BLOG TOUR: Never Tear Us Apart - Rowan Coleman

A spellbinding tale of love, strength and sacrifice from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Based on the gorgeous island of Malta in WWII, this is a story about the power of fate, and how sometimes, in order to find yourself - and to find love - you must first lose everything else. . .

Fate has brought them together. Will time tear them apart?

2025

Named after a star, war correspondent Maia knows how to find the brightest stories - the tales of survival and strength - hidden amongst the dark realities of combat.

Now, travelling to Malta to visit her estranged father, with one more chance to build a relationship with her last remaining relative, she's here to find her own story: never having found somewhere - or someone - she can call home, she's desperate for answers that might show her where she truly belongs.

But when she arrives on the beautiful mediterranean island, she realises her long-lost family is full of more secrets than she could possibly have imagined. . .

1942

Maia wakes up to find herself on an island under siege, a city in ruins - and knows she must have been sent here for a reason.

Who has she been sent to save? Or is it Maia herself that needs saving? And just when she's finally found what she's been seeking . . . will time separate them forever?

Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Santa Montefiore and Dinah Jefferies.

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, Rowan Coleman!  Never Tear Us Apart is an absolutely stunning novel that made my heart ache with love for the characters.  This is a dual timeline like no other and I adored it.

It's so beautifully written with the island of Malta being brought to life both in the present day and in the midst of World War II.  Maia has a foot in both timelines after she has a car accident in 2025 and wakes up in 1942.  It's historical fiction with a hint of fantasy seamlessly woven into the prose so any realists shouldn't be put off by the time travel storyline.

I'm not going to go into the plot for fear of inadvertently giving away any spoilers but it is extremely good.  I tried not to ask myself too many questions whilst I was reading so I could just sit back and enjoy the amazing literary ride.   I'm going to give Rowan Coleman a virtual chef's kiss for this exquisite book. 

Imaginative, emotional and breathtaking, Never Tear Us Apart is an unforgettable and highly original novel that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.  This is one of those books where five stars just doesn't seem enough.  I wanted to read it again the moment I finished it.  Don't miss it!  

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Battle of the Bookshops - Poppy Alexander

A charming literary-themed novel about a young woman determined to save her great-aunt’s beloved bookshop from extinction by the shiny new competition—which also happens to be run by the handsome son of her family’s rivals.

The cute, seaside town of Portneath has been the home of Capelthorne’s Books for nearly a hundred years…

The shop, in the heart of a high street that stretches crookedly down the hill from the castle to the sea, may be a tad run-down these days, but to Jules Capelthorne, the wonky, dusty world of literary treasures is full of precious childhood memories. When her great-aunt Florence gets too frail to run it alone, Jules ditches her junior publishing job in London and comes home to make the bookshop’s hundredth birthday a celebration to remember.

Jules quickly discovers things are worse than she ever imagined: The bookshop is close to bankruptcy, unlikely to make it to its own centenary celebration, and the lease on the building is up for renewal. With a six-figure sum needed, the future looks bleak.

To make matters worse, the owner of the property is the insufferable Roman Montbeau, from the posh, local family who owns half of Portneath. The Montbeaus and Capelthornes have feuded for years, and Roman has clearly not improved since he tormented Jules as a child. Fresh from a high-flying career in New York, he is on a mission to shake things up, and—unforgivably—proves his point about Capelthorne’s being a relic of the past by opening a new bookshop directly opposite—a shiny, plate-glass-windowed emporium of books.

Jules may not be able to splash the cash on promotions and marketing like the Montbeaus, but she’s got some ideas of her own, plus she has a tenacity that may just win the hardest of hearts and the most hopeless of conflicts.

Let the battle of the bookshops commence…

 

What did I think?

Poppy Alexander is back with another fabulous book for book lovers everywhere!  I loved reading The Littlest Library so I was delighted to be back in Middlemass village for more bookish escapades.

It's a fresh and charming take on Romeo and Juliet with a long-standing feud between the Montbeaus and the Capelthornes.  Roman Montbeau and Jules Capelthorne are the latest generation to continue the family feud which is complicated by the fact that they really fancy each other.  Of course they can't admit their feelings as their families are at war!

When Jules' Great Aunt Flo has a fall, Jules returns home from London to help her run the only bookshop in the picturesque town of Portneath.  Roman returns home from New York at the same time but his reason is kept under wraps for a while.  As the pair frequently bump into each other, Jules start to warm to Roman but then he goes and opens a rival bookshop.  Roman's shiny new bookshop is sure to put Capelthorne Books out of business but Jules isn't going to go down without a fight.

Oh this story is simply adorable!  A book about books is always going to appeal to me and The Battle of the Bookshops is outstanding.  I loved the Shakespeare references that are hidden like Easter eggs throughout the book and it's not just Romeo and Juliet ones.  I'm not that familiar with Shakespeare but I noticed quite a few and I loved finding them.

Incredibly romantic and completely charming, The Battle of the Bookshops is an unmissable and unforgettable book.  I will definitely be reading it again as I adored it.  Very highly recommended.  An easy five stars.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Poppy Alexander is the author of The Littlest Library, Storybook Ending, and 25 Days 'til Christmas. She wrote her first book when she was five. There was a long gap in her writing career while she was at school, and after studying classical music at university, she decided the world of music was better off without her and took up public relations, campaigning, political lobbying, and a bit of journalism instead. She takes an anthropological interest in family, friends, and life in her West Sussex village (think The Archers crossed with Twin Peaks), where she lives with her husband, children, and various other pets.

Links:

Website: https://poppy-alexander.com/

Instagram: @poppyalexanderbooks

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BLOG TOUR: The Messenger (The Jennifer Hattley Mysteries) - Claire Bamford

How do you bring a murderer to justice when the only eyewitness is a ghost?

Jennifer has returned home after a relatively amicable divorce to discover her family’s big secret — the maternal line has the ability to talk to ghosts. Before Jen has time to digest this revelation, tragedy strikes, leaving both her and her mum Jacqui to navigate their gifts in ways they could never have imagined.

When a new ‘visitor’ is a missing woman from thirty years ago, Jen is determined to help her; but what will her choices cost, and can she keep her family’s past from coming back to haunt her?

Although loss is inevitable and not everything in life, or death, can — or, perhaps, should — be explained, the strength of a mother’s love and the power of trust can pull us through any hardship. Almost.

 

What did I think?

What an outstanding debut novel!  Claire Bamford is going straight on my authors to watch list after reading her fantastic debut, The Messenger.

It's a refreshing take on a mystery when Jennifer Hattley, a woman who has just found out that she can talk to ghosts, helps the police to solve a 30 year old cold case.  Naturally, the police are sceptical when Jen calls with information about a missing person but they can't turn a blind eye to the evidence that is presented to them.

I was immediately drawn into the story by the intriguing prologue set in 1972 where the family gift is passed down through the generations.  It's incredibly poignant and surprisingly heartwarming when Jen learns that it is now her turn to wield the family gift.  Written with a mixture of humour and pathos, the first ghosts she encounters set me off an emotional rollercoaster as I laughed and cried when they revealed their messages.

This isn't just a ghost story though, it's a cracking mystery and an incredibly emotional one as Jen does everything she can to reveal the final resting place of Helen Swift's body.  I loved Jen's dogged determination to not just get the police to believe her but to also reassure Helen's ghost that she was safe.

Intriguing, moving and highly original, The Messenger is a fantastic supernatural mystery that evoked many emotions in me.  I am delighted that this is not the last we will hear of Jen and I can't wait to read more of The Jennifer Hattley Mysteries series.  A magnificent debut and a very highly recommended read.

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

My rating:

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Waterstones

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Flora's Cotswold Christmas Mystery - Anna A. Armstrong

It’s December 1924, and when the Honourable Flora Farrington hears of the untimely death of her old schoolfriend Maud, she smells something suspicious—and it’s not the Christmas pudding. With her usual flair for investigation (and an eye on the ever-dashing Inspector Busby), Flora throws herself into the mystery—helped along by her old Nanny and the ever-faithful dachshund, Dorothy.

The quiet Cotswold village is anything but peaceful: a war-scarred doctor, a capable nurse, ambitious social climbers and missing morphine all muddy the festive waters. When Flora’s fearless daughter Debo ends up in danger, the case turns chilling in more ways than one. From Christmas shopping in Oxford to a dramatic chase through the frosty countryside, Flora finds herself uncovering secrets far darker than she imagined—as sparks begin to fly between her and Busby.

Will Flora solve the case before the bells ring—or will Christmas bring one final, deadly twist?

 

What did I think?

Flora's Cotswold Christmas Mystery is a fun mystery with a festive feel and I raced through it in one sitting.  It's a novella at 167 pages long but it is packed with entertainment and unforgettable characters.

It's set in 1924 and there's a wonderful cast of characters at the start of the book that picks out the main characteristics of each character in a delightful and informative way.  I found it really useful and referred to it throughout the book so I didn't lose track of who was who.

Flora is a great character and she's a fan of the P.G. Wodehouse books which has turned her into a female Bertie Wooster, what-ho!  It's making me smile just thinking of Flora now and that's before I'm reminded of Nanny (her very own Jeeves) and Dorothy (the dachshund).

The 1920s era is beautifully described and I really felt as if I had stepped back in time.  It's written with so much warmth and humour that it's an incredibly entertaining murder mystery with a dash of romance.  I really enjoyed it and it's definitely one to put on your Christmas list.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the virtual book tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Foyles

Amazon

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Witchcraft and Fury (Chronicles of the Divided Isle, Book One) - T.T. Greenshaw

Solar Carpenter is the first girl to study magic in a hundred years. And maybe the last.

For over a century, only high-born men have wielded magic in Ashwood. The nobility’s youngest sons are taught by the kingdom’s wizards in roving magic encampments. Witchcraft is forbidden, and the women who practise it persecuted.

Yet change is coming.

Solar Carpenter, a girl providing for her family any way she can, is plucked from her life of menial work and petty theft to study at an elite encampment. Under the guidance of one of Ashwood’s greatest wizards, she will learn in the field as a witch-in-training, using her powers to protect the kingdom.

Or die trying.

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved reading Witchcraft and Fury so I'm delighted that more books are planned in the Chronicles of the Divided Isle series.  It's an amazing debut from T.T. Greenshaw and I can't wait to read what he writes next.

Before I get onto my thoughts about the book I just want to mention the map in the opening pages.  I do love a map in a book but this one is even better as there is a link to a colour, zoomable version on T.T. Greenshaw's website.  It really brings the book to life before you even read the first word.

No one is more surprised than 17 year old Solar Carpenter when she is chosen to learn magic with a group of privileged boys.  Being the only girl, she struggles to fit in and it's made even worse when she discovers that she has taken the place of an entitled boy who wants his place in the training camp back. 

There is so much going on in the book that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.  It's like Harry Potter meets Game of Thrones as it's dark, dangerous and enchanting.  There's also a bit of crime and mystery as the trainee magicians turn their hand to solving crimes and catching villains.  Add in a sprinkling of romance and a dash of treachery and Witchcraft and Fury proves that it really does have it all.

Witchcraft and Fury is a fantastic start to a new series and I think it covers so many genres that it will appeal to many readers.  It's fantasy, romantasy, crime, mystery, romance, thriller, feminist and YA all rolled into one magical and entertaining package.  A very highly recommended read and one I plan to read again.

I received a gifted copy for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Fallen (Glasgow Southside Crime Series Book 4) - Maureen Myant

An errant crisp packet is all that stands between DI Alex Scrimgeour being murdered on his way to work. Who would want Alex dead? Or was it perhaps a case of mistaken identity? If the bullet wasn’t meant for Alex, then who was it meant for and why?

Alex’s journalist daughter, Kate, newly in his life and now happily settled in the same city, is obsessed with finding out more about a spate of apparent teenage suicides in the city. What do the deaths have in common, if anything? And who are the two mysterious ‘friends’ claiming that some of the teenagers were suicidal despite their families believing otherwise?

Despite pressing domestic issues, Kate can’t let the matter go, plunging her into a potentially dangerous situation.

When his would-be killer turns up dead, Alex is forced to look further back into the past to discover what motivated the shooting. Who is behind the vendetta? Can they be stopped before the next attempt is more successful?

 

What did I think?

You're always guaranteed a good read with a Maureen Myant book and The Fallen is no exception.  It's the fourth book in the brilliant Glasgow Southside Crime Series and, whilst you could read it as a standalone, it's absolutely superb when read as part of the series.

I was hooked from the moment I picked this book up when an attempt is made on Di Alex Scrimgeour's life.  He's certainly a bit of an acquired taste but he doesn't know who could possibly want him dead.  I really like Alex and his personal life plays a big part in the book; I loved seeing the relationship blossoming with his daughter Kate which is in stark contrast to the relationship he has with his dour niece Gillian.

Kate is a journalist and she has sniffed out a story regarding some recent teen suicides.  The families don't believe their children would take their own lives and it's heartbreaking for them.  Kate thinks there's something off too but getting close to the truth puts her in danger and my eyes were on stalks as I was reading.

The suicide storyline is very dark and disturbing but it is written sensitively and respectfully.  There's a lot going on in the book to keep the pages turning rapidly as the myriad strands of the plot weave in and out of the vivid prose.

Gripping, thrilling and fast-paced, The Fallen is an outstanding instalment in a magnificent series.  Very highly recommended.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Brain Fruit - Stephen Oram

Can empathy survive the next stage of evolution?

Nurtured by the neural networks of a bee, a brain fruit is born. To become a symbiotic trioid and continue the evolutionary crawl upwards they need to combine with an insect bug. And they need to deal with those that would destroy the givers of life. 

Stephen Oram’s zoefuturist story explores the fragility of emerging relationships - how we welcome, how we trust and how we keep becoming.

A mind-bending, bio-digital fable that pulses with poetic strangeness. Oram’s Brain Fruit is daring, disorienting, and deeply human.

 

What did I think?

I'm maybe not sure what I've read or even that I picked up the main message, but I can't stop thinking about Brain Fruit since I turned the final page.

It's a short novella at just 44 pages long but it is definitely mind-bending as the synopsis states and it's incredibly thought-provoking.  The writing is extremely lyrical as Stephen Oram draws the reader into the story and I had amazing visualisations of the scenes in my head as I was reading.

For me, Brain Fruit is about how we live and die together, how we destroy the environment through lack of care and knowledge, how we overlook and judge beings on appearance, and (at the risk of sounding like a politician) how we are better and stronger together.

Intelligent, imaginative and peculiar, I enjoyed Brain Fruit and think everyone will get something different out of reading it.  It's strange and unusual but it's so beautifully written and completely unforgettable.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

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