BLOG TOUR: Never Look Back - Susan Lewis

Book 3 in the Cristy Ward series

A dead husband. A missing wife. Will they find her in time?

Romy Kaplan has vanished from her home.

Or has she?

When Romy begins posting on her social media accounts asking everyone to stop looking for her, the police are certain she is safe. But Romy's nearest and dearest are far from convinced.

Her husband died in the bath under inconclusive circumstances six weeks ago. And Romy would never disappear without telling someone where she is going.

As true crime podcast host, Cristy Ward, picks up Romy's case… she has the whole world asking…

Where is Romy now?

 

What did I think?

Never Look Back is the third Cristy Ward mystery but you can read each one as a standalone.  I jumped into the series at book two so I really enjoyed catching up with Cristy, her family and the podcast team again.   

The standalone story is the mysterious disappearance of Romy Kaplan.  Romy is newly widowed after the sudden death of her husband Romi but to be out of contact with her friends for so long is out of character.  Cristy isn't even sure at first that there's a mystery to solve as Romy is posting on social media but appearances can certainly be deceptive.

Cristy's personal life is an entertaining part of the novel too.  She has a long distance relationship with David but they both carry a lot of baggage and I'm not surprised that Cristy sometimes feels insecure.  David, meanwhile, gets on famously with Matthew (Cristy's ex-husband) but Matthew regrets ever leaving Cristy so he's always looking to shine a less favourable light on David, which is very entertaining.

I loved reading the podcast transcripts that add extra depth and authenticity to an already intriguing story.  It's very cleverly plotted by Susan Lewis to draw the reader's eye in different directions while she weaves her magic words in this unputdownable mystery.

Incredibly compelling and extremely gripping, Never Look Back is a thought-provoking and sobering novel about hidden dangers lurking in the world of today.  It's a fresh and modern mystery that had me riveted from start to finish and I highly recommend it.

I received a gifted hardback to read and review for the Insta Book Tours Instagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Daughter of Genoa - Kit Devereaux

In Nazi-occupied Italy, keeping secrets could be deadly.

Genoa, 1944:

Widowed and alone, Anna Pastorino has been surviving on her wits since the Germans invaded. The daughter of a prominent Jewish antifascist, Anna lives a hidden life in her small flat near the harbour ... until an RAF bomb destroys her only shelter. When a Jesuit priest approaches her offering help, she has no choice but to accept. She follows her new friend, Father Vittorio, to a safe house above a printers' shop in a quiet street near via Assarotti.

But the Tipografia Guichard is more than just a refuge. It's a forgery workshop: a key part of the secret rescue operation headed by Massimo Teglio, the "Scarlet Pimpernel" of Genoa's persecuted Jewish population. Drawn into a world of clandestine resistance, Anna discovers a new sense of purpose, a circle of friends, and a passion that brings her alive.

Soon, the little flat above the shop holds more secrets than anyone could imagine. As Anna grows closer to both Teglio and Vittorio, she must confront a past trauma of her own: a secret that might endanger her and everyone she loves.

 

What did I think?

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and I am reminded why I love it when I read books like Daughter of Genoa.  It's like stepping back through time as Kat Devereaux brings wartime Italy to life with her vivid writing and poignant plot.

Set in 1944, the story is told from two points of view: widow Anna and Jesuit priest Vittorio who are brought together as they shelter from an air raid.  When Anna loses her home, Vittorio finds a safe haven for her and introduces her to the world of forging documents to keep the Jewish population safe.

It is so important to keep this dark period of history in people's minds in the hope that it will never be repeated.  Although Auschwitz is prevalent in my mind when I think of the persecution of the Jews, it's only a small part of the big picture so it was interesting to read about events in a different setting.

Compelling, gripping and haunting, I couldn't put Daughter of Genoa down and read it in one sitting.  I will definitely be looking out for more Kat Devereaux novels on the strength of this one.  Very highly recommended. 

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://amzn.eu/d/fYISSnd

About the author:

Kat Devereaux was born near Edinburgh, and lived in the United States, Russia, France, Chile, Germany, and the Czech Republic before finally settling in Italy. She is a writer and translator with a special focus on Italian literature.

https://www.katdevereaux.com/ 

Publisher social media handles:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriaFiction 

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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headofzeus 

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Ever After - Amanda Prowse

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner and Swimming to Lundy, comes a hopeful and inspiring story about the possibilities that await when you dare to start again.

If you’re given another chance at love, shouldn’t you take it?

Enya’s life has become small. Her husband’s death has left her bereft, and though she’s only in her early fifties, she’s happiest looking after her son, Aiden, his childhood sweetheart, Holly, and her beloved cat, Pickle.

So the spark she feels for the stranger who bumps into her car in the airport car park is a complete shock. But Enya can’t stop thinking about him.

Then, when Aiden makes a life-changing decision, Enya suddenly finds her close-knit community thrown into chaos. Her best friend, Jenny, isn’t speaking to her, Aiden’s future hangs in the balance, Holly is devastated, and the stranger from the car park is suddenly in her life.

Torn between family, love and loyalty, Enya faces a dilemma: stay safely where she is, or take a leap into the unknown? Because maybe her happily-ever-after could have one more chapter yet…

 

What did I think?

Amanda Prowse writes with so much heart that her books always move me to tears...every single time!  Ever After is no exception and I have to say I was reaching for the tissues when I read the dedication!  I finished the book with a little tear in my eye...oh ok I'll admit it, it was a veritable torrent of tears but I absolutely loved it.

Family and friendship is at the heart of the book and even though Enya is grieving the loss of her husband she is surrounded my friends and family who love her, until her son Aiden makes a decision that makes everyone pick a side.  My heart went out to Enya when people seemed to be taking out their anger and disappointment on her.  Enya had nothing to do with Aiden's decision, but she is the nearest one available to blame.

With her life in disarray, Enya has a little bit of enjoyment left in the form of an unexpected flirtation with the man who crashed into her car.  Of course, he's not being completely honest with her and there are more complications that may prove insurmountable.

There is so much warmth and heart in the book that made me really start to care about the characters and it was lovely to see them evolve and grow as each page was turned.  I didn't realise how much I cared about them until near the end when my emotions threatened to spill over (and ultimately did end up spilling over).  It's just a lovely yet realistic story and it makes a refreshing change to have a main character in her fifties.

Heartwarming, emotional and uplifting, Ever After is a fabulous book that really pulled at my heartstrings as I lived the ups and downs of life with Enya and her family.  Amanda Prowse is such a wonderful writer and Ever After is a wonderful book.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback to take part in the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Widow's Choice - Nancy Revell

1949, County Durham.

From the Shipyards of Sunderland to Lady of the Manor . . .

When Angie marries her sweetheart Quentin and moves into Cuthford Manor to begin their new life together, she feels like the luckiest woman in the world.

But Quentin falls victim to a tragic accident and Angie's life is left devastated. Now, along with the prospect of rebuilding her life, she is faced with an impossible choice that will have far-reaching consequences for herself and those she loves most.

Angie will need to draw on the help of her family, the community of Cuthford Manor and her old friends from the shipyards if she's to find happiness again.

 

What did I think?

I've wanted to read one of Nancy Revell's novels in The Shipyards Girls series since I realised they were set locally in Sunderland and I finally have a Nancy Revell novel in my hands in the form of The Widow's Choice.  There are 12 books in the series that finished in 2022 but The Widow's Choice revisits some of the main characters so fans of the series could see what happens next and new readers would be tempted to see what happened earlier.  

Although the characters are new to me I felt as if I'd known them for years.  I felt Angie's pain at her devastating loss and could totally understand why she wanted to make a new start but memories are more than bricks and mortar.  Luckily, she has her shipyard girls around her to support her through her difficult time.

Angie may be the mistress of Cuthford Manor but it's a title that she doesn't feel she is entitled to and this isn't helped by her devious mother in law who is determined to get her hands on the manor for herself.  There are secrets aplenty to discover in this engaging family saga and I was surprised to find myself researching some true stories that I had never heard of before.

Heartbreaking, heartwarming and completely uplifting, The Widow's Choice has it all: strong female characters, devastating family secrets and a bucketful of emotions.  I am now more than tempted to read The Shipyard Girls series, in fact I feel compelled to do so after encountering these colourful characters for the first time in The Widow's Choice.  

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

My rating:

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Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe - Debbie Johnson

The Comfort Food Cafe is perched on a windswept clifftop at what feels like the edge of the world, serving up the most delicious cream teas; beautifully baked breads, and carefully crafted cupcakes. For tourists and locals alike, the ramshackle cafe overlooking the beach is a beacon of laughter, companionship, and security – a place like no other; a place that offers friendship as a daily special, and where a hearty welcome is always on the menu.

For widowed mum-of-two Laura Walker, the decision to uproot her teenaged children and make the trek from Manchester to Dorset for the summer isn’t one she takes lightly, and it’s certainly not winning her any awards from her kids, Nate and Lizzie. Even her own parents think she’s gone mad.

Her new job at the cafe, and the hilarious people she meets there, give Laura the chance she needs to make new friends; to learn to be herself again, and – just possibly – to learn to love again as well.

For her, the Comfort Food Cafe doesn’t just serve food – it serves a second chance to live her life to the full…

What did I think?

Well if there's ever a book to help us escape from this awful British summer, then Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe is certainly up to the task.  I felt as if the sun was shining out of each page and it certainly lit up my face and caused me to crack a smile on more than one occasion, except when I was crying!

It was an absolute stroke of genius to start with Laura pouring out her heart in her extremely emotional and heartfelt letter to Cherie Moon, as she applied for a summer job as cook at the Comfort Food Cafe in Dorset.  Laura is a 35 year old widow, living in Manchester with her two children, Lizzie (14) and Nate (12).  As I read of her love for her husband, David, who died 2 years ago, I knew instantly that Laura was a character that I was going to accept into my heart with open arms...along with the rest of her family, crazy lazy dog and half of Dorset.  Cherie offers Laura the job so the family set off to Dorset for the summer with their flatulent labrador, Jimbo.

I never expected such an abundance of colourful characters, characters as colourful as the mouthwatering cover, I might add.  As Laura has to endure many hilarious calamities, it was lovely to see her smiling and laughing, although never forgetting David.  I could see her evolving from 'widow' to 'woman' (thanks to hunky vet, Matt) in front of my very eyes, and it was a delight to witness such an uplifting change.  She definitely breathes a breath of fresh air into the Comfort Food Cafe and I'm going to have a go at making my own chocolate bar milkshakes as I was positively drooling when she smashed up KitKats to make her marvellous concoctions.

I loved the layout of the book, separating the chapters into weeks which gave a glimpse of what was to come in the subsequent chapters.  It certainly didn't spoil any of the punchlines as I could never have guessed what was about to happen, despite Debbie Johnson giving us these clues.  It did make me read faster though with little titbits like: "Week 1.  In which I...wrap my bra around a strange man's head..."

My favourite part of the book has to be Frank's 80th Birthday party, which turns into something a bit like Cilla's Surprise Surprise. Without fail, I always cried at Surprise Surprise and Long Lost Families so I read this chapter of the book with tears streaming down my face.  It just shows how much all of the characters had come to mean to me and I really felt as if I had shared in their happiness.

Debbie Johnson played my heartstrings like a maestro in Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe.  I laughed out loud, giggled, smiled and cried tears of both joy and sadness; experiencing a whole rainbow of emotions.  A super fun read with some genuinely sad moments and some absolutely hilarious events, all very much true to life.  It's always a measure of a good book if it can make me laugh or cry; Summer at the Comfort Food Cafe did both and I'll certainly be looking our for more books by Debbie Johnson.  

I received this book from the publisher, HarperImpulse, in exchange for an honest review.

My rating:

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Sweet Breath of Memory - Ariella Cohen

Life is in the telling.

With its tree-lined streets, vibrant downtown and curbside planters of spring bulbs, Amberley, Massachusetts, seems a good place for Cate Saunders to start over. It's been two years since her husband, John, was killed in Iraq and life has been a struggle. Her new job as a caregiver doesn't pay much, but the locals are welcoming. In fact, Cate has barely unpacked before she's drawn--reluctantly at first--into a circle of friends. 

There's diner-owner Gaby, who nourishes her customers' spirits as well as their bodies; feisty Beatrice, who kept the town going when its men marched off to WWII; wise-cracking MaryLou, as formidable as Fort Knox but with the same heart of gold; and, Sheila, whose Italian grocery is the soul of the place. As Amberley reveals itself to be a town shaped by war, Cate encounters another kindred spirit--a Holocaust survivor with whom she feels a deep connection. When revelations about John's death threaten Cate's newfound peace of mind, these sisters-in-arms' stories show her an unexpected way forward. And Cate comes to understand that although we suffer loss alone, we heal by sharing our most treasured memories. 

What did I think?

Wow!  Where do I start with this book?  So poetically written, there is not a word out of place in this wonderful book.  I laughed, I cried, I hoped and I feared; this is a book to experience not simply to read.

Cate moves to Amberley to make a new start.  Her husband, John, was killed in Iraq and she misses him so terribly that she wants to move somewhere where she is not constantly reminded of his loss.  Cate wanders into Sheila's grocery store and is offered a room to rent above the shop, where she finds pages from an old journal.  It is through finding out more about the writer of the journal, Miriam, a survivor of the Holocaust, that we see Cate starting to heal...with a little help from her new friends.

Ariella Cohen has created an unforgettable cast of characters; I could quite easily see this book turned into a TV series where we could follow the lives and loves of these diverse and colourful characters.  It would be hard to pick a favourite character but I have to say that I loved MaryLou, also known as Lulu, the 60 year old female mechanic; like a boiled egg she is hard on the outside and soft on the inside.  As tough as she may seem, she deserves to be happy and may not be looking for love, but love is looking for her!

Miriam's story was unbelievably tragic yet awe-inspiring, as it runs alongside Cate's story - both women being casualties of war in very different ways.  Miriam survives the Holocaust and, believing that she is the only surviving member of her family, makes her way from Poland to America to fulfil a promise she made to her Papa.  Her arrival in Amberley is not entirely coincidence but she is welcomed by the residents and makes her home there.  As Miriam writes her journal, that unexpectedly will prove inspirational to Cate in the future, she could never have imagined that her journal would send Cate on an emotional trip half-way round the world to Israel. 

Sweet Breath of Memory is a literary masterpiece - this is a book that I can see myself reading over and over again for many years to come.  It drew me in from the start and it wasn't long before I felt enveloped in the warm hug of the residents of Amberley.   Awe-inspiring, heart-warming and inspirational, Sweet Breath of Memory is an absolutely outstanding debut from Ariella Cohen and is a book not to be missed.

After my paperback copy had a mini tour of the World and arrived back on Ariella Cohen's doormat, I received this book via a NetGalley invitation from the author in exchange for an honest review.  

My rating:

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