Er, seriously? December has ended, already?!
It’s been a strange month. Yes, school was crazy in those last few weeks, with festive fun happening, winding the children up. But my heart wasn’t as into it as it usually is. There was a big gap where my Brother-in-Law had sat, and his memory was everywhere. It was tough for us all.
Coupled with the fact that Pops has been unwell and needed an operation in the lead-up to Christmas, it’s all been a bit much. (He’s okay, thank goodness, and I got to spend a few days with my parents alone, which was an early present for me.)
But to top it off, I found out that my excellent publishers are closing in the new year! So that means I need to start thinking about how to relaunch my Rishtay Series, again. Do I look for a total rebranding with new covers, too, or just a tweak inside, and republish?
And I guess that means that I need to get writing again…
So I read and listened as best I could.
And as the year ends, I finished on over 167 (I think – though Goodreads thinks it’s 170!) books read or listened to, and books really were my saviour this year.
Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book 4 in the Walsh Family saga, and this time, we are learning more about Anna Walsh, the fourth sister in the family.
I guess there should be trigger warnings for this one, because although Keyes’s trademark humour is threaded through, we are looking at death, loss, and grieving in this story.
Anna lives in New York with her husband, Aiden, and she finds herself back with her family after a horrific accident, but all she really wants is to get home to her hubby and the city she has come to call home.
Through the story, she is searching for her husband, who appears to have disappeared, until the penny drops…
This really highlighted how the brain works in times of grief, and how Anna’s mind shut off certain things to allow her to heal physically, before letting her return to reality, and navigate a loss she had forgotten.
Anna’s tribulations with trying to contact Aiden were hilarious at times and heart-wrenching at others.
I loved the little email asides from Mammy Walsh and Helen, the youngest sister, as their little side stories played out!
An Ambush of Tigers by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have really enjoyed the Nell Ward series in its entirety, and was thrilled to read this seventh book.
It may be read as a standalone, but I think the reader’s enjoyment will be further enhanced if they have read the previous ones, as there are many instances in the book where the past is mentioned. Certain relationships make more sense with that background.
After being in Ireland for one story, this one takes us to India for the first part of the story as our favourite ecologist turned detective, Nell, finally ties the knot with the dashing Rav Kashyap, her partner at work, as well as romantically, and somehow he’s become her partner in uncovering crime too.
Amid the celebrations, there is a death, which sparks a train of activity that leads to more death and mysterious activity once most of the wedding party reaches Finchmere, Nell’s family estate.
This one held a special place in my heart for its connections to India and certain aspects that really hammer home the effects of colonialism, but the rest of the story was as gripping as always, and it is amazing how Nell’s ecological knowledge is used to uncover the culprit this time, too.
Can’t wait for another instalment!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an ARC.
Golden Girls on the Run by Judy Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this Thelma and Louise style adventure for our Golden Girls, Sadie and Bronagh, two sisters-in-law, who take off in a nephew’s canary yellow Ferrari, and leave Ireland for an impromptu trip to Devon!
They really showed that age ain’t nothing but a number for having fun, and along the way they helped so many people and learned new things about themselves, too.
The Irish contingency who end up in the sleepy village in Devon add another layer of fun, though it was sometimes, a bit crazy keeping up with what was happening where. Still, I enjoyed it thoroughly, and intend to be a Bronagh, living it up, being silly and truly enjoying the Golden years when they beckon, with the slight caution exercised by Sadie!
Life in the Old Girls Yet by Celia Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s always great to revisit old characters, and the Saga Louts have definitely found a soft spot in my reading heart!
I’m increasingly likely to head for a book with more mature main characters because, well, they have so much substance, don’t they?
This was a book with two dominant stories linked.
The first centres on Beryl, one of the original Saga Louts. She’s an older lady and can be pretty demanding, but she has a deep sadness, and many gaps in the story of her son, who died far too young.
Then there is the appearance of Vee, now in her fifties, but with a connection to Beryl’s son, and her own demons to face and overcome.
Many loose ends are tied up in this fantastic adventure, as well as quite a few new romances started, and even though Eva Glyn says it’s possibly the last in the series, I can’t quite see those Saga Louts letting her go that easily!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
This is a January Blog Tour read for me, so come back to check the reviews!
The Italian Village in the Hills by Victoria Springfield
The Italian Village in the Hills is an emotive story from the very talented Victoria Springfield, an author who makes me want to head off to Italy whenever I read her books!
This story follows three families: two from the small village near Liguria in Italy with a chequered past linking them both together, and one from the UK, where a young lady, Amy, finds the courage to follow in the footsteps of her late grandfather, as she tries to trace the origins of a couple of intriguing objects he leaves behind.
Stella finds herself back in her home village after many years of avoiding visiting, filled with shame from past misdeeds,
Somehow, their paths cross, and, slowly as the story unfolds, discoveries are made, guilt assuaged, and links are forged.
First loves, last loves, new loves, friendships repaired, and secrets laid to rest.
A beautiful story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Life as Planned by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I always know I am going to be in for an emotional ride when I read an Amanda Prowse book, and feel many relatable things as I follow the story, and this gorgeous book was no different.
One decision made at the tender age of ten sets in motion a particular trajectory of events in the lives of twins Remy and Ashleigh, and the book follows their story from that age to much later in life.
There’s something to be said for the connection between twins, and this is explored so well: both women live very different lives, yet that decision all those years ago weighs so heavily on both of them.
Parental pressures and expectations, dreams of the future, loves and family; we see them all develop, falter, finish, and continue.
It’s hard to describe what I found relatable, but I felt extremely teary-eyed reading certain sections, and I raced through the book, hoping for a satisfying ending, which I got in spades.
Get your tissues out!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC.
My Big Greek Island Ex-Scape: Your next beach read: A BRAND NEW sun-kissed romantic comedy from bestseller Sandy Barker for 2026 by Sandy Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve always loved Sandy Barker’s stories, and was very excited to read this new story.
Ally is the ‘Divorced Diva’. Having been through the D-word three times, she is now an expert in all things related to moving on and coping without that messy man you’ve left behind. After all, she has managed to come out three times, unscathed!
Then a call to action comes, and it is from one of her ex-husbands, Julian (#3), and the chance to partner with him on his exclusive island resort, with her becoming the influencer to support the promotion.
The only thing is that once she arrives, she finds that another one of her exes, Tommy (#1), is also there, causing a flare-up of emotions and unresolved emotions that she really should not be having, as it is not brand-appropriate.
I loved the descriptions of the locations, the food and drink, and all the scene setting. I think I want to visit, now too!
And the story has not only shed loads of ‘will they-won’t they?’ moments, but also spicy sparks and a little mystery thrown in, which was a pleasant surprise.
Another cracker from Sandy!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
Mystery at Mercy Close by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
TW: Depression, Mental Health and Suicidal Thoughts
Book 5 in the Walsh Family series, and it was great dipping back into the family, finding out what madcap things were occurring.
This time, the focus is on Helen, the youngest sister.
She is a PI operating on her own and is commandeered to work a very high-profile case by someone she really didn’t want to deal with. It involves the disappearance of a celebrity, Wayne Diffnety, at a crucial point of the return tour of his band, Laddz.
While there are the usual madcap situations, Marian Keyes has also delved into mental health and depression, showing something about the workings of a mind that may be addled with a darkness that they are trying to live with, and thoughts of suicide.
I enjoyed listening to this story, as it has its crazy moments as well more serious aspects that are handled well.
Mammy Walsh’s A-Z of the Walsh Family by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book 5.5 in the Walsh family series kept me company on a long drive today, and I listened to it in one sitting as it is a brief reminder/teaser of the rest of the series!
Mammy Walsh is quite a character, and this little A-Z really delves into her wonderful world!
I loved her take on some incidents, words and phrases we have heard much of in the main books, like ‘feathery strokers’ and the ‘jolly boys’, but there are some other classics, off on a tangent things like her thoughts on ‘vajazzling’, that had me laughing out loud as I drove. I am sure other drivers may have thought I was slightly loopy as a result!
Her total non-PC persona was hilarious and refreshing, too, as it humorously reflects her generation and age.
Into the Midnight Wood by Alexandra McCollum
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A delightfully whimsical tale, with a character-driven plot, and a subtle, slow-burning romance that suddenly ups the spice levels!
Into the Midnight Wood is a story about two men, housemates in the Midnight Cottage, which sits at the edge of the Midnight Wood. The Midnight Wood is an enchanted wood, and Meredith, one of our main characters, has a real affinity with all the mysterious folk who live in there. David, whose point of view the story is told from, is the long-suffering man who shares the house with this man-child who has wormed his way into David’s being, and not in a comfortable way.
It took me a while to get into it, I will admit, but I am glad I stuck with it, as there was a real story behind Meri and his whimsy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for an ARC.
A January blog tour review coming for this quirky read by Dean Koontz
My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Walsh series, and hearing Marian Keyes herself narrating the story was another treat.
My Favourite Mistake follows Anna as she goes from being in a tentative relationship after losing her husband, Aidan, to finding herself alone again, without the support of her best friend Jackie, unfulfilled, perimenopausal, and back in Ireland.
She ends up using her PR skills differently, supporting another friend with their new retreat, which the locals are not too pleased with, but she has to work with a blast from the past, Narky Joey, who is the reason she lost touch with her best friend.
There is so much in this story to relate to, and love, with the Walsh clan turning up, as always, to cause their mischief, but also dealing with mental health, and of course, that biggie, Perimenopause.
I was pleased with the ending, I have to say, and loved each chapter!
Another lovely book, which I will be on the blog tour for soon. 🙂
The French House Share: A BRAND NEW heartwarming story of new beginnings, friendship and finding love again from Gillian Harvey for 2026 by Gillian Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh, Gillian, you’ve done it again!
Now, not only do I want to go and live in France, but I fancy a change of career to hospitality!
Bella is living in a small village in France with her husband, living the dream. Or rather, her dream.
She has, from a young age, wanted to run a B&B in France, after what was to her an idyllic school trip there, cementing her hopes for the future. And she has achieved that with her husband.
But things are never as simple as that, are they? It’s not for him, after eight years, and he wants a clean break, if she isn’t prepared to up sticks and head back ‘home’ to the UK.
What follows is Bella trying to live part of her dream and reinventing herself several times, unintentionally, as she moves to Versailles and gets herself a job in a Paris boutique hotel, under somewhat cloudy circumstances. (I won’t say false, as I am sure there are plenty out there who have slightly elaborated CVs to get interviews and jobs!)
The characters she meets along the way, including the students she ends up house sharing with, and the elusive landlord, as well as her new boss, and a rather scary cantankerous old woman who lives at the hotel where she secures a job, all make for a fantastic supporting cast, to this story of second chances, and learning more about oneself in times of pressure.
Oh, and of course there is romance, but it’s not always about the handsome French dude…!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
So, that was 15 books over the last month. Which one caught your eye?
But I Smile Anyway... 