Six Mile Store - A. M. Belsey

SOMETHING UGLY’S WAITIN’ FOR YOU

Honey’s working weekends down at the Six Mile, trying to figure her life out. Her boyfriend’s about to leave the country, her college advisor hates her guts, her momma ain’t listening, and she’s got this cop breathing down her neck just about all the time.

She finds a friend in her new colleague Lisa, but when one of their regular customers turns up dead, everything goes sideways faster than a greased hog at the county fair…

 

What did I think?

Six Mile Store is a novella with 113 pages so it's a very quick read that I read in one sitting and I really enjoyed it.

The store is in the middle of nowhere but there's a lot going on with the characters to really draw the reader in.  Through the eyes of Honey, who works at the store, we peek into her life and encounter a wealth of colourful characters.  It reads like an episode of a bingeworthy TV series with vibes of Breaking Bad and Hillbilly Elegy.

It's very character driven and I was invested in Honey's story but also intrigued by the other quirky characters.  I mean what does Billy Wayne do with all that toilet paper and who is this Lisa woman who seems to turn up out of the blue to start managing the store?  There may not be many pages in the book but there's a lot going on and it is very addictive reading.

Atmospheric, gritty and dark, Six Mile Store is a compulsive and unusual book that shocked and entertained me.  It's well worth a read if you're looking for something a bit different.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Waterstones

Amazon

The Charmed Library - Jennifer Moorman

With her signature blend of magical and heartfelt storytelling, USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Moorman returns with The Charmed Library, a love letter to libraries, favorite childhood stories, and readers who have fallen for fictional heroes.

Like many other public libraries, the one in Blue Sky Valley, North Carolina, is a haven for readers. But it's also unlike any other. In this library, fictional characters step off the page into real life. Assistant librarian Stella Parker has no idea. Still reeling from her father's death and--more recently--a breakup, she hasn't noticed. All she knows is she's stuck in a job she's overqualified for and stumped about what to do with her life.

Everything changes when she burns her beloved journal.

Words matter to Stella. For as long as she can remember, she's seen them. Words appear--in varying colors and fonts--rising from surfaces, bouncing over objects, and even wiggling out of people. Words give her insight into emotions and untold stories. But the words change for Stella after she burns her journal. Suddenly they're demanding, urgent--and painful.

Then Stella stumbles upon strange characters in the library after hours. One is an oddly familiar World War II soldier who introduces himself as Jack--Jack Mathis, the main character from her favorite book. A fictional hero and Stella's first crush. Standing in front of her in the flesh.

Jack tells Stella about the magic hidden in the library. Skeptical, Stella rashly invites a villain to visit, and chaos ensues. As she discovers the importance of protecting the library's secret and gets to know the real Jack, words continue to appear. What are they trying to tell her?

Much too quickly, Stella is faced with the reality that all stories must end, and magic comes at a price. The characters who visit the library can only stay for fourteen days. And Jack's time is almost up.

A cozy, Hallmark-esque rom-com, The Charmed Library invites readers to escape to a world where words come alive and book boyfriends leap off the page.

 

What did I think?

What an absolutely fabulous story Jennifer Moorman has written to delight readers and book lovers!  As a life-long reader I've always thought the library was magical and clearly Jennifer Moorman does too as the magic of books shines out from every page of The Charmed Library.

I adored Stella from the start.  She is feeling very lost and alone; not even her job in the library excites her.  No, this isn't a horror novel!  When Stella returns to the library one evening she meets some very familiar characters but they can't be real, can they?

Although I've never had a book boyfriend, I totally get why Stella is drawn to Jack as he has been there for her whenever she has needed him, she just needed to open his book.  It's like all her dreams have come true when she can see, touch and (eeeek) kiss him.  The downside of this is that like all library books, Jack can only be checked out for 14 days.  

My heart was breaking as the chemistry between Stella and Jack is clear for all to see but to say that they come from different places is an understatement.  There's a real element of magic in the book as Stella can see words in different colours and, whilst some colours are obvious, there are some mysterious purple words that the reader has to collect like bits of a jigsaw in order to see the finished picture.

Charming by name and charming by nature, The Charmed Library is a beautiful and unusual love story with a sprinkling of magic and a lot of books.  It's the first book I have read by Jennifer Moorman and I will definitely be looking out for more now.  Don't miss this one, book lovers!

I received a gifted paperback for the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Love Ahoy! - Jo Lyons

Maddie Summers has never been the impulsive type. So taking a new job as a holiday rep in Turkey is way out of her comfort zone. Will embarking on a boat trip with a host of demanding passengers see her all at sea - literally?

But then there’s Jackson, the sexy Australian rep who she’s falling for, hook, line and sinker. Though any chance of romance is complicated by Maddie’s gift for chaos, the powerful family onboard ship (including their light-fingered five-year-old), and a supervisor with secrets he’ll do anything to keep hidden.

Amid the rough waves of jealous crewmates, missing jewellery and even a potential man overboard, Maddie must be brave and throw logic to the wind. Can she take a risk and set a course for love? 

What did I think?

I love Jo Lyons' books and her new novel, Love Ahoy! is a real breath of fresh air in the romcom genre.  Take note doctors, Love Ahoy! should come on prescription; it made me laugh and smile all the way through.

Maddie needs a change of scenery after a recent break up so she hops on a plane and flies to Turkey to work in the head office of a holiday company.  Of course things don't go to plan from the moment she steps on the plane but give the girl her due, she stuck by her decision.  Maddie thought she would be sitting behind a desk at head office but instead she's working on a gulet to give a rich family a holiday to remember.

The family on the boat is hilarious and I absolutely adored five year old Emir - he is so cute and precocious that he was definitely my favourite character (and that's saying something as I'm not a huge fan of kids!).  The romance part of the storyline is absolutely sizzling as the chemistry between Maddie and Jackson almost left scorch marks on the page.  Be careful you don't get your fingers burnt, Maddie (and readers!).  There's also a bit of a mystery element with more than one character hiding something (and I'm not talking about Emir's stash of pilfered goods).

Cute, flirty and fun, Love Ahoy! is a hugely entertaining read packed with sun, sea and secrets (you thought I was going to say something else there, didn't you?).  It's a sunny smile of a book and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received a digital ARC for the bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Christmas at the Home Farm Vets (Hartfell Village Book 2) - Suzanne Snow

Ten years ago, Erin had her heart broken by fellow vet student Oli. Now, she's his landlord.

All Erin wants is independence and security. All Oli does is travel the world after locuming at practices for a few months. So when he comes back into Erin's life, she knows it's temporary, no matter the lingering looks he gives her.

With Christmas approaching, the vet practice is busier than ever, and Erin is surprised at how well she and Oli work together to help the animals of Hartfell. From sharing meals in her cramped cottage to meandering the village fayre, the wall Erin has built around her heart begins to crumble.

But Oli's contract is coming to an end and he's shown no sign of wanting to stay. Has she set herself up for another heartbreak from the only man she's ever loved? Or will she realise that being independent sometimes means relying on others, and security comes with taking risks?

Be whisked away this Christmas to the Yorkshire Dales, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Trisha Ashley and Heidi Swain.

 

What did I think?

Awwww this book is as beautiful inside as out.  Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the second book in the Hartfell Village series but it can definitely be read as a standalone as I haven't read the first book but I absolutely loved this one.

Erin is a vet in Hartfell and she has volunteered to house a locum vet for a couple of weeks.  After a last minute change of personnel, the locum turns out to be Oli who was on Erin's course at Cambridge and ended up breaking her heart.  Erin can't back out now and it's all water under the bridge now...isn't it?

To say Erin and Oli have unfinished business is an understatement; the chemistry between them almost fizzes off the page and I had everything crossed that one of them would finally take a leap and declare their feelings.  WIth so many misunderstandings and crossed wires both in the past and present, it's no wonder that neither of them know how the other one feels.  The signs are all there and actions really do speak louder than words.

Captivating, romantic and uplifting, Christmas at the Home Farm Vets is the perfect book to warm your heart over the chilly festive period and I really can't recommend it highly enough.  An easy and well-deserved five stars!

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK,Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: No Oil Painting - Genevieve Marenghi

A respectable septuagenarian steals a valuable painting and later tries to return it, with a little help from her friends.

Bored National Trust volunteer, Maureen, steals an obscure still life as a giant up-yours to all those who’ve discounted her. The novice fine art thief is rumbled by some fellow room guides, but snitches get stitches, camaraderie wins out and instead of grassing her up, they decide to help.

Often written off as an insipid old fart, Maureen has a darker side, challenging ingrained ideas of how senior citizens should behave. Her new set of friends make her feel alive again. No longer quite so invisible, can this unlikely pensioner gang return the now infamous painting without being caught by the Feds?

I wrote this after hearing a radio interview in which an art detective revealed how a stolen Titian was dumped at a bus stop outside Richmond station. In a red, white and blue plastic bag! I just couldn’t shake such a compelling image. I volunteered at Ham House for many years, and my passion for this Jacobean gem, together with the volunteers’ indomitable spirit, gave birth to my unlikely anti-hero.

With over five million members, the National Trust is a huge British institution. Yet, next to nothing has been written about it in terms of contemporary fiction. Until now.

While No Oil Painting explores themes of insignificance and loneliness in older age, particularly for women, it is mainly intended to entertain and offer a small haven in dark, uncertain times.

What did I think?

No Oil Painting is a fun and heartfelt book that is very entertaining.  I loved the floor plans at the start of the book; it felt like I was actually visiting Ham House and it inspired me to look it up online to make it a more interactive reading experience.

I really liked Maureen and it's heartbreaking how invisible she is to others.  It's good to have an older protagonist for a change and I think Genevieve Marenghi has highlighted an important issue of feeling lonely and worthless as you get older; just because your hair goes grey, it doesn't mean you should fade out of existence.  I really empathised with Maureen, especially when she hears people talking about her as that is never a pleasant experience.

Maureen has a plan to alleviate her boredom as a National Trust volunteer; she will steal her favourite artwork while Ham House is being used as a film set.  When the theft gets discovered quicker than she expected, Maureen finds out that she isn't as invisible as she thought.

Atmospheric, entertaining and authentic, No Oil Painting is a really fun read that reminded me a little of a Carry-On caper mixed with the Scooby Gang but with real issues in a real setting.  Even the painting that Maureen steals is really hanging on the wall in Ham House.  I enjoyed this one and think it's well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback for the Rachel's Random Resources blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase links:

UK Kindle

UK Paperback

US Kindle

US Paperback

About the author:

With a BA in English and Philosophy, Genevieve worked for eleven years at the Weekend FT, where she helped create and launch How To Spend It magazine.

She volunteered for years as a National Trust guide at Ham House. This became the setting for her debut art heist novel, No Oil Painting, which was listed for the inaugural Women’s Prize Trust and Curtis Brown Discoveries, and was published by Burton Mayers Books on 10th October 2025.

Her writing uses dark humour to probe the difference between our perception of people and their true selves. The gulf between what is said and what is meant. She considers people watching an essential skill for any writer; overheard snippets of conversation or a bonkers exchange at a bus stop are like gold nuggets. She’s been known to follow people to catch the end of a juicy conversation or argument. Women aged over fifty are essentially invisible anyhow and she views this as a kind of superpower.

Unlike her protagonist Maureen, she hasn’t used this to commit art theft. Yet.

Social Media Links – 

Instagram

Threads

Giveaway

Giveaway to Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Win National Trust chocolate, and a Ham House towel and fridge magnet (Open to UK Only)

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: The Attraction Abacus - Evelyn G. Foster

The Attraction Abacus. A dating agency with a difference.

Everything about you summarised as a single score.

Age, looks, intelligence, wealth — the Abacus counts it all.

When doom-dreaming author, Evelyn Foster, accepts an Attraction Abacus flyer from Luke, her world changes overnight. Could Luke be the right guy for Evelyn, and can she help the Abacus become the next global dating agency sensation?

The Abacus owner has a little secret of his own that might disrupt Evelyn's plans.

For fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, a new, feel-good romantic comedy where love must triumph over adversity and total incompetence.

What’s your number?

 

What did I think?

I rather enjoyed reading The Attraction Abacus, although it wasn't quite what I was expecting (I wanted to know more about the actual attraction abacus) as it's more of a fun and entertaining love story.  I really loved the style of writing; it has a bit of a Bridget Jones feel as the author talks to the reader throughout the book.

I liked Evelyn and think she is very brave to leave a secure, albeit hated, job to join a start-up business.  Sometimes you just have to take a leap and I applauded Evelyn for taking a chance on the Attraction Abacus after Luke hands her a flyer in the street.  

The Attraction Abacus agency is something different in the world of dating where it gives everyone a score.  It's quite thought-provoking as we are so much more than a number but it's also really difficult to meet your other half these days.  I personally don't like the idea of being graded but that's easy for me to say, sitting here secure and happy in my long-term relationship.

The attraction between Evelyn and Luke is clear to see from the start but Luke has a girlfriend and she isn't going to give him up without a fight.  Let the battle commence!  I enjoyed the game playing and one-upmanship - it's entertaining and funny and I bet Luke secretly loved two women fighting over him.

Fun, flirty and very entertaining, The Attraction Abacus is a very enjoyable rom-com and well worth a read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the Love Books Tours Instagram Tour ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Foyles

Amazon

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: Slipstream - Madge Maril

“Are you challenging me to win the Grand Prix for your hand, Graywood?”

“If you think winning would be a challenge, I guess not.”

He points at me, a real scowl on his lips. “Put your headphones on and sit where I can find you later, micetta. You’re about to watch the best race of your life.”

 

Lilah never imagined she’d be trading hard-hitting political documentaries for the roar of Formula One engines. Thanks to her boyfriend and co-owner of their film-making business, Max, she’s suddenly thrust into a world she can’t stand.

 

Her hopes sink even lower when she meets Arthur Bianco, an enigmatic reserve driver who flirts his way out of every media crisis. But when Max blindsides her by ending their relationship and stealing the company she built, the last person she expects to help her pick up the pieces is Arthur.

 

Reluctantly, they strike a truce: he’ll help her regain control of her documentary, and in return, she’ll film his epic racing comeback and earn him a spot with his former racing team.

 

The enemy of her enemy is a Formula One driver desperate to break free from his contract. But an unexpected speed bump forces Lilah and Arthur’s partnership to evolve into a fake relationship that feels all too real with sparks flying both on and off the track. Now it seems like her next big story might be more personal than she thought…

 

What did I think?

There are not enough romance books set in the world of Formula One so good on Madge Maril for writing such a fast-paced and pulse-pounding novel filled with action and romance.

Lilah Graywood's neurodiversity means that she prefers to stay hidden behind her camera while she films her subject.  That suits Max, her partner (both business and romantic), just fine as he pushes himself into the limelight as the face of Black & Graywood.  I loved Lilah immediately and at the same time detested Max with a passion.   That dirty rotten snake!

When Max ends their professional and private relationships, Arthur Bianco, the moody and flirty F1 driver who Lilah was filming, decides to keep the cameras rolling on one condition...Lilah is the one behind them.  Take that Max, you sneaky little cheater!  Which coincidentally is something I say when watching F1 in real life!

The romance between Lilah and Arthur starts out as fake in an attempt to release Arthur from his contract but it soon feels pretty real and it doesn't just get hot underneath Arthur's race suit.  There's a bit of steam but nothing cringeworthy and the up close and personal scenes are as well-written as the rest of the book.

Thrilling, entertaining and romantic, buckle up for the ride of your life in Slipstream.  It's a must-read for romance readers who are fans of F1.  I enjoyed every millisecond of it and highly recommend it.

I received an 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

Follow the tour:

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:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Follow the tour:

The Mystery Guest (A Molly the Maid mystery) - Nita Prose

A new mess.

A new mystery.

Molly the maid returns . . .

Molly Gray wears her Head Maid badge proudly for every shift at the Regency Grand Hotel, plumping pillows, sweeping up the guests’ secrets, silently restoring rooms to a state of perfection.

But when a renowned guest – a famous mystery writer – drops very dead in the grand tea room, Molly has an unusual clean-up on her hands.

As rumours and suspicion swirl in the hotel corridors, it’s clear there’s grime lurking beneath the gilt. And Molly knows that she alone holds the key to the mystery. But unlocking it means thinking about the past, about Gran, and everything else she’s kept tidied away in her memory for so long.

Because Molly knew the dead guest once upon a time – and he knew her . . .

 

What did I think?

After the success of The Maid, I'm absolutely delighted that Nita Prose decided to write another book starring my favourite maid, Molly Gray.  The Mystery Guest is one of my most eagerly anticipated books of 2023 and I loved it.  Whilst The Mystery Guest can be read as a standalone, I would advise reading The Maid first as there are some returning characters and we also find out more about Molly's childhood.

We return to the Regency Grand Hotel in The Mystery Guest where Molly is now Head Maid and she's preparing for a big event as a bestselling author is hosting a press conference in the hotel.  This isn't the first time that Molly has met author J.D. Grimthorpe and this leads on to the wonderful flashbacks of Molly's past.

I adore the relationship between Molly and her Gran and even when Gran isn't with her, Molly  hears Gran's wise words in her head.  There are so many brilliant Gran quotes but my favourite is: "A tissue for your issue."  I'm definitely adopting that and using it whenever I can.  

Molly is such a delightfully quirky character and I feel that she has really grown up since I last encountered her in The Maid.  She's in a sweet relationship with Juan Manuel (who disappointingly doesn't make an appearance as he is away visiting his family) and she has been promoted at work.  Even this new encounter with Detective Stark sees Molly eventually being treated with more respect.

Cosy mysteries don't get much cosier than The Mystery Guest and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Once you have met Molly Gray you will never forget her; The Mystery Guest will delight fans of The Maid and introduce Molly into the lives of many more readers.  

I received an ARC to read and review for the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life - Helen Fisher

Joe loves predictability. But his life is about to become a surprising adventure.

Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like his dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, he’s good at his job, good at making things and good at following the rules, and he’s learning how to do lots of things by himself.

Joe’s mother knows there are a million things in life he isn’t prepared for. While she helps guide him every day, she’s also writing notebooks full of advice about the things she hasn’t told Joe yet, things he might forget and answers to questions he hasn’t yet asked.

Following her wisdom – applying it in his own unique way – this next part of Joe’s life is more of a surprise than he expects. Because he’s about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.

 

What did I think?

Having adored Helen Fisher's fabulous debut, Space Hopper, I was so excited to read her second novel, Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life, and it is just wonderful.  This should be everyone's winter read as it left me with a glow that lasted longer than the Ready Brek one ever did.

Joe-Nathan doesn't have a bad bone in his body; that's what his mother says and everyone knows that mothers are always right.  Joe's mum knows that she won't be there to help him every day of his life, so she has written some advice for Joe to follow when she is no longer there to guide him.  I think we should all have one of Joe's mum's guides to follow - the world would be a much nicer place if we did.

There's something so endearing about Joe-Nathan and it's not just one or two things, it's his whole essence.  The way that Joe tries to help Mean Charlie, even though Charlie is horrible to Joe, just shows what a lovely character he is.  Just as well my heart is not made of ice as Joe would have totally melted it.

Incredibly captivating and completely unforgettable, Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life is easily one of my favourite books of the year.  It's an unmissable read and very highly recommended.

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

About the author:

Helen Fisher is the author of Space Hopper, her debut novel of 2021. Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life is her second novel. Helen has degrees in psychology and ergonomics and was the senior evaluator at RNIB for a few years. This background informs much of her writing as she is fascinated by the psychology of everyday life, especially in terms of relationships. Inspiration for Helen’s protagonists and other characters are often drawn directly from herself, her friends and family. She explains that her creation of the character of Joe Nuthin is partly to examine ‘the importance of what some might think of as a small and ordinary life’.

Helen was born on a US military base and spent the first five years of her life in the US, before returning to the UK with her family settling in Suffolk. She returned to Suffolk as an adult and now lives in a village with her two children and a cat called Bear, who thinks he’s a dog. When she isn’t working on her third novel, she walks a lot, talks a lot, likes a jigsaw and the occasional Mojito. @helenfisher_author.

Follow the tour:

BLOG TOUR: I Know It's You - Susan Lewis

Marina Forster has left her past behind. She is happily married with two twin daughters and holds a senior position at a leading publishing company. She never thinks about what happened fourteen years ago, about the scandal, the trial, the trauma that nearly broke her.

When a new fiction submission lands on Marina’s desk, she at first thinks nothing of it; That Girl is just another novel by another aspiring writer. But as she reads on, the parallels between the novel and Marina’s own past become ever clearer. At first, she is unnerved; then, she is terrified. Who is writing this? What do they want? And how do they know what happened all those years ago?

Increasingly paranoid and unsure who to trust, Marina fears the past may be about to repeat itself. She must put a stop to this before it’s too late – but who will believe her this time?

What did I think?

I Know It's You Is Susan Lewis' 50th novel and what an absolute belter it is.  I haven't read a Susan Lewis book I haven't loved and I Know it's You is no exception.  It's a book within a book with chapters of a new novel being gradually revealed in a submission to a publisher and I couldn't read fast enough to discover all the secrets of the past.

Marina seems to have the perfect life, married to Maxim, mother to twins and working in publishing, but she has some dark secrets in her past.  The past never stays buried for long but Marina's past might be about to get very public when a book is being written that seems to know a lot about Marina's life.  Oh this gave me tingles from my head to my toes as I tried to imagine how scared Marina must have felt.

There are always two sides to every story and the story being told in 'That Girl' is very one sided, but Marina is clearly rattled so you have to wonder how much of it is true.  I was as gripped by the story in 'That Girl' as I was by everything that was happening in I Know it's You.  It was a little confusing at first as each character in the book also has another fictional character but I quickly got used to it.

It's so cleverly written that I was suspicious of everyone and I didn't know which version of Marina was true.  I also loved the glimpse into the world of publishing and the setting is a book lover's dream.

As clever as it is compelling, I Know it's You is a fabulous novel to mark such a wonderful achievement for Susan Lewis.  I haven't read all 50 of her novels but I'm already excited for whatever she writes next; in the meantime, I've got a lot of her back catalogue to get through.

Very highly recommend and many congratulations on your 50th novel, Susan.

I received an 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

About the author:

Susan Lewis is the internationally bestselling author of fifty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime, including I Have Something To Tell You, One Minute Later, My Lies, Your Lies and Forgive Me. Susan’s novels have sold over three million copies in the UK alone. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s.

Susan has previously worked as a secretary in news and current affairs before training as a production assistant working on light entertainment and drama. She’s lived in Hollywood and the South of France, but now resides in Gloucestershire with husband James, two stepsons and dog, Mimi. @susanlewisbooks

Follow the tour:

Sepultura (The Necropolis Series Book 2) - Guy Portman

This sociopath is a ticking time bomb.

Dyson Devereux is a busy man with a new job and a young son. The cultured council worker would be coping just fine were he not a violent and compulsive murderer. His child’s mother’s hostile partner and an antagonising work colleague are becoming a serious nuisance. They better change their attitude, or it could be the end of them.

As his personal and professional lives threaten to spiral out of control, it is only a matter of time until the suave and sophisticated public sector employee explodes.

Sepultura is a darkly humorous crime novel featuring an unforgettable sociopath.

 

What did I think?

My favourite sociopath is back!  Sepultura is the second book in the Necropolis series and although it could be read as a standalone, I do think it is better to have read book 1, Necropolis as it gives you more insight into Dyson's character (and because it's absolutely brilliant and unmissable).

Dyson Devereux is such a fantastic character that I could read about his exploits for so many more pages than the 181 in the book.  If someone disagrees with Dyson, either verbally or just by their very existence, he simply gets rid of them.  Dyson's dark thoughts and actions are simultaneously shocking and hilarious, making Sepultura an incredibly entertaining novel.

I loved reading about Dyson's relationship with his son and his attempt to teach young Horatio Latin is very amusing.  I'm really looking forward to seeing how this unconventional father/son relationship progresses.

Dyson's personal life is entertaining, but his work life is even more so.  It feels really bad to say, but I totally get what he means about a lot of his colleagues and I've had similar thoughts myself (apart from actually wanting to kill them, of course!).  The work trip to Italy is a fantastic addition to the storyline and turns out to be the perfect place for Dyson to deal with a troublesome colleague.

I absolutely loved Sepultura; I am completely hooked on this marvellous series and can't get enough of it. Sepultura is like nothing else I've read before; it's dark, funny, entertaining and I'd love to see Dyson brought to life on screen - please pick this one up, Netflix!  I'll definitely be reading it again after I have devoured the rest of the series.  

If you're looking for something different to read, then look no further.  Very highly recommended.

Many thanks to Guy Portman for sending me an ARC to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon