Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant

Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It starts with a lie. The kind we've all told - to a former acquaintance we can't quite place but still, for some reason, feel the need to impress. The story of our life, embellished for the benefit of the happily married lawyer with the kids and the lovely home.

And the next thing you know, you're having dinner at their house, and accepting an invitation to join them on holiday - swept up in their perfect life, the kind you always dreamed of...

Which turns out to be less than perfect. But by the time you're trapped and sweating in the relentless Greek sun, burning to escape the tension all around you - by the time you start to realise that, however painful the truth might be, it's the lies that cause the real damage...

... well, by then, it could just be too late.




I am finding this book quite difficult to review, I finished it a few days ago and I still feel I have issues with it.

Overall, it is very different. I usually read books narrated by women with them as the main protagonist, our protagonist in this book, however is a man - Paul. Paul isn't very likable, to be honest, I didn't really warm to any of the characters which made it hard for me to get into it.

Paul is an author, he has struggled to have success after writing his first book, he currently shares a flat with a friend but due to his financial situation is looking at moving back home with his mum. He is single and hasn't had much luck with the ladies and especially won't now he is moving back home! He bumps into an old friend from school and suddenly things don't seem as bad as he thought.

From the blurb this seemed just like my type of book, I love a thriller, especially one set abroad for the summer. I was disappointed with this, I found it dreadfully slow, it did pick up during the last 50 pages or so but it took me such a long time to read. I normally finish thrillers in around 2 days, this took me almost a week, it is not a thick book I just lacked interest in it and found it pretty dull in places.

What I really found annoying in this book was that all the characters seemed patronising to each other, this drove me mad! I lost count at the number of times 'poor Paul/Alice etc' was used, this I know is minor but really wound me up.

Like I said I was disappointed in this book, I think it could have been a lot better. I don't think this should be compared to Girl on a Train or Gone Girl, personally I think they are in a different league to this book. Unfortunately I didn't like this,, I thought it was O.K, I don't think I would recommend it as there are so many better thrillers out there. I would rate this 2.5*, rounded up for Goodreads and Amazon.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

MelodySusie® Hanging Toiletry Bag / Travel Bag - A Great Choice of Big Size Waterproof Toiletry Bag for Outdoor Activities (Elegant Rosy)

£18.99

Taken From Amazon:

• New Arrival Discount ♥Save £3♥ Enter code MSTOIBAG at checkout. PERFECT TOILETRY BAG FOR TRIPS -- MelodySusie® Hanging Waterproof Toiletry Bag is a perfect choice to neatly organize your personal necessities for outdoor activities, such as travelling on holidays, business trips, camping and seashore activities etc.
• LARGE CAPACITY FOR STORAGE -- Made with high quality durable 300D Polyester and provides 23 compartments in different sizes with smooth zippers.
• WATER-RESISTENT FUNCTION --- Designed with internal waterproof function that you never have to worry about moisture penetration.
• SPECIAL HANGING AND CARRYING DESIGN --- A handy top hook allows for securely hanging from a shower or towel rack. A reliable loop handle and an adjustable shoulder strap allow for comfortable carrying in different ways.
• 12 MONTHS WARRANTY COVERAGE - All MelodySusie® Hanging Waterproof Toiletry Bags are covered by warranty for 12 MONTHS. We will work hard to put a SMILE back on your face whenever you have any inquiries.

Review:

This toiletry bag came very neatly packaged and folded well into a waterproof bag. I thought this is perfect for storing the bag when it is not it use. 

On opening the bag I was seriously impressed, I couldn't believe how much space there is in it. This is a travel bag after all and so I was expecting there to be enough room for small toiletry's. This could fit a lot more in than I originally expected. 

I have the pink and purple bag, it is mainly pink with purple piping round the edge of the bag, it has a lining, which is cream and waterproof. The bag also come with a hook attached to one end of it to hang up in a wardrobe, a strap and a blue plastic sucker. I guess this is so you could hang the bag from a window if you don't have a wardrobe. I liked these extras as it makes the bag more useful. 

I couldn't believe it but there are 23 different compartments in it. That is such a lot for a travel bag! These are in all different sizes and some are in the side pockets. What I loved about this bag is the amount you can fit in it, I can fit not only all my toiletries in but also my husbands so now we just put everything in one place. It makes it so much easier, as well as small holders for things like toothbrushes, the larger ones will hold full sized bottles of shampoo in or a hairbrush. 

I have also used this as a gym bag as it is perfect size for carrying a towel, bottle of water and anything else needed for the gym. This is really multi functional as the title suggests and I would recommend this to others as it is so versatile. 

This comes with a 12 month warranty so you can buy with confidence. 

I hope my review has been helpful to you.

I would like to thank the company for sending this in exchange for an honest review. I was provided with a sample product at a complimentary or discounted rate in exchange for a fair, unbiased, and honest review.

UnitedPlug 2 Hour Fast Wireless Charger for Samsung, IPhone, Sleek Design (Black)

UnitedPlug 2 Hour Fast Wireless Charger for Samsung, IPhone, Sleek Design (Black)

★1:FAST, full charged in 2 hours;
★2:COMPATIBLE, suit for all QI standard smart phones;
★3:CONVENIENT, soft light indicator, neat and easy using;
★4:SAFETY, Built in over-charging and over temperature circuit protection;
★5:HUMANIZED, sleek and stylish design ,anti-slip bottom base. (Taken from Amazon)




This is the first time I have ever had a wireless charger, I have been thinking about getting one for a while but never really got round to it.

When this product arrived I thought it looked very professional, it came in a relatively small box but was packed securely and came with a small booklet of instructions. This is where I have a slight issue, the instructions were in English one side, which was fine but they weren't very helpful. It was clear that these had been translated but the English was very poor and understanding these were tough to begin with. Never having a wireless charger before I was relying on these to tell me what to do.

After I had worked out what I needed to do I set the device up to charge. There are coloured lights that indicate when it is charging and when the device is fully charged, this is useful. I used the USB cable included to charge the device, I plugged it into a 3 point pin, however you could attach it to your computer to charge, I believe this would work just as well.

Once charged the device works well, I cannot compare the speed as I have never used one before but I would recommend a device like this, these days batteries on phones don't last long at all as we use them for everything from calling to using the internet, which drains the battery quick. I am going to be keeping this fully charged in my bag from now on so I never get stuck without any battery.

After reading other reviews for this product many people have mentioned about the design and this is a feature they don't like. Personally I do like it, it is sturdy and looks well built. I like the chrome edges and I don't mind the branding on the front of it. Yes there are probably better designed chargers out there but for this price I feel you can't go wrong.

I received this product at a discounted price for my honest review and I hold no bias in my opinion.

Audible's essential picks for Roald Dahl's 100 year anniversary

AUDIBLE’s ESSENTIAL PICKS FOR:

ROALD DAHL’S 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Four More Stories
Author: Roald Dahl
Narrator: Roald Dahl
£17.99
Available at Audible.co.uk

Roald Dahl's wickedly funny novels have turned him into the world's number one storyteller. In this collection five splendiferous stories are brought to life by the author himself.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (abridged): Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last!

James and the Giant Peach (abridged): A little magic can take you a long way.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (unabridged): Nobody outfoxes Fantastic Mr. Fox!

The Enormous Crocodile (unabridged): This greedy crocodile loves to guzzle up little boys and girls.

The Magic Finger (unabridged): Horrible neighbours learn their lesson from a little girl with powerful magic!

The BFG
Author: Roald Dahl
Narrator: David Walliams
£18.00
Available at Audible.co.uk

Read by actor, writer, and Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams, this audiobook features original music and sound design by Pinewood film studios.

The BFG is a nice and jumbly giant. In fact, he is the only big friendly giant in Giant Country. All the other giants are big bonecrunching brutes, and now the BFG and his friend Sophie must stop them guzzling up little human beans, with some help from Her Majester, the Queen.

David Walliams is a multi-award winning British comedian, actor, and writer, best known for the comedy series Little Britain; but his acting work includes plays, dramas, and films. He is also the author of five hugely successful children's books, including two illustrated by Quentin Blake, Roald Dahl's favourite illustrator.

The Enormous Crocodile
Author: Roald Dahl
Narrator: Stephen Fry
£18.00
Available at Audible.co.uk

Read by actor, humourist and storyteller Stephen Fry, this audiobook features original music and 3D sound design by Pinewood film studios.

The Enormous Crocodile is a greedy grumptious brute who loves to guzzle up little girls and boys. But the other animals have a scheme to get the better of this foul fiend, once and for all!

Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter, director and writer. Television work includes A Bit of Fry and Laurie, Jeeves and Wooster, Blackadder, and hosting QI. On film, he played Oscar Wilde, and appeared in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Hobbit. His voice work includes narrating the Harry Potter books.

Lust
Author: Roald Dahl
Narrators: Derek Jacobi, Gillian Anderson, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Mark Heap, Richard E Grant
£21.99
Available at Audible.co.uk

Two husbands secretly agree to a night of passion with each other's wives; a slighted old man takes an elaborate and chilling revenge on his tormentor; a sculpture comes between a scheming wife and her put-upon husband...

Lust highlights a domestic familiarity always on the edge of something much, much darker. Collected together for the first time, stories include 'Madame Rosette', 'Neck', 'Georgy Porgy', 'The Visitor', 'The Last Act', 'The Great Switcheroo', 'Bitch', 'Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life', 'The Ratcatcher' and 'Nunc Dimittis'.

Cruelty
Author: Roald Dahl
Narrators: Adrian Scarborough, Andrew Scott, Jessica Hynes, Juliet Stevenson, Mark Heap, Richard E Grant, Stephanie Beacham
£19.99
Available at Audible.co.uk



From Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail, a newly collected audiobook of his darkest stories, read by Will Self, Adrian Scarborough, Stephanie Beacham, Andrew Scott, Richard E Grant, Tamsin Greig, Mark Heap, Juliet Stevenson and Jessica Hynes.

Even when we mean to be kind, we can sometimes be cruel. We all have streaks of nastiness inside us. In these ten tales of cruelty, master storyteller Roald Dahl explores how and why it is we make others suffer.

Collected together for the first time, stories include ‘The Great Automatic Grammatizator’, 'Royal Jelly', 'Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat', 'The Swan', 'Poison', 'Skin', 'The Princess and the Poacher', 'Genesis and Catastrophe' and 'Mr Feasey'.

Kiss Kiss
Author: Roald Dahl
Narrators: Tamsin Greig, Juliet Stevenson, Stephanie Beacham, Adrian Scarborough, Derek Jacobi, Stephen Mangan
£20.00
Available at Audible.co.uk



What could go wrong when a wife pawns the mink coat that her lover gave her as a parting gift? What happens when a priceless piece of furniture is the subject of a deceitful bargain? Can a wronged woman take revenge on her dead husband? In these dark, disturbing stories Roald Dahl explores the sinister side of human nature: the cunning, sly, selfish part of each of us that leads us into the territory of the unexpected and unsettling. Stylish, macabre and haunting, these tales will leave you with a delicious feeling of unease.

Collected together for the first time, stories include ‘The Landlady’, ‘William and Mary’, ‘The Way up to Heaven’, ‘Parson's Pleasure’, ‘Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's Coat’, ‘Royal Jelly’, ‘Grorgy Porgy’, ‘Genesis and Catastrophe’, ‘Edward the Conquerer’, ‘Pig’, ‘The Champion of the World’.

Why not celebrate and treat yourself to a Dahl audiobook? I will be!

A Leap of Faith by Trisha Ashley

A Leap of Faith by Trisha Ashley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sappho Jones stopped counting birthdays when she reached thirty but, even with her hazy grip on mathematics, she realises that she's on the slippery slope to the big four-oh! With the thought suddenly lodged in her mind that she's a mere cat's whisker away from becoming a single eccentric female living in a country cottage in Wales, she has the urge to do something dramatic before it's too late.

The trouble is, as an adventurous woman of a certain age, Sappho's pretty much been there, done that, got the T-shirt. In fact, the only thing she hasn't tried is motherhood. And with sexy potter Nye on hand as a potential daddy - or at least donor - is it time for her to consider the biggest leap of all? It's either that or buy a cat . . .

Wonderfully wry, heart-warming and life-affirming, Trisha Ashley's hilarious novel is perfect for fans of romantic comedies by Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell. And it contains recipes!

**This novel was originally published in 2001 as The Urge to Jump.**


Basically this is about a woman living in a pretty cottage in Wales who writes sci-fi novels and having reached 39 she realizes having achieved most things in life she has never been a mother. With her biological clock having almost reached it's limit she starts to consider leaping into the unknown territory of motherhood. All she has to do is to find someone to procreate with.

This is a typical 'chick lit' novel with plenty of humour and irony thrown in, there are parts which are quite funny and she does make the central character of Sappho enjoyable, she's not self obsessed or boring she is upbeat about most situations and can laugh at herself. The secondary characters are also well fleshed out so that the reader can get a sense of who they are without endless paragraphs about them. Sappo writes sci-fi novels and before she moves down to her welsh cottage her friend sends Sappho a picture of a potter who lives in the village. Quite subconsciously Sappho writes him into her novel.

Like all chick lits Sappho is not in the slightest bit interested in the sexy potter and spends most of her time avoiding him which of course means the reader knows exactly who she is destined to be with, so no surprises at all in this book.

It was a frivolous fun read, good one to take on holiday or fill in a boring few hours but for me not the greatest I've read this year. Good average chick-lit, pleasant characters and good humour saved this from being boring. This gets a 3 star rating from me.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

How to Find Your (First) Husband by Rosie Blake

How to Find Your (First) Husband by Rosie Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Isobel quits her dead-end job and travels the world seeking the man she believes she is meant to be with. A hilarious and irresistible romantic comedy about a globetrotting quest to find love. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsay Kelk and Mhairi McFarlane.

Isobel Graves moved to LA determined to be the Next Big Thing. Instead, she is dressed as a giant prawn handing out fliers promoting a fish market. Rather than attending glamorous parties and dating exciting men, her evenings consist of watching box sets with her sort-of boyfriend, whose idea of romance is a late-night drunken text.

Where did it all go wrong?

When Isobel catches sight of Andrew Parker, her childhood sweetheart, in the background of a TV news story she feels it's a sign. If she'd stuck with Andrew everything would have turned out better. Now she just needs to find him...

Join Isobel as she travels from LA to Devon and to a remote Malaysian island in search of true love.




Easy to read chick lit with all the usual boy meets girl etc.


Isobel Graves is now living in LA and doing an assortment of crappy jobs while she dreams of getting her big break in TV which seems ever far away. Dreaming of a better life and romanticising about her childhood sweetheart Andrew Parker she manages to get through some pretty awful assignments. Having 'married' Andrew Parker in school when she was 8 she writes in her diary how she can't ever believe her life without him. 20 years later Isobel still has a special place in her heart for Andrew so when she see's him in a TV new item she feels that it is her destiny to find him and see if she can find the happiness she found all those years ago in the school playground.


Isobel then embarks on a journey to find Andrew that takes her from LA to England then on to Malaysia. This is a very entertaining read, good humour although it was so predictable that didn't spoil the enjoyment of the book. I found all the characters I could connect with, I loved her mother and father.


Would be a great book to take on holiday, good descriptive passages of Malaysia, idyllic beaches, turquoise waters, turtles etc, and easy to get lost in the locations. As I said it was predictable but for all that worth reading for the humour. Nothing really to 'give away' as no surprises but still enjoyable. This gets a 4 from me, one of the better well written chick lits.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

Richard and Judy book club Autumn 2016

Richard and Judy book club Autumn 2016 in WHSmith

Last week I received a lovely surprise, a delivery from WHSmith containing the wonderful set of Richard and Judy Autumn book club reads. Not only did it include that but a box of Thorntons, a glittery notebook, sharpies and 2 wonderful storage boxes.

I didn't know these were going to be arriving so I was very excited to see the set. There are great reads in this Autumn's book club. I have already read some of these, so I will leave the link for you.

Here are the titles: 




Orphan X - As a boy Evan Smoak was chosen, then taken from the orphanage he called home. Raised and trained as part of a top secret programme he was sent to the worst places in the world to do the things his government denied any knowledge of. Then he broke with the programme, using everything he'd learned to disappear. He wanted to help the desperate and deserving. But now someone's on his tail. Someone who has issues with his past. Someone who knows he was once known simply as Orphan X.

I have not read this book, nor had I heard of it before it arrived for me so I am looking forward to discovering it. It doesn't sound like my type of read so I would never of picked it up. Saying that it may turn out to be a great read. Richard and Judy have given it 5* and compared to it Jack Reacher novels. 






The Widow - Jean Taylor's life was blissfully ordinary. Nice house, nice husband. Glen was all she'd ever wanted: her Prince Charming. Until he became that man accused, that monster on the front page. Jean was married to a man everyone thought capable of unimaginable evil. But now Glen is dead and she's alone for the first time, free to tell her story on her own terms. Jean Taylor is going to tell us what she knows.




I have read this book, I was lucky enough to get my hands on a proof early this year. Wow what a book? I can easily see why and how this has made it into the book club. Richard and Judy have rated this book 4*, I also had rated it 4*. You can read my review here.









Missing, Presumed - Edith Hind is gone, leaving just her coat, a smear of blood and a half-open door. Each of her friends and relatives has a version of the truth. But none quite adds up. The press grows hungrier by the day. Can DS Manon Bradshaw fend them off, before a missing persons case becomes a murder investigation?

This is another book I was lucky enough to read and review early. Unfortunately I didn't think this was a brilliant book rating it only 3 stars. Richard and Judy however think this is a 5 star read so I would definitely give this one a go to see what your thoughts are on it. You can read my review here.  








Circling the Sun -  She was a daughter of Edwardian England, transplanted to Kenya as a young girl by parents who dreamed of life on an African farm. But by the time Beryl Markham was sixteen, that dream had fallen apart. Catapulted into a disastrous marriage, she emerged from its wreckage with one idea: to take charge of her own destiny.
This is another 5* read from Richard and Judy who have said it is absorbing and compelling. Again this would not have been a book I would have picked up but I am grateful for the chance to give this one a go. 







The Forgetting Time - Noah is four and wants to go home. The only trouble is he's already there. Janie's son is her world, and it breaks her heart that he has nightmares. That he's terrified of water. That he sometimes pushes her away and screams that he wants his real mother. That it's getting worse and worse and no one seems to be able to help. In desperation, she turns to someone who might have an answer - but it may not be one she's ready to hear. It may also mean losing the one thing she loves more than anything. Noah

This is a book that I have seen around for some time and just look at that cover, how beautiful is it?? I have not got round to reading this but I have heard so many good things about it so I am very excited to now have a copy. I can't wait to get stuck into this one!



The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend - Sara has never left Sweden but at the age of 28 she decides it's time. She cashes in her savings, packs a suitcase full of books and sets off for Broken Wheel, Iowa, a town where she knows nobody. Sara quickly realises that Broken Wheel is in desperate need of some adventure, a dose of self-help and perhaps a little romance, too. In short, this is a town in need of a bookshop. With a little help from the locals, Sara sets up Broken Wheel's first bookstore. The shop might be a little quirky but then again, so is Sara. And as Broken Wheel's story begins to take shape, there are some surprises in store for Sara too. 

This is a book that I had never heard of before it arrived in my box, I don't know anything about it apart from the synopsis and haven't heard anyone who has read it. Richard and Judy have given this one 3*, which to be honest doesn't make me want to pick it up straight away. I will get to it and I maybe pleasantly surprised. I hope I am right!





The Loving Husband - Fran Hall and her husband Nathan have moved with their two children to a farmhouse on the edge of the Fens - a chance to get away from London and have a fresh start. But when Fran wakes one night to find Nathan gone, she makes a devastating discovery. As questions about her husband and her relationships start to mount, Fran's life begins to spiral out of control. What is she hiding from the police about her marriage, and does she really know the man she shared her bed with?

I think I had seen this book around, it does really intrigue me and I am looking forward to starting this. Richard and Judy have given it 4* and have said it will keep you up into the small hours so I am very excited about this. 






The Ballroom - Inside an asylum at the edge of the Yorkshire moors, where men and women are kept apart by high walls and barred windows, there is a ballroom vast and beautiful. For one bright evening every week they come together and dance. When John and Ella meet it is a dance that will change two lives forever. Set over the heatwave summer of 1911, the end of the Edwardian era, The Ballroom is a historical love story.

The Ballroom is another book that I was lucky enough to receive and early copy of and although it didn't initially sound like my type of book it was very enjoyable. I can see why it has made the Autumn book club, Richard and Judy have given this 4*. I thought it deserved 5*,you can read my review here.



So that is all 8 of the books in this Autumns book club. Those books that I have not read yet I will be reviewing them so watch out for those. I would love to know if you have read any of the Richard and Judy Autumn book club books and what you thought of them. Also if you are intending to participate in the book club, which one you are most anticipating. I love the book club and have done for as long as I can remember.

 I am so proud to have the chance to promote it, I would like to thank WHSmith again for sending me the box and the goodies. I will be using the stationary from today when I am back at school!