The Hero Virus - Russell Dumper

‘The Hero Virus’ tells the thrilling story of Chris Taylor, who is hanging on to life by a thread.

Recently widowed, his only reason to carry on is his faithful Labrador, but even that doesn’t stop his willingness to gamble with death every day. When his companion suffers a violent demise, Taylor thinks he has nothing left to live for, until he discovers he has chanced upon a precious gift… he has become very ill.

The illness gives him special powers and, fairly soon, the authorities are swooping on to the ever-increasing list of cases. The Hero Virus might be different to other illnesses, but it’s no less dangerous. The effect it has on the world, though, is wildly different to any other virus that has come before. The unique reaction of the human body to infection means that everyone wants it. And some will do anything to get it.

How do you stop a pandemic when there are people who will kill for the virus? How do you stop people getting infected when they’re willing to die for it? How do you stop the infected when they have abilities nobody has ever seen before?

What did I think?

I was drawn to The Hero Virus as I do like my superhero films and this is like X-Men on steroids with mutations resulting from a viral infection.  It's a really interesting premise and you can't help but draw comparisons with the coronavirus pandemic with one huge difference: the hero virus is something that everyone wants to be infected with.

Widower Chris Taylor has suicidal thoughts every day as he puts a gun loaded with a single bullet to his mouth and presses the trigger.  The resulting click means he's not dying today and must get on with his empty life with just his dog for company.  When his dog dies from a mystery infection, Chris also becomes ill but rather than wake up weaker, he wakes up a LOT stronger.

As the virus spreads, the authorities try to contain the infection but the population want to get superpowers too and they will do anything to get infected.  It's gorey at times and the writing is very vivid so I did find my stomach clenching at some of the scenes.  It would be a fantastic film and it was almost like a film was playing in my head whilst I was reading the book.

Vividly written with an imaginative and original plot, The Hero Virus is a high-octane thriller that is packed with action.  It's a real page-turner with a jaw-dropping ending that made me actually gasp out loud.  I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this book, even if you think it's not your usual genre - give it a go!  Very highly recommended.

Many thanks to Russell Dumper for sending me a gifted paperback to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Booked for Summer - Kathryn Freeman

A love story she didn't see coming…

When book lover Jade Taylor applies to manage the Little Bay Book Shack on Nantucket Island over the summer, the last thing she needs is the distraction of billionaire resort owner, Liam Haven.

But things take an unexpected turn when Liam becomes Jade’s boss – a man who only reads contracts for pleasure…

In a bid to save the bookshop from being absorbed into the Haven resort, Jade is determined to teach Liam that there’s more to life than acquiring real estate. And if she can make him realise happily ever afters do exist, might she be able to save the island’s bookshop in the process?

 

What did I think?

Booked for Summer is Kathryn Freeman's latest romcom and it is filled with romance and books.  A book with books in it is always going to pique my interest and I enjoyed my virtual trip to Nantucket Island.

I loved the main characters of Jade and Liam, although not at first I have to say.  Jade's enthusiasm for running the bookshop is infectious so it's no wonder that she quickly makes friends as soon as she sets foot in Nantucket.  After a misunderstanding at the ferry crossing, Jade meets Liam and their attraction to each other is plain to see.  Of course, they both have their own hangups and neither of them are looking for anything long term...

The wonderfully drawn colourful characters pull this story along perfectly as well as the plot to close the bookshop.  What???  Close the bookshop?  I thought Kathryn Freeman wrote romcoms not horror stories!  I just loved how the whole community came together to fight for a common cause, which also happened to be them all ganging up on Liam as he owns the resort.  I really felt for him as there's a good reason why he wants make his resort the most exclusive on the island but he is a little blinkered because of it.

Flirty, charming and fun, Booked for Summer is an entertaining and enjoyable book that transports the reader across the Atlantic to the picturesque island of Nantucket.  It's a fabulous summer read.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

A former pharmacist, Kathryn now writes romantic comedies. Feel good books that are sexy and sweet, funny yet heart-warming. Mr Right Across the Street won the RNA Award for Romantic Comedy in 2022. 

With a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), the romance in her own life is all in her head. Then again, his unstinting support of her career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links 

Twitter: @kathrynfreeman1

Facebook: facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Instagram: kathryn.freeman_author

Website: http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk 

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BLOG TOUR: Sun Trap - Rachel Wolf

BE CAREFUL

Ellie has wanted to be an actor since she was a child so, when a role in a blockbuster film presents itself, she grabs it.

WHAT YOU

On the plane to Abu Dhabi to begin filming, Ellie overhears something she shouldn't - two people discussing plans for murder.

WISH FOR

Unsure if it's a misunderstanding, and not wanting to ruin her big break, Ellie remains quiet. Then ten members of the cast become nine...

Ellie needs to be careful - it's more than just her career on the line.

Because she isn't who she says she is.

And liars are always the prime suspect.

 

What did I think?

Sun Trap is a very addictive book set in the stifling desert heat of Abu Dhabi, where a movie is being filmed.  With a group of actors as the main characters, you are never sure who is being sincere and who is hiding something and this book is filled with secrets and lies.

Ellie and Phoebe look so much alike that people mistake them for twins, although they are not actually related.  Is it pure chance that the pair meet at an acting class or is something more sinister going on?  That's the hook that kept me riveted throughout the book as I wanted to know why they looked so similar that one could step into the other one's life.

It's like all of Ellie's dreams have come true when Phoebe is too sick to travel to Abu Dhabi for her debut acting role and Phoebe asks Ellie to take her place.  My spidey sense was tingling at this fortuitous coincidence that Ellie happened to be in the right place at the right time.  Although how right that place might be is thrown into doubt when the bodies start piling up...

The shocks and surprises keep on coming as the pages turn as fast as you can read them.  I was completely hooked and incredibly entertained throughout this wild rollercoaster ride of a book. 

Gripping, addictive and surprising, Sun Trap is a page-turning thriller that is well worth a read.  

I chose to read a digital ARC for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Manhattan Down - Michael Cordy

A propulsive rollercoaster high concept international thriller which dares to take the world to the edge of oblivion.

THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS JUST SAID GOODNIGHT.

On the anniversary eve of the 9/11 terror attack, New York swelters under a heat dome of record temperatures. Even the global leaders assembled at the UN HQ are forced to admit that the climate crisis has reached boiling point and the world’s time is running out.

That same day, at precisely 5:25 p.m., everyone on Manhattan Island – every man, woman and child, including all the world leaders at the UN – falls unconscious. Everyone that is, except for Samantha Rossi, a single mother reeling from devastating personal news and Nick Lockwood, a wounded NYPD detective who wakes from a coma just as the City That Never Sleeps falls into one.

Rossi’s first concern is her daughter. Lockwood’s is his city. As night draws in, they must work together to unravel the mystery of what has happened and why. Each must decide how far they will go and what lines they will cross to save what matters most to them.

Manhattan Down is a pulse-pounding contemporary thriller which dares to imagine the unimaginable, a leaderless world being held to ransom by forces unknown for reasons unknown. The questions it asks are terrifying – and so are some of the answers.

 

What did I think?

That chilling strapline really made me sit up and take notice of Michael Cordy's new thriller, Manhattan Down, and it delivered chills and thrills on every page.  It's an incredibly original and highly imaginative thriller that takes the reader to the real, and scarily empty, streets of Manhattan in a breathtaking race against time.

When Manhattan falls asleep on 10th September, only a handful of people are left walking the streets: a group of eco-terrorists, a wounded detective and a single mother.  Nick Lockwood has sworn to protect and serve so he only has one thing on his mind: save the city.  Samantha Rossi is like a lion with its cub as she trawls the streets of Manhattan to find her daughter.  It's only a matter of time before the pair cross paths with both each other and the people responsible for bringing Manhattan to its knees.

I have got goosebumps just thinking about the book and my thoughts have been well and truly provoked.  It's like a cross between Die Hard and 24 and it would be an absolute travesty if this amazing book is not picked up for the big screen.  There are so many interesting subjects running alongside the razor-sharp plot to provoke debate, which makes this book a great choice for book groups.

Chilling, gripping, blisteringly fast-paced and scarily realistic, Manhattan Down is a breathtaking cli-fi thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.  I couldn't put it down and would highly recommend this completely unmissable and unforgettable book.  An easy five stars!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Wild About You - Sophie Loxton

She’s had enough of saying yes. But what if someone drives her wild enough to change her mind…?

 

Anna Whitlock is done being nice.  After a lifetime of saying yes to everything - work deadlines, sponsored runs, impromptu drinks and (especially) her fiancé Sean - everything Anna has worked so hard for falls apart in one terrible afternoon. With a broken heart she heads to the countryside to start again. 

 

The glorious Stonemore Estate in the wilderness of Northumberland holds more than enough distraction for a city girl.  There’s Callum, the gorgeous estate manager, and an enthusiastic beagle called Hugo.  And then there’s Jamie, Stonemore’s sexy but emotionally unavailable owner, who seems to be hell-bent on making Anna’s rewilding job as difficult as possible. 

 

But when romance with Callum begins to flourish is her newfound resolve to stop people-pleasing about to falter? And why can’t she stop thinking about Jamie? Can she really start to put herself first and let herself say yes to the thing which will make her happiest, falling truly madly wildly in love…?

 

What did I think?

I picked up Wild About You based solely on its eye-catching cover so it was a lovely surprise to find that it is based in my neighbouring county of Northumberland.  The rugged landscape provides a stunning backdrop to this heartwarming romance and I absolutely adored it.

Anna Whitlock certainly needs to invest in a big coat when she moves from London to Northumberland to start her new job and to heal her broken heart.  Anna really didn't want to fall in love, especially not with the lord of the manor, so she pushes Jamie away whenever they're in danger of getting too close.  Jamie has buried his feelings his whole life so he keeps his guard up too and there's a wonderful will they/won't they running through the story.

Anna and Jamie's burgeoning romance reminded me a little of my old favourite Cinderella story: The Slipper and the Rose.  It is clear that the pair have feelings for each other but Anna doesn't think she's the right woman for Jamie so she pushes him towards the awful Lucinda, who has her sights set on becoming the lady of the manor and is planning to announce her engagement to Jamie at the ball.

Oh I really wanted to knock Anna and Jamie's heads together!  The heart wants what the heart wants and they are miserable apart but I can understand Anna's reasoning for stepping back from Jamie, although it doesn't mean I have to like it!

Charming, heartwarming and incredibly romantic, Wild About You is a gorgeous novel that was an absolute pleasure to read.  I am adding this to my favourites shelf as I definitely want to virtually visit the beautiful Stonemore Estate again.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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More Than Murder - Jayne Chard

TWO ESTRANGED SISTERS. ONE DISAPPEARING BODY.

A witty, cosy mystery packed with twists, turns and tea!

When her flamboyant and spirited half-sister, Frankie, returns to Little Clarsden to claim her share of Rose Cottage, left to them by their Aunt Lucy, she is met with a frosty reception from Julia, who still harbours an old grievance. In an attempt to mend their fractured relationship, the sisters attend a murder mystery weekend at the grand country house of the Medfield estate in the rolling hills of Somerset.

After the first evening’s supper, a “poisoned dart” “kills” one of the guests. In the classic whodunit style of a country house mystery, the game of tracking down the “killer” is afoot.

The playful intrigue takes a sinister turn when the sisters discover a real body hidden in a secret passage. When the body disappears before anyone else can see it, no one believes it ever existed.

As night falls, dark clouds are massing like a cloak of a thousand ravens. A fierce storm leaves the guests trapped in the mansion. With fallen trees and debris rendering the guest’s escape impossible, the killer strikes again.This time, everyone believes the sisters.

With the body count rising and two murders to solve, our sharp-witted, sleuthing sisters set aside their differences, determined to unravel the tangled clues of the murder mystery, track down the real killer, and uncover the truth.

Amid the glamour and intrigue of the other guests and the actors slipping in and out of character, it’s difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. Nothing and no one is as they seem.

As the sisters get closer to the truth, someone wants them silenced—permanently. With laugh-out-loud banter, a hint of danger, and a twist even Agatha Christie would admire, can Julia and Frankie catch the culprit before the murder weekend becomes their last.

With witty and charming characters and a plot with more twists and turns than a country road, More Than Murder is a delightful blend of humour, mystery and the classic country house crime, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, M.C. Beaton and Benjamin Stevenson.

More Than Murder is the first book in this cosy crime series.

 

What did I think?

More Than Murder is a fun cosy mystery that I really enjoyed.  It is the first book in a new cosy crime series featuring two estranged sisters so I'm intrigued to see what Jayne Chard has in store for Julia and Frankie next.

Julia is hoping that her sister Frankie will never return to the quaint village of Little Clarsden so that she will inherit her aunt's cottage by default.  Unfortunately for Julia, Frankie turns up like the proverbial bad penny to claim her share of  Rose Cottage.  As the sisters attempt to get along as best they can, they are helped by Frankie winning a ticket for two to a murder mystery weekend.  Their relationship begins to repair ever so slowly when they have to work together to identify a killer who turns out to be more real than the murder mystery weekend organisers had planned. 

I loved the murder mystery weekend setting and with a lot of the characters being actors it's never been more true to say that some people aren't who they seem.  I enjoyed following the clues with Julia and Frankie and the competitiveness between them and the other participants was very amusing.

It remains to be seen whether the sisters can live together and share Rose Cottage so I am interested to see where the series is going next.  If I was one of the sisters, I would be worried that the next book was going to be called 'Murder in Rose Cottage'.

Witty, charming and twisty, More Than Murder is a great start to an intriguing new cosy mystery series and I can't wait to read more.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Don't Believe A Word (Cristy Ward thriller) - Susan Lewis

They raised me. Nurtured me. And lied about everything.

Sadie’s childhood has always been shrouded in mystery.

But there are three things she knows.

She was raised by two aunts.

She never knew her parents.

She is convinced she was stolen.

Cristy Ward, podcast host, is gripped by Sadie’s story. It’s perfect for her next true-crime investigation. Yet Sadie's aunt claims it’s all a fantasy.

As the evidence begins to stack up, and the lies fall apart, they all could be in a lot more danger than they thought…

 

What did I think?

Don't Believe A Word is the second Cristy Ward thriller but it's the first one I have read.  I do feel that I was bombarded with a lot of characters at the start so I think it would have been beneficial to have read Nothing to See Here first.  The plot itself is completely standalone though and I loved the podcast format.

When one of Sadie's aunts passes away, Sadie discovers that that she may not be related to her aunts after all.  Aunt Lottie has left some intriguing papers that suggest Sadie was found abandoned on a beach but Lottie was an author so there's a big question mark as to whether the papers are fact or fiction.  Cristy Ward picks up Sadie's story for her true-crime podcast and the investigation begins into who Sadie actually is.

Once I got my head around all of the characters at the start, I really started to enjoy the podcast investigation and I loved reading the podcast transcripts.  There is quite a bit going on in the book with Cristy's entertaining personal life running alongside the intriguing podcast so Susan Lewis really keeps her readers on their toes.  

Shocking, surprising and incredibly intriguing, Don't Believe A Word is very well named as there are so many secrets and lies within the pages.  It's well worth a read and I am planning to read the first book in the near future while the characters are all still fresh in my head.

I received a gifted hardback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Year Zero - Rob Gittins

The worst atrocities in battle... begin when war is won

Berlin. May 1945. A city without institutions in a continent that has become a wasteland.

Thousands of former Nazis have been killed in Allied purges, many more incarcerated in the very concentration camps they themselves established.

But the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, has a problem. One of those former Nazis is actually a British spy, Edward Kayne, who has intercepted a top-secret document that Churchill insists is vital to settling the peace.

Martin Geller is selected to journey into the heart of darkness and extract Kayne, but a carrot is dangled before him. His daughter, Zaya, had been abducted two years before as part of the Lebensborn programme – the kidnapping of children deemed to be ripe for ‘Germanisation’. Zaya is now in the same camp.

Geller sets off on a two-pronged mission – to extract Kayne and rescue Zaya. But Geller will discover that far from settling the peace, the document that Kayne has intercepted threatens the opposite.

Can Geller save his daughter from the gates of hell? And how does Geller reconcile the rescue of Kayne with his knowledge that he may be condemning the world to a new Armageddon?

What did I think?

Year Zero gripped me from the start with a shocking prologue that haunted me throughout the novel.  Why are people willing to kill anyone in their path to discover the whereabouts of an old lady?  Why is Zaya so important?  Well, I couldn't even begin to imagine the answer to this question and even more shockingly is that it has a basis in fact.

It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the book as it flicks back and forth between several locations from London to Tibet and several places in between, but each location is stated at the start of the chapter.  Once I got a handle on all of the characters though, I was totally riveted by this breathtaking historical thriller.

Rob Gittins has a real talent for bringing his books to life and oh my word, I really felt as if I was there with the characters struggling to survive in the concentration camps.  The more I read, the more I wondered how much was actually based on facts.  I don't know a lot about the Nazi party, other than their horrific practice of genocide, and I have found myself researching some of their (bonkers) theories after reading Year Zero.  

Haunting, vivid and riveting, Year Zero is a stunning historical thriller.  It is quite intricately plotted so you need to keep your wits about you while reading and it is well worth a read.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: A Death in the Afternoon (The Clapham Trilogy Book 2) - Julie Anderson

Summer 1948

London swelters amid post-war reconstruction, while continued rationing and the black-market fuel the rising crime wave. The empires of gangland bosses grow and thrive, protected by corruption and bribery.

During a party in Clapham a student nurse from the South London Hospital for Women and Children dies in a fall from a balcony. Is it an unfortunate accident as the local police believe? Or something more sinister?

The nurse’s friends ask a newly qualified female detective constable to investigate, a woman who is facing difficulties of her own. Before long all are drawn into the criminals’ deadly games, as gangsters jostle for territory and power. With the solution almost within grasp, their lives are threatened and one of them faces a dreadful fate.

Can the others find her before it’s too late?

And what is the truth about...

A Death in the Afternoon?

 

What did I think?

A Death in the Afternoon is the second book in The Clapham Trilogy but it is the first one I have read and I loved it so I can confidently say that it can definitely be read as a standalone.

Constable Faye Smith has just been promoted to detective and in a 1940s police station she epitomises a woman in a man's world.  Faye can take care of herself though, despite any obstacles that are thrown in her way.  Faye used to work in the hospital so she is determined to get to the bottom of a nurse's death - did she fall or was she pushed?

I absolutely loved Faye and when the plot takes a dangerous turn I simply couldn't read fast enough.  My heart was in my mouth as my eyes raced down the page and the clock kept ticking down.  It just shows the immense talent of the writer when a reader cares so much about an already established character that they have only just met.

Gripping, blisteringly fast-paced and incredibly atmospheric, A Death in the Afternoon is unpredictable and unputdownable.  I will definitely be picking up a copy of The Midnight Man to read more of Faye's backstory and I can't wait for book three.  Julie Anderson has certainly picked up a new fan right here!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Eerie Exhibits - Victorial Williamson

Five unnerving tales of the weird and uncanny from award-winning author Victoria Williamson.

A room full of screaming butterflies.

An unsettling smile on the face of a carved sarcophagus.

A painting that draws its viewer into the disturbing past.

A stuffed bear that growls in the dead of night.

And a shell that whispers more sinister sounds than the sigh of the sea…

Dare you cross the threshold of the old Museum and view its eerie exhibits?

 

What did I think?

I do like to read spooky tales now and again so I thoroughly enjoyed Eerie Exhibits by Victoria Williamson.  

There are five stories in the book based on museum exhibits and although they are separate stories, some of the characters reappear.  They are very creepy tales and it reminded me a little of early Stephen King books where anything out of the ordinary could happen.  So prepare for the unexpected when you pick up this book but you will still be surprised by these eerie exhibits.

It's quite a short book at 225 pages and it's very easy to read so you could dip in and out of it or read it cover to cover.  It's almost like a virtual museum visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow as Victoria Williamson guides the reader through each gallery and tells her imagined story behind some very interesting exhibits.

Chilling, weird and entertaining, Eerie Exhibits is a creepy collection of spine-tingling short stories that will chill you to the bone.  A recommended read, especially for a dark and chilly night.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

A lifelong storyteller and daydreamer, Victoria Williamson is an author and teacher who has lived and worked in Africa, China, America and the UK.

Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.

After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.

A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.

Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.

Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.

You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com 

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BLOG TOUR: Best Summer Ever - Heidi Swain

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

 

What did I think?

It wouldn't be Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer without a Heidi Swain book and the Best Summer Ever is her latest novel that is jam-packed with sunshine and romance.  I'm a huge fan of Heidi Swain books so it will come as no surprise to say that I loved Best Summer Ever.  I'm planning to read it again already - that's how much I loved it!

Daisy is well-named as her dad is a gardener and Daisy has a love of flowers too.  Daisy's life hasn't exactly gone to plan as she sets off home to Norfolk after breaking up with her boyfriend Laurence.  What makes it even worse is that Daisy's parents loved Laurence but what Daisy seems to forget is that they love her more.

To lessen the blow of her surprise return to the parental abode, Daisy decides to pop into the local pub to ask for work but also to calm her nerves after almost running over an American tourist.  The tourist, Josh, provides the love interest but with secrets and misunderstandings aplenty there's very much a will they/won't they about this blossoming romance.

I absolutely adored this gorgeous book from start to finish.  Just looking at the beautiful cover brings a smile to my face as I recollect my virtual visit to the fictional seaside town of Wynmouth.  I love how Heidi Swain's books are all standalones but often see a return to some of her fictional towns and villages so fans of her books really feel as if they're visiting a favourite destination.

Best Summer Ever is the perfect feel-good book to warm your heart and banish the winter blues.  Make sure you don't miss this fabulous heartwarming romance that is worth every single one of the five stars I have awarded it.  Very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Secret Collector - Abigail Johnson

When an elderly eccentric collector and a troubled teen become each other's only hope of getting their lives back on track, what can possibly go wrong?

Alfred is an elderly widower who uses antiques and collectibles to fill the hole in his heart left by his late wife. Kian is a lost teen who has been let down by the care system and finds it difficult staying on the straight and narrow.

After Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, the shock sends Alfred to hospital and a social worker to his home, where his hoarding becomes impossible to ignore.

Begrudgingly, and at the request of the authorities, they both agree to enrol Kian on a restorative justice programme, helping to make Alfred’s home liveable again. The only problem: Alfred doesn't want to throw any of his treasures away, and he certainly doesn’t want Kian for company.

What unfolds is a surprising and delightful journey of two characters who help each other more than they ever could have anticipated and, along the way, form the unlikeliest of friendships.

An uplifting and warm story about friendship across generations, the power of community and finding hope where it had been lost. Perfect for fans of Sally Page’s The Keeper of Stories and Evie Woods's The Lost Bookshop.

 

What did I think?

Abigail Johnson stole my weekend and her wonderful characters stole my heart; once I picked up The Secret Collector I couldn't put it down and I will never forget Alfred and Kian.

Although he could easily be mistaken for a hoarder, Alfred is quick to point out that he is a collector and he keeps an inventory of all the weird and wonderful items that he has collected over the years.  Alfred lives alone after he lost his wife and his collecting drove a wedge between him and his daughter.  When Alfred's house is attacked by Kian, a troubled young man, social services get involved and arrange for Kian to tidy Alfred's house as his punishment.

Oh Alfred!  As if he hasn't suffered enough!  Who's to say how Alfred is living is wrong?  He's just trying to cope with his grief and he's not hurting anyone.  Having his house invaded is as much a punishment for Alfred as it is for Kian...or at least it starts out that way.  As Alfred gets to know Kian an unlikely friendship forms and what a charming and heartwarming story this is.

The Secret Collector really made me stop and think about how quickly we label and judge people.  I admit to thinking Alfred was a hoarder and Kian was a wrong 'un at the start of the book but I was proved wrong so it just shows that you should never judge a book by its cover.  

Completely unforgettable and incredibly uplifting, The Secret Collector is an unmissable book that I will be reading again whenever I need a pick-me-up.  It's an outstanding debut novel that I really can't recommend highly enough and I would give it more than five stars if I could.  I loved it! 

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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