Why? Why did this happen? I feel like I've been ripped to sheds after finishing Broken Country!
Hemston, North Dorset, 1955 � When seventeen-year-old BWhy? Why did this happen? I feel like I've been ripped to sheds after finishing Broken Country!
Hemston, North Dorset, 1955 � When seventeen-year-old Beth Kennedy meets her eighteen-year-old neighbour Gabriel Wolfe (home from boarding school for the summer), their attraction is instantaneous � passionate and intense. They thought they’d be together forever, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Hemston, 1968 � Now twenty-nine, Beth is married to Frank Johnson, living a content life as a farmer’s wife. Frank’s the kind of man who’s been there for Beth through thick and thin, through joy and heartbreak. The kind of man she can count on. But when Gabriel returns to the village, moving back to his family's estate with his young son, old memories and temptations resurface for Beth.
The Trial, Old Bailey, London � At an unknown point in time a sensational trial has begun. Someone has been murdered. Someone else stands accused. What happened? And how did things escalate to this moment?
Broken Country was at its core a love story, but whose? It was also family drama, historical fiction, courtroom drama, and mystery. Regrets, secrets, jealousy, betrayal, sacrifice, loss and grief were all prominent themes. And prepare yourselves, because this was a very emotional read, I’m not ashamed to admit I cried at the end.
A feeling of dread was always lurking at the back of my mind while reading, because ever though I didn't know exactly where this was going, I had my suspicions, and none of them were good. As you can probably guess this novel contained a love triangle which has never been my favourite because you’re always rooting for one pairing over the other but it was interwoven masterfully. I wanted to yell at Beth for her terrible choices, to choose wisely, particularly in the 1968 timeline, as I tended to be more forgiving of her actions in the flashbacks given her immaturity and and inexperience with love and relationships.
The writing was beautiful and poetic but unusual � it had a rushed feel � and to be honest it took me a good 11% to immerse myself in the mood of the novel and feel a connection to the characters but once I was in, I was all in � completely committed and consumed.
The two main settings on the outskirts of Hemston � Blakely Farm (which had been in the Johnson family for generations) and the sprawling neighbouring estate of Meadowlands where the Wolfe family resided, gave off all the tormented, uneasy, gothic vibes. Nature held a special significance and reverence for these characters representing familiarity, connection, remembrance, and shared history.
Reading Broken Country has been an unforgettable experience....more
An I.V.F mix-up sees two families lives turned upside down!
When Raf Maccioni receives the results of an online DNA test for his 14 year old daughter AAn I.V.F mix-up sees two families lives turned upside down!
When Raf Maccioni receives the results of an online DNA test for his 14 year old daughter Ammy’s school science project he is confused and devastated when they reveal that there is no biological match to him, nor to his ex-wife Kelsey.
It is soon revealed that the I.V.F clinic they used made a grave error, and that another couple � Nathan and Shona Jones � are in fact Ammy’s biological parents, and Nathan and Shona’s 14 year old son Zac is their child genetically.
How do these four parents even begin to come to terms with this life-altering news � when they’ve each loved and raised a child they’ve thought was theirs in every way for fourteen years? And what about Ammy and Zac? How will they cope? Plus Nathan and Shona have another child who’ll be affected by the news � 11 year old, Pippa.
The Mix-up was my first read by Australian author Kylie Ladd, and it was a unique take on the whole ‘Switched at Birth� storyline. This novel was light entertainment crammed to the brim with lifetime movie-style, family drama, but also dealt with the trauma, displacement, and rejection surrounding this situation in a realistic and emotional manner. It was great to hear from all six perspectives with the four parents (Raf, Kelsey, Nathan, Zac) and the two teenagers (Ammy and Zac) all narrating. It was a fast, easy-to-follow read, but wasn’t a 5 star one as at times characters behaviours and reactions felt off to me, and their were some conversations that were either rushed or skipped over that I would’ve liked the novel to focus on.
But for the most part I enjoyed this read very much � the family dynamics and differences between the two families, the fact that every character had unique personalities, hangups, and backstories and were easily distinguishable from one another. I loved the whole found family vibe and the various ways the two families tried to come up with solutions to the issue. And I loved the dogs.
I listened to the audiobook of The Mix-Up and Zoe Trilsbach definitely contributed to this being an easy and engaging listening experience. Kylie Ladd is certainly an author I’ll be reading more of in the future. I highly recommend this novel.
The eyes of the world are watching rising stars Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. Will they be the Olympic figure-skating favourites?
Since they first laiThe eyes of the world are watching rising stars Katarina Shaw and Heath Rocha. Will they be the Olympic figure-skating favourites?
Since they first laid eyes on one another as children, it’s been Katarina and Heath against the world. Years of ice-skating together as a team, these best friends turned teenage sweethearts are about to see their professional dreams realised. Kat has always known that she loves the competition and limelight more than Heath, but she also believes Heath will do anything for her.
This soapy sport drama chronicled the rise and fall of Katarina’s figure skating career, and her much-publicised fall from grace. In the prologue we learn that something catastrophic happened ten years ago, and that whatever it was still haunts Kat to this day. The answers were then bit-by-bit revealed in two ways � via a revealing documentary series interviewing those closest to the scandal, and through Kat’s own first-person account.
Layne Fargo introduced us to the glittering, breathtaking, cutthroat world of figure skating, and all the talent, ambition, struggles, competitiveness, gossip, backstabbing, and jealousy that goes along with it. The twists ranged from scandalous to shocking to somewhat off the rails by the end. The last 20% was a little too outlandish I thought, and didn’t really fit the tone of the rest of the novel. Layne Fargo did her research though, and it showed � I was completely immersed in the universe she created. The Favourites was also the story of all-consuming, obsessive love � the passion, longing, and desire of it, as well as the possessiveness and toxicity. Inspired by Wuthering Heights this novel was essentially a modern re-telling.
I listened to the audiobook on Spotify and Christine Lakin and Louise Zhu’s narration was a 5-star cinematic listen. Lakin was the perfect choice to voice Kat, and Zhu’s audience-style enthusiasm elevated the written material. I’m sure this title will be nominated for the 2025 ŷ Choice Awards Audiobook category, deservedly so. If you enjoyed the documentary/high drama-type performances in Taylor Jenkins Reids’s, Daisy Jones and the Six and Lisa Jewell’s, None of This is True then definitely check out The Favourites audiobook. You won’t be disappointed!
I think Layne Fargo has found her writing niche with The Favourites....more
1997 � Seventeen-year-old Maggie McCormick, and her 16-year-old sister Lizzie lose their mother to a rare, genetic,*HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY*
Holy Smokes!
1997 � Seventeen-year-old Maggie McCormick, and her 16-year-old sister Lizzie lose their mother to a rare, genetic, incurable blood disease. Her final wish, that her daughters promise to watch over their father because there are many women in their small town of Heartstone, New York, who will take advantage of his grieving state. But one gold-digger is persistent!
2023 � Maggie is flying high. She is now the mayor of Heartstone, married to a brilliant surgeon named Alex Dunn, and together they share fifteen-year-old twins � Kevin and Kate. But Maggie’s world comes crashing down when her latest test results reveal she has the same blood disease her mother had. She remembers how the women flocked around her father back then. She doesn’t want to leave her husband and kids vulnerable to that. Maggie has a plan.
A thrilling premise, a title that grabbed my attention, and eye-catching cover art. I was pretty much sold when I swiped to the first page, and once I’d read the foreboding prologue I was hooked. Don’t Tell Me How to Die was a psychologically disturbing story of deceit, deception, and misdirection. I was immediately drawn to the characters, and quickly grew to like and care about them, even as I reminded myself that I probably shouldn’t trust or grow attached to anyone in a thriller. I think because the 1990’s timeline read more like literary fiction/family drama, saga/YA it lulled me into a false sense of security. Although there were some parts even in the first half where I was like, “I smell a rat!� But nothing could have prepared me for the whirlwind number of twists in the last half. How it all came together in the end was executed to perfection. Did I guess correctly regarding any of it? Nope!
Another highlight was the dialogue, every line felt natural, real, and on-point. And even though there were dialogue tags they weren’t needed as every character had a distinctive voice and tone. The humorous dialogue really stood out as well, and lightened the mood. And I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention the setting of Heartstone and its charming sense of community and neighbourhood, and how the author brought it to life with his intricate descriptions of the layout � I could clearly picture all of it in my head.
I’m unable to think of a single negative. And my fellow reviewers are in complete agreement as I’ve read so many glowing 5-star reviews praising this one. I’m sure there’ll be many more to come once Don’t Tell Me How to Die is released next month. My top favourite of the novels I’ve read so far published in 2025.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Marshall Karp for the e-ARC.
‘“Be careful what you wish for,� the old woman says.�
26-year-old Lucy Young is tired of her damp flat, inconsiderate flatmates, being unappreciate
‘“Be careful what you wish for,� the old woman says.�
26-year-old Lucy Young is tired of her damp flat, inconsiderate flatmates, being unappreciated and undermined at work, and suffering through one bad date after another. After a particularly trying day � while seeking shelter from the rain in a newsagent � Lucy spies a fairground type ‘wishing machine� in the back of the store. She inserts a quarter and wishes away her frustration.
‘I wish I could skip to the good part, where my life is sorted�.
The next morning Lucy wakes up in her 42-year-old body. She lives in a beautiful home, works at her dream job, is married to an amazing guy named Sam, and has two adorable children, seven-year-old Felix and baby Amy. Her wish has come true. All of her old worries and problems are no more. But there are new heartaches, and obstacles to contend with. Because no one’s life is ever perfect, at any stage. And more to the point � Lucy has missed out on sixteen years of her life � the good, and the bad.
The Good Part was a contemporary romance with a time travel/magical realism twist. Overnight, Lucy had gone from being a carefree single girl to having marriage and motherhood thrust upon her which made for hilarious, heartfelt, tender, sweet, and fun reading. The chapter where Lucy wakes up in the future with no idea where she is or how she got there was laugh out loud funny. Her reactions, confusion, and horror were spot on. No one copes well with change, so you can imagine how alien it would be if you lost sixteen years, how foreign everything would be. Sophie Cousens included some creative technological advancements. Lucy’s son Felix was so wonderful � you’ll fall in love with him I promise. This author sure writes believable children.
The romance was unique since Sam had loved Lucy for years, had all of the memories of their 12-year relationship, but to her he was a stranger. It also contained some serious and moral topics centred around grief, loss, the shock and pain of not remembering, embracing and living life to its fullest, and not taking a single day for granted. The Good Part is perfect for those who like their contemporary romances with a side of child-rearing and family life, or who love the idea of time travelling to the future. Reminiscent of 13 Going on 30 or Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella. The Good Part is my second read, and also my second five-star read by Sophie Cousens. An utter delight from start to finish. I can’t wait to read more of her backlist....more
Bea was a college student studying to be a doctor when she met Declan, a man twenty-one years her seniorBeatrice Alright’s life is far from all right!
Bea was a college student studying to be a doctor when she met Declan, a man twenty-one years her senior. She quickly felt pregnant to him, moving into his Dublin flat, and quitting school to raise her daughter, Ellie. Bea loves being a mother, but four years later, the rest of her life is far from ideal � Declan is emotionally distant, stingy with money, and rarely home since he travels a lot for his career, and Bea is struggling to make ends meet working all hours as a hospital cleaner. But always one who looks on the bright side and sees the best in people, Bea is convinced that Declan is only days away from proposing. But instead Declan drops a devastating bombshell, one that sees Bea and little Ellie, broke and alone with nowhere to go on the snowy streets of Dublin weeks before Christmas.
Bea’s journey to find stability and a place to call home for herself and her young child was as heart-wrenching as it was heartwarming. As strong and resilient as she was, losing her parents at a young age and growing up in the foster care system meant her search for love and need to be cared for left Bea vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others. There were several characters I wanted to punch! Bea had the kindest, gentlest nature, it only took the first few pages of the book to understand how altruistic, thoughtful, genuine and generous with her time she was. Unfortunately, she naively thought those she surrounded herself with would give back the same in return, but as we know sadly that isn’t always the case. Thankfully, there were characters in this novel who were willing to reach out and lend a helping hand and heart.
A main theme of this novel was the shock of sudden and hidden homelessness and the shame, embarrassment, and sense of failure associated with it, and I thought the author handled a serious social problem in a realistic and sensitive way. A second prominent theme was new unexpected friendship, burgeoning new romance, and found family. And these parts were a delight. I adored all the bonds that formed. Four-year-old Ellie was also adorable, and her dialogue and behaviour was age appropriate. Which brings me to the third theme � motherhood. Bea was an incredible mother, always putting her daughter’s needs ahead of her own, and it was always abundantly clear that she loved Ellie more than anyone, and would sacrifice anything to protect her.
There were some dark, tense moments, a truckload of emotional ones, several tears shed, but overall The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright was a warm, enveloping hug. Included in the kindle version is an excerpt from Brooke Harris� 2023 novel � Memories of You, which sounds just as moving. I look forward to reading it and everything else she’s written. It only took me a day to read this. - I think that speaks for itself!...more
You’ll fall in love with this picturesque setting! So many glorious animals!
Shearwater Island holds many a secret � Located be*HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!*
You’ll fall in love with this picturesque setting! So many glorious animals!
Shearwater Island holds many a secret � Located between the Tasmanian coast of Australia and Antarctica. Home to many rare species of animals. But life on the island is threatened due to climate change and rising sea levels.
Nine years ago, following the death of their mother, Dominic Salt brought his three children to live in Shearwater’s lighthouse. They are caretakers for the island’s Research Facility which houses scientists several months of the year � who are tasked with studying the wildlife, weather, and tides.
During the worst storm the Salt family has ever endured an injured woman named Rowan washes up on the shore. Where did she come from? Shearwater is so remote that she had to have been on her way there. But why? What does she want? She will I pact all their lives.
Wild Dark Shore was bleak, dark, tender, eerie, and mysterious yet there was still happiness and hope for the future to be found even in the direst of times. The main characters were brave, strong, courageous, and heroic and they loved and respected the land and sea as much as they did each other. I am almost certain this was set in the present day but could just as easily taken place slightly in the future.
My main take away after finishing this novel was the enduring strength of the unconditional love, powerful unshakeable bond, and protective instinct that exists between parents and their children. And that everything in nature is not only connected � weather, trees, plants, crops, insects, animals, humans � but dependant on each other to survive and thrive. Mother nature is as glorious and pure as it is unrelenting and destructive. Also, that nowhere on the planet is untouched by the devastating effects of climate change and man-made destruction.
The writing was hauntingly beautiful, captivating, insightful, and hit every emotional beat expertly. It was also deliberately vague, dreamlike, and flowery, which may be too frustrating for some readers. Definitely a mood-based read requiring patience and concentration, but the payoff was 100% worth it. A slow burn � particularly the first half, but the last handful of chapters were tense and fast-paced. There were some exceptional twists sprinkled throughout that left me reeling. And keep those tissues handy, and prepare yourself, because it was a tear-jerker! If you need a good cry, this is the book for you. The narration shifted between Rowan, and the three members of the Salt family, with the youngest child’s (nine-year-old Orly) chapters reciting the evolution of various plants and their importance.
Charlotte McConaghy is a new-to-me Australian author whose backlist I’ll definitely be delving into.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and Charlotte McConaghy for the e-ARC.
Publication Date:4th March 2025.
Trigger Warnings:(view spoiler)[Underage sex with a minor/paedophilia, Animal Cruelty and Mass Death � Seal culling resulting in the near extinction of the elephant seals and royal and king penguins in the 19th century (historical mention but graphic). (hide spoiler)]...more
The first time Samantha Diaz met Veterinarian Xavier Rush their physical chemistry was off the charts but their interraction ended3.5 rounded up to 4.
The first time Samantha Diaz met Veterinarian Xavier Rush their physical chemistry was off the charts but their interraction ended with her calling him an asshole and telling him his bedside manner needed work.
But when Samantha proves Xavier wrong, he’s man enough to apologise. And when he asks her out, she willingly accepts. Their first date is perfection, until Samantha drops a bombshell � she’s moving to California the next day! They are both gutted to say goodbye because even after only one date their connection feels real, special, forever. But can they make it work when they not only live in two different cities, but have crucial family and professional obligations that take priority?
Say You Remember Me was bingeable. I whipped through it, and it evoked all the feels. However, I wasn’t sold on the whole what felt like instalove to me with Samantha and Xavier’s relationship focusing on how they were going to be together rather than the getting together. And Samantha’s family drama (which was emotional and heartfelt) took precedence over the romance, and the relationship aspect tended to take a backseat. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when my romances contain real life issues and obstacles, as well as other genres aside from romance, but when I started this novel, I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and don’t feel like this one entirely delivered.
The focus of this book was a close-knit family in crisis (Samantha’s) and even though the chapters alternated between the two main character’s I did notice that Samantha’s chapters tended to be lengthier/more prominent. Abby Jimenez has included trigger warnings at the beginning, so I won’t list them here. And some of them were triggers for me, but they were also spoilers so approach with caution. I personally am glad the author thought to include them as it gives you the option. The romantic tropes were grumpy x sunshine, and hate to love, although if you squint you will miss both of these. Also, forced separation and long distance.
I purchased both the e-book and audiobook, and Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter were the perfect choices to voice Samantha and Xavier. I especially loved that even when Matt Lanter was narrating Xavier’s chapters Christine Lakin still read Samantha’s dialogue, and vice versa. That doesn’t often happen and made the listening experience even more immersive. High praise for the audio!
I think if you go into Say You Remember Me knowing that the romance is secondary to the family drama you will love this one more. I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t my favourite by Abby Jimenez. I have a feeling I’m going to be very much in the minority though and that most readers/reviewers will rate this book five stars....more
Josiah and Yasmen Wade were so much in love they thought nothing could ever break their bond. They were wrong!
Because when two separate heartbreak4.5.
Josiah and Yasmen Wade were so much in love they thought nothing could ever break their bond. They were wrong!
Because when two separate heartbreaking tragedies struck their family, instead of being able to lean on each other, they were unable to find their way back to one another. It has been a year since their divorce when the novel opens, and both Josiah and Yasmen have made peace with the demise of their relationship, a necessity since they are parents to two children, Deja (13) and Kassim (10) and a dog, Otis, and co-owners of a restaurant, Grits.
But there are still moments between them � sparks of hope. Can Josiah and Yasmen rediscover and rekindle the love they once shared?
Beautifully and poetically written with gorgeous prose, Before I Let Go contained deep themes centred around loss and grief, therapy, forgiveness and healing. Keep those tissues handy because you’re going to need them. A unique second-chance romance involving a divorced couple overcoming pain and relationship mistakes and reconnecting. It was a slow-burn, eventual open-door relationship, and Josiah and Yasmen’s physical attraction was hot and steamy in and out of the bedroom. And their emotional connection was off the charts as well. Other romantic tropes were, destined to be together and forced proximity/sharing a hotel room.
I adored Yasmen’s friends � Hendrix and Soledad � and the sisterly friendship they shared. The author excelled at writing moody teenagers as well. Kids too, I loved Kassim’s sweet, sensitive maturity. And there was also a gorgeous dog. I enjoyed the setting of Skyland � an affluent, trendy, quaint neighbourhood in Atlanta, Georgia. Every character in this book stood out to me. I loved the community spirit, events, small town traditions, and holiday celebrations � Screen on the Green at the park, Food trucks in the square, Thanksgiving dinner at the Grants, and the annual New Years Eve party at Grits. And there were so many descriptions of delicious food � there is even some recipes at the back of the book � yum!
Before I Let Go was the start of a series, and since this book was released in 2022, the second instalment, This Could Be Us, is already out. Yippee! I’ve set my tbr for this month (and so far I’ve been sticking to it) but will definitely add it for February. I’ve perused the book blurb, and it sounds amazing. If you haven’t already, add this contemporary romance series to your bookshelf. You won’t regret it!...more
And this was not a spoiler, it was abundantly clear in the first few pages. So, we have Fabiola, who is marrieThis surrogacy was not The Perfect Plan!
And this was not a spoiler, it was abundantly clear in the first few pages. So, we have Fabiola, who is married with three children, and her best friend Liz who is unable to conceive due to medical issues. Liz is married to Peter, Fabiola’s oldest friend since middle school. Fabiola’s more-than-twenty-year infatuation and codependency over Peter is all kinds of icky and wrong, made even worse by the fact that Fabiola’s married to someone else, and her friendship with Liz. It was the ultimate betrayal! No one involved was doing this for the right reasons. Anyway, because Fabiola thinks motherhood is the ultimate, since she enjoyed being pregnant with her own kids, and because she would do anything for Peter, and way down the list of reasons, because she wants to give the gift of a child to her friend Liz, Fabiola offers to be their surrogate. As you can imagine, it’s a train wreck. Red flags all over the place.
This one was fairly predictable, especially if you happened to read the book blurb, which fortunately I didn’t until after I’d finished reading, so please avoid it if you can as it gave so much away. Having said this, there were still some surprising twists that I didn’t foresee. Predictable or not I excitedly anticipated where this was going, was never bored, and was always eager to pick up where I left off. This author is known for writing novels that deal with real-life, relatable social issues, and The Perfect Plan was no exception, there were some heavy and emotional moments. However, I did find this one tended towards family and friendship drama/soap opera, more so than her previous books, and I was 100% here for the deception. Fabiola’s life unraveled fast.
I was in two minds regarding Fabiola. At times she came across as naïve, selfish and self-centred, and her obsession with Peter was very unhealthy. But she was a good mother, she was juggling a lot, she was surrounded by people whose love and supportiveness was inconsistent or withheld, and she was just trying to do the best she could. This one was narrated solely by Fabiola, which again was different to Caitlin Weaver’s other two books which utilised multiple POV’s. I was completely invested in Fabiola’s storyline and predicament, so much so that when Part Two flashed across my screen I was momentarily worried that we were going to shift to another character’s perspective and I didn’t want that, so was relieved when it didn’t. I loved that this one was set in New York, rather than the suburbs � as it offered up a different take on lifestyle, work/home balance, and parenting in the city.
The Perfect Plan was my third read by Caitlin Weaver in the past six months, and I’ve rated them all 4.5 ⭐️. I admire how fast she writes and releases these books � no complaints from me. Caitlin Weaver is now an auto- read/acquire/buy author for me.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Caitlin Weaver for the e-ARC.
Just like her grandmother before her 17 year-old Sariyah Bryant haHuman beings are Needy Little Things!
‘Paper clip. Crayon. Shoelace. Chewing gum�
Just like her grandmother before her 17 year-old Sariyah Bryant has inherited a unique ability. She senses peoples needs, even before they do. To placate the voices in her head Sariyah carries a red duffel (dubbed ‘Santa bag� by her little brother) wherever she goes, crammed with everyday items. Need a stick of gum, hair brush, or nail file, Sariyah’s got you covered. Her Santa bag doesn’t contain an EpiPen, but Sariyah will go racing to her high school’s nurses office to check the stock upon hearing someone’s need for one.
‘Pepper spray. Pepper spray. Pepper spray�.
When her friend Deja Nelson’s urgent silent plea penetrate Sariyah’s brain on their way to a music festival to celebrate their friend Malcolm Hawkin’s eighteenth birthday, Sariyah is filled with dread. Why would Deja need pepper spray? And she’s right to be worried � because hours later Deja disappears from the festival. And this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Five years ago, her best friend and Malcolm’s twin sister Tessa vanished, and no trace of her has ever been found. Sariyah, Malcolm, and their new friend Jude Abrams are determined to find Deja before history can repeat itself.
Needy Little Things was a haunting YA mystery, with a supernatural undertone. A slow burn but a sense of unease permeated the pages right from the beginning. The twists were heart-pounding, and the last sentence sent a cold shiver down my spine. The writing was beautiful, impacting, powerful, and immersive. I could have highlighted every sentence on my Kindle. Every line of dialogue counted conveying emotion, subtext, and conflict in every scene. All the characters were given clear motivations, vulnerabilities, personality quirks, external and internal pressures, backstories, and relationships to one another.
Sariyah’s premonitions blended seamlessly into the story, both helped and hindered her investigation, and were viewed by her as both a gift and a curse. Only family and friends, or people who’d experienced it first hand, believed in her ability, and aside from Deja (who was a newish friend) Sariyah was unable to read the needs of those closest to her. Sariyah was often overwhelmed physically, mentally, and emotionally by how much her psychic power invaded and impacted her life, as well as the morality, ethical use, and sense of duty associated with it. Other serious themes included police, media, and the publics bias applicable to the race of missing children and teenagers, the powerlessness, uncertainty, blame, suspicion, and devastation of not knowing what has happened to a loved one, mental health, physical illness, financial strain, and academic struggles.
Needy Little Things completely worked as a standalone, but I’m crossing my fingers it’s the start of a series, as I feel there’s more to explore, and I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters. I can’t believe this was Channelle Desamours� debut. I’m awestruck!...more
Under the Mistletoe is a collection of fiveAmazon-Original holiday-themed stories published this month, penned by well-known authors in the romance gUnder the Mistletoe is a collection of fiveAmazon-Original holiday-themed stories published this month, penned by well-known authors in the romance genre. Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood is novella 1/5.
Jamie Malek has always shared a love/hate relationship with her best friend’s younger brother, Marc Compton, and the last time they saw each they did not part on good terms. So, when a snowstorm leaves them stranded together on Christmas Eve, old resentments flare, and sparks fly. Can Jamie and Marc resolve their differences this Christmas?
Cruel Winter With You was my first book by Ali Hazelwood and I was really impressed by her writing and can’t wait to read more by her. This one was a sexy open-door romance but tastefully done. I loved that thorough backstories were provided for the characters relationship given the short length of the story. Maybe Marc was kind of obsessed with Jamie, dropped too many f-bombs for my taste, and did the author really have to make him a billionaire? But it was supposed to be a Christmas fantasy, so I’m not too bothered it wasn’t entirely realistic. A great start to this series....more
It’s the dreaded Family Beach Vacation for Greg Heffley!
In the 19th instalment of the hugely successful Diary of the Wimpy Kid series, titled Hot MessIt’s the dreaded Family Beach Vacation for Greg Heffley!
In the 19th instalment of the hugely successful Diary of the Wimpy Kid series, titled Hot Mess, Greg’s Gramma wants the family to vacation at Ruttyneck Island in honour of her upcoming 75th birthday.
In attendance are, of course, Greg and his family � Mum, Dad, older brother Rodrick, and younger brother, Manny.
Greg’s aunts on his mother’s side � Aunt Gretchen and her two bratty twins Malcolm and Malvin, Aunt Cakey and her long-suffering boyfriend Vincent, and Aunt Veronica and her internet-famous dog Dazzle.
And gate-crasher Uncle Gary � Greg’s dad’s brother.
Prepare yourself for the hilarity and light-heartedness. These books are always chock full of fun, and entertaining twists and surprises. As always, Greg tries his best to stay out of trouble and fails spectacularly. It would be boring if he didn’t. I loved spending time with Greg, his family, and relatives. The perfect holiday read to put you in high spirits....more
In the rural Colorado ski town of Lodgepole two families are torn apart by tragedy!
The first happened on the 28 February 1991 when 17-year-old Angie DIn the rural Colorado ski town of Lodgepole two families are torn apart by tragedy!
The first happened on the 28 February 1991 when 17-year-old Angie DeLuca and her 18-year-old boyfriend Julian Dumont were skiing with Angie’s younger sister Diana (7), when Diana lost control, hit a tree, and was killed.
The second occurred over twenty years later on the 13th October 2016. Angie and her husband David Sheehan were awoken in the middle of the night by gunshots. They find their 13-year-old daughter Nora standing in the doorway of her 14-year-old brother Nico’s bedroom, covered in blood, holding a gun. She shot her brother � not one, not two, but three times � all at close range.
Penitence was impacting, emotive, eye-opening, thought-provoking, realistic contemporary literary fiction, crime, and family saga, with a focus on relationship dynamics, and interpersonal conflict. I wouldn’t categorise it as a courtroom drama, but there was a fair bit of time spent navigating legal issues and creating a defence strategy. The characters were complex, sympathetic, and morally grey � damaged and broken by tragedy and pain, secrets and lies, and grief, loss, and blame. Penitence dealt with serious social issues not limited to gun violence, racism, sentencing disparities and treatment of young offenders in the justice and prison systems, alcoholism, depression, mental health, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Alzheimer’s disease, and juvenile Huntington’s disease.
The writing was eloquent and moving, with vivid and creative description. The prologue immediately immersed me in the plot as it jumped from character to character explaining what each was doing at the exact moment teenage Nora sat shivering in a jail cell. From there chapters alternated between four POV’s: Angie, Nora, Julian, and Martine Dumont (Julian’s mother/Nora’s lawyer). And the chapters were on the lengthy side. Which led to some pacing issues the further the book progressed, particularly with the 1990’s � to early 2000’s timeline, which tended to drag in places. There was one other reason that prevented this from being a five-star read for me, which was more my issue rather than a failure on the books part, but because it’s too much of a spoiler only peek if you’ve read the book or have no intention of picking it up. (view spoiler)[I knew going in that this wasn’t going to be a thriller, but I was still expecting more twists relating to Diana‘s accident and Nico‘s murder, and admit, I felt a little disappointed by the end. (hide spoiler)]
Penitence was Kristin Koval’s debut and she’s definitely an author I’ll be keeping my eye on. The comparisons to Jodi Piccoult, Celeste Ng, and Angie Kim are accurate and deserving....more
It’s a Love Story made me smile. An enveloping, comforting read. The perfect beach companion!
Jane Jackson found success at an early age playing a charIt’s a Love Story made me smile. An enveloping, comforting read. The perfect beach companion!
Jane Jackson found success at an early age playing a character on a Nickelodeon-style popular sitcom between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Now thirty-three, Jane works as a Creative Executive for a major studio but has yet to see one of her scripts green-lit for a movie.
And Jane holds Cinematographer Dan Finnegan responsible for much of her professional failure, ever since the fateful day he publicly rejected a new script she was very excited by. And now he’s trying to sabotage her again � this time he loves her script choice, but feels it needs something extra to appeal commercially. Not willing to let Dan quash her dreams yet again, Jane promises she can get famous singer Jack Quinlan to write and record a song for the movie soundtrack � even though Jane only met him briefly on set, nearly twenty years ago. Uh-oh! Jane’s faced with quite the pickle.
When Jack doesn’t answer her calls, Jane reluctantly admits to Dan that she doesn’t know the singer as well as she pretended to. Surprisingly, Dan has a solution. Jack Quinlan will be playing at a music festival in his hometown the same weekend of Dan’s parent’s 40th anniversary party. He invites Jane to spend the week with his family in order to track Jack down, the golden opportunity for Jane to pitch her idea to him. Out of options, Jane unenthusiastically accepts.
It’s going to be an unforgettable life changing week for Jane and Dan!
I’m not a ‘Sɾڳپ�, but because I don’t live under a rock, even I know that the title of this book It’s a Love Story is a line from Taylor Swift’s first mainstream popular song Love Story. This novel was so sweet and adorable, and as it stands my favourite so far by Annabel Monaghan. And it featured so many of my favourite tropes � slow burn, hate to love, enemies to lovers, acquaintances to lovers, friends to lovers, workplace/work colleagues romance, slight open-door but mainly closed, forced close proximity, and forced to share a bedroom.
I loved Jane and Dan’s teasing, comebacks, fun banter, and the heated arguments about ridiculous things. I appreciated how much they slowly grew to care about each other, and had one another’s back, even though neither were ready to admit it. I adored their ‘meet cute�, and all their romantic moments, and physical admiration. And of course there was their sizzling chemistry.
Dan’s Long Island hometown of Oak Shore had everything I could possibly want in a romantic setting - small town cozy vibes, a gorgeous beach, bike rides around the picturesque town, and a rustic farmhouse in the countryside. Not to mention all the glorious food - the delicious home cooking, beachside dining, cookouts on the beach, and ice cream at the local diner. The Finnegan family were warm, big-hearted, and welcoming, creating a sense of belonging that was missing from only child Jane’s life growing up with a single mother and no father in the picture.
As you know I like my romances with a side of unresolved trauma and past baggage where during the course of the novel, and with the support of a loving trusting accepting partner, a character’s journey leads to healing, confronting one’s past, and finding your people and your happy place. It’s a Love Story contained a lot of real-world issues like abandonment and absent fathers, bullying, loneliness and feeling unaccepted for being different, and the pain and rejection of a first crush. Also, the downside and exploitative nature of growing up in the spotlight and experiencing puberty in front of a TV audience.
I really loved the 2009 Sandra Bullock movie The Proposal and It’s a Love Story had a fair bit in common with that. A complete win for me, and I’m sure It’s a Love Story will make a lot of reader’s top favourite contemporary romances list for 2025.
I’d like to thank Netgalley UK, Aria & Aries, and Annabel Monaghan for the e-ARC.
The Elements series by John Boyne is a collection of four novellas � Water, Earth, Fire, and Air (Release Date: 1st May 2025) � each representing the The Elements series by John Boyne is a collection of four novellas � Water, Earth, Fire, and Air (Release Date: 1st May 2025) � each representing the four elements found in nature. Fire is #3.
Dr Freya Petrus is a thirty-six-year-old gifted, renowned surgeon specialising in burn victims. She saves lives on a daily basis. But Freya is plagued by the traumatic abuse she suffered the summer she was twelve years old. This is Freya’s story.
I mentioned Earth being dark, but Fire was even more depraved and distressing. Right from the first deeply disturbing line though I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what happened next and how it ended. This was my favourite instalment of the series as it was the only one I would label a psychological thriller. The twists were mind-blowing. Also, the way it connected to Water and Earth � I’m still reeling!
Just as Evan was introduced in Water, Freya had a small role in Earth. This book doesn’t specify how much time has passed between the previous book and this one, but I estimate three to five years. The only thing that did surprise me is that this character had no connection to the island like Willow and Evan did. Just like the first two books, there was the current timeline, and the past one, in this case, to that fateful summer. In this instalment all the elements were inserted into the writing in subtle, skilful ways.
Be advised that the content warnings listed in spoiler tags below contain major spoilers for this novella, and the series overall. I only include them because the crimes perpetrated in this book will be very triggering for some readers.
Trigger Warnings:(view spoiler)[Child Abuse � physical, sexual, emotional, neglect. Child rape, Child torture, Child Killer, Bullying, Abduction and Paedophilia, Grooming, Suicide, Spousal abuse, Incest, Victims with severe burns. (hide spoiler)]...more
A luxury villa in the breathtaking, picturesque Tuscan countryside. Sounds sublime, right?
But for Anna Pace � early thirties, working a dead-end job aA luxury villa in the breathtaking, picturesque Tuscan countryside. Sounds sublime, right?
But for Anna Pace � early thirties, working a dead-end job at an ad agency in New York � a once in a lifetime vacation is upset by two major obstacles:
1. Her toxic and frustrating relationship with her dysfunctional family � her parents, twin brother Benny, sister Nicole, brother-in-law Justin, and Benny’s new boyfriend Christopher. The saving grace is Anna’s two nieces � Waverly and Mia.
2. From the moment Anna steps inside Villa Taccola she is plagued by an uneasy feeling. Cold spots, footsteps, strange voices speaking Italian, objects moving around, doors slamming, and every night brings vivid nightmares.
And then there’s the tower room � the door leading to the staircase is locked, concealed by a tapestry. The locals have warned the Pace family not to open it � ever! But the key is beckoning, calling out to them�
Diavola was unnerving, macabre, spine-tingling gothic horror at its finest. I loved the subtlety of it. And there were several nail-biting twists. It may not be fast-paced or exciting enough for some horror reader fans, as a lot of time was spent on the Pace Family’s vacation experience and familial drama. But for me the scariest part was them doing normal touristy things one minute and then being confronted with something supernatural the next. One of the creepiest notions was that the haunting probably couldn’t have taken hold if this family dynamic had of been healthier � their lack of communication, selfishness, and various resentments were their ultimate downfall.
Disturbing cover art aside, content-wise there was some body horror, blood, and descriptions of rotting food. I would characterise Diavola as mild horror, and any regular readers of thrillers who want to dip a toe into horror this October would be able to handle this just fine. The novel was narrated entirely by Anna, and I loved her particular brand of sarcasm and humour right down to the mocking chapter titles. Both her plights - family and paranormal - made her a sympathetic, relatable character, although not particularly likeable. No one was loveable in this, except for the two children, and the cats, neither of which were harmed in this book.
I know we are only thirteen days into the month, but Diavola is currently my top pick horror read, and it is a tale that will stay with me for a long time to come....more
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