book is, so I'll just urge to read it for yourself instead....

Love Blooms at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett (16 Mar 2022)

When an unexpected opportunity arises to escape to the idyllic village of Mermaids Point and at a crossroads in life, bestselling author Alex Nelson is hot on the heels of his brother, Tom, who has recently moved there. Buying a rundown bookshop might be just his latest harebrained scheme, but Alex has never been one to do things by halves.

After spending her early years caring for her mother, Ivy Fisher is finally ready to start living her own life. But when the impossibly charming, impossibly good-looking Alex Nelson swoops in and snatches her dream out from under her nose, it really is the last straw. Forced by circumstances to spend more time with him, Ivy finally gets a peek of the real man beneath the confident exterior, and she likes what she sees. But just when things are starting to come together for them, Ivy is reminded why men can never be trusted. Is Alex who he says he is, or is he using Mermaids Point as nothing more than research fodder for his next bestseller?

In my opinion: ★★★★

I love this charming yet contemporary series and the inhabitants of The Point, a gorgeous seaside village. And, that is the best thing about a series - catching up with much loved characters. Since meeting Alex previously I've been looking forward to his story but I did feel that unusually this one was almost solely Alex and Ivy. I missed the other characters and the variety a wider cast brings. That said another gorgeous, heart-warming, feel good story and I can't wait for the next one - fingers crossed it'll be Nick's story.....

Reputation by Sarah Vaughan (3 Mar 2022)

Emma Webster is a respectable MP.
Emma Webster is a devoted mother.
Emma Webster is innocent of the murder of a tabloid journalist.
Emma Webster is a liar.
#Reputation: The story you tell about yourself. And the lies others choose to believe…

In my opinion: ★★★★

Designed to make you think this is a gripping story exploring reputations; perceived and real, as well as trying to protect them at all costs and how easily they can be destroyed. The characters, whilst not particularly engaging, were well developed coming under ever more pressure until they react on the spur of the moment. This was told mainly from MP Emma's perspective but also other POVs, and across two timelines - the present day court case (which I really enjoyed) and past events leading to trial. This did mean, however, there was some repetition with the same points made again and again. I wasn't sure about the ending either but overall a good read.

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen (3 Mar 2022)

If Avery Chambers can’t fix you in 10 sessions, she won’t take you on as a client. Marissa and Mathew Bishop seem like the golden couple - until Marissa cheats. After a friend forwards an article about Avery, Marissa takes a chance on this maverick therapist, who lost her license due to controversial methods. When the Bishops glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course. Because the biggest secrets in the room are still hidden, and it’s no longer simply a marriage that’s in danger.

In my opinion: ★★★★

I loved #YouAreNotAlone by this author pairing and once again really enjoyed the writing with its alternating POVs, and short, snappy chapters. In Avery, the authors also created another super smart, intriguing, badass female character, whose story really gripped me; more so than the main storyline in fact although perhaps that was because I just didn't take to Marissa in the same way. Or perhaps it was because this particular plot didn't feel quite as action packed, crazy and tumultuous as before. I also felt a bit let down by the big reveal, and would've liked more insight into the character's motivations especially with regards to past events. All that said this was a great read but my expectations were impossibly high as a result of loving their previous book so much.

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (22 Mar 2022)

A beautiful old apartment block, far from the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower and the bustling banks of the Seine. Where nothing goes unseen. And everyone has a story to unlock.

The watchful concierge

The scorned lover

The prying journalist

The naïve student

The unwanted guest

Something terrible happened here last night. A mystery lies behind the door of apartment three. Only you – and the killer – hold the key . . .

In my opinion: ★★★★

I really wanted to love this having had mixed feelings about the author's previous book 'The Guest List' - but sadly was left feeling exactly the same. Once again Lucy Foley delivered a clever closed room who-dunnit with a big, unexpected twist at the end. But, once again it was the (small) cast of characters that disappointed. Whilst diverse, the residents of 'The Paris Apartment' were all more weird than flawed and as such I didn't like or connect with any of them which meant I didn't really care who'd dunnit it. I did want to know why though!

Mothers and Daughters by Erica James (17 Mar 2022)

Since the sudden death of her husband, Naomi has steadily rebuilt the life they shared in the village of Tilsham by the sea. Her eldest daughter, Martha, is sensible and determined - just like her father was. If she could just get pregnant with her husband, life would be perfect. Willow, the youngest, was always more sunny and easy-going, yet drifted through life, much to her father's frustration. But now, with charming new boyfriend, Rick, she has a very good reason to settle down. The three women are as close as can be. But there are things Naomi has kept from her daughters. Like the arrival of Ellis, a long-lost friend from way back. And she's certainly never told them that her marriage to their father wasn't quite what it seemed... 

In my opinion: ★★★★

This was my second read from this author and once again focused on family relationships - mother and daughter, sisters, and in-laws or newcomers. The storytelling switches between recently widowed Naomi and her two grown-up daughter's, Martha and Willow (who are chalk and cheese) and its heart-warming to see the effect various events have on their dynamics. Despite having equal 'air-time', however, Martha's story wasn't as powerful as the other two which was a shame. This was a nice, easy read but I did find it quite slow and a little underwhelming compared to "Coming Home to Island House" which set in the war was a beautifully epic story.

Impossible by Sarah Lotz (17 Mar 2022)

Nick: Failed writer. Failed husband. Dog owner.

Bee: Serial dater. Dress maker. Pringles enthusiast.

One day, their paths cross over a misdirected email. The connection is instant, electric. They feel like they’ve known each other all their lives. Nick buys a new suit, gets on a train. Bee steps away from her desk, sets off to meet him under the clock at Euston station.

Think you know how the rest of the story goes? They did too . . .

But this is a story with more twists than most. This is Impossible.

In my opinion: ★★★

Described as a love story "with more twists than most" and with cover quotes from some renowned thriller authors I think I was expecting a mix of two my favourite genres - contemporary romance and psychological thrillers. Had I realised the storyline or paid more attention to the "Impossible" inference I may have realised that this wouldn't be my thing. Obviously fiction by its nature is imaginary but I like my fiction to be based in realism and without saying too much or giving anything away this wasn't. I also found it quite slow, unnecessarily long and slightly repetitive but perhaps that was more reflective of it not being my thing.