BLOG TOUR: The Thief of Joy - Stacey Murray

Single-mum Roz compares herself to everyone else, from her sister to friends to people on social media, and feels she's missing out. She wants what they've got - a husband, a father for her daughter, and respect.

When she meets Daniel, Roz thinks her dreams are possible, until he dies suddenly and tragically. Devastated by grief and loneliness, she rushes headlong into a relationship with Mark, a widower she meets in an online support group.

Yet as Mark's behaviour becomes more controlling and manipulative, Roz realises he isn't the man of her dreams. He is hiding a jaw-dropping secret that spells danger for Roz and her daughter...

 

What did I think?

The Thief of Joy is a very good slow burn thriller that smoulders from start to finish and I really enjoyed it.  Stacey Murray's suspenseful writing creates a web of intrigue that completely captured my attention.

I felt really sorry for Roz at the start when all the hopes and dreams of a new relationship are snatched away from her so cruelly.  Roz only knew Daniel for a short time so she doesn't get much sympathy from her family and turns to an online grief support group to validate her right to grieve.  

As with all online groups though, there are some nice people and some trolls so when Roz gets a message from an administrator the reader can't help but wonder which category Mark falls into.  As Mark gradually wheedles his way into Roz's life the chapters are interspersed with sinister snippets that let the reader know that all is not as it seems.

My sympathy for Roz ebbed and flowed like the tide as she is always comparing herself to other people and wanting what they have.  I'm not saying she's not unlucky but her desperation to find a partner causes her to overlook their flaws and this puts her and her daughter in danger.

Captivating and tense, The Thief of Joy is a riveting psychological thriller that is filled with suspense, envy and danger.  It's well worth a read and I think it's important to remind readers that some people online are not who they seem.

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:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Philosophy of Love - Rebecca Ryan

What is love? Is it something spiritual or wholly physical? Can our feelings be explained and quantified? Or are we all actually two halves of a whole?

Ask Alice and Luke and you’d receive vastly different answers.

Despite her world having been recently dismantled by a messy break-up, Alice would tell you that love is the most important – albeit ineffable – human experiences. But when she once again crosses paths with her old school nemesis, Luke, he challenges this. Luke is a scientist and he’s certain love can be measured and explained – just like everything else.

So the two decide to make a bet: they’ll each venture back into dating and if one of them falls in love, Alice wins, if not, then Luke does.

But can anyone win when you’re playing with emotions?

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved Rebecca Ryan's debut novel, My (extra)Ordinary Life, so I was very excited to read her new book, The Philosophy of Love.  Well, just imagine my delight when I found out that it was set just a few miles down the road in Easington Colliery.  What a lovely surprise!

After breaking up with her boyfriend, who was also her boss, Alice suddenly finds herself homeless and unemployed.  So, she packs her meagre belongings and leaves London to live with her parents in a little village in County Durham.  It's not long before Alice bumps into her old schoolfriend Luke and the sexual tension between them virtually sizzles off the page, although neither of them can see it; they're too busy trying to win a bet about love.

The chemistry between Alice and Luke is like a smouldering candle just waiting for a little draught of air to ignite it, but the last place that Alice thinks to look for love is right in front of her.  Of course it would have been a very short story if she had fallen for Luke right away!

As well as the wonderful romance, there's a really strong sense of family and community in the book as the villagers all come together to save their local community centre.  I loved how Alice's family all rallied around her, along with her friends new and old.  Village life in the north-east is depicted beautifully in this book as well as the warmth and friendliness of the people in the region.

Rebecca Ryan admits to using a lot of artistic license to recreate Easington for her readers and her writing is so wonderfully vivid that it really brings the village to life.  Whilst I understand the need to change and embellish some things in the village, it's a shame that the names of a north-east landmark and university were changed.  It didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book at all though, it's just that I get a kick out of seeing places I know in print. 

                  

Funny, flirty and completely captivating, The Philosophy of Love is filled with north-eastern charm and wit and it delighted me from start to finish.  Rebecca Ryan is certainly one to watch and I definitely consider myself a fan.

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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UK.Bookshop.org

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BLOG TOUR: Best Served Cold - Hilly Barmby

A mystery woman enters Lily's life

At the launch for her latest children's book, a member of the audience asks Lily for an strange inscription in her copy of the book. Why does this unnerve her?

Is Jack the answer to Lily's prayers?

Later, while celebrating in a local bar, Lily, and best friend Alice, spot the same woman. Her name is Rose. Putting aside earlier unease, a new friendship between the three is formed. Rose offers to help Lily re-enter the dating scene after a bad breakup and they come across Jack, Mr Perfect on Paper. Lily quickly falls for handsome Jack. Is he too good to be true?

The past is the past, or is it?

Soon after the pair start dating, bizarre things start to occur to Lily, things are moved or they go missing, and, what’s worse, her precious artwork is damaged. Who did this to her? Surely it can’t have been her new boyfriend, her new friend Rose, or even oldest friend Alice? They all have a motive. Perhaps Lily did this all herself. Who can she trust, in fact, can she trust herself? Or has a ghost from Lily's past come back to haunt her?

 

What did I think?

Oooooh this book gave me the chills and I absolutely loved it!  Hilly Barmby is a new author to me and I'll definitely be checking out her back catalogue (and future books) based on this fantastic read.

I loved Lily and Alice's friendship and it is a very strong friendship to have survived Lily's breakup with Alice's cousin, Harry.  Whether it will survive the addition of a suspicious new member to their group is the big question when Rose Briar (see what Hilly Barmby did there, fairy tale fans?) inveigles her way into their lives.  As soon as Rose said that line from Misery, Lily should have run for the hills! 

Lily's duo becomes a trio and Rose convinces Lily to try online dating.  Before Lily knows it, Jack Kelly enters her life and he really is too good to be true.  As the reader being treated to flashbacks to Lily's past, I could see what was happening to her I wanted to reach into the book to keep her safe.  It's like watching a car crash in slow motion as events unfold and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page.

Incredibly gripping, addictive and chilling, Best Served Cold is a fantastic revenge thriller that had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't read it fast enough.  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:

Buy it from:

Hobeck Books

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Was It Good For You? - Kathryn Freeman

If you’re not a ten on Sophie’s spreadsheet, you’re never getting her between the bedsheets…

No aspect of Sophie’s life goes unrecorded in her Excel spreadsheets, so when she accidentally sends it to her entire contact list instead of just her best friend, Sophie has a lot of uncomfortable explaining to do.

First on the list? Dr Michael Adams. After a disastrous first date, Michael scored a ‘3’ on Sophie’s ‘love life’ tab, but when she shows up to apologise for sharing his result with the world, he issues an unexpected challenge: ten dates to prove that love can’t be calculated by an equation or contained by boxes on a spreadsheet.

Sophie isn’t someone who’s used to thinking outside the digital box, but there’s something about Michael that makes her want to take a chance…

 

What did I think?

Reading Kathryn Freeman books always put a smile on my face and Was It Good For You? is no exception.  It's a sweet, funny and heartwarming romcom that has you rooting for the underdog, who in this case is a man who is perfect for Sophie if only she would look at him instead of at her spreadsheet.

I love spreadsheets!  Possibly not as much as Sophie though.  Sophie keeps track of her whole life on Excel and even scores her dates so she doesn't waste any time on the wrong man.  It seems very clinical and emotionless to score a person based on a first date, although I can see the benefit of it as time is so precious.  

Sophie thought her spreadsheet could never be wrong until she met Michael, who accidentally finds out his score and wants to show Sophie that there are more things to consider than the parameters she had scored him against.  Although first impressions do count for a lot, it's actually quite sobering to see what happens when you scratch beneath the surface and find out more about a person.  

It's so sweet watching Sophie and Michael's relationship grow and I raced through the chapters as I couldn't wait to see what their next date would be and what would happen after the ten dates.  I loved the characters (both human and canine) and I loved the storyline - I loved everything about this fabulous romcom.

Fun, heartwarming and sweet, Was It Good For You? is a delightful novel.  I'm always in my happy place when there's a Kathryn Freeman book on my kindle and I loved this one.

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:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

A former pharmacist, I now write romantic comedies; books that bring a smile to the face, but also a lump to the throat. 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 is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links – 

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn.freeman_author/ 

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BLOG TOUR: Love & Other Human Errors - Bethany Clift

An unforgettable story about love in all its chaotic glory from the author of Last One At The Party

A book synopsis is fundamentally ridiculous. How can I possibly convey, in only 100 words, the events of the past year and their impact on my perfectly ordered existence?

It is insufficient space to accurately detail how I was blackmailed into demonstrating my flawless algorithm to find a soulmate, despite having no desire for one.

In my former life I avoided trivial human connections. I was alone, accomplished and brilliant.

Unfortunately, that solitary and driven woman no longer exists.

My name is Indiana Dylan and this is the extraordinary account of how I fell in love.

There: 100 words exactly.

 

What did I think?

Having absolutely loved Bethany Clift's debut, Last One at the Party, I was very excited to read what she would write next, although I had no idea how she would manage to follow such an outstanding book.  She didn't just follow it, she SMASHED it as Love & Other Human Errors completely blew me away.  I apologise in advance for my long review but to say 'I loved this book' is an understatement.

Set in the near future, Indiana Dylan has created an algorithm that cuts out the chaos and confusion of searching for your soulmate.  Unfortunately for Indiana, if she wants to sell her algorithm she has to demonstrate it but Indiana is not looking for love...or any kind of human interaction at all.  

For fans of The Big Bang Theory, think of Sheldon Cooper with fewer interpersonal skills and you might be close to imagining Indiana Dylan.  Indiana is a truly unique character; I love how literal, awkward and naive she is.  I loved all of the characters though, even those I loved to hate (like Cameron and Emily), but I have to give a particular mention to a few of the other characters.  Indiana's assistant Peggy (we all need a Peggy in our lives), workaholic Lina (who's work/life balance is totally skewed), everyone's favourite colleague Jack (who brightens everyone's day but nobody ever asks how he is) and not forgetting Frank (with his sharp observations and wise words) and his stinky dog Alan.

As for love and the search for a soulmate, it would be wonderful if our perfect match could be found for us as it gets tedious kissing so many frogs and it took me such a long time to find my prince.  I've actually had a conversation about this recently, as it's surely not in the best interests of a dating company to present you with your perfect match immediately as you'll cancel your subscription and ride off into the sunset.  They certainly wouldn't make much money if your perfect match was revealed during a free trial.

I could talk about this book for hours as it's not only an amazing story, there is so much to take away from it.  I've been like Lina in the past and I hope that anyone who reads this book and recognises themselves in Lina will take steps to address their work/life balance.  Life is too short and it's so important to make the most of what little time we have on this earth.  It's also a reminder to look behind the smiles of our friends, relatives and colleagues; they may be smiling to make us feel better but look into their eyes to see how they really feel.  

This is a book (and an author) that I shall continue to recommend for a long time to come; Bethany Clift isn't just one to watch, she's one to read so make sure that you do!  So very highly recommended, Love & Other Human Errors is a very strong contender for my book of the year.  Just buy it, you won't regret it!

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: Twelve Dates 'Till Christmas - Jennifer C. Wilson

Callum and Lexie are perfect for each other - at least, that's what everyone tells them. But they're just good friends, aren't they? And neither wants to ruin the solid friendship that's treated them so well since university.

But when an old school friend of Callum's asks Lexie for a date, and passions overflow on a work night out, could it be the trigger to show each of them what they have been missing out on all this time?

With twelve weeks until Christmas, that's a lot of opportunity for romance - and for misunderstandings...

What did I think?

I already know that Jennifer C. Wilson is an amazing author as I love her Kindred Spirits historical fiction series so I couldn't wait to read her contemporary romance debut, Twelve Dates 'Till Christmas.  

It's a 99 page novella so it's easy to read in one sitting, especially when I was desperate to find out the answer to the underlying question in the book: will they/won't they?  Callum and Lexie are like a comfortable pair of slippers to each other, they are friends with a sort of benefit as they can both count on each other to be their plus one for any occasion.  They are clearly perfect for each other but their friendship is too good to risk...but some risks are worth taking.  So will they/won't they?  You'll just have to read it for yourself to find out!

Oh I just loved this book!  There is so much entertainment packed into this novella and I enjoyed every single minute.  There are misunderstandings, pangs of jealousy, fun party games, a little help from friends and the magic of romance which results in an adorable story that warmed the cockles of my heart.

As the nights draw in and sunshine becomes a distant memory, Twelve Dates 'Till Christmas is just the tonic to beat the winter blues.

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

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/12Dates

About the author:

Jennifer C. Wilson stalks dead people (usually monarchs, mostly Mary Queen of Scots and Richard III). Inspired by childhood visits to as many castles and historical sites her parents could find, and losing herself in their stories (not to mention quite often the castles themselves!), at least now her daydreams make it onto the page. 

After returning to the north-east of England for work, she joined a creative writing class, and has been filling notebooks ever since. Jennifer won North Tyneside Libraries’ Story Tyne short story competition in 2014, and in 2015, her debut novel, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London was published by Crooked Cat Books. The full series was re-released by Darkstroke in January 2020. 

Jennifer is a founder and host of the award-winning North Tyneside Writers’ Circle, and has been running writing workshops in North Tyneside since 2015. She also publishes historical fiction novels with Ocelot Press. She lives in Whitley Bay, and is very proud of her two-inch view of the North Sea. 

 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercwilsonwriter/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/inkjunkie1984 

Blog: https://jennifercwilsonwriter.wordpress.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercwilsonwriter/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jennifer-C-Wilson/e/B018UBP1ZO/ 

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BLOG TOUR: Ghosts - Dolly Alderton

Nina Dean has arrived at her early thirties as a successful food writer with loving friends and family, plus a new home and neighbourhood. When she meets Max, a beguiling romantic hero who tells her on date one that he's going to marry her, it feels like all is going to plan.

A new relationship couldn't have come at a better time - her thirties have not been the liberating, uncomplicated experience she was sold. Everywhere she turns, she is reminded of time passing and opportunities dwindling. Friendships are fading, ex-boyfriends are moving on and, worse, everyone's moving to the suburbs. There's no solace to be found in her family, with a mum who's caught in a baffling mid-life makeover and a beloved dad who is vanishing in slow-motion into dementia.

Dolly Alderton's debut novel is funny and tender, filled with whip-smart observations about relationships, family, memory, and how we live now.

What did I think?

I was looking for something light to read and decided on Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, expecting a light-hearted and funny dating style rom-com.  Whilst it is partly a rom-com, it's certainly much more than that and I found it surprisingly more poignant and heart-wrenching than funny.

Apart from her day job of food writer, Nina Dean has two main parts to play in Ghosts: girlfriend and daughter.  As (potential) girlfriend we see her negotiating through the tricky minefield of online dating then choosing a man who seems too good to be true.  As if new relationships weren't difficult enough, Nina's dad is showing the first signs of dementia and her mum is going through some kind of identity crisis.  Nina certainly has a lot of balls to juggle.

There are so many things that I liked about Nina; her size 11 size (having been an annoying size 13 in my past), her middle name of George (after George Michael) and her friendship with her ex-boyfriend Joe to name but a few.  I really liked how The Edge of Heaven by Wham was woven into the story and resulted in one or two surprises for the characters.  I defy anyone not to sing the opening 'Yeah yeah yeah' to themselves while reading Ghosts but I had absolutely no idea what the song was about until now.  Yikes!  

Nina's burgeoning relationship with Max made me want to reach into the book and tell Nina to run away very fast.  There must be something in our DNA that makes a woman go all weak in the knees when a man says he wants to marry her, even on a first date.  There would be scorch marks on the floor and a puff of smoke in his place if a woman said that to a man when they first met.  It's all part of the dating game, a game for two players but only one of them knows the rules.

Although it wasn't the laugh out loud book I was expecting, Ghosts is a very enjoyable read; it's honest, heartfelt and surprisingly poignant.

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

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The Strangers We Know - Pip Drysdale

 

Imagine seeing your loving husband on a dating app. Now imagine that’s the best thing that happens to you all week …

 

When Charlie sees a man who is the spitting image of her husband Oliver on a dating app, her heart stops. Her first desperate instinct is to tell herself she must be mistaken – after all, she only caught a glimpse from a distance as her friends laughingly swiped through the men on offer.  But no matter how much she tries to push her fears aside, she can’t let it go. Because she took that photo. On their honeymoon.

 

Suddenly other signs of betrayal start to add up and so Charlie does the only thing she can think of to defend her position – she signs up to the app to catch Oliver in the act.

 

But Charlie soon discovers that infidelity is the least of her problems. Nothing is as it seems and nobody is who she thinks they are ...

What did I think?

I loved The Sunday Girl by Pip Drysdale so as soon as I heard about The Strangers We Know, I couldn't wait to read it.  I am delighted to say that I was not disappointed, in fact I was literally on the edge of my seat for the latter part of the book with my bum perched precariously on the edge of the sofa and my body hunched over the book like an Olympic skier, as if getting my eyes closer to the book would help me read faster!

The format of the book is set out like a TV show, with a 'Pilot' chapter followed by 8 episodes.  Charlie is an actress and it really feels like she is speaking to the reader so this format works brilliantly.  Charlie is out with her friends when her best friend Tess starts drunk swiping on a dating app.  Charlie's smugness at never having had to use dating apps doesn't last long when she catches a glimpse of a photo she took of her husband on their honeymoon.  What the hell is Oliver doing on a dating site?  Seeing Oliver on a dating app is only the tip of the iceberg and Charlie's life is about to get a whole lot worse.  

Charlie and Oliver's story is gradually revealed over 8 dramatic and captivating episodes.  The reflective nature of the prose is very compelling as Charlie knows how this story ends and she regularly throws little hand grenades of mystery and intrigue that kept me hooked like a greedy little fish.  Charlie's voice is so strong and clear, virtually projecting out of the book, and I felt as if she could have been one of my friends, so I was furious at Oliver but also mindful that there are two sides to every story...and what a story this is!

I do have one teeny tiny gripe that annoyed me a little, but didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book at all.  There's a bit of a mix up with English and American English.  I could forgive the use of Americanisms like sidewalk, faucet and eggplant if they were consistent throughout the book, however, words like postcode and taps are also used as the book is set in London.  At one point, Charlie turned on the faucets and turned off the taps...in the same paragraph!  It's a bit annoying but certainly not worth knocking a star off the rating of a fantastic book, that's for sure.

Sharply plotted and so very addictive, The Strangers We Know is an edge of your seat thriller (literally in my case) that is filled with shocks and surprises.  An excellent read and one I highly recommend.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me an ARC to read and review; all opinions are my own.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

Ghosts - Dolly Alderton

 

Nina Dean has arrived at her early thirties as a successful food writer with loving friends and family, plus a new home and neighbourhood. When she meets Max, a beguiling romantic hero who tells her on date one that he's going to marry her, it feels like all is going to plan.

A new relationship couldn't have come at a better time - her thirties have not been the liberating, uncomplicated experience she was sold. Everywhere she turns, she is reminded of time passing and opportunities dwindling. Friendships are fading, ex-boyfriends are moving on and, worse, everyone's moving to the suburbs. There's no solace to be found in her family, with a mum who's caught in a baffling mid-life makeover and a beloved dad who is vanishing in slow-motion into dementia.

Dolly Alderton's debut novel is funny and tender, filled with whip-smart observations about relationships, family, memory, and how we live now.

What did I think?

I was looking for something light to read and decided on Ghosts by Dolly Alderton, expecting a light-hearted and funny dating style rom-com.  Whilst it is partly a rom-com, it's certainly much more than that and I found it surprisingly more poignant and heart-wrenching than funny.

Apart from her day job of food writer, Nina Dean has two main parts to play in Ghosts: girlfriend and daughter.  As (potential) girlfriend we see her negotiating through the tricky minefield of online dating then choosing a man who seems too good to be true.  As if new relationships weren't difficult enough, Nina's dad is showing the first signs of dementia and her mum is going through some kind of identity crisis.  Nina certainly has a lot of balls to juggle.

There are so many things that I liked about Nina; her size 11 size (having been an annoying size 13 in my past), her middle name of George (after George Michael) and her friendship with her ex-boyfriend Joe to name but a few.  I really liked how The Edge of Heaven by Wham was woven into the story and resulted in one or two surprises for the characters.  I defy anyone not to sing the opening 'Yeah yeah yeah' to themselves while reading Ghosts but I had absolutely no idea what the song was about until now.  Yikes!  

Nina's burgeoning relationship with Max made me want to reach into the book and tell Nina to run away very fast.  There must be something in our DNA that makes a woman go all weak in the knees when a man says he wants to marry her, even on a first date.  There would be scorch marks on the floor and a puff of smoke in his place if a woman said that to a man when they first met.  It's all part of the dating game, a game for two players but only one of them knows the rules.

Although it wasn't the laugh out loud book I was expecting, Ghosts is a very enjoyable read; it's honest, heartfelt and surprisingly poignant.

Thank you to the publisher for providing an ebook via NetGalley for the purpose of review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOG TOUR: Unexpected Lessons in Love - Lucy Dillon

What happens when 'I do' turns into 'I don't know'?

Jeannie always wanted to fall in love, and now she’s finally got the whirlwind romance she dreamed of. Dan’s gorgeous, he’s a successful young vet, and he flew her to New York and proposed on Brooklyn Bridge. Jeannie has to remind herself this is actually her life. It seems too perfect, too magical, to be real. Yet it is.

But now she’s on her way to the wedding she can’t shake off the tight sensation crushing her chest. Is it just nerves . . . or is this all happening a bit too fast?

Jeannie has one last chance to shout, ‘Stop!’ But just as she grabs it, a twist of fate throws everything she knows into the air like confetti. What Jeannie learns about Dan, about her own heart, and about the power of love itself, will change her world for ever . . .

What did I think?

I was delighted to win an advance copy of Unexpected Lessons in Love on Twitter as I have wanted to read a Lucy Dillon book for some time.  What an amazing introduction to this fabulous author.  I have to say that I half expected an overdose of romantic hearts and flowers but I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of sloppy slushiness.

Jeannie and Dan appear to have the perfect relationship; they're a couple in love hurtling towards married life after Dan surprised Jeannie with a romantic proposal.  The only problem is they haven't known each other long enough to find out everything about each other.  Once they are engaged, their time is taken up with wedding preparations rather than learning everything they need to know about each other.  Jeannie learns her lesson the hard way as this fact finally hits her: how can she marry Dan when she doesn't even know him?  Good on her for being brave enough to trust her gut and voice her concern, although her timing could have been better.

The aftermath of the non-wedding is where I completely fell in love with the storyline, thanks to a handful of rescued dogs and puppies.  The dogs really stole the show (and my heart) as Lucy Dillon touches on the plight of dogs in puppy farms.  The effect on the dogs is horrific, especially when they are naturally social animals.  It is Jeannie's new friend, Rachel, who runs a charity to look after rescued dogs but Rachel is seriously lacking funds to take care of this new intake and she can't possibly turn them away.  Jeannie and Rachel, together with Natalie from the animal shelter, come up with an amazing fundraising idea and as donations come pouring in, the stories that accompany them really put a smile on my face.

Not that it ever disappeared completely (there's just too many books and not enough time), but Lucy Dillon has reawakened my love of romantic/women's fiction.  Unexpected Lessons in Love is a fabulously heartwarming book with a riveting storyline that takes the reader in a completely unexpected direction.  I absolutely loved it and, having been immersed in the crime and thriller genre for so long, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




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BLOG TOUR: The EX-Girlfriend - Nicola Moriarty

SHE WANTS HIM BACK. SHE WANTS YOU GONE. 

Luke is the one. After everything she's been through, Georgia knows she deserves someone like him, to make her feel loved. Safe. 

The only problem is his ex-girlfriend. Luke says Cadence is having trouble accepting their break-up, but Georgia thinks there's more to the story. She has the feeling someone is watching her. 

So when everything starts to go wrong at work, at home, in her old friendships and her happy new relationship with Luke, Georgia starts to feel afraid. 

It's becoming clear Cadence wants what she has. But how far will she go to get it? 

What did I think?

I've been meaning to read a Nicola Moriarty book for a while and The EX-Girlfriend sounded so good that it jumped right to the top of my Nicola Moriarty queue.  It's fast paced and a really easy read that is impossible to put down so I found that I raced through it in two sittings; it would have been one sitting but, rather disappointingly, I had to put it down so I could go to sleep when I was 75% through.

The prologue is entitled 'The Elevator' and it sent shivers down my spine; there's nothing worse than being in an enclosed box with someone you don't want to be in close contact with.  It could be quite innocuous but there is just something so menacing about it and that's before we even get to know the characters of Georgia and Cadence.

I really liked the character of Georgia; the youngest and only girl in a family of boys.  Although she may have been taunted and teased by her brothers when they were all growing up, I had no doubt that they would look out for her and never more so than when she brings her new man, Luke, to her brother's wedding.  The way she met Luke was rather fortuitous as she had been stood up on a Tinder date.  Georgia was just about to leave the bar when she got hassled by some beefy blokes and Luke rode in on his white horse to come to her rescue.  Fate does seem to work in mysterious ways and Georgia happily exchanged numbers with Luke.  She later finds out that Luke comes with a lot of baggage, namely his ex-girlfriend Cadence.

By the end of Chapter Two my bullshit-o-meter was going absolutely haywire.  Maybe I'm just old and sceptical but, apart from his ex-girlfriend issue, Luke seemed too good to be true.  Meanwhile, Cadence sets out on a campaign to get Luke back by stalking Georgia.  This really was very frightening and it just shows how easy it actually is to stalk people these days thanks to Social Media.  I always cringe when people 'check in' to places, sharing every minutiae of their life and not realising that they're leaving themselves wide open and vulnerable.  Georgia didn't seem to be able to go anywhere without Cadence's eyes on her and I really started to worry about how far this would go when it seemed like Cadence not only wanted Luke back, but she wanted to ruin Georgia's life in the process.

Gripping, chilling and scarily believable, The EX-Girlfriend is a firecracker of a read; I couldn't put it down.  Even if I had worked some of it out (and I'm not saying whether I had or not), it didn't spoil my enjoyment one bit and I was immensely satisfied at the girl-power ending.  Nicola Moriarty has definitely earned the full five stars for this The EX-Girlfriend and I'm even more excited to read her other books now.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Nicola Moriarty is a novelist, copywriter and mum to two small (but remarkably strong-willed) daughters. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying at university, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop. The Fifth Letter was her UK debut novel, followed by Those Other Women. 

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BLOG TOUR: The Promise - Katerina Diamond

No one can protect you from your past…

When a young woman is found strangled in her own bedroom, DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles are plunged into an investigation to find a twisted serial killer who likes to date his victims before he kills them.

Determined to stop the horrific deaths, Imogen is forced to act as bait – but will she get caught in her own trap? As the search for the killer ramps up, attention falls on the strange new boy in town. Why does he watch his neighbours through the windows? And could the truth be closer to home than any of them realise?

What did I think?

I absolutely loved Katarina Diamond's first book in the DS Grey and DS Miles series, The Teacher, but I am guilty of reading The Promise which is book 4 before books 2 and 3.  It definitely reads well as a standalone because there are references to earlier events that made me want to find out more, rather than feel as if I had missed something crucial.

With many of us singletons turning to online dating these days, The Promise is very relevant and a little scary.  It is very well written and clearly well researched as it is always a fear of mine that the person you are talking to online is somebody entirely different in real life...aka a catfish.  This is what is happening to the women in The Promise as they are chosen and groomed into meeting their perfect man who kills them on the first date.  DS Imogen Grey is so determined to catch the killer that she puts herself on a dating site as bait...but will hers or the killer's trap be sprung first?

There's also a dual storyline about a teenage boy, Connor.  Connor is a very troubled teen and he has moved to the UK from America with his Dad who beats him.  Under times of stress, Connor has seizures and you can't help but feel for this young man.  He has been written with a huge heart underneath his cool exterior and I loved how he was drawn to his neighbour, Selina, who isn't one of the popular girls at school.  It was so sad to see how his character has evolved due to his family history and it's scary to think how events in our past can shape us.

Fast-paced, current and gripping, The Promise is another fabulous page turner from Katerina Diamond that has me frantically back peddling to fill in the gaps between The Promise and The Teacher.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon


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