BLOG TOUR: The Secret Collector - Abigail Johnson

When an elderly eccentric collector and a troubled teen become each other's only hope of getting their lives back on track, what can possibly go wrong?

Alfred is an elderly widower who uses antiques and collectibles to fill the hole in his heart left by his late wife. Kian is a lost teen who has been let down by the care system and finds it difficult staying on the straight and narrow.

After Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, the shock sends Alfred to hospital and a social worker to his home, where his hoarding becomes impossible to ignore.

Begrudgingly, and at the request of the authorities, they both agree to enrol Kian on a restorative justice programme, helping to make Alfred’s home liveable again. The only problem: Alfred doesn't want to throw any of his treasures away, and he certainly doesn’t want Kian for company.

What unfolds is a surprising and delightful journey of two characters who help each other more than they ever could have anticipated and, along the way, form the unlikeliest of friendships.

An uplifting and warm story about friendship across generations, the power of community and finding hope where it had been lost. Perfect for fans of Sally Page’s The Keeper of Stories and Evie Woods's The Lost Bookshop.

 

What did I think?

Abigail Johnson stole my weekend and her wonderful characters stole my heart; once I picked up The Secret Collector I couldn't put it down and I will never forget Alfred and Kian.

Although he could easily be mistaken for a hoarder, Alfred is quick to point out that he is a collector and he keeps an inventory of all the weird and wonderful items that he has collected over the years.  Alfred lives alone after he lost his wife and his collecting drove a wedge between him and his daughter.  When Alfred's house is attacked by Kian, a troubled young man, social services get involved and arrange for Kian to tidy Alfred's house as his punishment.

Oh Alfred!  As if he hasn't suffered enough!  Who's to say how Alfred is living is wrong?  He's just trying to cope with his grief and he's not hurting anyone.  Having his house invaded is as much a punishment for Alfred as it is for Kian...or at least it starts out that way.  As Alfred gets to know Kian an unlikely friendship forms and what a charming and heartwarming story this is.

The Secret Collector really made me stop and think about how quickly we label and judge people.  I admit to thinking Alfred was a hoarder and Kian was a wrong 'un at the start of the book but I was proved wrong so it just shows that you should never judge a book by its cover.  

Completely unforgettable and incredibly uplifting, The Secret Collector is an unmissable book that I will be reading again whenever I need a pick-me-up.  It's an outstanding debut novel that I really can't recommend highly enough and I would give it more than five stars if I could.  I loved it! 

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

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Everything is Beautiful - Eleanor Ray

When Amy Ashton's world fell apart eleven years ago, she started a collection.

Just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a life that could have been.

Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves - soon there'll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery, and Amy's carefully curated life begins to unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she'd lost still be hers for the taking?

Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant and The Keeper of Lost Things, this exquisitely told, uplifting novel shows us that however hopeless things might feel, beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places 

What did I think?

I see a lot of books claiming a comparison to Eleanor Oliphant, which I absolutely loved and found to be completely unique, however, I think the comparison does apply to Everything is Beautiful as Eleanor Ray's debut novel is similarly quirky with a surprisingly dark undertone.  So yes indeed, Eleanor Oliphant fans, you will love this book!  I planned to read it over 3 days but it barely lasted 24 hours as I couldn't put it down.

Amy Ashton reminded me of Bagpuss, collecting treasures that others have cast away and fixing them with super glue just like the marvellous mice on the mouse organ.  Amy hasn't always been a hoarder, it's just since her boyfriend and best friend went missing...at the same time.  The police believe that all the evidence points to Tim and Chantel running off together but neither of them have been heard from since.  All Amy wants is closure but in the meantime she has empty wine bottles and lighters, among other things, to remind her of happier times.

This book is so beautifully written it left me surrounded with a lovely warm glow.  There are some devastating moments and I could barely hold back the tears at times as Amy's history is revealed.  You just never know how much pain people are carrying around with them and if collecting things makes Amy's life more bearable then I don't see what harm it is doing to anyone.  I think it's lovely how you can find a seemingly innocuous object and suddenly be transported back in time.  We all carry treasured memories around with us but sometimes they need a little nudge to bring them to the fore.

Utterly charming and completely compelling, Everything is Beautiful is an absolute delight to read and an outstanding debut.  This uplifting, hopeful and quirky book reminded me that there really is beauty in everything if you choose to look for it - I loved it.

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BLOG TOUR: Finders, Keepers - Sabine Durrant

One woman's secret is her neighbour's opportunity.

Ailsa Tilson moves with her husband and children to Trinity Fields in search of the new.

New project - a house to renovate. New people - no links to the past. New friends - especially her next-door neighbour, the lonely Verity, who needs her help.

Verity has lived in Trinity Fields all her life. She's always resisted change. Her home and belongings are a shield, a defence to keep the outside world at bay. But something about the Tilsons piques her interest.

Just as her ivy creeps through the shared garden fence, so Verity will work her way into the Tilson family.

And once they realise how formidable she can be, it might well be too late.

What did I think?

Like the ivy creeping through Verity's fence, Sabine Durrant's mesmerising words slowly but firmly grabbed hold of me in her addictive new novel Finders, Keepers.  I would definitely describe Finders, Keepers as a slow burner but it's like a pot on constant simmer that you can't take your eyes off; this is one watched pot that is about to boil over.

I loved the character of Verity; they do say it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for.  Spending many years as carer to her mother, Verity has led a very sheltered life.  Now that she is living alone, it's things rather than people that bring her comfort...until she gets new neighbours.  Ailsa and Tom Tilson move in with their family and, although an unlikely pairing, Ailsa and Verity become almost friends.  I say 'almost' friends as it felt from the start that Ailsa was using Verity.

I may have had my doubts about Ailsa's friendship with Verity but it was Tom who really got on my nerves.  I mean it does sound like Verity's house looks a bit ramshackle, but they bought the house next door to her knowing that already.  What right does Tom have to tell Verity what to do with her own house?  It felt like he was bullying her and I felt so angry at times as he wouldn't have been so confrontational if he had a male neighbour.

As Verity's job involves updating the Oxford English Dictionary, each chapter starts with a relevant item from the chapter and a word along with its meaning.  I loved this extra touch and found myself looking forward to them, wondering what interesting words I would learn or re-experience.  When Ailsa finds out about Verity's job she seizes the opportunity to gain a free tutor for her son, Max.  Ailsa did initially promise to pay Verity for her time but the money never seems to materialise, increasing my feeling that the Tilsons were taking advantage of Verity.  Like I said earlier though, it is the quiet ones you have to watch out for...

Captivating and compelling, Finders, Keepers is a simmering pot of a novel; it may bubble along nicely but it's always threatening to boil over.  Like a creeping ivy, Sabine Durrant weaves tendrils of suspense and intrigue through the book until we find ourselves firmly in its grasp and once it grabs you, which it inevitably will, it's impossible to put this book down.  

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

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