Posted on by Chat About Books · 7 Comments

Bella’s Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston @ClaraVal

Bella’s Countryside Christmas

by Claire Huston

Firstly, I love that the main character in this book is called Bella 😊

Secondly, I love that Bella is such a likeable character. I warmed to her instantly. She’s a braver woman than me. There is no way I could gate-crash a wedding pretending to be someone else, although I understand her desire to help people and I’m sure Jack being quite easy on the eye helped. I do believe we just click immediately with some people. The whole situation is amusing and heart-warming. I’m surprised she left when she did.

I certainly don’t blame her for wanting to move to a cosy cottage in the countryside. Life is too short to be miserable.

Claire Huston’s description of village life sounds exactly as I would imagine it to be. Everyone knowing everyone and everything about each other. I imagine it would be comforting and somewhat annoying sometimes at the same time. I do love the sense of community though which I think has been lost in most of today’s society, unfortunately.

There are some fabulous characters throughout this book. There’s a fair to be organised, a crime to be solved which adds a bit of suspense to the story, issues with colleagues, family dynamics, festive cheer and the stress that often comes with it, and of course romance. What’s not to love!?

This book made me smile a lot and sometimes laugh out loud. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

** Many thanks to Claire Huston for my review copy **

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

Treat yourself….

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

Beautiful and Terrible Things: A Novel by S.M. Stevens 

Beautiful and Terrible Things

by S.M. Stevens 

Beautiful and Terrible Things is extremely relevant to the world we live in today. It’s about a diverse group of friends, each with their own struggles, principles, and wishes for a better world for all.

Charley is new to the group. I love that she manages a bookstore and lives above it. How cool is that! Her anxieties are understandable given her difficult past. Xander introduces her to his friendship group and, at first, she starts to relax in their company. They are mostly a good bunch, although I wouldn’t necessarily condone some of Xander’s behaviour. I love that they take her under their wing though. My heart goes out to her when she realises her life might be about to be turned upside down. I was rooting for her the whole time and hoping for a positive outcome.

I do have to mention that this is the first book I’ve read with a gender-neutral character. Sunny is a very easy to like character and I have absolutely no problem with anyone living their life however they wish to, but when I read they/them I automatically imagine more than one person (as per definition). I did have to keep reminding myself that it was just Sunny, and I can’t pretend that it didn’t interrupt the flow of the story for me a little bit at times. I imagine it’s something I will get used to though as I’m sure it will become more commonplace in books.

I think younger readers especially will relate to these characters. They have an important story to tell, not least about the importance and power of friendship.

** Many thanks to S.M. Stevens for my ARC in exchange for my honest review **

Charley Byrne isn’t really living. At age 29, she hunkers down in her apartment above the bookstore she manages, afraid of a 7-year curse. Then quirky activist Xander Wallace lures her out of social exile with the prospect of friendship and romance. Charley joins Xander’s circle of friends diverse in their heritage, race, gender and sexual orientation. She thrives, even leaving her comfort zone to join protests in a city struggling with social justice ills.

But the new friendships bring back-to-back betrayals that threaten the bookstore—Charley’s haven—and propel her into a dangerous depression. Can her friends save the store? And Charley?

Beautiful and Terrible Things offers a compelling portrait of modern American life in a major city with its vibrant culture and rampant social issues. At once enlightening and entertaining, it reminds us that friendship has the power to validate, destroy, transform, and save lives.

I.C.Y.M.I.

The Wallace House of Pain: A Novelette by S.M. Stevens @SMStevens17

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 2 Comments

The Island Love Song by Emma Cowell @EmmaCowellBooks #NetGalley

The Island Love Song

by Emma Cowell 

Wow! What can I say about The Island Love Song which would do it the justice it deserves!?

I could talk about it for hours to be honest with you, but I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read it yet.

First, as I’ve said before, I’ve never been to Greece, but I honestly felt like I was in Greece whilst reading this novel. I felt the same when reading Emma Cowell’s previous novels. I would really, really love to go to Greece now and experience the beauty of the country Emma portrays so enticingly. The food sounds amazing also! I love that food plays its part throughout the story. I think I actually drooled at times. lol!

Anyway, this story is about sisters Ella and Georgia. They lost their Mum and are returning to Hydra to scatter her ashes in the sea. They have a rich history of happy memories with their mother there. As if that isn’t heart-wrenching enough, there has also been heartbreak for Ella and guilt for Georgia over secrets she’s carried for years.

The sisters are like chalk and cheese. Ella is very much a free spirit. Tied to nothing and no-one following an extremely traumatic experience. Georgia is the organised, dependable one, who’s life she has dedicated to her husband and bringing up their daughter, Phoenix. Neither of them is particularly happy though, nor have they had a close relationship, so coming together for two weeks on the Island of Hydra was never going to be straight forward.

I couldn’t wait to find out where their story would take me, and I was completely invested in the emotional journey I was taken on.

I liked Ella immediately and my heart broke for her as I learned what she had been through.

Georgia isn’t as easy to like, but I came to understand her more as the story progressed, and I did really feel for her in the end.

Phoenix is a beautiful character. Oh, to be so young and self-assured!

Harrison is a fascinating character and one I warmed to quickly despite his history with Ella.

There are other beautiful characters in this book too, all who add their own little something special.

This is a compelling tale about grieving sisters, the devastation secrets and lies can cause, the power of true love, and the true meaning of family.

I absolutely LOVED it! It’s just beautiful!

** A big thank you to the author and publisher for my review copy of The Island Love Song via NetGalley **

ICYMI….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2022/03/18/one-last-letter-from-greece-the-new-sweeping-romantic-debut-novel-to-escape-with-in-summer-2022-by-emma-cowell-emmalloydcowell-avonbooksuk-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/05/30/the-house-in-the-olive-grove-by-emma-cowell-emmalloydcowell/

Escape to the beautiful Greek Island of Hydra with this moving novel, filled with family secrets and romance

Emma Cowell, author of THE HOUSE IN THE OLIVE GROVE, returns with her brand new, emotional and romantic novel set on an idyllic Greek Island.

Hydra, the picturesque Greek island, is a paradise for most, yet for sisters Ella and Georgia, it is a place where their darkest secrets dwell. And now the time has come for them to confront their past as they return to Greece to scatter their mother’s ashes.

Ella is haunted by a love song that was written for her by the man who broke her heart years earlier and she longs to find peace so she can move on with her life.

Georgia pretends everything in her life is perfect, but she is plagued with guilt. If what she’s kept hidden for decades was revealed, their family would never be the same again.

The island is urging the sisters to confront the truth, but can they build a future on the ruins of their past?

Buy it immediately!!!

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

I Know What You’ve Done by Dorothy Koomson 

I Know What You’ve Done

by Dorothy Koomson 

I Know What You’ve Done is the third book I’ve read by Dorothy Koomson. I’d be lying if I said it was my favourite so far, but it did keep me intrigued enough to really want to find out what was going on.

There are a lot of characters to keep track of. All of whom live in close proximity. It did make me wonder who could potentially be watching your every move. None of us knows what goes on with our neighbours behind closed doors.

Some of the character’s behaviour was difficult to understand, although none of us know how we would deal with a situation until you find yourself in said situation. I enjoyed the realistic variation of characters. I wouldn’t want to live in their street though!

I didn’t guess the twist at the end, but I can’t say I found it shocking either.

Overall, an enjoyable read but maybe a little underwhelming for what I expected. I will certainly be reading other books from Dorothy Koomson as I really enjoyed the first two books I read a while ago.

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2022/03/09/the-friend-by-dorothy-koomson-bookreview/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/06/09/the-woman-he-loved-before-by-dorothy-koomson-dorothykoomson/

** I read I Know What You’ve Done as part of a buddy read with friends on Instagram. I read the paperback edition **

What if all your neighbours’ secrets landed in a diary on your doorstep?

What if the woman who gave it to you was murdered by one of the people in the diary?

What if the police asked if you knew anything?

Would you hand over the book of secrets?

Or … would you try to find out what everyone had done?

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

The Reckoning (Secrets of Redemption Book 5) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)

The Reckoning (Secrets of Redemption Book 5)

by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)

The Reckoning is another excellent read in the Secrets of Redemption series. It is the second book centred around Charlie’s story and it answers a lot of questions!

Another book full of suspense and tension. I can’t seem to get enough of this series. I’m already reading book 6! I look forward to picking my kindle back up each evening to see what might happen next.

It’s a long time since I read a series of books one after the other, but I am really invested in these characters and their stories.

I.C.Y.M.I

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/04/11/it-began-with-a-lie-secrets-of-redemption-book-1-by-michele-pw-pariza-wacek-michelepw/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/04/11/this-happened-to-jessica-a-psychological-suspense-mystery-secrets-of-redemption-book-2-by-michele-pw-pariza-wacek-michelepw/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/05/01/the-evil-that-was-done-secrets-of-redemption-book-3-by-michele-pw-pariza-wacek-michelepw/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/05/08/the-summoning-secrets-of-redemption-book-4-by-michele-pw-pariza-wacek/

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

No One Saw a Thing by Andrea Mara @AndreaMaraBooks

No One Saw a Thing

by Andrea Mara 

WOW! I feel quite exhausted after reading this book. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions!

This was my absolute biggest fear when my children were little. I was hyperventilating on behalf of Sive. How she doesn’t completely fall apart during this ordeal I don’t know, although rationally I know that wouldn’t help anyone. Such a frightening scenario, I can only imagine. I felt tense throughout this book, and as the story progressed I found myself trying to read quicker but at the same time not wanting to discover anything even more traumatic.

I couldn’t warm to Sive’s husband, Aaron, even though she seems to idolise him. I found his friendship group quite bizarre. Almost like they were forcing themselves to still be friends even though they no longer seemed to have anything in common. Kind of like their get togethers were just a habit now. One that no one dared to be the first to break. None of them are particularly likable characters (apart from Sive). I’d like to say I warmed to them a bit more as we get to know them, but no.

So much goes on in such a short time, my head was spinning! This is a fast-paced, suspenseful, and emotional story with many jaw dropping moments. I absolutely loved it!

** I read this book as part of a buddy read with a group of Bookstagram friends. I read the hardcover edition which I purchased from a second-hand book sale **

Treat yourself

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

As Good As Dead: Book 3 (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder) by Holly Jackson @HoJay92

As Good As Dead: Book 3 (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder)

by Holly Jackson

I have absolutely LOVED this book!

I finished it this afternoon as part of a buddy read with Bookstagram friends and I’m looking forward to chatting about it with them, although I’m not sure where to start to be honest.

I was completely invested in Pip and Ravi’s story since reading, and thoroughly enjoying, the first two books in this series so I was very much looking forward to reading book three. I think I’d go as far to say as this is even better than the first two books put together. My heart was in my mouth for much of this book. It is so full of jaw dropping twists. I actually felt myself panicking at times.

This book is fast paced, suspenseful, full of wonderful relationships and solid friendships integral to the story line.

The very last page gave me goosebumps!

Pip and Ravi are just the best characters. I’m sad to be saying goodbye to them.

This is YA fiction at its very best.

I can’t recommend this series highly enough.

ICYMI….

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/10/19/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-book-1-by-holly-jackson-hojay92a/

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/03/26/good-girl-bad-blood-a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-book-2-by-holly-jackson-hojay92/

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

Reluctant Bride’s Baby Bombshell by Rachael Stewart @rach_b52

Reluctant Bride’s Baby Bombshell

by Rachael Stewart

I make no secret of the fact that I love Rachael Stewart’s books and this one is no exception.
I have absolutely loved being whisked away to the Australian outback with Eve and Nate! 😍
Picture this, you meet someone in a bar, the chemistry between you is undeniable and you share an amazing night together. Two consenting adults, neither wanting anything more, the chances of seeing each other again unlikely. Or so you thought….
Just brilliant!
The heat between these two is almost palpable! I was rooting for them from the start.
The unusual clause in Eve’s father’s will intrigued me. Eve’s opinion on that is perfectly justified. I enjoyed this aspect of the story. I think it makes it quite unique.
I loved the relationships Eve shares with her sisters too.
Another beautiful story from the very lovely @rachaelstewart3 ❤️
All the stars from me!

* Many thanks to Rachael Stewart for my review copy *

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 1 Comment

Outside In: Nature Poems by Daniel Thompson @AuthorDThompson Julia Murray (Illustrator) @LollyPopPR

Outside In: Nature Poems

by Daniel Thompson (Author) Julia Murray (Illustrator)

Wow! Just, wow!

I think this might be Daniel Thompson’s most gorgeous book to date!

These poems are all about nature and they are just so brilliant.

I love being outside, especially when we get some sunshine. I love being by the sea, by a river, by a lake, surrounded by trees, walking through the countryside, sitting on a beach…. I love it all, but even just sitting in my back garden in the morning, or at dusk, listening to the bird’s tweeting away. There is something quite magical about that.

This book will help the youngsters in your life, and yourselves, to appreciate the wonderful world we live in and will certainly inspire you to spend more time outdoors enjoying it.

The hardcover edition of this book is stunning! My photos don’t do it justice. The illustrations throughout the book are just beautiful and compliment the poetry perfectly. I highly recommend you buy the hardcover edition to be able to enjoy it in all its glory. It’s one to re-read again and again.

** Many thanks to Lorraine Keating for sending me my review copy. It will stay in my permanent collection. **

Inspiring poems to connect with nature

This collection of 50 poems will spark a love of nature, bring calm and happiness and let the outside in.

Beautifully illustrated, it is filled with poems for children to read alone or enjoy with the whole family.

With poems about the seasons, senses, wildlife, weather and the joys of mud, it’s the perfect gift book for children to treasure.

From poet, Daniel Thompson, author of Being You: Poems of Positivity – 2023 City Kids Green Awards Winner and selected for the Reading Agency’s 2023 Summer reading challenge.

Treat yourself

Happy reading!

Posted on by Chat About Books · 2 Comments

This Happened to Jessica: A psychological suspense mystery (Secrets of Redemption Book 2) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) @MichelePW

This Happened to Jessica: A psychological suspense mystery (Secrets of Redemption Book 2)

by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek)

 I purchased This Happened to Jessica as soon as I finished book one, It Began With A Lie, as I had to find out if Becca would remember what happened the night Jessica disappeared.

Becca is doing her best to move on from all that has happened since she moved back to Redemption. It isn’t easy though when she still doesn’t remember what happened to Jessica. When further trauma hits the town, some residents blame Becca and her ‘weird’ aunt and she starts to believe she might be better off moving back to New York after all. She is determined to unlock her memories though.

I raced through this book. I’m really enjoying this series. I feel totally invested in the characters and their stories. I have purchased book three and will be starting it tonight.

** I purchased the Kindle edition on 1st April 2024 **

Happy reading!