Behind Her Smile is an incredibly tense read. I could just feel that there was more than meets the eye to this story and that it was going to take a disturbing turn at some point. I couldn’t wait to find out how!
It’s a difficult book to review as I don’t want to give anything away, but I was absolutely gripped, as I expected to be with another one of Caroline’s books.
If you love a psychological crime thriller with intriguing characters, complicated relationships, both family and romantic, an extremely clever, twisty plot full of suspense, deceit, love, loss, heart-breaking sadness, and jaw dropping shocks then you will love this book!
I can’t recommend it highly enough.
An easy five stars for me!
**Many thanks to Caroline for my epub review copy**
Buried secrets are dangerous. Unearthing them might be deadly …
Laurie Dunn has returned to her childhood attic bedroom and her old nightmares have come rushing back. Terrorised by a client-related mugging, her job as a criminal solicitor causes more problems than solutions.
Finn Ballentine yearns for a fresh start, but even the glossy façade of his new law firm can’t protect him from the past he’s running from.
After a disturbing remark by her confused father, Laurie joins forces with Finn to uncover dark truths. But the long-buried secrets they unearth are laced with danger for them both.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I started reading The Winter Job, but I really enjoyed it!
Antii Tuomainen is a new-to-me author, and I like his writing style.
Ilmari Nieminen takes on a one-off job to deliver a sofa to earn enough money to buy his daughter the piano he has promised her for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong!?
Ilmari is a likable character, and his journey turns out to be far more eventful than he could have possibly imagined. He doesn’t expect to bump into an old friend who ends up tagging along and he certainly doesn’t expect to find himself being followed. Turns out there’s more to this sofa than meets the eye and there are others who want it too. He is determined to deliver it to the destination he has been given though otherwise he won’t get paid and his daughter won’t get her piano. He’s a recently divorced father who wants to fulfil his promise to his daughter. Woe betide anyone who tries to get in his way.
Set in Finland in 1982 this is a brilliant story, full of suspense, and peppered with dark humour. I was rooting for Ilamari the whole way through. The ending really made me smile.
** Many thanks to Orenda Books for my digital review copy **
Sofas, secrets and a snowbound road to trouble…
Helsinki, 1982. Recently divorced postal worker Ilmari Nieminen has promised his daughter a piano for Christmas, but with six days to go – and no money – he’s desperate.
A last-minute job offers a solution: transport a valuable antique sofa to Kilpisjärvi, the northernmost town in Finland.
With the sofa secured in the back of his van, Ilmari stops at a gas station, and an old friend turns up, offering to fix his faulty wipers, on the condition that he tags along. Soon after, a persistent Saab 96 appears in the rearview mirror. And then a bright-yellow Lada.
That’s when Ilmari realises that he is transporting something truly special.
And that’s when Ilmari realises he might be in serious trouble…
A darkly funny and unexpectedly moving thriller about friendship, love and death – The Winter Job tears through the frozen landscape of northern Finland in a beat-up van with bad steering, worse timing, and everything to lose…
It’s probably a good job my husband doesn’t read my book reviews because I think I love Theo. I fell in love with him in chapter one. He’s just the most delicious character. I defy anyone to resist his charms!
Theo is a self-made billionaire, but this is far from the focus of this story. It’s barely mentioned really, although there are obvious nods to it such as him living in a London penthouse apartment overlooking the Thames, and owning a beach house in Pembrokeshire with a live-in housekeeper. He’s a modest character though, and he’s trying his best to support his best friend by helping her younger sister and her three-year-old daughter after fleeing an abusive relationship. The problem is, he has been attracted to Sadie for longer than he cares to admit. How is he supposed to live in such close proximity to her and keep his feelings under control!?
Sadie has always carried a torch for Theo and eventually makes her feelings quite clear, making her so much more difficult for Theo to resist….
The way Theo is with Sadie reminds me very much of how my husband is with me, which is why I think I am completely besotted with him. The chemistry between these two is off the charts! I hope they’re still the same 26 years later as we are.
With scorching scenes (hot is an understatement!) as well as heart-meltingly romantic ones I absolutely loved Theo’s and Sadie’s story. They have their stumbling blocks along the way, of course, but they get there in the end and that’s the most important thing. Who doesn’t love a happy ending!?
I adored this book and will have no problem recommending to anyone and everyone.
** I won a paperback copy of Filthy Rich Temptation in a recent giveaway. Thank you to Rachael Stewart and Boldwood Books **
Theo
Making my first billion? Easy. Surviving Sadie — and her three-year-old — moving in? Pure torture. She’s my best friend’s little sister, the one girl I should never touch. Especially after that reckless kiss seven years ago…the kiss that ruined everything.
Now she’s here, under my roof, in every corner of my thoughts. Vulnerable. Off-limits. And so beautiful it hurts. I promised myself I’d protect her, keep my distance. But every laugh, every accidental touch, makes it harder to remember why I ever said no.
Sadie
I ran to Theo for safety, but the moment I walked through his door, I knew I wasn’t just in danger from my ex—I was in danger of falling again. He thinks he’s protecting me, keeping his distance. But every smouldering look says otherwise.
And every night, I wonder: what if I kissed him again? He thinks he’s just helping. But he doesn’t see how he’s rewiring my heart—how my daughter already adores him. I’m supposed to be surviving, not falling. But I know what I want…him. His hands. His mouth. His body. Even if it’s the one thing he swore I couldn’t have…
What a fabulous, feel-good story this is! I absolutely loved it!
I love Atticus. My heart went out to him at the start. He doesn’t find much joy in life since he lost the love of his life. His son has taken over his farm and turned it into a thriving business, but Arnott just isn’t interested in it much. He takes himself off for walks with his dog, Ness, and generally just tries to stay out of everyone’s way. So sad.
One day though his grandson convinces him to renovate his old campervan, giving it a new lease of life. Atticus decides to bite the bullet and drive it to Spain. I’m not sure I’d be that brave at my age, let along 70. Little did he know just how much this was going to change the rest of his life.
His daughter welcomes the change in him and supports his sense of adventure.
His son, not so much. He’s not the most likable of characters although I can understand how some children, however old they are, find it difficult to accept a parent moving on after the death of the other. Brother and sister couldn’t be any different to each other.
I loved joining Atticus on his travels, meeting his new friends, letting his hair down, and learning to embrace life again. I would absolutely follow his Instagram account!
A beautifully written, heart-warming read which left me with a smile and happy tear.
** Many thanks to Caroline James for my gifted Kindle copy **
When seventy-year-old Atticus Arnott drives his beloved campervan from the rainy hills of Cumbria to the golden coast of Spain, his village is left reeling. With only his loyal collie, Ness, by his side, Atticus sets out in search of sunshine and serenity—but his journey of travel and self-discovery in Spain soon brings surprises he never imagined.
Back in Ireland, Atticus’s daughter Mary is facing a crisis of her own. As her picture-perfect life starts to crumble, she must find the courage to put herself first for once and rediscover the dreams she set aside long ago.
From a later in life romance to an uplifting women’s fiction story about family, Atticus Arnott’s Great Adventure is a heartwarming travel romance story perfect for fans of escapist holiday read fiction. Proof that it’s never too late to start over, this delightful romcom will inspire readers to embrace the unknown with open arms.
Oh, my goodness! What a gorgeous read this is! I can always trust Rachael Stewart to make me smile and warm my heart. She writes such beautiful characters, often with difficult pasts, who manage to find happiness with each other despite the odds. I love it!
Maria is a single mother of an eighteen-year-old daughter. It has been just the two of them for a long time after Maria’s painful split from her daughter’s father. She is determined not to be answerable to any man again.
Then in walks Tim. Obviously easy on the eye, Maria can’t resist a night of fun. One night only. No strings attached.
Fate has other ideas though and I loved how their story unfolds.
Tim is just gorgeous. I think in Maria’s situation I might snatch him up without a second thought, but I understand her reluctance. Having good looks and being a billionaire is not enough to convince her to surrender her heart again in a hurry. Her daughter will always be her priority. Tim’s daughter is his priority too, but after devastating loss he isn’t ready to give up on the first woman who has made him feel the way he hasn’t for a long time.
I loved it! The characters, the yacht, the sunsets, the angst, the romance, the happy ending. I loved it all!
** Many thanks to Rachael Stewart for my review copy **
In this Sun, Sea and Swept Away story, single mum Maria has fought to reclaim her world from her controlling ex. Romance is the last thing on her mind—until billionaire widower Tim walks into her bar, igniting a passion she thought she’d buried. A brief fling was meant to be enough, until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited on a luxury superyacht. Working as a stewardess, Maria is mortified to be serving the man she shared a bed with. Worse still, their attraction is stronger than ever…
Geneva was our Buddy Read Book Club choice for September. It isn’t a book that had been on my radar beforehand, but I really enjoyed it in the end.
If I’m honest I did find it a bit slow to start, but I soon found myself invested. My heart went out to Sarah Collier. A brilliant scientist facing early onset dementia. I can only imagine. It must be terrifying!
I could understand Sarah’s interest in a potentially life-changing new treatment. I could understand her reluctance to endorse it without knowing exactly what it involves though. I could understand her husband being desperate to go to Geneva in the hope of this new technology being what might save his wife. It was always going to be a challenging trip for them though.
Little did I know.
As the story progressed, I was desperate to find out what was going on and I was praying for Sarah the whole time. I had an uneasy feeling as I turned the pages, but I had no idea why. As I started to realise, I felt a bit sick. Honestly, it’s shocking how deceitful some people can be and the lengths they are prepared to go to get what they want.
A good read!
Our September Buddy Read Book Club pick, Geneva by Richard Armitage, chosen by @the_bookshelf_2023
Read along with –
@beth.booksandblankets
@readswithdanii
@northyorkshirereader
@read.crochet.coffee
@mrs_n_reads
When you have it all Sarah Collier has been lucky: she’s got a glittering scientific career and a husband who loves her more than anything. And you start to lose it But now she’s showing signs of early Alzheimer’s, and the only hope for a cure is in a controversial new technology being unveiled in Switzerland. You’d go anywhere for help In Geneva, as events turn dangerous and her memory loss worsens, Sarah has to decide who to trust: the people around her – or, despite her symptoms, herself.
The Woman in the Moonlight is a beautifully written novel set in Vienna in the early 1800s.
Eighteen-year-old Julie Guicciardi begins taking piano lessons with Ludwig van Beethoven and quickly becomes enamoured with him. He is drawn to her too, but circumstances prevent them from marrying.
Julie is encouraged to marry someone else. However, her husband is unable to give her children so substitute sperm donors (for want of better words) are arranged. The first against Julie’s will, which turned my stomach. I can’t even imagine! The things that went on behind closed doors back in those days are quite shocking, especially within supposedly well-to-do households. The man who eventually fathers her children is much less heinous, and Julie grows to love him although they could never be together. She made a promise to his wife. His wife who arranged for her to have his child as she was unable to do so. Honestly, it seems that it was all going on back then!
Anyway, the story centres around Beethoven, his troubles, and Julie’s unending love for him. How she keeps finding her way back to him, whatever else is going on her life. Goodness knows why really as he isn’t very nice to her for the most part, but he captivates her, and she can’t help her affection for him. And I think he loved her in his own way.
Based on the true events of Beethoven’s life, I found this story compelling. I didn’t know much about him previously. He is a fascinating if not entirely likable man who struggled in his later years having to face going deaf. Particularly devastating for a musician.
It is an unlikely love story. One that certainly endures. I really enjoyed it.
A stirring and romantic historical novel about nineteenth-century Vienna and the tragedy and dynamic passion that inspired Ludwig van Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
Vienna, 1800. Countess Julie Guicciardi’s life is about to change forever. The spirited eighteen-year-old is taking piano lessons with Ludwig van Beethoven, the most talented piano virtuoso in the musical capital of Europe. She is captivated by his volatile genius, while he is drawn to her curiosity and disarming candor. Between them, a unique romance. But Beethoven has a secret he’s yet to share, and Julie is harboring a secret of her own, one so scandalous it could destroy their perfect love story.
When Beethoven discovers the truth, he sets his emotions to music, composing a mournful opus that will become the Moonlight Sonata. The haunting refrain will follow Julie for the rest of her life.
Set against the rich backdrop of nineteenth-century Vienna, The Woman in the Moonlight is an exhilarating ode to eternal passion. An epic tale of love, loss, rivalry, and political intrigue. A stirring portrait of a titan who wrestled with the gods and a woman who defied convention to inspire him.
I really, really enjoyed Out of Sorts. Ferdinand Brun is a cantankerous old git, but I couldn’t help but like him. I can understand how he would frustrate his neighbours though!
He’s a fascinating character and I love how much he loves Daisy. My heart broke for him when he lost her. His attitude towards his daughter and his ex-wife made me sad, but I love how Juliette and Beatrice endeavour to change him. Even at his grand age, they are quite determined!
A heart-warming read. Sad, but funny. Ultimately uplifting. I loved it!
** According to Amazon I purchased the Kindle copy of Out of Sorts on the 3rd of December 2015 **
Ferdinand Brun hasn’t always been a grumpy old man. Many years ago, he was a grumpy young man. Now he’d much rather spend time with his canine companion, Daisy, than any of his nosy neighbors. But as his behavior becomes increasingly peculiar, his daughter grows concerned and begins to consider moving him into a retirement home.
In order to maintain his freedom, Ferdinand must submit to an apartment inspection by his longtime enemy, the iron-fisted concierge, Mrs. Suarez. Unfortunately, he’s never tidied up a day in his life. His neighbors, precocious ten-year-old Juliette and vivacious ninety-two-year-old Beatrice, come to the rescue. And once he lets these two into his life, things will never be the same. After an eighty-three-year reign of grouchiness, Ferdinand may finally learn that it’s never too late to start living.
I think Red Dirt is the first book I’ve ever read which doesn’t have chapters. I found this a bit weird at first, but I soon got over it.
I found myself fascinated by these characters and their escapades. I was quite mortified when they left Hopper in the middle of nowhere! I don’t think my conscience would have ever let me sleep again. I can’t actually imagine doing anything this lot do, but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.
This is a difficult one to review because there are no big twists or an intricate plot line, just real people making questionable choices and facing potential danger in order to scrape a living and survive. An interesting read!
** I think I must have won or been gifted this book as I have no record of buying it for myself. So, thank you if you sent it to me **
A group of young Irish migrants leave a man called Hopper for dead on an outback road in Australia. They barely know him; no-one will miss him in their world of hostels, wild nights on cheap wine and grinding work on isolated farms.
In this powerful novel about the discovery of responsibility, three young people – Fiona, Murph and Hopper – flee the collapse of their country’s economy. In the heat and endless spaces of Australia they try to escape their past, but impulsive cruelty, shame and guilt drag them down, and it is easy to make terrible choices.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a delightful read!
Judy is a fabulous character and one I warmed to straight away. As a Mum of two, both planned, I can’t say I could relate to her when she finds out she’s expecting a baby after a one-night stand. I would probably be terrified in her situation too! I love how she slowly gets used to the idea of being a Mum though, but she certainly doesn’t like to make life easy for herself. Her story from conception to motherhood is full of drama, from her difficult relationship with her mother, problems at work, love life complications, and a friendship with the baby’s uncle who doesn’t even know he’s the uncle!
Honestly it is a truly entertaining tale. Laugh out loud funny at times and frustrating at others (why do people not communicate!?).
Ultimately heart-warming. A proper feel-good read. I loved it!
** According to Amazon I purchased the kindle copy of this book on the 14th of November 2013. It is currently still available for 99p **
To her utter dismay Judy discovers she is pregnant. She knows it’s the end of everything, sex, sleep, going out, and generally having a life. The father was a one night Bacardi induced mistake who’s now long gone, thank goodness. She struggles with prenatal check-up’s and scans and copes with her first craving and leaky boobs, not to mention her ever increasing waistline, and say’s goodbye to size 10 dresses and pretty underwear, although who’s going to be seeing her in her underwear ever again pretty or not she has no idea, and resigns herself to ‘fat clothes’. All Judy wants is to not be pregnant and to be able to get on with her self-imposed never having another relationship life. ‘I mean who needs some bloke telling you how to do everything, or anything, while they consistently bollocks things up.’ Then to add to her quandary, on a last fling night out before the bump gets too noticeably big, she meets the gorgeous Rob who could have been her ‘The One’ if only she wasn’t pregnant.
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