Showing posts with label readalong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label readalong. Show all posts

Friday, 6 February 2026

Behind Her Smile - Caroline England

 
Buried secrets are dangerous.
Unearthing them might be deadly ...

Laurie Dunn has returned to her childhood attic bedroom and her old nightmares have come rushing back. Terrorised by a client-related mugging, her job as a criminal solicitor causes more problems than solutions.

Finn Ballentine yearns for a fresh start, but even the glossy façade of his new law firm can't protect him from the past he's running from.

After a disturbing remark by her confused father, Laurie joins forces with Finn to uncover dark truths. But the long-buried secrets they unearth are laced with danger for them both.


What did I think?

I love Caroline England books as you never know what to expect but you're definitely guaranteed a good read.  The creepy doll on the cover gives you some idea of how dark Behind Her Smile is and I absolutely loved it.

Laurie has been brought up by her father and sister after her mother died in childbirth.  The subject of memories is explored as Laurie thinks about her childhood and whether what she can remember is real or false.  You also wonder whether her family are protecting her or hiding something from her.  Needless to say, every guess I had was wrong!

I really liked Laurie and it was lovely to see her reviving her relationship with Finn but there are so many obstacles in their way.  Caroline England just kept reeling me in with the ups and downs of Laurie's life until hitting me with the big reveal.  Absolutely brilliant!

Dark, disturbing and completely addictive, Behind Her Smile is an unpredictable and unsettling read that gripped me from start to finish.  A highly recommended read.

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

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Saturday, 31 January 2026

The Hope (The Forcing Trilogy Book 3) - Paul E Hardisty



In a ravaged future ruled by the descendants of those who caused the climate collapse, a teenager with a remarkable gift must flee for her life – and fight to save the last hope for humanity. The searing, unforgettable conclusion to the internationally acclaimed The Forcing trilogy.

The year is 2082. Climate collapse, famine and war have left the world in ruins. In the shadow of the Alpha-Omega regime – descendants of the super-rich architects of disaster – sixteen-year-old Boo Ashworth and her uncle risk everything to save what’s left of human knowledge, hiding the last surviving books in a secret library beneath the streets of Hobart.

But Boo has a secret of her own: an astonishing ability to memorise entire texts with perfect recall. When the library is discovered and destroyed, she’s forced to flee – armed with nothing but the stories she carries in her mind, and a growing understanding of her family’s true past. 

Hunted and alone, and with the help of some unlikely allies, she must fight to save her loved ones – and bring hope to a broken world.

Spanning three generations before, during and after the fall, The Hope is the shattering conclusion to Paul E. Hardisty’s critically acclaimed climate-emergency trilogy – a devastating, visionary thriller that dares to imagine the possibility of redemption in the face of near-total collapse. In a dying world, it asks the most urgent question of all: what if there’s still time? 


What did I think?

The Hope is the third and final book in The Forcing Trilogy and it is the perfect ending to a magnificent and hugely thought-provoking series.

Each book focuses on three generations of one family and The Hope is Boo's story.  I remember Boo from the previous book The Descent so it was good to catch up with her and other members of the family to see what happened next.  Although it is still a very dark and devastating story, the book is called The Hope after all so there is a more hopeful and uplifting end to this poignant tale.

It's almost like a book within a book as Boo's amazing memory recalls every word from her Uncle Kweku's book, The Descent.  I just love how all of the books link together to create one memorable and relevant story but you could read each one independently and still enjoy each book.

The world that Paul E Hardisty has built is disturbingly easy to imagine and although this is a fantastic dystopian novel, I don't want to pick it up in 40 years time (if I'm still alive) and see how much has come true.  Novels like this have the power to change the world and I just hope that people take notice.

Unmissable, unforgettable and powerful, The Hope is a thrilling conclusion to an outstanding trilogy that every reader should read.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted copy for the readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Monday, 26 January 2026

Woman Down - Colleen Hoover


In this twisty thriller from New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a frustrated author looks for her muse in a remote hideaway, but what she finds defies all expectations…and reality.

Her words used to set the page on fire. But a viral backlash over her latest film adaptation forced Petra Rose to take a hiatus, resulting in missed deadlines and an overdue mortgage. Branded a fraud and fame-hungry opportunist, she learned the hard way what happens when the internet turns on you. And she’s been uninspired to write ever since.

Now, with her next suspense novel outlined and savings nearly gone, she retreats to a secluded lakeside cabin, hoping to find inspiration. It’s Petra’s last-ditch attempt to save her career―and herself.

Then he shows up.

Detective Nathaniel Saint arrives with disturbing news, his presence igniting a creativity in her she thought long since burned out. Petra’s words return in a rush, and her fictional cop character begins to mirror the very real cop who’s becoming her muse.

Their “research” sessions blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Each glance, every touch pulls Petra deeper into a world she thought she’d never lose herself in again. She’s never felt more alive. But inspiration this powerful comes at a cost.

When Saint starts taking his role in her career a little too seriously, Petra’s forced to confront the chaos she created. But doing so could cost her more than the reputation she’s been trying to salvage. The reputation the world wrote for her―the reputation only she can reclaim.

 
What did I think?

Woman Down is my first Colleen Hoover book and whilst I wasn't blown away I still quite enjoyed it.  I would say it's more of a romantic suspense than a thriller but it is very gripping.

Petra Rose was at the top of her game when her book was made into a film but, as we all know, the book is usually always better than the movie and her fans were not happy with the adaptation.  Being the chief income earner in her household adds an extra strain when Petra has writers block so she books a lakeside retreat to concentrate on her writing.  Inspiration is about to hit Petra right in the solar plexus and this bestseller could cost her more than it makes.

I really didn't know who Petra could trust in this riveting storyline.  It felt like she was a mouse in a trap being played with by several cats and I wasn't even sure if some of it was her own vivid imagination.  It gets very dark and disturbing as the story goes on and whilst I couldn't understand Petra's actions, I did feel for her.  I think she has lost so much of her confidence and it's a downward spiral that is difficult to escape from.

Dark, gripping and a bit steamy, Woman Down is an interesting glimpse into the life of an author and a sobering reminder of how much words can often hurt.  

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

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Sunday, 25 January 2026

The Ten Year Affair - Erin Somers


Two parents. Happily married. Just not to each other.

When Cora meets Sam at a baby group in their small town, the chemistry between them is instant and undeniable. But both are happily married, and neither is the type to cheat. So as their lives intertwine and the romantic tension between them heightens, Cora turns to her imagination: in her head, she and Sam pursue their feelings; in reality, they resist.

Yet as the fantasy affair grows ever more intoxicating, it can't help but cast Cora's everyday life - the mushroom problem in the bathroom, her daughter's new fascination with the afterlife, her husband's obsession with podcasts about the history of rope - in a new light. And when the boundaries grow increasingly blurred, she must decide what truly matters.

Razor-sharp, exhilaratingly honest and salted with an irresistible acerbic wit, The Ten Year Affair explores family life, fidelity and the roads not taken, and ultimately asks: do we really want our fantasies to come true?

 
What did I think?

The Ten Year Affair isn't perhaps the type of book I would usually pick up but I rather enjoyed it.  It's brutally honest and surprisingly witty so I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions but it has a serious subject at its heart: infidelity.

Although I didn't particularly like any of the characters I think I could understand them.  Cora escapes her mundane life as a wife and mother to a fantasy world where she's having an affair with Sam, a father she met at baby group.  It really made me think about what cheating is.  Are thoughts as bad as actions?

As the story progresses the affair doesn't just continue in Cora's head, it happens in real life but Cora finds that reality isn't a patch on fantasy.  You have to apportion some of the blame to Cora's husband Eliot, who pays very little attention to Cora, and Sam's wife Jules, who is having an affair of her own.  Both couples seem to conveniently forget that they have children though.

I did struggle at times with the 'in the fantasy world' and 'in reality' storyline as I couldn't remember what was happening in each one and it seemed to flick back and forth frequently.  I enjoyed the chapters set during the Covid-19 pandemic as it really highlighted the challenges people faced while forced to spend time with each other.  It is funny reading about people getting used to working from home and I'm sure a lot of people have many funny Zoom stories.

Witty, honest and thought-provoking, The Ten Year Affair is an interesting and entertaining read that is well worth picking up, even if it's just to feel smug about your own relationship.
 
I received a gifted hardback for the Adventures With Words readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Friday, 23 January 2026

The Descent (The Forcing Trilogy Book 2) - Paul E Hardisty


A young man and his young family set out on a perilous voyage across a devastated planet to uncover the origin of the events that set the world on its course to disaster … The prescient, deeply shocking prequel to the bestselling, critically acclaimed Climate Emergency thriller, The Forcing.

Kweku Ashworth is a child of the cataclysm, born on a sailboat to parents fleeing the devastation in search for a refuge in the Southern Ocean. Growing up in a world forever changed, his only connection to the events that set the planet on its course to disaster were the stories his step-father, long-dead, recorded in his manuscript, The Forcing.

But there are huge gaps in his stepfather's account, and when Kweku stumbles across a clandestine broadcast by someone close to the men who forced the globe into a climate catastrophe, he knows that it is time to find out for himself.

Kweku and his young family set out on a perilous voyage across a devastated planet. What they find will challenge not only their faith in humanity, but their ability to stay alive.

The devastating, nerve-shattering prequel to the critically acclaimed thriller The Forcing, a story of survival, hope, and the power of the human spirit in a world torn apart by climate change.


What did I think?

Wow!  The Descent is very cleverly both a prequel and a sequel to The Forcing with a dual timeline set both before and after events in book 1.  Whilst it does read well as a standalone, I think it's worth reading the books in order to appreciate the sheer devastation of the future world that Paul E Hardisty has imagined.

The Descent is Kweku's story and to understand Kweku's world we need to go back to the past via diary entries from a mysterious woman called 'Sparkplug'.  Sparkplug is part of business man Derek Argent's team and I didn't think he could be more odious than he was in The Forcing but I was wrong.  He's a character that you love to hate and boy did I detest him!

With so much going on in both timelines, the novel has a blisteringly fast pace and I couldn't read it fast enough.  It's bleak, earth-shattering and mind-blowing in its brilliance as it forces us to consider our actions today to make a better world for tomorrow.

Devastating, shocking and thought-provoking, The Descent is a book I can't stop thinking about long after turning the final page.  A highly recommended read and I can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy.

I received a digital copy for the readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Friday, 16 January 2026

The Forcing (The Forcing Trilogy Book 1) - Paul E Hardisty


Civilisation is collapsing…

Frustrated and angry after years of denial and inaction, in a last-ditch attempt to stave off disaster, a government of youth has taken power in North America, and a policy of institutionalised ageism has been introduced. All those older than the prescribed age are deemed responsible for the current state of the world, and are to be 'relocated', their property and assets confiscated.

David Ashworth, known by his friends and students as Teacher, and his wife May, find themselves among the thousands being moved to 'new accommodation' in the abandoned southern deserts – thrown together with a wealthy industrialist and his wife, a high court lawyer, two recent immigrants to America, and a hospital worker. Together, they must come to terms with their new lives in a land rendered unrecognisable.

As the terrible truth of their situation is revealed, lured by rumours of a tropical sanctuary where they can live in peace, they plan a perilous escape. But the world outside is more dangerous than they could ever have imagined. And for those who survive, nothing will ever be the same again… 


What did I think?

Oh my goodness, this book chilled me to the bone.  It's not a murder mystery (unless you consider what we're doing to the planet as murder) but it is so scarily realistic that it gives me goose bumps just thinking of it now.

The Forcing is a cli-fi dystopian thriller that acts as a timely reminder of what we could be facing as we overpopulate and destroy our planet.  The government have put a relocation programme in place, not unlike the 'relocation' of the Jewish population in World War II but this programme relocates older people to make room for the young.

There is a dual timeline as David aka Teach tells his story many years later so spoiler alert he clearly survives the relocation.  I really felt for Teach when he got his relocation letter and his only comfort is that his wife is going with him...although it's no comfort to his wife as she was happy to think that Teach would be going on his own!  Married life, eh?

I couldn't help but compare the plight of the people to the concentration camps of WWII and what is more scary is that I could imagine it actually happening now.  The Forcing is a powerful and timely reminder of how fragile and precious life is.

Compelling, thought-provoking and relevant, The Forcing is a chilling dystopian thriller that feels so incredibly possible.  A highly recommended read.

I received a digital copy for the readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Monday, 15 December 2025

The Hunger of the Dragon (The Forbidden Runes Series Book 1) - R.M. Schultz


Divine remnants are hoarded, stolen, and killed for.

These items grant powerful magics to those with the strength to wield them.

The war of the gods has passed, leaving Midgard without direction, but vengeance and the battle for control has just begun.

A berserker of the Raven must protect her magical items from those bent on stealing them while a Wolf warrior renounces her clan to pursue the impossible—harnessing the magics of the Dragon. A thief of the Wolf is led astray and will never regain what is taken from him. They protect their own, claim what they can, and rise to power in waves of glory.

But when a mysterious new clan emerges seeking to conquer all, the Ravens and Wolves must safeguard their divine remains or destroy each other.

The resulting war will determine the fate of each clan as they succumb to the hunger of the Dragon and the forbidden runes.

 
What did I think?

It took me a while to get into The Hunger of the Dragon as I'm quite new to fantasy and there are a lot of Norse names of people in various clans to remember.  There is a map at the start and a glossary of Norse words at the back that contains a cast of characters so it's well worth referring to this as you go along. 

The story is told from three different points of view: Märren (a grieving mother who is searching for a dragon scale), Caëtin (a shapeshifting raven and adopted daughter of the jarl) and Belfedrn (a wolf warrior and Märren's cousin).  I liked all characters but I really felt for Märren who lost her daughter and is understandably struggling with her mental health.

Whilst I liked the multiple points of view, I found it a little difficult to follow at times and I was just getting used to the characters in the chapter by the time it ended.  I think anyone used to reading fantasy would cope better than I did.  I loved reading about the various clans and their particular magic skills. 

Filled with Norse mythology and battling clans, The Hunger of the Dragon is like a cross between Vikings and Game of Thrones, so if you love this type of story then it's definitely worth a read.

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

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Monday, 23 June 2025

Island Calling (Tuga Trilogy Book 2) - Francesca Segal


What if your mother knows you better than you know yourself?

On remote Tuga de Oro, vet Charlotte Walker has been taken to the islanders’ hearts and, between days on the farms and nights with a new love interest, she’s content to remain in blissful retreat from her real life, in London.

Just for now, obviously.

Until real life hits the island with the force of a tropical storm: Charlotte’s mother arrives.

Lucinda Compton-Neville knows an identity crisis when she sees one, and has come to haul her daughter back on course: back to England, back to her career, back home where she belongs.

Funny, moving, and hope-filled, Island Calling is the joyous second novel in the Tuga Trilogy – about mothers and daughters; about holding on and letting go. 


What did I think?

The tropical island of Tuga is open to readers once again and I couldn't be more delighted to take a virtual trip to see what the characters are up to in part two of the trilogy, Island Calling.

The island may be open to readers but it's not open to visitors, however, one strong-willed woman manages to make it ashore.  Lucinda Compton-Neville has come to bring her daughter home but Charlotte's work studying the island's tortoises is far from over.  In a battle of wills, the mother-daughter relationship is stretched to breaking point in a funny, poignant and heartwarming kind of way. 

I loved picking up with the characters where we left off in Welcome to Glorious Tuga and particularly enjoyed reading about the mother-daughter relationships in the book.  It's very true that although you might argue from time to time, it's quickly forgiven and forgotten as a mother's love really knows no bounds.  I'm not a mother but I am a daughter and I really tested those bounds over the years!

The pacing is gentle but the story is compelling so the pages keep turning effortlessly as we peek into the lives of our favourite islanders.  There's a bit of drama, a sprinkling of romance and a few surprises in store in this instalment and I can't wait to see how it all wraps up in book three.

Grab your virtual passport and take a trip to Francesca Segal's fictional island of Tuga.  It's a place you won't want to leave once you set foot on the colourful and welcoming land.  A very highly recommended read filled with drama, love and a warmth that has made a permanent Tugan-shaped home in my heart.

I received a gifted hardback to take part in the Insta Book Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Welcome to Glorious Tuga (Tuga Trilogy, 1) - Francesca Segal

 
Welcome to glorious Tuga – the world’s most remote island and Charlotte Walker’s new home.

Charlotte has swapped her grey life in London for a year in this tropical paradise. Officially, she’s there for conservation but the reality is far more complicated.

For somewhere on Tuga lies the answer to a truth she’s waited her whole life to learn. If she finds it, then perhaps she might finally find herself too.


What did I think?

I was drawn to Welcome to Glorious Tuga by its stunning cover that just drew me in and begged me to pack my virtual suitcase so I could visit Tuga for a five day readalong.

There's a map and a dramatis personae in the start of the book although Francesca Segal's beautiful words painted the island and the characters in dazzling colours for me as I progressed through the book.  I do love a map and a list of characters though!

Charlotte Walker is sailing to Tuga from London to study tortoises for a year but she has an ulterior motive too and she is looking for something else on the island.  Charlotte meets Dan Zekri on the voyage who is returning home to Tuga to take up a position as the island doctor when his uncle retires.  There is clearly chemistry between Charlotte and Dan but Dan has not been entirely truthful with Charlotte, which made me see him in such a bad light that I am unsure whether he can ever redeem himself.

The island is like one big family with everyone knowing everyone's business.  Eeeek!  It has a great sense of community but the island gossip would test my patience.  I really felt as if I was there and I love being transported to sunny climes in books but without suffering the inevitable sunburn and dehydration.

Whilst the pacing is gentle and there are a lot of characters to get to know, it's a book that captures your attention and refuses to let go.  Much like life itself, there are a lot of ups and downs but plenty of laughs and one or two surprises along the way.

Immersive, compelling and beautifully written, Welcome to Glorious Tuga is pure escapism that transports the reader to the fabulous isolated island of Tuga de Oro.

I received a gifted paperback to take part in the Insta Book Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Wednesday, 21 May 2025

They Both Die at the End - Adam Silvera

 
A love story with a difference - an unforgettable tale of life, loss and making each day count.

On September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: they're going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: there's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure - to live a lifetime in a single day. 

Another beautiful, heartbreaking and life-affirming book from the brilliant Adam Silvera, author of More Happy Than Not, History Is All You Left Me, What If It's Us, Here's To Us and the Infinity Cycle series.

What did I think?

I've had my eye on They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera for quite a while so I was delighted to be invited to take part in the Tandem Collective readalong.  

It's such an original idea for a world where each person who is going to die that day gets a call from Death-Cast to let them know today is the day.  With one day left to live there are things to do and people to see but simply not enough time to do everything you haven't done, especially if you're teenagers like Mateo and Rufus.

Mateo and Rufus don't know each other at the start of the book but they find each other through the Last Friend app and together they cram as much into their last day as they possibly can.  As well as chapters about Mateo and Rufus, there are a lot of chapters about other characters who either did or didn't get the call from Death-Cast and I loved how they all linked together like a finely woven fabric.

Whilst it is sad, it wasn't as heartbreaking as I expected as I had the whole book to come to terms with the two main characters both dying at the end...it says so in the very title.  It's their last day of living that the book is all about and it's really thought-provoking and strangely uplifting.  Why is it that we only decide to really live when we're told we are about to die?

The book also had me questioning how I would feel about getting a call from Death-Cast and whilst it would be devastating and scary it also made me think about the days where I didn't get a call.  As someone who worries about her loved ones dying, it takes the worry out of every day if you know they will get a call on the day it will inevitably happen.

Highly original and incredibly thought-provoking, They Both Die at the End is a massive wake-up call to live your best day every day.  It feels strange to say I enjoyed it but I really did and I will be most surprised if it doesn't end up being made into a film or miniseries.  An unforgettable and highly recommended read.

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

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Tuesday, 23 April 2024

Keep It in the Family - John Marrs


In this thrilling novel from bestselling author John Marrs, a young couple’s house hides terrible secrets—and not all of them are confined to the past.

Mia and Finn are busy turning a derelict house into their dream home when Mia unexpectedly falls pregnant. But just when they think the house is ready, Mia discovers a shocking message scored into a skirting board: I WILL SAVE THEM FROM THE ATTIC. Following the clue up into the eaves, the couple make a gruesome discovery: their home was once a real-life murder house, with the evidence still concealed within the four walls.

In the wake of their traumatic discovery, the baby arrives and Mia can’t shake her fixation with the monstrous crimes that happened right above them. Tormented by the terrible things she saw, she is desperate to dig into the past to find answers.

Secrecy shrouds the mystery of the attic, but when shards of a dark truth start to emerge, Mia realises the danger is terrifyingly present. She is prepared to do anything to protect her family—but will the previous tenants stop her from discovering their secret?
 

What did I think?

Keep It in the Family is another cracking novel from the Master of Shocking Twists, John Marrs.  What a dark and twisted mind you have, Mr Marrs! 

The story is told from several points of view and brilliantly interspersed with excerpts from various media such as newspapers, TV documentaries and even an autopsy report.  Mia never really settled into the Hunter family after she married Debbie and Dave's only son, Finn.  Not matching up to Finn's perfect ex-girlfriend and failing to produce a grandchild doesn't help her case with the in-laws.  Mia and Finn's relationship is strong though, isn't it?  

Mia and Finn's relationship is well and truly tested when they buy an old house and Mia finds out that she's pregnant.  Their own home and a much wanted baby should be the stuff that dreams are made of but, as this is a John Marrs book, it turns into a nightmare.  The gruesome discovery in the attic sets off a chain of events that keep the pages turning at a rate of knots until all of the secrets are revealed.

So fast-paced I'm surprised I didn't have blisters on my fingers as I whipped the pages over at full speed, Keep It in the Family is deliciously dark and incredibly twisted.  This is a book that you will be up all night reading once you pick it up, which is just as well as the disturbing plot will give you nightmares.  Very highly recommended.

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

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Monday, 1 April 2024

Maybe It's About Time - Neil Boss


Two people trapped in their different worlds. One by wealth and one by poverty. Twenty years working for The Firm has given Marcus Barlow everything he wants but has taken his soul in return. Finding a way to leave has become an obsession.

Claire Halford’s life hits rock bottom when she is caught stealing food from Tesco Express. Left alone by her husband with two small children and an STI, her suicide music is starting to play louder in her head.

A chance meeting brings them together. As a mystery virus from China starts to run riot across the country, their world’s collide and they find they have more in common than they knew.

Set in the early months of 2020, Maybe It’s About Time is a story about the difficulty of changing lives for the better. Starting as a funny and satirical view of the egocentric world of professional services, it gives way to a heart-warming story of an unlikely friendship that rejuvenates Marcus and Claire, giving them both hope for a better future.
 

What did I think?

Maybe It's About Time is a poignant and powerful novel set during the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020.  Although I'm sure none of us will ever forget this horrific time, it is brought back to life in a haunting and sensitive way through Neil Boss' carefully crafted writing.  Each chapter ends with the date and this simple but powerful sentence felt like a death knell; it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it now.

Marcus and Claire live completely different lives.  Marcus and has family want for nothing as Marcus has a well paid job in the city; a job that Marcus hates.  Claire's husband left her with two young children and her benefits don't provide enough money to feed them.  The stark contrast between wealth and poverty is disturbing but very sobering to read.  I feel incredibly fortunate that I've never had to worry about putting food on the table.

Marcus's work life really resonated with me as I was guilty of living to work rather than working to live in my last job.  I think if you've ever worked in an office you will appreciate Marcus's chapters more as I found it very entertaining.  I'm glad I wasn't working during the pandemic as I would have never got any work done for all the Zoom calls.

There are some very funny moments in the book that had me laughing out loud and the humour is very well balanced as it doesn't detract from the seriousness of the pandemic situation.  Even though I had an idea what was going to happen, it still brought a tear to my eye at the end.  There are a few unresolved parts of the story that have left it open for a sequel and I can't wait to read what happens next.

Haunting, emotive and compelling, I laughed and I cried whilst reading this beautifully written book.  It's an important and powerful novel that everyone should read and I really can't recommend it highly enough. 

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

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