BLOG TOUR: The Memory of Us - Dani Atkins

If you can't trust your head, can you trust your heart?

If she had been found moments later, Amelia's heart would have stopped and never recovered. Instead she was taken from the desolate beach to the nearest hospital just in time to save her life. When her sister Lexi arrives from New York, Amelia's heart is beating, but the accident has implanted a series of false memories. These memories revolve around a man named Sam, and a perfect love story that never existed.

Determined to help her sister, Lexi enlists the help of Nick, a local vet who bears a striking resemblance to Sam. Together, Lexi and Nick recreate and photograph Amelia's dream dates in the hopes of triggering her true memories.

But as love starts to stir between Lexi and Nick, they must navigate a complex web of emotions. How can Lexi fall for Amelia's dream man without hurting her sister?

Filled with breathtaking romance, heart-wrenching emotion, the magic of destiny and the power of sisterhood, The Memory of Us is a must-read for fans of Holly Miller and Colleen Hoover.

 

What did I think?

Dani Atkins is one of my favourite authors so I was delighted to get an invitation to join the blog tour for new noveI, The Memory of Us.  Oh my word, this beautiful book broke me into a million pieces and I didn't simply cry, I sobbed through the second half of it.  I had to put the book down on numerous occasions to dry my eyes or the book would've ended up in as soggy a mess as I was.

A phone call in the middle of the night is never good news and Lexi jumps on the first available plane home to visit her sister Amelia in hospital.  Amelia is lucky to be alive but she's not the same girl as she was before her accident; Amelia thinks that she has a husband called Sam but her family know that Sam doesn't exist.  

It's heartbreaking when Amelia looks to the door of her room every time she hears footsteps in the corridor but she is waiting for a man who will never appear.  Upset and frustrated by her family's doubts about Sam's existence, Amelia draws a picture of him and in a strange twist of fate Lexi meets Nick, who looks just like Amelia's drawing.

This book is filled with so much love that it bursts out of the pages and I absorbed every drop of it into my heart.  I cared about the characters so much that I couldn't contain my emotions and I was so riveted to the book that I kept trying to read even when my eyes were blurring with tears.

The Memory of Us is a beautiful and unforgettable multifaceted love story that is filled with emotion.  I simply adored it and I plan to read it again, although I'm sure I will still cry my eyes out at the same points of the story.  I really can't recommend it highly enough and make sure you have a box of tissues handy when you read 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

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Only You - Eva Jordan

Can true love survive betrayal?

Once upon a time, Ben and Leora fell in love and dreamt of a bright future together. But after he committed an unforgivable act, she was left heartbroken. Decades later he still had no memory of that fateful night . . .

Now, their worlds are about to collide in a way they never imagined. Drawn together again by an unforeseen tragedy, in a world that has drastically changed since they first met, Ben and Leora are about to discover whether true love really can endure. But will the couple’s reunion be more of a nightmare than a fairytale?

Only You is a powerful novel about passion, friendship and betrayal.

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, what a stunningly breathtaking book.  I am a huge fan of Eva Jordan's books and although I couldn't possibly pick a favourite from among them as they're all brilliant, Only You would definitely be a strong contender if I had to pin my colours to the mast.

This is what I would call a Humpty Dumpty book, as I was very much like Humpty sitting on my chair being immersed in some cracking nostalgia from the 80s, then SMASH! my heart broke for Leora.  Then, just when I thought I couldn't be more heartbroken, the heartbreak kept on coming and tears welled in my eyes causing the worst horror imaginable: I had to put my kindle down!

Eva Jordan provides the emotional superglue to piece together my fractured heart bit by bit but I think I left a little bit behind in the book as Leora and Ben have been on my mind since finishing this wonderful story.  Leora and Ben were meant to be together from the start but misunderstandings, a femme fatale and a bit of meddling crushed all of their hopes and dreams.

As well as Leora and Ben's love story, there's also the horror of events from the prologue hovering over the reader like a storm cloud and when it rains, it pours!  It's well worth reading the acknowledgements at the end to discover the inspiration for Leora's character and that particular lady is one heck of an inspiration.

Filled with nostalgia, heartbreak, emotion and inspiration, Only You is a beautifully written novel that completely captured my heart and hasn't let it go.  It's an unmissable story and one I really can't recommend highly enough.  All the stars for this one!

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

BLOGGER DAY: One Moment - Becky Hunter

One moment in time can change everything...

The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn't feel fair that she'll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams. And now, she's still ... here - wherever here is - watching the ripple effect of her death on the lives of those she loved the most.

Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend's death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie's life in directions she'd never let herself imagine possible. Ways, perhaps, even those closest to her had long since given up on.

If you could go back, knowing everything that happens after, everything that happens because of that one moment in time, would you change the course of history or would you do it all again?

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, this beautiful book is like Humpty Dumpty: it completely broke me but also put me back together again.  I'm going to say sorry now to all the other debut authors of 2023 as Becky Hunter has set an incredibly high bar; One Moment is THE debut of 2023 and I absolutely adored it.

Scarlett and Evie have been best friends forever so Evie is devastated when Scarlett goes to work one day and never returns.  The accident that took Scarlett from Evie brings Nate into her life, but Evie can't forgive him for being the reason her friend is no longer here.  Unbeknown to Evie, Scarlett is still here...watching life going on without her and reliving moments from her past.

Everything about this book is perfect: the writing is flawless, the plot is sublime and the characters are so well-developed they virtually pop out of the page.  The range of emotions this book evokes is astonishing: I laughed, cried and everything in between.

I loved this book so much I could read it again and again; Becky Hunter is definitely one to watch and I'm already considering myself to be a fan so I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.  One Moment is an unmissable, emotional and beautiful debut that's an easy 5 stars. 

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:

Becky Hunter worked for many years in London in the publishing industry, before taking a career break in Mozambique, where she volunteered with horses and decided to give writing a go. She now works as a freelance book publicist. One Moment is her debut novel.

Follow Becky on social media:

Twitter: @Bookish_Becky

Instagram: @beckyhunterbooks

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BLOG TOUR: One Moment - Becky Hunter

One moment in time can change everything...

The day Scarlett dies should have been one of the most important of her life. It doesn't feel fair that she'll never have the chance to fulfil her dreams. And now, she's still ... here - wherever here is - watching the ripple effect of her death on the lives of those she loved the most.

Evie cannot contemplate her life without Scarlett, and she certainly cannot forgive Nate, the man she blames for her best friend's death. But Nate keeps popping up when she least expects him to, catapulting Evie's life in directions she'd never let herself imagine possible. Ways, perhaps, even those closest to her had long since given up on.

If you could go back, knowing everything that happens after, everything that happens because of that one moment in time, would you change the course of history or would you do it all again?

 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, this beautiful book is like Humpty Dumpty: it completely broke me but also put me back together again.  I'm going to say sorry now to all the other debut authors of 2023 as Becky Hunter has set an incredibly high bar; One Moment is THE debut of 2023 and I absolutely adored it.

Scarlett and Evie have been best friends forever so Evie is devastated when Scarlett goes to work one day and never returns.  The accident that took Scarlett from Evie brings Nate into her life, but Evie can't forgive him for being the reason her friend is no longer here.  Unbeknown to Evie, Scarlett is still here...watching life going on without her and reliving moments from her past.

Everything about this book is perfect: the writing is flawless, the plot is sublime and the characters are so well-developed they virtually pop out of the page.  The range of emotions this book evokes is astonishing: I laughed, cried and everything in between.

I loved this book so much I could read it again and again; Becky Hunter is definitely one to watch and I'm already considering myself to be a fan so I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.  One Moment is an unmissable, emotional and beautiful debut that's an easy 5 stars. 

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:

Becky Hunter lived and worked in London for several years before moving to Mozambique to volunteer with horses and try her hand at writing. A few years, a few destinations, and a few jobs later she had the idea that would become One Moment. Alongside writing, she now works as a freelance editor and publicist, splitting her time between Bristol and London, and constantly trying to plan the next adventure.

Follow Becky on social media:

Twitter: @Bookish_Becky

Instagram: @beckyhunterbooks

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BLOG TOUR: A Lobster Tale - Erica Manwaring

Laura Robinson can’t be doing with people. She understands the theory but seems to have failed the practical. One day she receives the gift of a lobster. The fact that no one else can see it is less astonishing than what it allows her to see – visions of people’s inner motivations and torments. Laura goes from knowing nothing about people, to knowing everything. Using her new superpower Laura finally gets the life her mother always wanted. But is she happy? To distract herself from that question, she sets out to pay her gift forward, with Lobster’s help. It's tough saving the world but it’s simpler than dealing with the things Lobster is showing her about her own life. Must she really face why her father left and what happened to her as a child? She has been living underwater and it’s time to come up for air.

 

What did I think?

Oh I loved this fabulous little book.  It may only be 238 pages long but it's definitely quality over quantity in this case.

The premise of the book is very intriguing: imagine if you could see things about people that would explain their actions.  A little magical lobster shows main character Laura why people behave the way they do but you have to wonder whether this is a gift or a curse.  I loved that Laura tried to help people with her gift, despite dealing with people being so far outside of her comfort zone, and it was quite eye-opening to consider the emotional baggage that a lot of people carry around with them.

I could be Laura; I can't be doing with people either so I totally empathised with her.  The things she does and says had me exclaiming, 'that's me!' on many occasions throughout the book.  I absolutely adored little lobster and I think everyone who reads this book would want one for themselves.

Erica Manwaring's vivid and evocative writing really brings the characters to life and the lobster felt so real that I wouldn't have been surprised to find her doing a little dance on my coffee table when I finally looked up from the book.  I feel like I have been on quite an emotional journey with Laura and her lobster and I'm missing them already, so this book is definitely going on my 'to read again' shelf. 

Delightful, entertaining and incredibly thought-provoking, A Lobster Tale is a fantastic book that helps you to understand people a little more while embracing the fact that we are all different and we don't always have to fit in.  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 Amazon

About the author:

I learn for a living and write for fun. An extrovert by nature, for some reason I very much enjoy closeting myself in a room with imaginary people and letting them surprise me with what they say and do. Having worked in mental health improvement for many years I write about the struggles that people face and the strength they show in living with and overcoming them. 

I’m a single mum to the best thing I have ever done and a grateful resident of Scotland for over 25 years. I’m surrounded by a community of writers who have helped me achieve my dreams of seeing my work in print. This is my second book.

Website: http://www.dean-park.com/ericamanwaring 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ejsj 

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/ericamanwaring 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ericamanwaring 

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BLOG TOUR: The Reason - Catherine Bennetto

How much is the smile from the person you love worth to you?

 

Brooke’s life has derailed. Her social life and career have evaporated, her daughter is desperately unhappy and being bullied at school, and, for a 43-year-old, she probably spends way too many weekends at her parent’s. But the reason for all this is no mystery. A year and a half ago, Brooke’s husband died.

 

But Brooke does have one secret. Her husband’s death, the worst thing that has ever happened to her, has made her unbelievably rich.

 

Despite her despair, Brooke suddenly realises she has the power to make her daughter’s life, and the world a little brighter. 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, this book is truly gorgeous.  It's an emotional read and I'm not ashamed to say that I cried more than once but I also laughed, smiled and enjoyed every single minute of it.

I adored Brooke, her daughter Hannah and her whole quirky family.  Just thinking of them (and their strange house guests) brings a smile to my face.  It's making me laugh out loud now just thinking of Brooke's mum and her inability to stop interfering in her daughters' lives.  As much as I was sad to leave them all behind when I turned the final page, the ending was simply perfect.

The grief, guilt and despair of losing a loved one is a lot of baggage for one person to carry, but that is what Brooke is trying to do.  As if Brooke doesn't have enough to cope with, Hannah is being bullied at school.  It is heartbreaking to see the effect this has on Hannah but it almost gives Brooke a purpose again: to make Hannah smile.  The way she does it is completely brilliant and just reading about it made me smile.

This is my first Catherine Bennetto book, but it certainly won't be my last.  I loved the warm and colourful writing, the imaginitive plot and the full range of emotions it evoked.  Very highly recommended and one not to be missed, but keep your tissues handy while you're reading.

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:

Waterstones

Amazon

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BLOG TOUR: The Slaughter Man - Cassandra Parkin

When her identical twin Laurel dies, seventeen-year-old Willow’s life falls apart. With her parents’ marriage faltering, she finds escape at her uncle Joe’s cottage. But even as they begin to know each other, Willow is plagued with memories of her sister. Then, Lucas arrives in her life – troubled, angry and with a dangerous past. 

Joe’s cottage is idyllic, but the forest is filled with secrets. What is Joe hiding from her? What events have brought Lucas to her door? And who is the Slaughter Man who steals through Willow’s sleep? 

As the lines between dreams and reality become blurred, Willow’s torment deepens. It seems as if her only escape lies with the Slaughter Man. 

What did I think?

I don't even read the synopsis before selecting a Cassandra Parkin book as I know I'm in for a unique and evocative read.  With her emotive writing, Cassandra Parkin is able to make the most mundane things into something dark and menacing to highlight the feelings of her characters.  Just the name of this book itself, The Slaughter Man, gave me the creeps and I only meant to have a quick peek at the book but before I knew it, I was half way through!

I absolutely adore the cover of this book; it has a fairytale feel about it reminds me of the witch's cottage deep in the wood.  Most of us wouldn't venture somewhere so creepy but after her twin dies, Willow has nothing to be scared of as the worst thing has already happened to her.  Usually I would say that I couldn't begin to imagine Willow's pain at losing her twin but I could actually feel it when reading; Willow's pain was so palpable that it felt as if smoky tendrils of emotion-filled words were seeping out of the page and wrapping themselves around my heart.

Willow's pain is made worse by her inability to speak after her twin died; it's as if her words died with Laurel.  Willow's inability to voice her pain meant that it presented itself in other forms, some more dangerous than others as she struggled to release her feelings.  Where she once looked in a mirror and saw herself, now Willow only sees Laurel looking back at her and she experiences her loss over and over again until she can no longer bear to look at her own reflection.

It was really interesting to read how people experience grief differently.  I can understand her parents needing alone time, and their loss must have hit them every time they looked at Willow, but it felt as if they were hiding their own mirrors by sending Willow off to stay with her Uncle Joe, who she barely knew.  I judged a little too quickly I think, as staying with Joe and making a friend on the neighbouring farm helped Willow to heal in a way that she would never have managed at home surrounded by memories of Laurel.  I loved the character of Willow and felt totally invested in her progress as she navigates her way through the dark land of grief and despair.  As her subconscious mind takes her on a journey in search of Laurel, she is drawn to the mysterious 'Slaughter Man' and I felt like she was on a race against time to find herself before she flirted too much with danger.

The Slaughter Man is simply stunning.  It's a haunting, emotion-filled book that hooked me from the start; remember that quick peek I mentioned earlier that turned into half a book!  So beautifully written, it's an emotive story of a family in pain after a devastating loss and their journey to find each other again.  Highly recommended.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Cassandra Parkin grew up in Hull, and now lives in East Yorkshire. Her short story collection, New World Fairy Tales (Salt Publishing, 2011), won the 2011 Scott Prize for Short Stories. 

Website: cassandraparkin.wordpress.com 

Twitter: @cassandrajaneuk

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BLOG BLITZ: The Girl In His Eyes - Jennie Ensor

Her father abused her when she was a child. For years she was too afraid to speak out. But now she suspects he’s found another victim… 

Laura, a young woman struggling to deal with what her father did to her a decade ago, is horrified to realise that the girl he takes swimming might be his next victim. Emma is twelve – the age Laura was when her father took away her innocence.

Intimidated by her father’s rages, Laura has never told anyone the truth about her childhood. Now she must decide whether she has the courage to expose him and face the consequences.

Can Laura overcome her fear and save Emma before the worst happens?

What did I think?

I discovered Jennie Ensor in 2016 when I read her stunning debut, Blindside, but oh my word is her second book worth waiting for.  The Girl In His Eyes is difficult to read because of the subject of child abuse, although it is not in any way graphic, but it is the emotion pouring out of every page that really got to me.  Jennie Ensor has poured her heart and soul into this book and it shows as you can't fail to be moved by this story.

Right away I could tell that Laura was very disconnected from her family; she no sooner arrived at her parents' house than she was ready to leave.  It must take an unbelievable amount of strength to be in the same room as her father knowing what he did to her as a child.  Laura has never told anyone what happened and bottling that up inside has caused such damage to her self esteem that it made my heart break.  When her father shows interest in another young girl, Laura must find the strength to speak out whatever it costs.

Superbly written, The Girl In His Eyes is such an intensely emotional book that I had to pause often to catch my breath and keep my emotions in check.  I have never felt such a huge spectrum of emotions whilst reading a book, ranging from anger and disgust right though to sadness and hope.  The Girl In His Eyes is so exceptional that I could give nothing less than 5 stars for this heartbreakingly emotional book.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Jennie Ensor lives in London and has Irish roots. During a long trip overseas she obtained a Masters in Journalism and began her writing career as a journalist, covering topics from forced marriages to accidents in the mining industry. Her debut novel BLIND SIDE was published by Unbound in 2016. In January 2018 her short story ‘The Gift’ was placed in the Top 40 of the Words and Women national prose competition. Her poetry has appeared in many UK and overseas publications, most recently Ink Sweat and Tears. She sings in a chamber choir.

Links:

Author website & blog: https://jennieensor.com

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JennieEnsorAuthor

Twitter: @jennie_ensor 

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




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Strip Naked and Redress with Happiness - Maria Hocking

Strip Naked & Re-Dress With Happiness is a handbook not only for surviving adversity, but for discovering how to thrive as a result. Maria Hocking’s own inspiring personal story is woven throughout the book, accompanied by ‘changing room tips’ - tools and techniques to help you understand your emotions and behaviours, and move through personal challenge. You’ll discover that ‘getting naked’ – losing what you used to take for granted - is an opportunity to let go of who you thought you were, and find out who you really are.

Enter the changing room to change your mind and your life. Maria is walking, talking, pen pushing proof that these tips work, because she used them to change her own life. Within every challenge lies a gift, just waiting to be discovered: this book will open your eyes to help you find it, and discover a higher level of happiness as a result.

What did I think?

I defy anyone not to be inspired by Maria Hocking's story.  Oh my word!  However bad you think your life is, just be grateful you haven't had to limp in Maria's shoes.  It was a rather sobering experience to read Maria's story as, at the time of reading, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  I just have to look at Maria's smiling face on the back of the book to give me a lift now.

Strip Naked & Re-Dress With Happiness, through excellent concise exercises, gives you the tools to be able to look inside yourself and go back to basics.  Just look at a child playing with an empty cardboard box and see how happy they are...take off your many layers of cynicism, negativity and self-doubt and go into the changing room to Strip Naked & Re-Dress With Happiness.

I'm not going to say that Maria's book changed my life the minute that I finished reading it as this is a book to go back to again and again, along with the resources available on Maria's website.  It has, however, changed the way that I think with simple exercises such as my favourite: random acts of kindness.  Have you ever noticed how contagious a smile is?  I've certainly noticed how contagious a bad mood is and, to my shame, I can see the mood of others around me changing to reflect my dark aura.

A sobering thought came towards the end of the book: "life is far too short to just exist" and if you take nothing else away from this book, take that one thought.  We only get one life so don't waste it by being unhappy, you have the power to change it with Maria's help, of course.

Think of Strip Naked & Re-Dress With Happiness as a guidebook to life and you'll live a much fuller, happier life by using it.  I know that my copy will be constantly within my sight and hopefully soon I will have a smile as true as Maria's.  Strip Naked & Re-Dress With Happiness  in one sentence: an enlightening quick read with huge rewards.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon