I'm feeling summer vibes this month with all bar one of my reads featuring holiday destinations or celebrations. Get in the mood too with my top picks for May....
Freya Scott's wedding to Matthew is the first of eight in her calendar this year. But when Matthew calls things off hours before they walk down the aisle, Freya’s entire life plan goes up in smoke. Humiliated and heartbroken, the last thing she wants is to attend a summer of other peoples’ nuptials. Fortunately, her friends have an idea: together they devise a series of outrageous challenges for Freya to complete at each event. By the time the final wedding arrives, she will discover that the road to a happy ending sometimes has unexpected detours – and that perhaps her own love story isn’t over just yet.
In my opinion: ★★★★★
I loved this!!! Right from page three's tongue-in-cheek send up of the ridiculousness of weddings and deciding between "white or almost white or cream" for napkins, I knew that this was going to be funny. And it was - really truly funny from getting dumped in a broom cupboard to getting stuck in a toilet and spoiling a bride's big church entrance. Some have said there wasn't enough romance but I much prefer a smattering of romance alongside female friendships because as bestie Ruby says "there's nothing like the friendship kind of love". And I really loved great dynamics and banter between leading lady Freya and her friendship group.
In this case "the wedding season" also added a fun element and the whole storyline from miserable jilted bride to sassy single lady ready to embark on a new chapter that could "turn into something or nothing at all" was really authentic and relatable to anyone who's been through a break up. I also recognised the "laughing trick" as something I do on the dance floor. Having absolutely loved Katy Birchall's previous wedding-themed book #TheSecretBridesmaid I was almost scared to read this in case it wasn't as good but I needn't have worried and can not wait for her next one.
The Great Summer Street Party: Part 3 by Georgia Hill (20 May 2022)
Berecombe’s year of commemoration may be coming to a close… but the rest of Ashley Lydden’s new life has only just begun! Ashley couldn’t have predicted that she’d find herself a whole new – much happier – life in the quiet, seaside town of Berecombe, but now she can’t imagine being anywhere else. So when things start going all kinds of wrong for Ashley and her handsome American, Eddie McQueen, she’s forced to lean on her new friends for support. Thankfully, the residents of Berecombe learned decades ago that there’s no problem that can’t be fixed with a little bit of bunting and a whole lot of love.
In my opinion: ★★★★★
All my favourite ingredients - gorgeous village setting, community spirit, multi-generational cast, feel-good storyline and sweet romance - wrapped up in one book (or novella). Fairly predictable but I don't think that matters with this genre and the world war two stories and celebrations added an extra nice and different touch to an already charming storyline. A great final installment to an enjoyable series.
The Game by Scott Kershaw (12 May 2022)
To save their life, you have to play. Across the globe, five strangers receive a horrifying message from an unknown number. THE PERSON YOU LOVE MOST IS IN DANGER. To save them, each must play The Game - a sinister unknown entity that has a single rule: there can only be one winner. IF YOU LOSE, YOUR LOVED ONE WILL DIE. But what is The Game - and why have they been chosen? There's only one thing each of them knows for sure: they'll do anything to win... WELCOME TO THE GAME. YOU'VE JUST STARTED PLAYING
In my opinion: ★★★★
I really enjoyed this - it was totally original and very cinematic. It was also an easy read with short chapters alternating between the five players - a very pretty blonde, a Frenchman, a chubby suburban housewife, a well groomed man in thick designer spectacles and an aging British lady. Unsurprisingly all of the players turn out to be connected, although player four's connection was understated or under-explained as it felt a bit tenuous compared to the others. I loved the game of chicken and would've liked more levels like that with the players competing rather than working together. There were just a couple of things that stopped this being a 5 star read - the climax turned into a bit of a blood bath and I didn't get the actual ending.
One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke (26 May 2022)
ONE IS A LIAR.
ONE IS A STRANGER.
ONE IS A CHEATER.
WHO IS A KILLER?
The six of us arrived on that beautiful Greek island dreaming of sun-drenched beaches and blood orange sunsets, ready to lose ourselves in the wild freedom of a weekend away with friends. By the final night there was a body on the rocks below...
In my opinion: ★★★★
A game of two halves. I really liked the ending which was a total surprise and revelation after revelation. The start plants a seed which I then ran with unquestioningly so the climax was even more unexpected. But, with all the revelations coming at the end, the main is more of a slow burn or gradual ratcheting up of tension. It's also pretty bitchy as may be expected from a group of five girls not all friends but thrown together on a hen. Overall a good easy read especially with the short chapters and switching POVs.
The Italian Job by Kathryn Freeman (6 May 2022)
When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como. The only catch? The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretaker. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!
In my opinion: ★★★★
This was a super cute, fun read with a winning faux romance / love hate storyline. Disappointingly though that was all it was. With Jake and Anna looking after an Italian castle and its guests I thought that might have provided opportunity for humour or other storylines but sadly not. This was all sex (albeit super cute PG sex) and no substance. It also meant it was slightly repetitive with the continuous descriptions of each other's bodies starting to grate on me in particular. I really did like the characters though and the main storyline was good enough that it was still an enjoyable read.
Little Nothings by Julie Mayhew (12 May 2022)
With friends like these, who needs enemies? Liv Travers never knew real friendship until she met fellow mums Beth and Binnie. The three women become inseparable as they muddle through early parenthood together. Then along comes Ange… Ambitious, wealthy and somehow able to do it all. When the four families take a three-week trip to a luxurious holiday resort, Liv seizes the opportunity to reclaim her place at the heart of the group, only to discover the true, devastating cost of a friendship with Ange.
In my opinion: ★★★★
I was drawn to this by the comparisons to Lianne Moriarty and Louise Candlish but I wouldn't really describe it as a thriller. There weren't any major twists, turns, or reveals; it was more of a drama focusing on the toxic and competitive dynamic between four 'best' friends. It was weirdly compelling though in a bit of a car crash kind of way where you can't help be drawn in - to the characters even though they really are very unlikeable. It did all get a bit ridiculous towards the end though and I really didn't get the ending.
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