PREVIEW: The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain

Another 5-star read by one of my favourite authors Heidi Swain. I'm pleased to review her latest novel 'The Winter Garden' prior to publication thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Simon and Schuster UK.

Expected: 1 October 2020

The blurb 

Freya Fuller is estranged from her parents and has been following her childhood dream of becoming a gardener ever since. When an opportunity to design a winter garden opens up at a Victorian property in Nightingale Square, Freya jumps at the chance to make a fresh start. But while the majority of the residents are welcoming, local artist Finn seems determined to shut her out, and when Freya's family make a surprise appearance, it seems that her new life is about to come crashing down

The review

This is the third in the nightingale series and a return Heidi Swain's best. Unlike the second one 'Poppy's Recipe for Life' this one once again focused fully on the square's residents and that's what I love most about Heidi's novels that sense of catching up with much loved friends. It never ceases to amaze me, however, that one small square can have so many gorgeous and eligible bachelors.

Don't worry though if you haven't read any of the others as each one focuses on a different lead character and story so it really won't matter. Like the others though it's another heart-warming tale of new beginnings, love and friendships with delightful characters and a idyllic setting. A simple formula but one that works so well!

Heidi Swain is one of my all-time favourite authors. With her trademark charm, effortless writing style and vivid descriptions, I could clearly picture the garden, square and every single character. Once again I fell in love with the place, wanting to up sticks and move there. 

The author

Heidi Swain is a popular Sunday Times Best Selling Author of romantic fiction novels. Follow author Heidi Swain on Twitter @Heidi_Swain or find out more at www.heidiswain.co.uk.  

REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I didn't realise until afterwards that this was a young adult mystery but I loved it anyway. So, here's my review of the latest novel by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb 

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.

Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

The review

Not that I realised it at the time but The Inheritance Games is actually a Young Adult mystery book - which is kind of embarrassing I'm not sure I really understood it all. However, in my defence the main reveal was glaringly obvious from the off and actually I think certain things were left unresolved for book two as apparently it's the first in a planned series.  It also didn't matter because for me this was all about the game rather than result - and I loved the game.

I also loved getting to know all the characters and like everyone in the book couldn't help being drawn to the Hawthorn boys. Their characterisation was impressive, each with their own unique voice and way of moving, dressing and speaking, which come across clearly but subtly in the narrative. First, there's Nash, who's seemingly uninterested in Avery, not tortured enough for him to rescue. 

Then, there's ambitious, arrogant Grayson who distrusts Avery intensely and sensation-seeker Jameson who could be using using Avery just to win. And, finally geeky young Alexander (Xander) who is actually the smartest of them all. Avery herself was strong, smart and independent - and I was fascinated by them all. Personally I would've liked more of Nan though as she seemed like the canniest of them all.

Overall, a really fun read with characters you want to get to know, puzzles you want to solve, and a billionaires mansion setting that you wish you could live in. I was hooked from the very beginning. 

The author

US author Jennifer Lynn Barnes has written several acclaimed young adult novels. She also has advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. Follow her @jenlynnbarnes on Twitter or visit www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com to find out more.

REVIEW: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

My one word review of the first novel by TV's Richard Osman - FUN. I loved this light-hearted comedic type murder mystery with its cast of quirky lovable OAPs.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved killings.

But when a local property developer shows up dead, 'The Thursday Murder Club' find themselves in the middle of their first live case.

The four friends, Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron, might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late.

The review
This quirky, quintessentially British, crime novel was so much fun - just what many of us need right now.

Richard Osman has a unique writing style, which took a bit of getting used to particularly as some chapters are written in the third person and some from the point of view of Joyce, one of the Thursday Murder Club's member and residents of the retirement village. But, his unusual rambling style fitted the theme perfectly, particularly Joyce's chapters, reflecting the chatty, scatty manner in which elderly people often muse. This extract, from Joyce, sums up what I'm trying to say perfectly:"It is called the Jigsaw Room,  by the way,  because this is where the bigger jigsaw are completed,  on a gently sloping wooden table in the centre of the room. When I first walked in, there was a 2,000-piecer of Whitstable harbour,  missing a letterbox of a sky.  I once went to Whitstable, just for the day, but I couldn't really see what the fuss was all about. Once you've done the oysters, there's no real shopping to speak of.  Anyway...."  

Madcap yes but Osman manages to perfectly balance the mystery with the everyday preoccupations of his elderly characters, their opinions of each other and descriptions of daily life in the retirement village daily life. Whilst not something serious murder mystery fans will probably like, I thought the other elements provided a really nice touch and made sense as murders don't typically take place in a vacuum, after all. It does mean, however, that there's a lot going on and the plot becomes quite complex with lots of intertwining stories, some which are actually relevant to the murder and others more to individual characters (everyone has a story to tell after all).

There was probably one too many strands to the story line so it didn’t always flow smoothly, was a little too convoluted and confusing at times, and somewhat far-fetched. But, I did like the way the author didn't force a tenuous link between all the different strands, even though it meant I wasn't keen on all of the motives in the end.

Osman says he based the story on a visit to a retirement home and some of the characters he meet there. However, he dreamed them up it really is the diverse characters that make this book - nothing else matters. I love stories featuring young at heart older people and felt real affection for the eccentric crew of amateur detectives. And, that's really part of the charm, the way the characters show that just because they are all old and rightfully worried about their mortality, they are also living very much in the here and now. They use all their charm and wile to gain any advantage they can to try and solve the murder. As Elizabeth aptly says: "Imagine if we only ever did what we were supposed to?"

When reprimanded by the police, Elizabeth also says: "You might try to explain to the CPS that four people in their seventies and eighties have failed to report digging up a body....With what evidence, other than the inadmissible confession you've taken from us this evening? And with four suspects, all of whom are quite happy to go to court, smile happily and pretend to mistake the judge for their granddaughter."

Despite being a light-hearted comedic type murder mystery, because of the age of the main characters it does also touch on some pretty serious subjects including medical issues, physical decline, loneliness, grief and loss. But, once again Osman manages to juggle the two seamlessly and with respect.

Not without its issues, but take it as it's meant (not too seriously) and you've got yourself a fun, entertaining, and eccentric mystery which makes for a wonderful break from the dark and grisly nature of much of this genre. I, for one, am looking forward to the next in this crime series and seeing what Joyce and the gang get up to next.

The author

Richard Osman is a British television producer and presenter. The Thursday Murder Club is his first (and best) novel so far. Follow @richardosman on Twitter to find out more.

REVIEW: Playing Nicely by JP Delaney

Having absolutely loved this, I am pleased to share my review (and generally just fan-girl) about 'Playing Nicely' by JP Delaney. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 6 August 2020

The blurb 
If you found out that your family isn't yours at all, how far would you go to protect them?

Pete Riley answers the door one morning and lets in a parent's worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, a stranger who breaks the devastating news that Pete's son, Theo, isn't actually his son--he is the Lamberts', switched at birth by an understaffed hospital while their real son was sent home with Miles and his wife, Lucy. For Pete, his partner Maddie, and the little boy they've been raising for the past two years, life will never be the same again.

The two families, reeling from the shock, take comfort in shared good intentions, eagerly entwining their very different lives in the hope of becoming one unconventional modern family. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an official investigation that unearths some disturbing questions about the night their children were switched. How much can they trust the other parents--or even each other? What secrets are hidden behind the Lamberts' glossy front door? Stretched to the breaking point, Pete and Maddie discover they will each stop at nothing to keep their family safe.

They are done playing nice.

The review
Wow - I absolutely loved this. It was definitely one of those books that once you start you literally can't stop - a real page-turner.

It's a really difficult book to talk about without spoiling the plot but what I can say is that it was a real roller-coaster. There were so many twists and turns and different elements to this story. The author says in the acknowledgement that he wanted to write about ordinary people who try to resolve a near-impossible situation with compromise and dialogue. And, that's Pete and Maddie - two completely normal people, both with good qualities and flaws, who try to play nicely in the nightmare situation of finding out their son is not theirs, and another polar opposite couple is bringing up their birth son. 

And, you gotta feel for poor Maddie and Pete as they reel from one mishap to another. Granted they bring a lot of it on themselves, but the things that happen to them are all fairly innocuous in themselves and the type of things that could happen to anyone but they take on a different meaning and importance in court. Its a terrifyingly view of how quickly events can escalate into a legal nightmare. For example, in court googling parenting advice is no longer normal, responsible behaviour but can be used as a sign of incompetence. What I liked is that I too read something and thought nothing of it but then later got a feeling of dread as I suddenly realised how it was going to play out just before it did. I was kept in an almost constant state of anxiety as the tension built and built as the story twisted and developed towards its conclusion.

I've not read this author before (I definitely will be in future) but apparently this is quite different to his previous work although I understand his stories are always base on ethical quandaries. And, this one was truly thought-provoking exploring a variety of hard-hitting topics including mental illness, gender roles in parenting, nature vs nurture, and child protection. 

The psychopathy test was a nice touch.....and I'm pleased to say I'm not. But, it was enlightening to understand there's scales of psychopathy and the impact of nature vs nurture on someone's likelihood of becoming a psychopath.

I don't feel that I've done this book justice with my review but as I said it's so hard to explain why it's so good without giving anything away. I will just urge you read it yourself and it's undoubtedly the best psychological thriller I've read this year.

The author
JPDelaney is a pseudonym for a writer who has previously written fiction under other names. Delaney is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Girl Before, which is being brought to the screen. To find out more visit www.jpdelaney.co.uk.

Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up by Alexandra Potter

Having absolutely loved this I'm pleased to share my review of the hilarious new romcom by British author Alexandra Potter. So funny, so relatable and such easy reading. A must-read for any forty-something or anyone whose life isn't working out quite how they'd planned. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 31 December 2020

The blurb 
Nell Stevens’ life is a mess. When her business goes bust and her fiancé with it, Nell’s happy ever after in California falls apart and she moves back to London to start over. But a lot has changed since she’s been gone. All her single friends are now married with children, sky-high rents force her to rent a room in a stranger’s house and in a world of perfect instagram lives, she feels like a f*ck up. Even worse, a forty-something f*ck-up.

But when she lands a job writing obituaries, Nell meets the fabulous Cricket, an eighty-something widow with challenges of her own, and they strike up an unlikely friendship. Together they begin to help each other heal their aching hearts, cope with the loss of the lives they had planned, and push each other into new adventures and unexpected joys.

Because Nell is determined. Next year things are going to be very different. It's time to turn her life around.

The review

I loved this - probably because like main character Nell I am a forty-something single. Not quite a f##k up but certainly not on the same page as everyone else around me or necessarily where I thought I’d be.

As such I totally related to so many of the themes regarding age, marriage and children, with some of my favourites being:

• “This keeps happening to me now...I read articles about middle-aged people as if they’re my parents or something, and then I suddenly realise – hang on, we’re the same age!”
• “I always feel the pressure to explain why I don’t have kids, in a way I’m not sure women who have children do.”
• “Who can make that kind of promise [marriage] when you truly have no idea what will happen in the next thirty or more years ahead?”

It wasn’t just the life stuff I agreed on but I was delighted to find someone (even if they were fictional) who shares my views on ‘The News’. I hate ‘The News’, religiously turning over the TV if it comes on – much to others incredulity – because it’s all doom and gloom. I know bad things happen but I really want to try and pretend they don’t. As Nell says: “It should be renamed the ‘Bad News at Ten’....one horrible headline after another...There is so much suffering. So much terror and injustice. The refugee crisis, our oceans filled with plastic, climate change, animal cruelty, gun and knife crime...the list is endless.”  

Hopefully I’ve already managed to convey that this funny – truly hilariously funny. There’s funny one-liners: “My theory is that’s why our eyesight goes as we get older: to protect us from seeing ourselves in sharp focus.” But, also plenty of situational humour such as Nell’s attempts at babysitter or dealing with Arthur’s dog-poo.

But, it’s not all laughs. There are some serious messages and life lessons too such as: “Real life is messy and complicated. Shit happens. One size doesn’t fit all....We’re all just living our life, and it might not tick all the boxes or look Insta-perfect, but that’s OK.” Feelings of depression and anxiety were also alluded to as “The Fear” but sadly in this case were somewhat lacking. I felt the topic should have either been fully/properly explored or not included as just the implication didn’t do the topic justice or add anything to the story.

This was set over the course of a year, with chapters denoted by months, which I really liked. It just made the course of events and speed at which relationships developed more realistic and believable than some romance novels where boy meets girl and settles down with her a week later. Unlike some this also wasn’t entirely predictable – I mean it did end up exactly as I hoped and thought but somewhere in the middle it wasn’t a given.

And, finally (gushing nearly over I promise) this had a great cast of characters but even more so was the dynamics between them. In particular “the super fabulous Cricket” was brilliantly entertaining and the friendship between her and Nell touching – different generations but so many similarities. Like Nell at the moment but I really hope I’m like Cricket when I’m in my eighties. Then, there was that well-known situation (like in the brilliant film Bridesmaids) where your best friend has got a new best friend who upstages you at every chance but slyly so your mate continues to think the sun-shines-out-of-her. But, it was the love/hate dynamics of unlikely housemates Nell and Edward that I really loved. 

So, in case you hadn’t guessed I absolutely love this. So funny, so relatable and such easy reading. A must-read for anyone but particularly if you’re too a forty-something or your life isn't working out quite how you'd expected. 

The author
Alexandra Potter is a best-selling British author of romantic comedies. To find out more visit www.alexandrapotter.com

REVIEW: The Shelf by Helly Acton

I'm pleased to review the debut novel by Helly Acton - billed as the freshest new voice in women's fiction. I absolutely loved this and I knew I would right from the very first page when Amy describes being "force-subscribed to a daily update of dribble, snot and tears" online from her friends with kids.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Atlantic Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 9 July 2020

The blurb 
Everyone in Amy's life seems to be getting married, having children and settling down (or so Instagram tells her), and she feels like she's falling behind.

So, when her long-term boyfriend surprises her with a dream holiday, she thinks he's going to finally pop the Big Question. But the dream turns into a nightmare when, instead, she finds herself on the set of a Big Brother-style reality television show, The Shelf.

Along with five other women, Amy is brutally dumped live on TV and must compete in a series of humiliating and obnoxious tasks in the hope of being crowned 'The Keeper'.

While inside the house, will Amy learn that there are worse things than being 'left on the shelf'?

The review
I absolutely loved this and I knew I would right from the very first page when I read: 

“Jane’s posted another close-up of the twins. This morning they’re smeared in a rank blend of banana and carrot...Amy resists the urge to post a vomit emoji with #pleasespareus. She wonders what would happen if she was honest online. She’d be cast aside as a kid-hater, which would be unfair given that she quite likes them....What she doesn’t love is being force-subscribed to a daily update of dribble, snot and tears.”

Having been subjected to the same myself recently I could totally relate. In fact this book could have been written for me – a fellow ‘shelfish’ - as I could totally relate to so many of the refreshingly real, contemporary and feminist view points and life lessons. Providing the source of inspiration, for her debut novel, are author Helly Acton’s own experiences as a single woman in her early thirties torn between settling down and savouring her independence. 

Basically everyone in main character Amy's life seems to be getting married, having children and settling down, and she feels the pressure to keep up without ever questioning whether that’s actually what she wants. That is until her long-term boyfriend brutally dumps her live on TV’s latest reality show ‘The Shelf’ where she must compete in a series of tasks and therapy sessions in the hope of being transformed into a 'Keeper'.

With the show’s resident therapist, Dr Hicks’, help (and the baby challenge) Amy realises that “trying to find someone to do life with” doesn’t necessarily have to mean mortgages, marriage and kids but could be seeing things and having experiences. In fact maybe the love of her life isn’t a man at all – “maybe it’s a secret beach in Asia somewhere. Or maybe it’s me, as self-centred as that sounds.”

I totally agree Amy and share many of Amy’s (new) life goals: 
• Start a blog tick
• Travel the world tick
• Have adventures tick
• Find love tick
• Be free 
• Have a family
• Make a home tick

Although it’s Amy’s best friend Sarah (and not the celebrity life coaches) that best sum up my feelings ‘on doing life’ with the sentiment:

“You don’t need to rush into anything. Hell you wouldn’t need to if you were seventy-two! Live life for yourself....If you meet someone who wants what you want, great. If you don’t, those are the cards you’ve been dealt.”

Anyway enough with the life lessons before you think this is some kind of bra-burning feminist or life-affirming self-help book because as you can tell from the opening it’s really not. It’s light-hearted, deeply satirical and brilliantly hilarious. I was literally crying with laughter at the baby challenge when housemate Hattie reluctantly leaves her baby with Jackie who accidentally dislocates her arm, handing her back with the limb reattached the wrong way round and a near-detached head.    

Such a great cast of diverse characters too, particularly in the form of the housemates – Selfish Jackie, Distant Gemma, Boring Hattie, Bitter Kathy, Easy Lauren and of course Desperate Amy. In fact I was actually more #TeamJackie or #TeamLauren than Amy.

Yes there was a lot of parallels to Love Island, Big Brother and the lesser known Channel 5’s ‘Make or Break’ – and yes I’m a reality TV aficionado. But, that just made it even more relatable and imaginable, so no bad thing especially as it was done in a satirical way.

So, to round-up in case you didn’t get it I absolutely loved this and can not recommend enough!!!

The author
In her mid-twenties, Helly took a career break to travel returning home six years later to find herself the last of her single friends. Helly uses her experience as a single woman in her early thirties, torn between settling down and savouring her independence, as a source of inspiration for her stories. Follow @hellyacton on Twitter or visit www.hellyacton.com to find out more.

REVIEW: The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

I'm pleased to say I loved this latest psychological thriller from Megan Miranda. Such a fascinating, unique plot with an ending I could never have guessed. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Atlantic Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 2 July 2020

The blurb 
Everyone knows the story of the girl from widow hills...

When Arden Maynor was six years old, she was swept away in a terrifying storm and went missing for days. Against all odds, she was found alive, clinging to a storm drain. Fame followed, and so did fans, creeps and stalkers. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and left Widow Hills behind.

Twenty years later, Olivia, as she is now known, is plagued by night terrors. She often finds herself out of bed in the middle of the night, sometimes streets away from her home. Then one evening she jolts awake in her yard, with the corpse of a man at her feet.

The girl from Widow Hills is about to become the centre of the story, once again...

The review
I loved this – such a fascinating, unique plot with an ending I could never have guessed. A real page-turner.

Narrated by Olivia in the present, transcripts, newspaper reports and book excerpts help us piece together a fragmented version of the past. It was one of those stories where anyone could’ve been the murder and I truly suspected pretty much everyone at one point or another. Some characters I liked and some I didn’t so there were lots points when I was like ‘oh no please don’t let it have been them’ – you just never knew from one minute to the next. For example, main character Liv didn’t seem the type but as she said herself: “Not unless I felt trapped, cornered. Then, subconsciously and truthfully, I couldn’t say for sure what type of person I’d become.”

And, this book tested that premise over and over again, how we never truly know how we’d react in an extreme situation until we tested. Ordinary people in extraordinary situations and the lengths they’d go to protect themselves and/or those they love. And, not only ourselves but do we ever really know anyone or just the person people want us to see. 

I became totally invested in Liv. Her mum (or mom in this case) calls her a “survivor” and that’s what she is – smart, tough, brave, resilient, and intuitive. I enjoyed the constant sense of unease and worry as Olivia attempts to unravel her past and questions her own innocence. I also really liked her stoic, loyal, sensible neighbour Rick and was glad his story wasn’t what it seemed.

My only negative was that I really wanted an epilogue – I would’ve liked to know how things turned out for Liv and Rick, and most importantly whether Liv and Bennett got together (I hope so). 

The author
US author Megan Miranda was a scientist and high school teacher before writing her first novel, which came out of her fascination with scientific mysteries, especially those associated with the brain. Follow @MeganLMiranda or find out more at meganmiranda.com

REVIEW: Us Three by Ruth Jones

Not what I was expecting from Ruth Jones of 'Gavin and Stacey' fame but I'm thrilled to share my review of her second novel 'Us Three' as I totally loved it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 3 September 2020

The blurb 
Meet Lana, Judith and Catrin. Best friends since primary school when they swore an oath on a Curly Wurly wrapper that they would always be there for each other, come what may.

After the trip of a lifetime, the three girls are closer than ever. But an unexpected turn of events shakes the foundation of their friendship to its core, leaving their future in doubt – there’s simply too much to forgive, let alone forget. An innocent childhood promise they once made now seems impossible to keep...

The Review
Ruth Jones is best known for 'Gavin and Stacey' aka outstanding and award-winning television comedy writing and as such I was expecting this to be a comedy. I was wrong but also pleasantly surprised.

This was about friendship; Lana, Judith and Catrin who swore on a Curly Wurly wrapper, aged eight, that they would be best friends forever. It's written in my favourite style with chapters effortlessly alternating between the three girls (with occasional guest chapters from one of the supporting cast) and three parts (or decades). We see how the girls navigate a lifetime of love, family life, work, betrayal, tragedy and life events that irreversibly shape each one and stretch their friendship to breaking point.

Of late I seem to have gravitated to romcoms (or thrillers), but one of my first and favourite ever authors is the late Maeve Binchy. And, in many ways, with its focus on relationships and their ever-changing dynamics, this reminded me of her and reignited my passion for this genre.

The three main characters are in their own words as different as "chalk, cheese and chocolate". But that's what made it so compelling as you see how each one handles life and the same events so differently. It also meant that I related to each one at different times. Ruth Jones describes each character so brilliantly that I felt like the fourth friend and that I'd also known them all my life.

The author
Follow @RuthJonesAuthor on Facebook.

REVIEW: My Lies, Your Lies by Susan Lewis

Here's my review of the gripping new book from bestselling author, Susan Lewis. I can't adequately put into words how well written and thought out this was in every respect. I literally cannot wait to read some of her other work.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The blurb 
His life was destroyed by a lie. Her life will be ruined by the truth.

Joely tells other people’s secrets for a living. As a ghost writer, she’s used to scandal – but this just might be her strangest assignment yet.

Freda has never told her story to anyone before. But now she’s ready to set the record straight and to right a wrong that’s haunted her for forty years.

Freda’s memoir begins with a 15-year-old girl falling madly in love with her teacher. It ends in a way Joely could never possibly have imagined. As the story unravels, Joely is spun deeper into a world of secrets and lies. Delving further into Freda’s past, Joely’s sure she can uncover the truth… But does she want to?

The Review
I've never read this author before and if I'm honest I found this a little hard to get into initially. First up there was a lot of talk about the main character's marriage breakdown and family relationships, which at the time seemed irrelevant particularly as I just wanted to get on with the mystery.

Chapters also switched between the present-day narrative and the past story of an as-yet-unidentified 15-year-old girl. The two were written in such different styles - and even fonts - that it was quite jarring and almost like reading two completely different books/authors.

Thirdly, Freda asks her ghost-writer Joely: "Do you think sex should be portrayed in graphic detail or should it be approached with the use of subtle innuendo and metaphor?" To which Joely answers: "Probably the latter" and with which I totally agree. And, as such some of the early extracts of the young girl were a bit much for me particularly given the nature/age of those involved. This leads me to a warning that this book does include paedophilia or more correctly hebephiliac (involving adolescents rather than children) - it's not stomach-churning but it is there nonetheless.

Anyway I preserved and I am so glad I did because from about a third of way in I became totally and completely hooked, didn't want it to end and would even go so far as to say one of favourite reads of the year so far. And, once you get into it you realise how relevant the seemingly irrelevant actually is, the reason for the different styles and the subject matter also becomes less significant.

Once underway this kept me continuously guessing - even though every single thing/sentence is totally relevant meaning that the clues are there all along, I just didn't predict any of the many twists and turns. And, there were so many (twists and turns), and Susan Lewis so masterful at dropping them at the exact right pace, ie just before you worked it out.

I also loved the characterisation and development. I don't want to give anything away but I was totally fascinated by one of the main characters who's somewhat accurately described as "Cool. Weird but cool." I loved the way that the others rallied around that person in the end despite some of the despicable things they'd done - it was a truly fitting and great ending. There's also a bit at the end where the 'weird character leaves a parting gift for another character which was genius and the exact thing that the character would've done if they were real.

I know (now) that the author is the best-selling author of over thirty gripping, page-turners but I can't adequately put into words how well written and thought out this was in every respect. I literally cannot wait to read some of her other work.

The author
Follow @susanlewisbooks on Twitter or find out more at susanlewis.com

REVIEW: We Just Clicked by Anna Bell

Having absolutely loved this I am pleased to share my review the second novel from romantic comedy author Anna Bell. As one of the funniest books I've read in ages I totally recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The blurb 

Izzy Brown has always dreamed of being an Instagram influencer. So when fellow Instagrammer Luke suggests they ‘fake date’ to boost their profiles, Izzy says yes – against her better judgement.

Now Izzy’s profile tells the story of a confident, glamorous thirty-something with the perfect boyfriend, and her follower numbers are shooting upwards. So what if Izzy can’t stop bickering with Luke, his habit of checking his quiff in every single mirror is driving her insane, and behind the scenes she’s hiding a secret heartache? Everyone tells a few fibs on social media, right?

But when Izzy runs into Aidan, the mysterious stranger who saved her the day her world fell apart two years ago, major sparks start to fly between them. Izzy’s sure she can have the online success she’s always dreamed of, whilst continuing to fall in love – and heal her heart – in real life. After all, Aidan doesn’t use social media… what could possibly go wrong?

The Review
I absolutely loved this - one of the funniest books I've read in ages, perhaps even ever. 

The situational and observational humour was spot-on from the colleague who never makes tea to going out for the night but wondering how long you have to stay before it's acceptable to go home and get into your PJs. There's also the awkwardness of a glass-walled ensuite in your swanky hotel or not realising your girlfriend has a flat full of people when you start discussing your sex life over the flat' s intercom. 

A great contemporary story highlighting the difference between people's perfectly-filtered life online and their real life - including in Izzy's case a fake boyfriend. But, it wasn't all superficial hashtags though there's also deeper themes of a family moving on after the death of a loved one - which the author managed to blend seamlessly within the light-hearted romantic comedy. 

There's a great posse of characters from main character Izzy, whose feeds show Louboutins and candlelight dinners but really wears 80s slogan sweatshirts and eats ready-meals to work colleague Mrs Harris aka the winner of the Great Office Bake Off and also the one who never makes tea because of her dodgy knee. They are all people you'd love to know and be friends with in real life. I even loved fake boyfriend and fellow instagrammer, Luke, secretly hoping there were actually genuine feelings developing on his side.

I couldn't get enough of this, reading it at every opportunity and was gutted when the pages ran out as I just didn't want it to end. In case you hadn't guessed I would totally recommend this hilariously funny, fast-paced romance and can't wait to read more from this author.

The author
Follow @AnnaBell_writes on Twitter or find out more at www.annabellwrites.com

REVIEW: The Switch by Beth O'Leary

I'm delighted to share my review of the latest novel by an author I've wanted to read for ages, Beth O'Leary. Such an original and hilarious concept for a story with a great cast of lovable characters - I totally recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The Blurb 
Eileen is sick of being 79.
Leena's tired of life in her twenties.
Maybe it's time they swapped places...

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen.

Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

The Review
I loved the concept of this - 79-year-old Eileen swopping life in a Yorkshire village with that of her granddaughter Leena, who's in her twenties and lives in London. It was such an original idea and one which provided almost limitless opportunities for cross-generational and situational humour. Thankfully it was also one that delivered and was as good as the blurb suggested. 

It has the predictability and formulaic approach of most romcoms ie resolutely single girl falls for conveniently local, hot, single guy or two people that seemingly can't stand each other fall in love. There's nothing wrong with that, however, because it's something that works and that I love but the generational life swop gave this romcom a fresh, unique spin. 

As did the amazing cast of characters. It goes without saying that my favourite was obviously Eileen - a fiercely loyal, kind-hearted and enigmatic pensioner with lots of attitude, a quick wit and a blunt honesty that was hilarious. I was totally invested in her story, reading with a mix of admiration and protectiveness as she threw herself into online dating in London. She was truly inspirational and I can only hope that I'm like her when I'm her age. 

The side characters were just as lovable as the main ones and really involved in the story. Again I particularly loved Arthur, Eileen's crotchety, nosy neighbour. Who forms an unlikely friendship with Leena. The plot is similar, in that alongside the core storyline there's plenty of other things and sub-plots going on involving the supporting cast. 

Beth O'Leary is a brilliant storyteller, capturing the idiosyncrasies of the characters and British life perfectly with her trademark observational humour. Her portrayal of village life where everybody knows everybody's business versus London where people are immediately suspicious of anybody who tries to make eye contact let alone strike up a conversation. 

I would say, however, that I found the alternating narrative slightly confusing at times as both characters were so interlinked in terms of their back stories, supporting cast and life swop that sometimes I had to double-check whose chapter it was. Not that it detracted from my enjoyment but I also found it slightly repetitive. Both characters needed a life change as they struggled to cope following the death of a family member, hence the life swop. And, whilst this was important and the catalyst for the entire story we were unnecessarily reminded of the fact again and again. 

I really enjoyed this though, giving it a 4.5 rating, rounded up to 5 stars.

The Author
Follow @OLearyBeth or find out more at www.betholearyauthor.com