BLOG TOUR: The Italian Job - Kathryn Freeman

I'm a huge Kathryn Freeman fan so I'm delighted to be one of the bloggers opening the Rachels' Random Resources blog tour for The Italian Job.  After you've found out more about the book and read my review below, keep on scrolling for a fab giveaway to win a paperback copy of The Italian Job.

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé.

A year in a gorgeous Italian castle…

When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can’t do it alone…

…With the last man on earth she’d choose!

The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!

What did I think?

It always makes me happy when a new Kathryn Freeman book drops on my kindle and I read most of The Italian Job with a huge smile on my face.  It's a little more raunchy than usual, as the sexual tension between the two characters sizzles throughout, but there's no graphic sex scenes.

I just loved the characters of Anna and Jake - they're not your typical girl next door and boy next door as they have always been at loggerheads.  Jake is a bad boy and Anna is a saint, or at least that's how they've always seen each other.  Jake happens to be in the right place at the right time when Anna finds the perfect job to escape her life (and her ex) and the pair find themselves running a castle in Italy.  

Jake would have been the last person I would have asked to help out if I was Anna but she's hardly a big fan of men at the moment so I can see why she'd pick Jake as he can't disappoint her when she doesn't expect anything from him.  He just needs to pretend to be her boyfriend, which isn't as easy as it sounds when they can't stand each other!  Of course, there's no surprises where their storyline goes but I enjoyed it as there are a colourful cast of characters to meet along the way.

Former pharmacist Kathryn should prescribe her novels as a drug-free pick me up; they never fail to put a smile on my face and The Italian Job is no exception.  I enjoyed every minute of my virtual trip to Italy - thank you, Kathryn!

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

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the author:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is 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

Giveaway to Win a PB copy of The Italian Job by Kathryn Freeman (Open INT)

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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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Practising for Christmas - Rachael Richey

A remote coastal cottage; a group of old friends; the Christmas holidays. It's just the break Olivia needs to help her relax and forget her worries. What could be more perfect? But that was before she found a handsome unconscious stranger on the beach. Add in a case of mistaken identity, a lot of kissing practice, and an inquisitive best friend, and things begin to get more than a little complicated. 

The large bump on Adam's head hurts, but he refuses to go to the hospital—or back home—and eventually accepts Olivia's offer of hospitality. When her friends arrive the following morning, a chance remark catapults them both into a bizarre and amusing situation that promises to make it a Christmas to remember.

What did I think?

I don't read a lot of chicklit these days but there are certain authors I make an exception for and Rachael Richey is one of them.  As it's the 1st of December, I find it rather fitting to start the advent period with a review of a Christmas themed book.

Olivia had planned the perfect getaway for the Christmas break: a cottage by the sea with her new boyfriend and best friends.  Only she broke up with her boyfriend and she's dreading being alone at Christmas when her friends might think she made her boyfriend up in the first place.  Olivia arrives at the cottage a few days early to get it ready for her guests and happens upon an unconscious man when walking on the beach one day.  With a cut on his head, Olivia takes Adam back to the cottage to tend to his wounds and I could feel the air positively FIZZING with sexual tension.

Despite her worries that he could be an axe murderer, Olivia offers Adam her couch for the night so she can keep an eye on his head wound.  He's just about to leave when one of Olivia's friends arrive and presume he is Olivia's boyfriend, as she hadn't told them that they had broke up.  Adam sees it as a bit of fun to go along with the ruse but there's nothing fake when he kisses Olivia - oh boy!  Of course, things are never perfect and Adam has some secrets of his own...but if Adam and Olivia are meant to be, fate will find a way.

I absolutely adore Rachael's Richey's books and her amazing ability to sweep me away with her gorgeous storylines; for anyone who believes in fate and believes that one day her prince will come, you will LOVE this book.  It's not all sugar-coated and feel-good as there's a good dollop of real life hurt and disappointment in there, but I always know that I'm going to finish one of Rachael Richey's books with a smile on my face.

Practising for Christmas is a fabulous feel-good festive frolic and the perfect book to curl up with by the fire on a dark wintery night.  So whip up a hot chocolate and allow Rachael Richey to warm the cockles of your heart with this seaside Christmas treat.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

BLOG TOUR: The Importance of Being Aisling - Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen

Meet Aisling.

She's a country girl learning to love the city sophistication of unlimited Pinot Greej and brunch, though smashed avocado still mystifies her. She can plan anything, from Secret Santa for her ungrateful colleagues to a hen party for not one but two brides.

But even Aisling is thrown off course when her job and relationship suddenly go up in smoke.

Life in the city was supposed to be glamorous and grown-up, but all at once she's heading home to live with her mother. (Not without a detour to Vegas first - she's unemployed and single, not dead.)

But between making new friends and rivals, and finding her eye caught by a very handsome but very unavailable new man, going home is full of surprises. Could small town life actually hold the answers Aisling is missing?

What did I think?

I am delighted to see that Aisling (pronounced ASH-ling) is back in this fabulous sequel to Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling.  Some things could only happen to Aisling so prepare to gasp and giggle as this latest instalment of her life plays out.

I really felt that Aisling grew up in this book.  She has to cope with life after Daddy, in addition to being made redundant and breaking up with her long time boyfriend, John.  Only Aisling could do it in such style as she goes on an absolutely hilarious girly trip to Las Vegas before figuring out what she wants to do with her life.  Moving back in with Mammy and endless cups of tea gives her the chance to take stock of her life.  As she emerges from her chrysalis like a beautiful butterfly, she spreads her wings and takes on the world...with a little help from her friends.

This book is written with such spirit by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen that it virtually speaks to you.  I could hear Aisling's voice as clear as a bell and feel like I know her as well as I know my friends.  In fact, I care so much about her that I feel as if she is one of my friends.  This colourful character of Aisling is destined to appear on our TV screens and it would be an absolute travesty if it is not picked up by a producer.  Think Sex and the City goes to Ireland and it's comedy gold.

Both hilarious and heart-warming, your life will feel so much brighter after another instalment of Aisling in The Importance of Being Aisling.

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: Bad (Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know Trilogy) - Chloé Esposito

She stole the life she wanted. Now someone wants to steal it back . . . 

Alvie Knightly may be waking up in the Ritz, but her life is no bed of roses.

Firstly, she has the mother of all hangovers.

Secondly, her beautiful, spoiled twin sister Beth has just been found dead in Sicily - and the police want Alvie for questioning.

And thirdly, Alvie's hot new boyfriend has vanished with every penny of the millions they stole from Beth.

But he picked the wrong girl to mess with.

Alvie will pursue her ex to Rome in a game of cat and mouse that only one of them can survive.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned . . .

But can Alvie get revenge before her crimes catch up with her? 

What did I think?

If I had known that this was the second book in a trilogy, I wouldn't have picked it up but thank goodness I didn't realise this because I have never had as much fun reading a book in all my life.  I think I laughed most of the way through it, often sniggering like a schoolgirl and noting down some of the hilarious names that Alvie calls her boyfriend.  So, as I enjoyed it so much, you clearly can read this book as a standalone and I never felt at a disadvantage at all as there is a quick recap of what happened in the first book to fill in all of the blanks for readers jumping in at book two.

Alvie Knightly is on the run after the suspicious death of her sister, Betta, so she has a really great idea to steal her twin sister's identity.  The police aren't looking for a dead woman, are they?  After getting double crossed by her boyfriend, Nino, Alvie vows revenge and tracks him to Rome - it's fortunate that she installed that tracker on his phone, isn't it?  The scrapes that Alvie gets into along the way had me roaring with laughter and I'm even tittering away now as I think of them.  She is one crazy woman and she's not afraid to go after what she wants...and snatch it from whoever has it, like a spoilt child.

I'm not going to mention the hilarious things that happen, but I have to say that Alvie's decision to get a tattoo and the subsequent inking was one of the funniest things I have ever read.  Whilst a lot of the book is funny, it is also often quite steamy and the sex scenes were a little descriptive for my delicate disposition.  It's par for the course in this type of book so it's to be expected and Alvie is such an extreme character that you never know what, or who, she's going to do next.  There's a lot more to this book than the steamy scenes so I'm loathe to call it 'trashy', however, my fairy godsister loves a trashy novel and I think she will absolutely love this; I'll be passing my copy her way to see what she thinks of it.

Alvie's crime capers almost have a slapstick feel to them which lulled me into a false sense of security, so I got quite a rude awakening at the end...which leads nicely on to book 3.  I'm definitely going to pick up the first book in the series, Mad, to see exactly what Alvie got up to in Sicily and I'm looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy, Dangerous to Know, when it is released in October.

Full of side-splitting hilarity, Bad is the perfect book to take on holiday this year but be prepared for some funny looks as you won't be able to contain your laughter!  

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: Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling - Emer McLysaght & Sarah Breen

Twenty-something Aisling - that's pronounced Ashling - is the sensible sort.

She wears kitten heels for the sake of her arches.

And a great night out is knowing the immersion heater at home is securely switched off.

In other words, country girl Aisling likes to play it safe in the big city.

But that hasn't helped get her man John to hurry up and pop the question.

Throwing caution to the wind an impatient Aisling tries to encourage him, only for her whole life to come crashing down.

Now no umbrella, electric blanket, nor sensibly sized heel can save her.

What's a complete Aisling to do?

What did I think?

Beware: you will laugh out loud whilst reading Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling.  I tittered, chortled and guffawed all of the way through it but there are some serious notes which makes it scarily true to life.  So (to quote Monty Python) even though this book makes you look on the bright side of life, it reminds us that sometimes life is a piece of shit, when you look at it...

Aisling is the friend we all wish we had; she's the sensible one when we go out and always makes sure that we get back home safely and she's the one to go to for money saving tips and best deals.  You might think everything is rosy for Aisling: she is in a long term relationship with her boyfriend, John, but even Aisling is starting to wonder when one of the weddings she goes to will be her own.  John seems happy to coast along but Aisling wouldn't be Aisling if she didn't question John's intentions, only for it to backfire and she finds herself single again after 7 years.  The dating game is a minefield for any normal person, imagine what it's like for a complete Aisling!

This book is written with such a huge amount of warm, Irish wit that it is so easy to immerse yourself in Aisling's life and you quickly feel like you have become one of the family.  I loved visiting Mammy and Daddy and almost choked with laughter when Mammy got her words wrong - I'll never be able to look at a butternut squash again without tears of laughter running down my face.

I think we have a little bit of Aisling in all of us so it's really easy to identify with her.  I found myself getting quite emotional in some of the lifelike, sobering scenes but it wasn't long before I found myself laughing again.  Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen need to bottle Aisling and prescribe her in place of anti-depressants; I can't imagine anyone reading it without a smile on their face.

Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling is an enchanting and vibrant laugh out loud book and I hope that there are many more Aisling novels to follow.

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 Single Girl's Calendar - Erin Green

Luckily I had some holiday booked and was snowed in when the call came out for The Single Girl's Calendar blog tour.  I admit to a sharp intake of breath at the 580 page length but I needn't have worried as it was started and finished within 24 hours.  So here I am on the blog tour and I have a triple treat for you today: an extract, my review and a (UK only) giveaway to win a fabulous Erin Green mug.

First up, here's the extract where Esmé is given the Single Girl's Calendar when she finds herself suddenly single.

EXTRACT

Carys reached for Esmé’s hand and gently squeezed it.

‘So, what have you done all morning?’

‘Apart from visit cafes, I’ve walked around the city, stared in shop windows and had a meltdown when I found myself in the crime section at Waterstones…’ Esmé coughed as a wave of nausea lifted to her throat. ‘I felt fine until then. How many times has that store saved my skin with his birthday presents or stocking fillers? Not anymore. Those days are gone.’

‘In that case, I have just the thing,’ announced Carys, releasing Esmé’s hand before rummaging in the plastic bag beneath her chair. ‘Don’t laugh, but this actually helped me through the break-up with Myles.’

‘I thought I helped you get through that.’

Carys raised her head mid-rummage, her corkscrew curls bouncing as she disagreed.

‘Nope! You know nothing about break-ups, Esmé. Seriously, your relationship has been so long-term you haven’t a clue. But this…’ Carys lifted a pink boxed object onto the table top. ‘This might help.’

‘What the hell?’ said Esmé, staring at the advent calendar styled object with its tiny perforated doors.

‘It’s 100 per cent tack and it only cost a fiver but—’

‘Carys?’

‘Hear me out, Esmé… it’s worth a laugh if nothing else.’

‘Yeah, sure,’ said Esmé, lifting the calendar to read the blurb on the reverse.

Want a sassy new way to overcome a break-up? Or simply an opportunity to focus on your life? The Single Girl’s Calendar is made for you! Behind every door is a task that will help you focus on you, and you only! A whole month of pampering, mindfulness activities, caring and sharing ideas which in just four short weeks will have you feeling on top of the world! An insightful way to put a spring back into your step as a strong, independent woman!

‘Are you serious?’

Carys nodded.

Next, here's a bit about the book followed by my review:

A task a day to cure a broken heart.

Esmé Peel is approaching thirty with some trepidation, but hope in her heart. If she can just get her long-term boyfriend Andrew to propose, she will have ticked everything off her 'things to do by the time you're 30' list. She didn't reckon on finding another woman's earring in her bed however, and soon she finds herself single, homeless and in need of a new plan. Her best friend Carys gives her the perfect present – The Single Girl’s Calendar – which has a different cure for heartbreak every day: 

Day 1: Look and feel fabulous with a new hair style. 

Day 2: Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. 

Day 3: Reconnect with friends and enjoy!

Despite thinking it's a bit of a gimmick, Esmé hasn't got any better ideas, so she puts the plan into action. By the end of week one she has four new male housemates, and despite a broken heart she is determined to show Andrew she can do more than survive, she can thrive.

What did I think?

I loved this book; I can't believe how quickly I read it despite it's weighty 580 page length.  I loved the whole dynamic of the characters and with a huge dose of testosterone, it made it something a little bit different in the chick lit genre.

Esmé is ready for the next stage in her life, she just has to set the scene and Andrew, her boyfriend of 7 years is sure to propose.  So she books the day off, puts the champagne on ice, orders a lovely meal to be delivered, lights the candles and changes the bedclothes...only to find an earring in her bed that isn't hers.  Her dream night turns into a nightmare when she confronts Andrew and he admits to cheating on her.  I was so mad for Esmé at first as she has done everything for Andrew, always thinking of him first and perhaps that was her big mistake as she forgot who she really was.  It was like she didn't have a mind of her own anymore; she was Esmé of Andrew and Esmé and I got mad at her for letting that happen.  I then reminded myself that the girl is heartbroken and her dreams have been smashed into smithereens so I cut her some slack.

I loved the idea of a Single Girl's Calendar that Carys gives to Esmé.  It's kind of like an advent calendar (even complete with a little chocolate behind each door) setting a task for the day to perhaps push you out of your comfort zone but ultimately to prevent you sitting at home and wallowing in your own self-pity.  Hey, we've all been there!  Esmé certainly steps out of her comfort zone when she takes her brother's place in a house-share and finds herself living with four of her brother's friends.  A brilliant way to get over a break-up, I say!

The guys all have their individual quirks and characteristics and Esmé's heart goes pitter patter when she encounters Jonah, her high school crush.  Unfortunately, Jonah loves himself more than he'll ever love a woman but Esmé only see's the outside shell, not what is inside.  I don't think Esmé's shallow, just that she loves with her eyes rather than her heart; this is evident when she meets fellow housemate, Asa.  Now this guy couldn't have a bigger heart but his tattooed appearance and sharp tongue give the wrong impression to people who can't see beyond that.  Esmé is guilty of judging a book by its cover and Asa thinks she is jumping from one thing to another trying to be liked but he doesn't know about the tasks in the calendar.  Will Esmé ever be able to see the person beneath the painted skin or will she not be able to resist when all her dreams are gift wrapped and handed to her on a plate?

What a brilliant story!  I loved Esmé's interactions with the four guys and they each had a little story going on themselves.  There is lots to think about too: how appearances can be deceptive yet we continually say that first impressions count.  It's quite sobering to think that I would have jumped to the same conclusions as Esmé and to all the Asa's out there, I apologise wholeheartedly.

I laughed, cried and learnt a little bit about myself whilst reading The Single Girl’s Calendar and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to one and all.  Deep, thought-provoking chick lit doesn't come along too often, so grab this one with both hands.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon UK
Buy it from Amazon USA


About the author:

Erin was born and raised in Warwickshire, where she resides with her husband. An avid reader since childhood, her imagination was instinctively drawn to creative writing as she grew older. Erin has two Hons degrees: BA English literature and another BSc Psychology – her previous careers have ranged from part-time waitress, the retail industry, fitness industry and education. She has an obsession about time, owns several tortoises and an infectious laugh!

Erin’s writes contemporary novels focusing on love, life and laughter. Erin is an active member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and was delighted to be awarded The Katie Fforde Bursary in 2017. An ideal day for Erin involves writing, people watching and drinking copious amounts of tea.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/ErinGreenAuthor/

Twitter: @ErinGreenAuthor

Goodreads Author Page:

www.goodreads.com/author/show/16881009.Erin_Green

Instagram: www.instagram.com/erin_green_author/

Website: www.ErinGreenAuthor.co.uk

GIVEAWAY!

Win an Erin Green Ceramic Mug! (UK only) x3

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The Perfect Girlfriend - Karen Hamilton

Juliette loves Nate.

She will follow him anywhere. She's even become a flight attendant for his airline, so she can keep a closer eye on him.

They are meant to be.

The fact that Nate broke up with her six months ago means nothing.  Because Juliette has a plan to win him back.

She is the perfect girlfriend.

And she'll make sure no one stops her from getting exactly what she wants.

True love hurts, but Juliette knows it's worth all the pain...

What did I think?

A clever, but terribly sad, prologue gives the reader an instant insight into why Lily aka Juliette is the way she is.  This terrible event moulded her into the person she has now become: a terrifying bunny-boiler.  Reader, meet Juliette - the character you will love to hate.

Juliette had the perfect relationship with Nate until they broke up.  Nate just doesn't realise how much he loves Juliette and how they're meant to be together forever, that's all.  Once he comes to his senses, Juliette will get her man back and if he doesn't realise how much he loves her then she'll darn well make him!

Juliette is a scary character; she is completely unhinged and selfish but as much as I wanted to dislike her I really couldn't.  Reading her back story made me feel so sad for her but sometimes she really didn't help herself.  As scary as Juliette was, I couldn't help but think that Nate caused a lot of Juliette's neuroses by being so spineless.  Change your locks, man!  Nate played into Juliette's hands so easily, partly because she knew him so well and partly because he is weak.  I didn't like Nate much, did I?

It's a very fast-paced story as Juliette's plan to win Nate back picks up speed and I didn't know whether to applaud her or call the psychiatrist when parts of her plan were revealed.  I loved some of Juliette's ideas to get back with Nate and, epitomising the true meaning of obsession, she really will do anything to ensnare her man.  If Nate had a bunny, it definitely would have been boiling on his stove when he got home from work.

A fast-paced page turner that really gets under your skin.  A riveting and addictive debut by Karen Hamilton that makes her one to watch in the psychological thriller genre.  When love and obsession collide, be prepared for anything to happen in The Perfect Girlfriend.

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

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon

Bedlam (Detective Joe McNeil Book 1) - B.A. Morton

Joe loves Kit. Everyone thinks she’s dead. Joe knows she’s not.

If you lost the love of your life, how far would you go to get them back? 

Detective Joe McNeil would do absolutely anything. 

When Joe breathes life into a crime scene victim, he discovers what anything really means. 

Nell will use whatever is necessary to ensure she survives, including Joe. Is she really a victim or merely the weapon being wielded by a much more cunning foe?

Against the background of a multiple murder investigation, Joe struggles between his love for missing Kit and his growing obsession with the enigmatic Nell. Plunged headlong into a spiralling nightmare of kidnap, murder and betrayal, his relentless search for the truth jeopardises his career, his sanity and his life.

But for Nell, the risk is even greater.

A haunting tale of obsessive love, ultimate sacrifice and deadly consequences.

What did I think?

Oh my word, this clever book is an absolute hidden gem.  B.A. Morton is a local North East author whom I was fortunate to meet to sign my copy of Bedlam.  I am speechless and completely in awe of the quality of the writing in Bedlam.  B.A. Morton has written a book with so much smoke and mirrors that I questioned my own sanity almost as often as I questioned the main character's.

A town called Bedlam conjures a vision in my head of lawlessness and insanity.  So when Joe McNeil attends a crime scene in Bedlam and brings one of the 'corpses' back to life, I prepared myself, as much as I could, for ANYTHING to happen.  Joe's girlfriend, Kit, is missing presumed dead.  That is, she's presumed dead by everyone EXCEPT Joe.  He will never give up searching for Kit, and now it seems that the girl he brought back to life, Nell, knows something about Kit's disappearance.  Joe is prepared to lose everything, even his mind, to find out what happened to Kit.  I found myself wondering whether Nell was simply manipulating Joe for her own ends or if she really did know something about Kit's disappearance.

The character development of Joe and Nell is absolutely superb.  I felt as if Joe had been turned inside out and we could see exactly what made him tick but at times I didn't know what was real and what was inside Joe's head.  Nell was another matter; she is very mysterious and just when you think you get a glimpse of the real Nell, B.A. Morton would pull the rug from underneath you.  I would imagine that every single reader would be thinking the same question about Nell: who is she???  Fear not, you will find out when the time is right.

Bedlam is so immersive, addictive and utterly breathtaking.  It was so easy to get drawn into Joe's story and I found that I was thinking about Bedlam in between periods of reading it.  If you're looking for a high quality book filled with suspense that will keep you on your toes, look no further and rush out to buy a copy of Bedlam right now!

My rating:

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