bytheletterbookreviews

The List That Changed My Life by Olivia Beirne @headlinepg @Olivia_Beirne

November 21, 2018November 12, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

Sometimes all you need is a little push…

Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Katie Marsh and Marian Keyes, Olivia Beirne’s The List That Changed My Life takes its readers on an hilarious and heart-warming journey of a lifetime, showing us what it means to really be alive.

Georgia loves wine, reality TV and sitting on the sofa after work. She does not love heights, looking at her bank account, going on dates, or activities that involve a sports bra. And she will never, ever take a risk.

That is, until her braver, bolder, big sister finds out that she won’t be able to tick off the things she wanted to do before turning thirty, and turns to Georgia to help her finish her list.

With the birthday just months away, Georgia suddenly has a deadline to learn to grab life with both hands. Could she be brave enough to take the leap, for her sister?

And how might her own life change if she did?

My Thoughts:

What an absolutely fabulous debut novel!

I loved Georgia and what I loved even more was the relationship that she and her sister Amy have. If anything I was so envious. These two have got a great bond though at times it is pushed to the limits.

The list of things that Amy gives her sister to do, I have to admit there wasn’t many that I would have wanted to do. Not that Georgia does either for that matter. The majority of them make for fun reading though as she works her way through them.

The story is very much a mix of romance and sisterly love and how far you would go for the ones you love. At times it does get really emotional and I would have to stop to wipe away the tears but I would happily shed them all over again as it was such a great read.

The List That Changed My Life is a wonderful debut which I really think will change your life, or at least have an impact on it. It gives you food for thought, of which, whilst at times emotional, was a fun and entertaining read. Very much looking forward to more from the author.

My thanks to Headline Review and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

The List That Changed My Life is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio:

Olivia Beirne is a 26 year old writer, who previously worked in casting. She lives in Tulse Hill, London with her friends and their resident mouse and grew up in Buckinghamshire. This novel is a standalone debut and she is currently working on her second novel.

It Started With A Snub by B.R. Maycock @BRMaycock

November 20, 2018November 5, 2018 Sarah Hardy

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Book Description:

HEATHER GREEN is a fun loving, happy go lucky, twenty-six year old who has remained upright and beaming despite a few wobbles in life. She wears her heart on her sleeve and pins on her thoughts for good measure.

We meet Heather as she moves out of her family home to share with four guys, much to the dismay of her long suffering (by his own admission!) boyfriend Graham. We follow her housemates and watch their sometimes funny, sometimes-fraught relationships as they go about their daily lives.

Join Heather as she navigates the simple things in life, her inability to remember the code for the house alarm, odd driving habits, general musings on chick flicks, casualties in cooking, as well as her attempts to talk down the “mad farmer with the gun.” Experience comedy and drama as we get to know her family and housemates, and, as an unexpected event finally takes her down, learn what happens when the last people you expected to turn to are actually the ones you need the most.

My Thoughts:

I adored Heather in this book. She is so lovely and I know if she was a real person we would get on really well. I have to admit I was quite envious that she was gong to be sharing a house with four guys. I mean come on, honestly, who wouldn’t want to?

All the men are very different in personalities and I really enjoyed getting to know them better. Any of them had to be better than Graham, of who the further into the book I got, the more I started to dislike him. I was desperate for Heather to wake up and realise she deserved way better.

It was really quite endearing in parts to see this group of people bonding. It isn’t just Heather and the guys, there are quite a few other characters that spend quite a bit of time in the house also. Even though there is quite a vast amount of characters, it was still easy to keep up with who was seeing who and what relation they were to everyone else in the house.

Rob was definitely one of my favourite characters by the end. He just grew on me the more and more I read about him. At times I wanted to give him a good shake but you know his heart’s in the right place really.

It Started With A Snub was a great mix of friendship and romance. The story line itself had enough going on that kept me enthralled and I couldn’t wait to see how everything was going to end. It really did have a bit of everything and sends your emotions haywire. Really enjoyed it and very much look forward to reading more by the author.

It Started With A Snub is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Mavis And Dot by Angela Petch @rararesources @Angela_Petch

November 19, 2018November 5, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

A warm slice of life, funny, feel-good, yet poignant. Introducing two eccentric ladies who form an unlikely friendship. Meet Mavis and Dot – two colourful, retired ladies who live in Worthington-on-Sea, where there are charity shops galore. Apart from bargain hunting, they manage to tangle themselves in escapades involving illegal immigrants, night clubs, nude modelling, errant toupees and more. And then there’s Mal, the lovable dog who nobody else wants. A gently humorous, often side-splitting, heart-warming snapshot of two memorable characters with past secrets and passions. Escape for a couple of hours into this snapshot of a faded, British seaside town. You’ll laugh and cry but probably laugh more.”This book is quirky and individual, and has great pathos…[it] will resonate with a lot of readers.” Gill Kaye – Editor of Ingenu(e). Written with a light touch in memory of a dear friend who passed away from ovarian cancer, Angela Petch’s seaside tale is a departure from her successful Tuscan novels. All profits from the sale of the books will go towards research into the cure for cancer.

My Thoughts:

What a wonderful feel good read this was.

Mavis and Dot are quite different in personalities which I think makes their friendship even more lovely to read. It was quite sad I have to say that both of the ladies have found themselves quite alone in the world with not much in the way of family and friends. I was actually glad that a chance meeting gets them both together.

There is a whole array of wonderful characters, even the dog makes such an impression on the reader. In a way it has made me look forward to getting older. The shopping trips and cake and tea in cafe’s. Not to mention the fish and chips! It made me realise that instead of worrying about getting older, there is so much more to look forward to.

I loved that we get transported to Tuscany as well as the sea side. Both places that would be great to go to. That’s another thing that’s great about being retired, being able to do anything at the drop of a hat. I think both ladies bring so much to the story and I loved finding out a bit more about them and their past.

Mavis And Dot, I hope is just the first in many adventures for this fabulous duo. It is a heart warming read that will really make you value your family and friends. I think Mavis and Dot between them can really teach us a lot about how we treat people in this world. An endearing and entertaining read. Really enjoyed it.

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers coy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Mavis And Dot is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio

A prize-winning author, Angela Petch lives half the year in West Sussex and the summer months in a remote valley in the Tuscan Apennines. She recently signed a two-book deal with Bookouture for her Tuscan novels and “Mavis and Dot” is a temporary departure from her usual genre. She has travelled all her life: born in Germany, she spent six years as a child living in Rome, worked in Amsterdam after finishing her degree in Italian, moved to Italy for her job, then to Tanzania for three years. Her head is full of stories and she always carries a pen and note-book to capture more ideas.

In May 2017, Angela Petch won PRIMA’S monthly short story competition and recently had a dozen stories published by The People’s Friend magazine.

“Mavis and Dot” was written in memory of a dear friend who lost her battle with ovarian cancer. All profits from sales of the book will go towards research into a cure for cancer.

LINKS

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

Twitter: @Angela_Petch

Website: https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com

Lie To Me by Natasha Preston

November 18, 2018November 3, 2018 Sarah Hardy

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Book Description:

At nineteen, Savannah Dean escaped her family, leaving behind a note and the people who caused her so much pain.

Now, she lives on her own and keeps to herself.

At nineteen, Kent Lawson’s girlfriend betrayed him, leaving him behind with a broken heart and a whole lot of mistrust in women.

Now, he lives on his own and shares himself with nearly every pretty thing that walks by but only for one night.

When Savannah and Kent meet, they can’t stand each other.

Kent knows she’s hiding something, and he despises liars.

And Savannah has nothing but secrets.

My Thoughts:

Having read Silence by the author which I really enjoyed, I was very much looking forward to reading another of the authors books.

I have to admit I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. Well not hate as that’s a bit of a strong word but some parts sadly I definitely didn’t enjoy as much as others.

To start with, I really liked Savannah’s character. She’s had a bad experience in her past which is gradually revealed throughout the story to the reader. I liked how she’s quite a strong character and just trying to get on with her life. I also loved Kent’s family. Not only does Savannah feel very welcome, so did I. They are a very warm and giving family and I enjoyed reading the parts of the story where they were involved in it.

Kent, I just couldn’t take to. Now we all like a brooding male lead but for me he was far to arrogant. His constant mention of the word ‘babe’ for Savannah even when he hasn’t known her long really grated on me. Even by the end where I was certain he would have won me round by then, I still didn’t feel it where his character was concerned.

I would say that the authors books certainly are more for young adults. It is a romance story but what I wasn’t expecting was the amount of sex in it. I’m in no way a prude and really feel my age after reading this one but I just found all the sex talk and scenes cringe worthy. Don’t get me wrong as I’ve read and enjoyed all of the Fifty Shades of Grey books but the sex in this book did nothing for me.

Overall Lie To Me was a good read. The actual story line itself was good and intrigued me enough to keep turning the ages. I did find it quite emotional in parts and there’s definitely a lot going for it. Sadly I didn’t love this book as much as the other book I have read by the author but having really enjoyed that one, I would certainly read more by her.

Lie To Me is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Secrets Between Us by Valerie Keogh @bookouture @ValerieKeogh1

November 17, 2018November 7, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

One letter a week for fifteen years. 780 identical white envelopes brimming with my sister’s darkest secrets. All the intimate details of a life as different to mine as could possibly be.

I read each letter slowly to make sure I understand it perfectly, one day very soon it will be a matter of life and death…

At the end of each letter, after signing her name, there is always one final sentence:

Don’t forget to burn this letter.

I’ll let you decide if I do…

A jaw-dropping psychological thriller that you will read in one sitting. If you loved dark, twisty thrillers like The Girl on The Train, The Couple Next Door and Friend Request, this unputdownable novel will have your heart racing long after you’ve finished reading.

My Thoughts:

Ellie and Tia are identical twins. I suppose for people who arn’t twins, there is a bit of a fascination surrounding them. Tia and Ellie haven’t seen each other though since they were children with Ellie living a normal everyday life with her husband Will whilst Tia has been living in a sort of care home due to her mental abilities.

Ellie and Will have a lovely home as well as both having good jobs. I was very intrigued to know more why Ellie had no interest in seeing Tia until the home that she is in is closing down and Ellie has no choice but to allow her to come and live with them. To a certain extent I could see why Ellie would not want to have her twin around. Especially as even her husband seems to struggle in telling them both apart.

It’s actually hard to know quite what to say about this story as I don’t want to give to much away. It really does make for some compelling reading and it’s one of those books where you find yourself saying just one more chapter and then the next thing you know it’s impossible to put down until you’ve finished it.

Secrets Between Us will have you gripped from the off and the build up of mystery and suspense throughout was literally spellbinding. I couldn’t tear myself away until I had got to the last page. If you love a good psychological thriller that will have you gripped from start to end, then would definitely recommend you giving this one a go.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Secrets Between Us is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio:

Valerie Keogh grew up reading Agatha Christie so when she started writing it seemed natural to write crime novels. She writes two different series, one based in Ireland featuring Garda Sergeant Mike West and a grittier one based in the UK featuring Nicola Connolly, a serial killer.

The Garda West series: THAT ONE MAY SMILE, CLOSE RANKS, MURDER ON CLARE ISLAND and DEATH IN FOXROCK.

The Hudson and Connolly series: DEADLY SLEEP, TWISTED POWER, BITTER BUSINESS, and WICKED SECRET.

Valerie has also written a stand-alone psychological thriller, Exit Five from Charing Cross

In March 2018, Valerie signed a two-book contract with the publisher, Bookouture. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is out now.

Author Social Media Links:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/valeriekeoghnovels/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/ValerieKeogh1

The Snow Girls by Chris Mooney @cmooneybooks @PenguinUKBooks

November 16, 2018November 5, 2018 Sarah Hardy

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Book Description:

It’s been eleven years since Claire Flynn disappeared – abducted without trace from a snowy hillside, leaving her parents heartbroken.

Investigator Darby McCormick remembers the case. She knows there’s only ever been one suspect, Father Richard Byrne, linked inconclusively to two similar disappearances.

Finally, terminally ill, Byrne is willing to talk. But he’ll only talk to Darby.

She’s expecting a confession – but what she hears is far more disturbing.

And it soon becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep this cold case on ice…

My Thoughts:

I’ve read nearly all of the books that feature Darby McCormick, though it must be well over a year ago since I read the last one. I felt the author gave enough background so anyone who may not have read any of the other books, could certainly read this as a stand alone.

What I really enjoyed most about this book is Darby investigating a cold case. There is always something that I find fascinating about cold cases and even though technology may have improved over the years, there is always the risk of witnesses dying or their memory not being as good. I also loved Mickey Flynn’s character as well as finding out more about his and his families background. It really makes for some intriguing reading and I couldn’t tear myself away from the pages.

There are lots of secrets and lies throughout this book which definitely makes for a compelling read. The further into the story I got, the more hooked I became. Towards the end got quite emotional and before I knew it, I was having to grab a tissue to wipe away the tears. It will certainly have you going through a mix of emotions.

The Snow Girls is a chilling yet addictive read that I couldn’t get enough of. I loved the build up of tension and really was on tender hooks as to whether Darby was going to solve the case or not. A must read for crime thriller fans.

My thanks to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

The Snow Girls is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Snowed In At The Little Duck Pond Cafe by Rosie Green @rararesources @Rosie_Green1988

November 15, 2018November 4, 2018 Sarah Hardy

Book Description:

The biggest snowfall in years has blanketed Sunnybrook, cutting the village off from the outside world. For Fen, who finds herself snowed in at The Little Duck Pond Cafe, it’s little more than a minor inconvenience. Her love life is finally running smoothly; it looks as if she’s found the perfect man for her.
But then a shocking secret threatens to destroy Fen’s new-found happiness.
Will being snowed in be the final straw? Or will Fen find a way through the snowdrifts to the perfect love?

My Thoughts:

This is the fourth book in the The Little Duck Pond Cafe series. Fear not though, as, if like me you haven’t read the previous three, this reads easily as a stand alone. You will be beating yourself up at the end though at not having read this authors books sooner!

The book is a novella so won’t take long to read it at all. If anything I flew through it as I really got wrapped up in the going on’s in Sunnybrook. As I would expect from this genre of book, it has a fabulous cast of characters as well as the most idyllic setting. The fact that it is set at one of the coldest times of the year, makes it very festive and the perfect read for this time of year.

I don’t want to say to much about the story itself as having not read the previous books I’m not sure if it would spoil things for other readers that have. All I will say is that sometimes the path of true love doesn’t always run smoothly. Reading of Fen as she follows hers though made for a highly entertaining as well as at times an endearing read. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments as well as more heart warming ones.

Snowed In At The Little Duck Pond Cafe is a fabulous, fun and festive read that I really enjoyed. The perfect read to get snuggled up under a blanket with a hot cup of hot chocolate and lose yourself from the real world for a while. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Snowed In At The Little Duck Pond Cafe is available to purchase from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).

Author Bio:

Rosie Green has been scribbling stories ever since she was little. Back then they were rip-roaring adventure tales with a young heroine in perilous danger of falling off a cliff or being tied up by ‘the baddies’. Thankfully, Rosie has moved on somewhat, and now much prefers to write romantic comedies that melt your heart and make you smile, with really not much perilous danger involved at all, unless you count the heroine losing her heart in love.

Rosie’s brand new series of novellas is centred on life in a village café. The first two stories in the series are: Spring at The Little Duck Pond Cafe and Summer at The Little Duck Pond Café.
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green1988