We follow Addy on her travels to Morocco following the discovery of a letter from her father after his recent death indicating a lost love she knew nothing about.
I think anyone travelling alone is very brave and it’s something I can’t imagine ever doing. People who do fascinate me. Morocco sounds like a fascinating place too and Addy seems to settle there quite quickly, especially with the help of local tour guide, Omar. She soon finds herself immersed in their culture and family life, but the time soon flies, and she starts to run out of weeks to find the answers she’s looking for. Someone must remember her father and the woman he fell for back in 1984.
I enjoyed following Addy on her journey to the truth. I did think she was far more patient than I would be though when it was obvious people knew more than they were letting on.
I loved the relationship between Addy and her sister.
My only niggle with this book was that I thought it could probably have been shorter.
The ending was a complete surprise. I’d be interested to know what happened next.
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
The Friend is my first experience of Dorothy Koomson’s writing, but it will most certainly not be my last.
When we first meet Cece, she has just moved her family to Brighton in support of her husband’s promotion. She is naturally apprehensive about starting a new life in a new city and especially nervous about her children starting new schools. This is only exacerbated when she discovers one of the Mums, Yvonne, has recently been found on the school grounds (the school her sons will be attending) having been attacked and is now in a coma. Three other Mums, Maxie, Anaya, and Hazel take her under their wing, and everything seems like it will be okay after all. How wrong one can be!
I loved how this story is told from the differing points of view of each of the women. They all live very different lives, and we know quite early on that they all have their secrets. However, the author gives nothing away. The tension grows with each part of the book, and I grew more and more intrigued with each page. These are a fascinating bunch of women and I found myself completely immersed in their stories. I was desperate to find out the truth behind Yvonne’s attack and what it was they were all trying to hide. I was quite gobsmacked when I realised what had happened!
This is such a cleverly written book. A rollercoaster of emotions. It’s a story of friendship, lies, infidelity, desperation, and deceit.
Powerful . . . psychological menace and dramatic plot twists’ Daily Mail
EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST
To the unsuspecting eye Dee Stephens has a perfect life as the vicar’s wife: a devoted marriage to her charismatic husband Reverend Vincent, an adoring congregation and a beautiful daughter.
EVERY SINNER HAS A FUTURE
But beneath the surface, Dee is suffocating. Vincent is in control, and he knows her every sin. Desperate, Dee escapes into a heady affair with Cal, an old schoolmate.
EVERY CONFESSION HAS A PRICE
But is Cal the saviour she thinks he is? What dark secrets does he harbour? And to what lengths will Vincent go to when he uncovers the truth?
Praise for Caroline England
‘The duchess of dark domestic noir strikes again’ HELEN FIELDS
It has been a while, but it was so worth the wait! What an amazing return to an awesome series.
Having read and loved the first three books in this series I was so excited when Mel Sherratt announced she was releasing book four. Anyone who knows me well will know I am a huge Mel Sherratt fan. I have read and loved every book she has published, and Allie Shenton is one of my favourite detectives.
In Broken Promises Allie and the team find themselves dealing with three murders in as many days. Three locals well known to them, and all connected by their dodgy lifestyles. With barely enough time to breathe between murders they have their work cut out trying to piece together evidence and bring their killer, or killers, to justice before any other bodies turn up.
These murders are brutal and personal. One person connects them all, but would they be capable of such violence? Despite hoping not, they can never assume. It’s quite scary what some people find themselves capable of when pushed to their limits.
This is a fast-paced police procedural crime thriller set in my hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, which I love. It kept me glued to my kindle as I was desperate to find out who was committing these horrific crimes. I was holding my breath in the hope they would crack the case before anyone else became a victim.
I think the team were as shocked as I was when the truth starts to reveal itself. Wow! Such a shocking and tragic conclusion. Brilliant writing!
There are some fascinating characters throughout this story, likeable or not. I know I’ve said it before, but Mel Sherratt knows how to write people. I am always instantly invested in the people she writes about.
I love the banter and friendships shared amongst the team. They have each other’s backs and get the job done as efficiently as they can. They find time for a bacon and cheese oatcake, or two, occasionally also. They are only human after all!
I love that we always see a softer side to Allie and learn a little more about her as the series progresses. I was worried for her as she faces the potential breakdown of her marriage. It can’t be easy being married to a police officer and she knows her husband struggles with her absence, especially when high profile cases mean even longer working hours than usual. I’m sure many people would relate.
Some people don’t like hearing about the personal lives of police in books like this, but I love it. It gives depth to their character and keeps them human.
I LOVED this book. It ticks all the boxes for me. An easy five stars (I’d give it more if I could). I highly recommend!
If you haven’t read this series yet you are seriously missing out.
I can’t wait for book five!
#TeamSherratt
**Many, many thanks to Mel Sherratt for my ARC of Broken Promises. The above review is my honest opinion**
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats is an amazing book. It’s so easy to see why it is a bestseller!
Julia naturally has many unanswered questions following the disappearance of her father. Her mother knows nothing of his whereabouts either. When Julia finds a love letter her father wrote to a woman in Burma many years before she’s left with yet more unanswered questions. It seems he might have had a whole other life before them, a life they know nothing about. She decides to visit the country in the hope of tracking the woman down.
Nothing could prepare her for what she learns on her travels.
I have never been to Burma, but I could truly imagine myself there as I joined Julia on her visit. It sounds like an amazing place full of inspiring people. I felt completely immersed in their culture and traditions. I could almost feel the oppressive heat and smell the traditional recipes cooking. There is such beautifully descriptive language throughout this story.
This book is so beautifully written. I was totally captivated by the characters and their story. It is such a powerful love story which is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I thought of these characters a lot when I wasn’t reading the book and I think they will stay with me for a long time to come.
I very much recommend this book. I can’t imagine anyone not loving it!
I have already purchased the sequel, A Well-Tempered Heart, and I hope to read it very soon.
“Beautifully written, feel-good fiction!” ★★★★★ “I loved this book! It was warm, funny and engaging.” ★★★★ Elle’s A to Z of Love by Claire Huston Perfect for Valentine’s Day! Haileybrook, a beautiful village in the peaceful Cotswolds countryside, is most people’s idea of heaven on earth. Born and raised in this small slice of paradise, […]
Only To Sleep is the first book I’ve read by Lawrence Osborne and my first introduction to Philip Marlowe. I soon found myself immersed in his story. He is a fascinating character.
PI Philip Marlowe is in his seventies and retired, but can’t resist one last fling, as it were. He accepts a job with an insurance company, investigating the apparent death of a wealthy man who has left behind a very rich, much younger wife. It’s an intriguing case and I thoroughly enjoyed following Marlowe as he investigates.
I really enjoyed Lawrence Osborne’s style of writing. He uses some beautifully descriptive language which drew me in easily and transported me to the very locations featured throughout this book. I almost felt as though I was tailing Marlowe on his travels, and I couldn’t help but admire him, particularly considering his age. He comes across some interesting characters along the way. A few unsavoury ones too. This investigation isn’t without its risks. Marlowe obviously has a wealth of experience though and it shows.
Brilliant writing. Excellent storyline. Colourful characters. I loved it.
Lawrence Osbourne’s other books have now been added to my TBR list as well as Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep. I look forward to reading them all.
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley. I am working my way through my list slowly but surely**
On the first Friday of each month I like to have a little look back at the books I was reading during the same month in previous years, since starting my blog.
Please do join in if you have the time, I’d love to see your posts!
Here are my reviews from February 2021 + a link to previous February FBFs….
Invite Me In has been waiting patiently on my NetGalley list for far too long. My apologies to the author and publisher. I am working my way through my list slowly but surely.
This book was more than worth the wait. What an emotional rollercoaster of a read!
I have to say that I found Eliza a difficult character to like, especially to start with. I did feel for her as I got to know her more though. Her husband is not a likeable man at all. He thinks far too highly of himself and treats Eliza as though he owns her. No amount of money, fancy houses and/or fancy cars are worth what she puts up with daily. She has her secrets though and her husband holds knowledge of them over her. She is trapped and she’s miserable.
It isn’t at all surprising that Dan attracts Eliza’s attention. I admired her attempts to deny that attraction though. Everything else aside, Eliza’s priority is always her children. That I did like about her.
This story is so full of twists I didn’t know what to think for the most part. I love that! It makes me even more determined to find out where the story is going to end. I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years what I learned about these people as the story progressed. There are some amazing characters in this book. Most aren’t particularly likeable, but all are compelling. Such clever writing!
To say this story is full of tension would be an understatement and it has a jaw-dropping conclusion.
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