I hate to do this, but I am learning to recognise when I have to step back a little…
Right now, my life is filled with so much, and I think, for a little while, I am going to have to step back from the blog for a little while until things settle.
Home life, work life, and my own writing schedule… it is so hard to balance right now that aside from a possible weekly Spidey post, if I can, and my Book & A Brew posts, I will be stepping back. I will try and read posts, as and when I can, but I apologise if I am not there on your blogs for a while…
This year I have a full August off from school. The last few years, we have started back in the last week of August, so aside from trying to get words down, I hope I get a load of reading done, too!
Who am I kidding? Words? My own? They did not flow. I was caught up in an awful exhaustion. However, I did get to read plenty and so far, my arc list is empty, but I am sure that won’t be for long! (It wasn’t. I read a lot of arcs!)
I can try and get some of my actual TBR books read now!
End of month Update: I finished all my arcs! And I managed to read at least five books from my TBR pile and on my Kindle, so I think that is a win! Seventeen books, bringing my yearly total on Goodreads, so far, to 103 books read. I have read more, but some are betas which aren’t on Goodreads so far!
I steamed through this one, I have to say! I love a book that is set a little while back. Not enough to be deemed proper historical, but old enough for me to feel that nostalgia… more modern history, I guess. The Last Train Home felt exactly like that. Abbie and Tom meet, officially, on a train in 2005, and their introductory conversation goes from that to a disaster movie scene in what feels like seconds. A derailment. A blackout. An unexpected hero. A lot of confused feelings. Being two people involved in such a tragedy can bring them together like nothing else could. But is it friendship, a mutual support acquaintance, or something else? Set over seven years and told from the viewpoint of both Abbie and Tom, this was a beautifully heartrending story where, as a reader, I wanted to bang heads together but felt the internal pull of conflicting thoughts that both characters were feeling. I loved the will-they/won’t-they element of the story, and a little further on, I was in love with Teddy! A cute little person is always a bonus to bring that ‘awww!’ element. So many moments from the not-so-distant past are mentioned, including the London Bombings, the awful recession of 2008 (and ongoing) and how these events fractured people’s lives and brought others together. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone, and Penguin, for an ARC.
What a beautiful story. A woman with her life planned, finds everything deraild by a young child. After being present during a tragedy that has nothing to do with her, Loretta can’t stop thinking about that little girl. Even though she has never had any interest in children in her life. This was a lovely tale about how sometimes we need a catalyst to find that human compassion side within. There are hints of different ASD behaviours in both the MC and the child, which was interesting to read. And the way Loretta’s connections with her colleagues, friends and loved ones, also evolves in a satisfying manner. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square Publishers for an ARC.
Three estranged half-sisters are brought together after the death of their father. Each woman is a very different character from three different mothers, and after a relatively close childhood, spending idyllic summers together, they drifted apart. But a few stipulations in their father’s will leaves them with little choice but to spend time together to complete certain tasks and try and get on. Maggie is the oldest, the strong one, who seems to be left holding the fort all the time. She finds it hard to accept happiness. Simone is in a good career and struggling with pregnancy issues, which strain her relationship with her wife. Star is a lone spirit, drifting here and there but also trying to run away from a toxic ex. They each have an opinion on each other’s predicaments, which aren’t always favourable. I loved the curio shop that Augustus, the father in question, left for the girls, filled with amazing objects and fascinating tat. Each woman has a romance to either start or allow to bloom, and we, as readers, see that. A lovely easy wintery read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
You know I love Kay Bratt’s Hart’s Ridge series, and I was privileged to receive an ARC before the publication date. Again, we have Taylor Grey, the main character who runs throughout the series. She is the older sister and a cop in the small town of Hart’s Ridge. Each story concentrates on a specific crime that has been committed, and each book’s crime is based on something that has happened in reality. This time it is about the disappearance and suspicious death of a young lad known to Taylor and her family, as well as her also investigating another assault that was committed against her a few years before. The other person who Nobody Told Me concentrates on is the younger sister, Lucy. We were already introduced to her in a previous story and learned of one part of her past. However, another secret in her life is unearthed and stalker issues cause her great distress. Together with her daily load of work and helping out at the family shelter, Taylor tries to assist her youngest sister but is filled with scepticism based on past experiences. However, after a good few twists and turns, they come together and there are several great plot endings, as well as more to really get us ready for the next couple of books! An engaging, fabulous read as always!
Since the weather has made a bit of a downturn, it feels right to be reading Christmas-themed books in August, and I dived into Starlight at Snow Pine Lodge with high hopes. Tania and Rose are staging an intervention for their close friend Clara. Having faced a huge loss, Clara is floundering in life, and her friends think a week away at Tania’s family lodge for a spot of skiing and a Christmas that means she won’t be alone is the best thing for her. Though both the other women are struggling with their own battles. Tania is the daughter of an uber-famous Hollywood actor and half-sister to Lysander, a huge name in his own right in modelling. She’s spent her life in the spotlight, but never for what she wants to be known for. And this trip might be just what she needs, as she flees the paparazzi and rumours circulating about her. Rose, on the face of it, seems to be the one who has everything together; however, she’s got her own secret turmoil. She invites one of her own friends to the trip, who brings a different spin to all their problems. There is beautiful scenery, uninvited guests, sadness, happiness, romance and relationships; plenty to keep a reader busy! An easy read, filled with lots of threads and points of view, so you have to keep on your toes to know who is thinking what. Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an ARC.
Ria is an interior designer flying out to a snowy village in New Hampshire, USA, to complete a very important job. Hayden is the man who employed her to help his parents update an old family business. The inn in question is beautiful, set with a gorgeous wintery backdrop; however, it has lost its edge, which Lucy is set on finding again. But she ends up not only helping to redecorate the inn but help with some family issues that have cropped up too. Meanwhile, Hayden finds this trip back home eye-opening, and there appears to be something happening in his heart, as well… A simple, festive love story with an inevitable happy ending. Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an ARC.
Meghna is at that age when her parents seem just to want her married and settled. She is already in a job of her choosing, which isn’t what her mother wanted. Karthik has made a deal with his mother. She can introduce him to as many women as she wants for one year. He has no intention of getting married but this will placate her. Somehow they get introduced and end up settling for an engagement of convenience, since he needs to show his mum he is willing, and she needs a date to an awkward wedding invitation. But things never quite run to plan. Feelings and the heart have a funny way of making themselves known at the most inopportune moments too. A fun read with a lovely happy ending! Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an ARC.
If you want a quick spicy romcom read, this is definitely one to jump on! Fi is travelling to Germany to the Oktoberfest and to see her best friend, Max, as well as some of the other friends she made fifteen years ago when she was studying abroad. She’s working for a promotion, but she feels stagnant in her love life. Then when she sees Max, after four years, feelings she never expected rise to the surface. The story sees the group of friends accept a challenge to do a series of silly activities and dares in a group, as well as in partners, and the knock-on effect of these things creates a fantastic build-up for a perfect friends-to-lovers story. And yes, there is a bit of graphic naughtiness! Many thanks to NetGalley and LM Books for an ARC.
What a stunning debut by Emma Hinds! The Knowing is set in 19th-century New York, where a young slum-dwelling girl has a gift for card reading and communicating with ghosts. The voices that guide her steer her away from any dialogue with the spirit world, but circumstances keep bringing her to face them. Flora is young but has seen a lot in her life already, including witnessing the person who cared for her and looked out for her as a child being abused and abducted. She ends up in the care of a tattooist who gives her affection for a while, protection, tattoos, and a roof over her head, but at a cost. Then she meets Minnie, who turns her life upside down. She flees her home, then lives a life filled with worry that she will be found and ‘dealt with’ in an unpleasant manner, as well as the added concern about the man under whose roof she now resides. Her inked body becomes a lure for people keen to watch the freak shows common at that time and the chance to hear from a ‘painted mystic’. Yet the spirits keep knocking at her door, despite her trying not to listen. Events occur which push her and Minnie to a different destination in another country, where her nightmares follow. I was intrigued by the characters, the story, and the twists and turns. I love a bit of supernatural! Many thanks to NetGalley and Bedford Square House for an ARC.
Melanie is an influencer who is losing her influence, so a chance trip to a small Canadian town to promote a new hotel is a bonus. However, dates get mixed up, and she ends up there early, at the height of the fishing season, with nowhere to stay. Luckily, there is one Air BnB booking. But that is a bit of a let down too. The grumpy owner, fisherman Evan, is hellbent on getting her to leave until his cousin convinces him otherwise. A reluctant boat trip to spot whales, a tragic accident, and Melanie finds herself with a fisherman fiance! (Pretend, of course…). It is an enemy-to-lovers story, with a heap of family drama, some sizzling romance and a sprinkling of spice! The Catch is #3 in the Influencers series, but you can read it as a stand alone. An easy read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK – Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Penguin for an ARC.
Releasing February 13th, 2024
Join me in September for a special Book and a Brew with my dealer friend and writerly sister, Lucy Mitchell, where I share my review of this 5-star read!
I read the first and it was horrifying, and I applaud Jaswinder Sanghera for coming out into the public with this story. The second, again, highlighted the awfulness of these forced marriages, and honour crimes. This, the third, felt a little repetitive in places. I know it is her own story, however, there wasn’t much new in in, apart from the travelogue to India, and her amazement that Indians in India are more progressive than their NRI counterparts. A sad story in many ways, but good to see she got some sort of closure.
I’ve meant to read a Portia MacIntish book for ages, but life got away with me. First, I didn’t know this was a follow-up story to characters introduced in a previous book, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. In fact, it’s made me want to get the first book so I can learn more! Cara and Millsy are the perfect couple in everyone’s eyes. Only they’ve broken up but can’t tell anyone until a huge planned Christmas holiday is over. It has a delightful cast of characters and a few annoying ones. But you need that. We all have those annoying people in our lives, don’t we? Tally being one of them. I wanted Millsy to man up and tell her to disappear, but he never did! I wish Millsy’s gran Iona had a bigger part, though. Even from the few scenes she was in, you could feel the power she would hold over things. A true character. You could feel the romantic tension between both characters throughout the book. There were a few moments where I thought Cara would find her true love somewhere else but that wouldn’t be second-chance romance, would it? Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
I’ve read a good few of the more recent releases by Lizzie Chantree and finally got around to reading one of her earliest novels, Ninja School Mum. Skye is a widowed mother in the run, so it seems, from something dark. She has skills that she needs to hide, but they become more and more apparent as she navigates her son being bullied by a child in his school. Another carer is facing similar problems, and slowly, they forge a friendship that is the start of more for the children. Skye’s landlord is a single father and seems pretty unapproachable. However, somehow, their paths cross in a more personal way, sparking a romance that Skye never thought she would be ready for. Then we have some big twists and turns as secrets are unveiled and old faces come out of the shadows. I enjoyed the unravelling of mysteries in this story and read it quickly!
Another twist and turn-filled tale by Lizzie Chantree. This story is about a woman of a certain age who feels as if she is beyond that age where anyone notices her. Olivia works a rubbish job in a large firm, replenishing stationery around the office, and no one notices her. However, just because she looks and acts the way she does doesn’t mean people should dismiss her. Over the story, we find out why Olivia feels so downtrodden, and slowly, the secrets she is hiding and her skills are revealed. She has a best friend, Darius, who is like a brother to her, but he has different feelings for her. Connie, her boss’s wife, becomes a good friend, too, as she leans on Olivia for help. And then there is Gabe, in the police, trying to solve a crime and getting involved emotionally with someone he shouldn’t. Some so many twists and turns are brought out into the open at the end; I wasn’t expecting them at all! There were lots, but they were all tied together brilliantly!
Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse It Ends With Us is one of those books that has been hyped up and talked about all over the internet. BookTok was crazy over it; the #CoHo fans were crazy for it. So, only when it was on offer I bought it. And it has sat on my TBR shelf for a while until I had time to reach for it. It was my first Colleen Hoover book. The story is sadly beautiful. Lily comes from an abusive household. She’s witnessed things. And seen them brushed under the carpet. Then she meets Atlas, a homeless young man, who somehow becomes her closest friend and more until he has to leave her life. Fast forward a few years, and she lives happily in Boston. She meets Ryle under strange circumstances, and through twists of fate, their lives intertwine until the inevitable happens. As Lily begins to live her dreams, opening up a business with the help of a new, good friend, she can’t help but revisit things that happened when she was younger, and a set of journals she used to keep gives the readers the voice of the younger Lily. I’m not going into it too deep, but there is a time when the past and present meet, and it isn’t always pretty. Domestic abuse is a heavy part of this story, and then I read the acknowledgements at the end. (after I finished the book. Don’t read them before; it will ruin the story. Unless you don’t like surprises.) It’s a poignant story that was possibly quite painful yet cathartic to write. Three very damaged souls portray an echoing sentiment from the book. There aren’t bad people, just those who make bad decisions sometimes to the detriment of their loved ones. Was it the best book I have ever read? Not quite. Does it deserve the hype heaped upon it? I’m not sure. However, if you like emotional YA fiction, I am sure you would enjoy it. I read it in a day. I didn’t want to leave the story. And I got It Starts With Us to read after. So I was invested enough. A very good read.
I read this straight after finishing It Ends With Us, and I am glad I did, as it capped the story off in a positive way. A more lighthearted conclusion to a rollercoaster of a story focussing more on Atlas and Lily in a dual POV, and how they navigate life after Ryle and his behaviour towards his now ex-wife, Lily, with a small child in tow. I enjoyed it.
So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!
Can you believe we have hit the second half of the year? I have no clue what I will be reading or how much, given it is the end of term, but let’s go! I have definitely slowed down in my weekly reading, though. I am finding myself so tired at the moment, and maybe it’s end of term-itis… or that perimenopause thing, but I don’t like it, because it makes me lose precious time reading!
Well, eleven books isn’t too shabby, is it? And there are some stonkers in there, too! And, three make my Christmas in July complete, too!
After thoroughly enjoying Confessions of a 40-Year-Old F*Up, I was thrilled to hear there was a sequel. picking up around 18 months after the end of the first book, we are reintroduced to Nell, who seems to be settling into life better than she was before, She is engaged to Edward, they are living together, and she has her trusted friendships, as well as her new best friend, Cricket, the octagenarian who she met in the first book. The thing is, no matter how settled you think you are, life always has alternative plans, and Nell’s life is no different. From that late urge to want motherhood to dealing with the beginnings of Perimenopause, friendships becoming fragile as everyone is dealing with their own issues and realising you might not actually have it all together, despite being closer to 50 than before. I loved getting back in touch with Nell and her life, and though our situations are different, there was still plenty I could relate to, as a woman of a similar age. And I just LOVE Cricket! Her character develops in a brilliant way, too, showing us that age should never be a factor that writes you off. Fantastic sequel!¨C11CMany thanks to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for an ARC.
I have been looking forward to diving into this since I saw it on several social media channels, and having read the blurb, it felt like a story right up my alley. And I was not mistaken. A fantastic story rooted in Pakistani British culture. Yousef is the golden boy. Born to Pakistani-born parents, he has been brought up to live a certain way and schooled to study a certain career in order to have the best chances in life afforded by his parents. Dilemmas strike when he is finally independent and at university, meeting different folk from other backgrounds. But he doesn’t expect romance to be a factor in his study of Medicine. Meanwhile, his sister is feeling the pain of being a daughter and a bit of a burden on her family. Both are of marriageable age and that is when plenty of problems can arise… I don’t want to go into this too much, but I can definitely say I loved this book. There was the multi-generational POV which, as a British Asian myself, I can see as being key to those from different backgrounds needing, so they can understand the dilemmas faced by British-born Asians and understand a little about the familial pressures put upon us as well. I could relate to so many situations, despite not being from a Muslim background. There are some embarrassments that are universally Asian, not just belonging to a certain religious background. The fear of what others will say, competing with the other families, parents wanting the best for their children, despite not really knowing what might be best for them, illicit relationships, falling in love after marriage, and the dreaded falling for someone outside of your cultural background… So much to take in, and so well written. It was entertaining, educational and relatable. Can’t wait for more fiction from the Dr.! Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
Now, you know me. I love a book centred around culture, and especially those books with Desi culture at its roots, so reading the blurb for Tufayel Ahmed’s Better Left Unsaid made me hit that ‘request’ button. Three siblings, British Bangladeshi Muslims, and the fallout in their lives after losing both parents and suffering further upset after one of their own is targetted by a hate crime against women wearing a hijab. Imran, Sumaya and Majid are brothers and sisters; however, all three have very different outlooks on life. Imran, being the eldest, feels a sense of responsibility for his family since his parents died. Sumaya broke the shackles of familial expectations and moved to a different country. Majid is the youngest, seemingly unaffected by life and his family’s woes because he is so much younger. The thing is, nothing is ever that simple. Imran is in danger of losing his wife and job and already losing hold of the family left in his care. Sumaya has been handed secrets and a huge promise to fulfil by her mother on her deathbed. Majid – well, in many ways, he’s the only one living life as he should. There is a lot to unpack in this novel. Cultural expectations, that ‘what will others say’ mentality that is embedded in the fabric of Asian society, gender-related expectations, the inability to just talk and be honest with one another… I have to say I did not like Imran. But I am glad he had a change of heart by the end of the book. Sumaya has her own difficulties, and yet, she does overcome them in a roundabout way. I just feel that Majid needed more of a starring role. We don’t really get to know much about him until much later in the book, and considering I felt he was the catalyst for the shift in thinking, I wish we had learned more about him. There is plenty of lamenting about being the one who had to look after parents and younger siblings by the older two, but there are so many other issues that could have held more importance. Hidden sexualities, hate crimes, racism in workplaces. It was a good read, though I feel there could have been a little more depth. Many thanks to NetGAlley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC.
Loved The Keeper of Stories, so was so excited to read this second book by Sally Page, The Book of Beginnings is a story of friendship tied up in grief and hidden histories. Jo, who the story centres around, finds herself in London, looking after a quaint shop owned by her unwell uncle. As she settles into her temporary job, she meets fascinating people, neighbouring business owners, and interesting customers, some of whom become trusted and treasured friends. There were so many layers to this story, including a little love story or two that tugged at the heartstrings. A great read! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.
I love any book with British Asian characters at the helm, so Anita Rani’s offering appealed straight away. Baby Does A Runner is a brilliant story about Baby, or Simran; a British-born Sikh woman who is single, in her 30s and struggling a bit with not getting the same opportunities in life as her male counterparts at work, and with the loss of her father. A secret revealed during a trip home sparks the interest in a fact-finding mission back to the motherland, though it is labelled as a bit of an Eat. Pray, Love type trip. Baby learns so much about her own feelings as an Indian abroad, as well as one whose family lost so much during the partition. The reason for her trip bears fruit she wasn’t expecting in many forms, with truths being exposed, as well as the possibility of a little romance along the way. So many things dealt with here, but Anita has joined the wave of authors, bringing the voice of British-Asians to the literary front, giving us characters and situations we can relate to. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for an ARC.
Released 20th July, 2023
Match Me If You Can by Sandy Barker
It’s so exclusive that I don’t even have a cover, but the wonderful Sandy will be joining me near publication date for another Book & A Brew so I will share more details there!
Witch You Weren’t Here by Emma Jackson
Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one I will be Book and Brewing with in October!
Gotta love a Lynsey Kelk! Who doesn’t? Phoebe Chapman is another typical hapless character Kelk has brought to us, filled with the woes of a life that isn’t going anywhere, a failed romance, and a job that used to ignite passion, but is now just bringing feelings of… meh. She goes on holiday to visit her hight-flying sister in Hollywood Hills, is left to her own devices for a few days as her sister has to work, and ends up getting an eyeful from a possible pervert next-door neighbour, who turns out to be much the opposite, as well as rather hot! Then the whirlwind that is Bel arrives, forging an instant friendship and declaring her undying love for the abovementioned neighbour. Oh, talking of neighbours, Myrna Moore. She’s a reclusive octagenarian ‘faded’ film star who is a total character and a half, bringing all manner of different joys into Phoebe’s previously sheltered life! But that other neighbour… Ren. Now he is hot in oh, so many ways. Physically attractive but also a genuinely nice guy. Caring, sympathetic, and not fake. What a great match he would be for Bel. Unless someone else finds themselves falling for someone they shouldn’t. I won’t give anything more away, but it is a fantastic read. Definitely one for the beach hols, this summer! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, UK for an ARC
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful story! Josie Silver, you made me shed an emotional tear or two at the end! The story centres around Iris, a woman who has fled an abusive relationship in the UK, to New York, where she hopes to rekindle memories of her late mother and her time as a singer in a band there in her youth, She finds a surrogate family in the guise of Bobby and his partner when she takes a job in his noodle restaurant and ends up with a little home for herself just above her workplace. She finds it hard to get out and about, the emotional scars from her previous relationship proving too deep to heal quickly, even though there are thousands of miles between them. A visit out and about in New York with Bobby sparks a moment of recognition when she spots a familiar door that is the catalyst for so much. The possibility of new friendships and maybe even love, but it all ends up built on a couple of lies that grow bigger daily in her mind. Geo is a kind-hearted man, still mourning the loss of his wife seven years ago. He is navigating another loss in the form of his uncle’s memory. Santo is the only one with the secret family recipe for the vanilla gelato that is sold in Belottis, their age-old family gelateria, which is renowned for this very ice cream. Iris could solve his dilemma, but not without recounting a tragic story from many years ago, that could fracture a solid family. Somehow she becomes involved in helping Geo try to recreate the recipe and inadvertently becomes involved in his family and with him, too. I don’t really want to go into too much, because I really need you to go and read this beautiful story, which ends with such heart. I wasn’t joking when I said I cried at the end! Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK – Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business, Penguin, for an ARC.
Two souls suffering their own losses, craving moments alone and thrown together in a random situation. What could happen? Rose can’t celebrate Christmas anymore. Not after a tragedy that left her alone and full of blame on Christmas Eve. All she wants is a few days on her own to reset, with no one expecting her to be all festive. Off she heads to an extra special cottage in the middle of nowhere. Charlie is in turmoil. After losing his daughter to another country, with her mum and new stepdad, Christmas has lost its sparkle… He needs to get away to wallow in his own misery. A break suggested by his good friend in a secluded cottage in the back of beyond is arranged. But the real tragedy is the fact that they are double booked into the same idyllic, isolated cottage. In the snow, where there is only one bedroom and no way for one of them to leave… A recipe for disaster? Both have their faithful pups with them, Max and George, who immediately become best canine buds. But the same can’t be said of their human companions, who fight to stay as disconnected as possible. This is a classic case of forced proximity, as Rose and Charlie learn snippets about the other and, in tiny ways, begin to change, but are those snippets enough? I read it all in a day. Loved the story and the little twists that really had you guessing what was really going on in Rose and Charlie’s personal lives back home. Christmas is a time for love; this book showed it in spades. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House, UK, Cornerstone for an ARC.
Releasing 26th October, 2023
So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!
Not only was I reading this month, but also nervously awaiting reviews of my own book, number 2 in the Ristay Series, Straight As A Jalebi, out on June 1st! Heaven knows how I concentrated on other people’s books when I was so anxious about my own!
Coming Home is a book about self-discovery. Shanaya is a woman in her late twenties, navigating life in Dubai with a great job in finance. Her life is turned upside down after the sudden death of her mother from cancer. She returns to India to be with her father and sister and to find herself, too. Is it a love story? I’m not sure I would place it solely in the romance category, as the tale has more layers. But there definitely is a slow-burn romance in the offing, too. Though she is independent, Shanaya has been instructed to meet Suresh, a doctor, who has been deemed a suitable proposal for her. But life in a different country means they have yet to meet. They do meet. But is that the romance which will change her life? Or is there something more about Jay, an American Indian, heading a project she inadvertently becomes involved in? I loved the ashram Shanaya visited. I’d love to go someplace like that! Shanaya has some good friends throughout the story, who we meet, each with their own backstory that helps to give the story more depth. An interesting story.
I don’t think anyone expects a kebab to be their final downfall, or at least not in how it affects Frankie Mackenzie. She feels stuck in her life. Inn her job, relationship status, and location. Basically, adulthood sucks. Then after what she feels is a disastrous first date, She meets with an untimely death. But, lucky (or unlucky) for her, she’s granted a second chance at life, but with a twist. She’s given the chance to revisit some major crossroads in her life, to see which change she should have made, and the opportunity to step back into her life with a possibly more positive outcome. I guess we all have those moments of ‘what if?’ in our lives. Decisions we wish we had taken rather than the ones we did. I loved how this story explored how the grass may look greener, but it isn’t always, and that we can make our lives what we want from whatever point we decide to make changes. Frankie’s death by kebab incident allows her to reassess her life and what is important to her, and of course, there is the romantic side, too. Is Toby really the ‘one that got away? Should she have stuck with rich playboy Callum? Or is nerdy Oli all that he seems, or more? I romped through this on one sun-soaked day and enjoyed it immensely!
I had to giggle at the end of this when reading the acknowledgements, especially the line about aunties asking if it was like 50 Shades… As I read some steamier bits, I thought the EXACT same thing! OMG. Does that mean I am an aunty now?? Okay, back to the book! I only recently read Dating Dr Dil, so the cast of characters was fresh in my mind and Tastes Like Shakkar was another fantastic addition to the Shakespearean-styled series that Nisha Sharma has crafted. This time we go Taming of the Shrew. Bobbi is an event planner hoping to take the reins of the family business she has worked hard to support over the years. But things aren’t going as smoothly as planned, and she needs to prove herself to her uncle while planning her best friend Kareena’s wedding. Bunty is trying everything he can to avoid becoming the successor to his family business – frozen naan bread. And not any old naan bread, but the best in the US! Instead, he wants to focus on his passion, cooking. Plus, he has to support his best friend through his wedding to the above-mentioned Kareena. This means they need to be together a lot. And that is a problem because they really don’t get on. Well, there is crazy hot chemistry, but it’s like a lust/hate relationship… or is it? I loved the plus-sized heroine, Bobbi, and Bunty, the Punjabi chef/son of the Naan King! Nisha Sharma touched on some great topics through this story, especially the expectations of society when it comes to looks and familial expectations. And she took the spice factor to another level! I am eagerly awaiting the third book, taking the story further with another possible couple within this friendship! Many thanks to NetGalley and, Harper Voyage, Avon Books for an arc.
Another beautiful story from author Victoria Scott. Connie has run away from her life in London, back to her mother’s house in a small village, away from prying eyes. She grew up on the estate before leaving for the bright lights in the capital to live with her father. She doesn’t know much about the people there, though she knows of them, and neither does she have any interest in getting to know them better. Matilda has lived in her house on the estate since it was built. She has been there for decades, yet she still doesn’t know her neighbours and isn’t interested in getting to know them. She has her house, her memories and her animals. Both women have secrets that they’d rather keep to themselves. However, an accident somehow builds a bridge of communication that becomes stronger as time goes on, especially when there is a fear of both women losing their safe spaces. I loved this beautiful story of friendship and resilience. Both these characters have a tragedy-filled story behind them, which is heartrending to read, and though they are polar opposites, I loved how they connected and the development of their relationship, despite being from such different generations. The whole community on the estate is an interesting bunch, and the animals, though noisy, were what ultimately brought them together. A fantastic read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for an ARC.
Releasing 3rd August, 2023
Join me near publication day, to have a catch up with Mandy when we meet for a Book & A Brew!
The book review will follow, there. Obviously it’s ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
I was extremely excited to read this second book in Karen’s Swan’s series. The first showed what a departure it was from her usual stand-alone stories. However, the level of detail and evident research made that a compelling read. The Stolen Hours was no different. Written at a parallel time to the first, we see events unfold through the eyes of the second of a trio of friends from St Kilda. The first was Effie’s view. This time we learned more about Mhaira. The oldest daughter of the postmaster, and one of many children, it is high time for her to marry. Since the island is small and there are scarce prospects, a man is suggested from one of the neighbouring isles. She meets him and finds some attraction, but confusion sets in as certain feelings she experiences may not be appropriate, especially as they are not all for the man to be her intended. Back on the isle, there are further problems, which we already know, as a reader, if the first book has been read. Mhaira has several more worries of her own on top of that. I don’t want to spill the beans, as that would ruin it for a prospective reader. The journey we started at the end of book one is extended further at the end of this book, with the mystery surrounding the factor’s death on the island, the day the inhabitants had to evacuate, which is left unsolved, obviously to be revealed during the next book, I guess, but we are given plenty more backstory for the characters we got to know in the first book, as well as more of a glimpse into their futures on the mainland. I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait for the next book! Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an ARC.
This is a retelling of a classic Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, with a twist. Rosaline is a character mentioned briefly in the play, and this novel builds a whole other side to the story of the romance, which is Romeo and Juliet. It’s like a twisted fairytale, as everything romantic and heartwrenching is proven to be incorrect and, in fact, tortured, horrific and incredibly sad in those versions of events. We, as a reader, if we know the original play, are made to question so much. There is enough ambiguity within the play to make a lot of what happens in Fair Rosaline a distinct possibility. The point is, do we want to believe that there could have been a more sinister plot at play behind the scenes? I have studied different texts like this, for example, Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, by Tom Stoppard, based upon two characters mentioned in passing in Hamlet. and they create fascinating backstories which may not have been on our Bard’s mind but can add another level of depth to an already well-known story. I have to say it did hook me and made me feel a bit upset at the thought of Romeo not being who we always thought he was! Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books, Manilla Press, for an ARC.
I have enjoyed a few books set in reality tv life, specifically using a dance competition as the base for the story, so I was excited to read this. Kate, our main character, is in a funk at work, and having lost her boyfriend to a colleague, ends up entering a dance competition and leaving her job, with no prospects beyond the possibility of winning the £25,000 prize. Enter a hot dance partner (or 2). There were ups and downs, followed by a decent conclusion. Unfortunately, it left me a little flat on the storyline. I wasn’t really given a chance to know the characters. However, I was given plenty of detail when it came to their sexual activity! You are mere paragraphs into the story before things become rater steamy, and this is more the flavour of the book. Open door scenes aplenty, but not so much substance. It was an easy read but not necessarily something I would pick up again. Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC.
I’ve read a few thrillers recently with the whole #MeToo as its motive for women serial killers, so when I read the book blurb, I was intrigued, especially as there was an alternative dimension to this story, compared with the others. Saffy is one of the protagonists. She is quite a contradiction in terms. A wealthy heiress, she would stoop at nothing to protect her younger sister. Having been wronged in the past, it feels like her mission to rid the world of as many Bad Men as she can. It’s not a pastime, like her charitable work, that she can add to any CV, but she is proud of what she does and the intricate planning involved in all her missions. What she does feel a bit of a hypocrite about is her crush. Jonathon is a real crime podcaster, specifically investigating serial killers, and an author, writing about cases he has investigated and, at times, even helped to solve when the police were hitting dead ends. He should be a mortal enemy. Someone able to read her like a book. Someone she should be steering clear of. But she just can’t help herself. I read it pretty fast as I turned the pages, learning how Saffy started on her #MeToo crusade before the hashtag even existed and then how their paths crossed and become intertwined. Lots of twists and turns kept me reading! I enjoyed it. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books, Zaffre, for an ARC.
I read The Good News Gazette when I really needed something light-hearted and positive, and it was just the tonic, so I was extremely excited to get a chance to read this sequel to Saving the Good News Gazette. I mean, who doesn’t want a feel-good paper and a lot of wonderful people in the community clubbing together to make things happen? This time we enter the story with Zoe, our editor, a year or so into her journey of publishing her own little paper with her friend, Ollie. There is a little worry about advertising and revenue, but they are hopeful. As with the last one, somehow, Zoe gets reeled into helping with another huge project to save the community’s cinema from being knocked down by a developer. But she has other things on her mind, in the shape of her boyfriend, Sam, and his rival, and her now work colleague, Daniel… Plus, there’s a movie being filmed in the village, and the local hooligans are threatening to sabotage any positive steps the community make with their project. this is a review, not a synopsis, so let me stop there and say I loved this one every bit as much as the first. It was a joy to rekindle relationships with the characters and follow the simmering passions in Zoe’s life! I have to say that the ending was a bit of a cliff-hanger, but at least that means I know more is coming! Many thanks to NetGalley, and Harper Collins, UK One More Chapter for an arc.
Releasing 4th August, 2023
So, tell me what you have been reading, and what caught your eye from the above!
But I Smile Anyway... 