Anyone for Seconds? by Laurie Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Life has been going downhill for ex-TV chef Lizzie Partridge ever since she spectacularly ended her television career by throwing a chocolate mousse at the host of Midlands This Morning. Her partner Tom has left her, Nigella and Jamie have got the cookery world sewn up, and now her cookery column - her last bit of work - has been axed. Surely the only way is up from here?
In a desperate bid for sympathy and attention she runs away, from the gas bill and the mouse under the sink, and in wet and wintry Aberystwyth she experiences a brush with her past and a glimmer of new prospects. And when her nephew's girlfriend - a TV producer - has the bright idea to reunite her with her former nemesis and target of the mousse attack in a new show, it seems like things could be going Lizzie's way again after all!
I have to admit from the title I wouldn't have chosen this book and that would have been a great shame as I really enjoyed it. I suppose because the lead character was around my age I could relate to her easily and I liked her cynical take on life.
It follows the adventures of Lizzie Partridge who used to be a TV chef but after a spectacular altercation on air she was unceremoniously dumped and replaced by a younger model. Licking her wounds Lizzie decides no one would miss her if she disappears (secretly hoping it wont take long for her family and friends to miss her) she goes to Aberystwyth and has a little adventure.
I liked Lizzy, funny, sarcastic, over weight, jobless, single, quick witted and great one liners she is a survivor and someone who anyone would like as a good friend.
I won't re-tell the story, it's such a good read you need to read it yourself. Funny and poignant at times with good secondary characters that fitted with her so well. Lots of humour in this book and often hilarious things going on in the background. I liked everything about it, the story, the characters and the easy way this was written. It's an easy 5 stars from me and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
The Reading Group: January by Della Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Anne-Marie has always considered herself a bit of a matchmaker - never mind that she's only got one real success under her belt. And this year she's determined to up her game: Little Sanderton's singles could certainly benefit from her expertise! But while Anne Marie thinks she knows what's best for everyone else, her own life couldn't be less of a fairytale romance. Between looking after her cranky father and running her own business, she doesn't have time for a relationship. Her friends in the Reading Group know better though: after all, love can be found in the most unexpected of places . .
This is the second installment by Della Parker. The Reading Group is a fun new series, where we follow the lives of those in the reading group. Each month they choose a book and we delve into one of the members lives. This month was the turn of Anne - Marie, she believes after running a successful cleaning business, she could be just as good as match making. She recently set a friend up and now they are sending out their wedding invites! After a dinner party of singles, she thinks perhaps it isn't a great idea, especially when she ends up getting unwanted attention herself.
I really enjoyed this installment and I am very much looking forward the February edition. These are light-hearted, easy going books and if you are looking for a little romance to get you though the month then I suggest picking these up. Although this is only the second one I have read I would recommend this series to busy people who don't have too much time to dedicate to reading.
I would like to thank netgalley for providing this in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
LOST.
When six-year-old Laurel Logan was abducted, the only witness was her younger sister. Faith's childhood was dominated by Laurel's disappearance - from her parents' broken marriage and the constant media attention to dealing with so-called friends who only ever wanted to talk about her sister.
FOUND.
Thirteen years later, a young woman is found in the garden of the Logans' old house, disorientated and clutching the teddy bear Laurel was last seen with. Laurel is home at last, safe and sound. Faith always dreamed of getting her sister back, without ever truly believing it would happen. But a disturbing series of events leaves Faith increasingly isolated and paranoid, and before long she begins to wonder if everything that's lost can be found again...
This is the second Cat Clarke book I have read and it was very different to the first. I really enjoyed the way this story flowed, the writing is very smooth and the book although over 400 pages, was quick to read. I also think that Cat Clarke's books are quite vivid and I find it very easy to be able to picture the characters and the setting.
The Lost and Found is about a girl Laurel, who went missing thirteen years ago. One day she just arrives back near her old family home. Faith is her sister, it is her story that we read and we live Laurel's story through hers. I really enjoyed reading it from Faiths perspective, it was not the obvious choice but it worked well and you could really see the impact this would have on the sister, who has been the only child for the past thirteen years.
The characters are wonderful in this story, they felt very real and believable. Even less prominent characters were developed well and bought a lot to the story. I liked the way the press was conceived and that you could really sympathise with the family. It was as if the press fed on the story and wouldn't let them have any privacy throughout the ordeal.
I was gripped throughout the story, however towards the third part of the book I twigged what was going on. What I really enjoyed though was that I was not proved wrong with my thinking but there was an added twist to the end. I thought it was cleverly constructed and worked very well, this is a shocking story that develops over time but one that will stay with you for some time.
I think there were a few points that were not as developed as they could have been and left me with a few questions, the main question was Thomas, things about him were never fully explained and I would have liked to have known more. (I don't want to say too much in case you haven't read it yet.) I also was a little disappointed with Faith's final response, however I understand exactly why she did this. I would definitely say though this book is a slow burner that builds up and explodes, this is a great thriller and if you don't read YA, you should.
After reading two Cat Clarke novels I am extremely impressed and will be looking into getting the others she has written. I would go as far as saying this has been my favourite YA book this year.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
This story was real, deep and emotional.
Asking For It by Louise O'Neill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's the beginning of the summer in a small town in Ireland. Emma O'Donovan is eighteen years old, beautiful, happy, confident.
One night, there's a party. Everyone is there. All eyes are on Emma.
The next morning, she wakes on the front porch of her house. She can't remember what happened, she doesn't know how she got there.
She doesn't know why she's in pain.
But everyone else does. Photographs taken at the party show, in explicit detail, what happened to Emma that night.
But sometimes people don't want to believe what is right in front of them, especially when the truth concerns the town's heroes . . .
This book is very tricky for me to review; I read it in two sittings and finished it a few days ago, but it has taken me that long to try and process what I have read and even now I'm still finding it difficult. This is not an easy read for anyone I would say and although a YA I would suggest it is aimed at older YA.
Emma O'Donovan is 18, she is your average fun loving teenager, likes to party and socialise. One night she goes to a party at one of her friends houses and something dreadful happens to her. The following morning Emma is found outside her front door at her house, totally out of it and not remembering a thing from the night before. She continues her life as normally as possible, until she goes to school and people begin to call her names and a series of explicit photographs pop up on facebook. Suddenly her friends are no longer her friends, they feel she has betrayed them with their boyfriends. Thing is Emma still can't remember a thing about that night.
This story questions everything, is it right to dress in a certain way? Is it because of this these things happen? How one girl can go from confident and outgoing to depressed and withdrawn after one night? Was it Emma's fault?
Emma to begin with is not a nice character, I found it hard to warm to her and there are times when you wonder was she asking for it as the title of the book suggests. As you read further and further into the book, you begin to see people turning against her, her aunt who is just too busy to come and visit, (but sends her presents in the post to cheer her up!) neighbours and other people with authority.
My favourite character was Emma's brother, I really felt for him and at times I felt he was the only one looking out for Emma, he has a sweet nature and one that should not go un-noted. I also felt that his reactions to things were real and there were times where I could not believe what I was hearing from Emma's parents towards the end. Where he continued to have faith in her.
This is a book that stays with the reader for a long time after it has ended. It will make you feel uncomfortable, you will question your thoughts and emotions will run high through it. For me I hated the ending - I really wanted some sort justice either way and I felt like I didn't get that.
This is a book to look out for in September, whether you want to read it or not, it is a very strong novel and will certainly question your views on things. I have found this review very hard to write as I am still unsure of how the book has made me feel completely. You will understand if you decide to give it a go yourself. This is a very quick read, which you will be able to devour in a few hours.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
The Boys' School Girls: Tara's Sister Trouble by Lil Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hillcrest High Boys' School is admitting girls for the first time, and Tara couldn't be more excited. New friends? Check. Cute boys? Check. Mean sister gone? Wrong...
When she discovers Maxie is joining the school too, Tara is crushed. How can she be her own person when her cleverer, prettier sister seems determined to outshine her? And sibling trouble isn't Tara's only problem.
With only ten girls in the year, they're going to have to stick together to survive. Boys against girls? Bring. It. On.
Tara has just been transferred to Hillcrest High Boys’ school which for this year are introducing girls to the school. The main reason is that she has a crush on a boy who attends and thought this would be the perfect way of him noticing her. On arriving at the school Tara finds out that she is one of 9 girls who are attending the school, one of which has also followed her from her old school and is her enemy.
Tara has a sister, one who is only 11 months older than her, but thankfully attends a different school. Tara’s world comes crashing down when it is revealed that Maxie (her sister) is going to be attending Hillcrest along with Tara as she has been expelled from her school for gifted children.
This story is about friendship and family. Throughout the story many issues are covered and at times I felt the girls have behaved very maturely as they are only 11 going on 12. I feel this is a good beginning of a series and will appeal to many, those who are feeling isolated and alone will also benefit from reading this. I remember falling out with friends when I was this age and felt the whole world was against me. This book would have helped me realise this is a normal thing, and many go through feeling this at some point.
As an older reader I was quite surprised, sometimes when reading a middle grade book I get a little annoyed or cross as the level of immaturity irritates me. I didn’t feel this while reading it. Tara came across as quite a feisty girl but one who cared about her family and friends. While Maxie was not likable at the beginning, however my opinion of her changed towards the end. The other characters are a little 1 dimensional; this I feel is because there are so many of them in the book and you as a reader never really get to know them well.
The book was read in one sitting, it is an easy read which passed the time well. There is not a lot of substance to it, so if you are looking for something meaty this may not be for you. However I believe this has captured the target audience and will do very well. The book does open your eyes to what is important in life and perhaps what the girls think is important to begin with actually isn’t. This is something though that I feel a lot of girls entering teenage years feel and at the age the girls are this is not uncommon.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
One morning a librarian finds a reader who has been locked in overnight. She begins to talk to him, a one-way conversation full of sharp insight and quiet outrage. As she rails against snobbish senior colleagues, an ungrateful and ignorant public, the strictures of the Dewey Decimal System and the sinister expansionist conspiracies of the books themselves, two things shine through: her unrequited passion for a researcher named Martin, and an ardent and absolute love for the arts. A delightful divertissement for the discerning bookworm...
I am a big fan of short stories and this is exactly what this book is. It is every short, just over 90 pages which makes it perfect for you to be able to read in a single sitting. I took the book along to an appointment I had to attend and I finished it while I was there. This makes it great for reading in a lunch time at work or during a train journey. This book is very different to anything I have read before.
The book doesn't have any chapters in it, which for me I personally didn't like. Although I was intending to read this in one sitting, when I had to stop say to go to the loo I found it had to find a place I could stop in. There weren't even any line breaks I could use as a guide to where I was in the book and this was a disappointment for me.
The other thing about this book is the narration in it. The story is about a librarian who turns up for work and discovers someone in the library and who has been there all night. It is a one sided conversation she has with them. I would have liked to find out about the 'squatter' in the library but unfortunately we never hear their voice. I can't even tell you their name as we don't ever find out. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the person in the basement for me anyway! I want to know who they are, why they are there and whether they are male or female? These points to me make the story an unusual one.
We do however learn about the narrator and as time goes on through the book we can discover her personality. There are times when she is very funny. Anyone who has a love for books would be able to connect easily with the narrator as she describes her love of books and how they make her feel, which I am sure fellow bookworms would easily agree with her.
I don't want to say a lot about the plot as it is so short and wouldn't like to give much away.
This is a book to pack away with you for your journey or just in your bag for while your are working, I would say remember to take a bookmark though as it does have no chapters! Personally I did enjoy the book but not as much as I had expected and I think this was down to the lack of chapters and how little we know about the other character. It is however an interesting read and I would say give it a go.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
Blue by Lisa Glass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Surfing is sixteen-year-old Iris’s world, and when the ultra-talented Zeke walks into her life, it soon becomes her passion.
Over one amazing summer, as she is drawn into his sphere, she experiences love, new friendships, but also loss, with an intensity she never dreamed of.
But is Zeke all he seems? What hides beneath his glamorous and mysterious past? When Iris decides to try for her own surfing success, just as her ex-boyfriend comes back into her life, she will test her talent, and her feelings for Zeke, to the limit…
Let me say what a beautiful cover this is! It really drew me into this book before I had even started! It made me want to be where ever the book was set on the beach, looking at that beautiful sunset and to finish it off a great looking guy on the cover!
Blue is set down in Cornwall, this is a place close to my heart as I spent most of my childhood summers there visiting grandparents, so I felt that straight away I had a loose connection with the book, which was an instant positive for me. I also loved the fact that it was set in the U.K as so many books of this style are set abroad, which don’t get me wrong is lovely! But they often make everything seem out of reach, this however being on my door step made me realise that some beautiful and unusual moments can happen at home, which I think if I was a teenager this would appeal to me.
The theme of the book was unlike anything I have read before and to be honest I have not been interested in reading about surfers and stuff, however I am so glad that I took the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed it immensely and although I didn’t think it was going to be my cup of tea, I am so glad it changed my mind.
To be honest when reading the beginning of the story I thought, so this is another girl meets boy romantic story, I could not have been more wrong, there were twists and turns in the story that I never saw coming, which kept the spark of the book alive. I thought the pace of the story was brilliant – I couldn’t believe how quick I read the book.
The characters were great in the story, all were developed well and I loved the side line story with Wes, I thought that opinions were expressed well, I thought that Zeke was an absolute sweety, this part of his character developed more the further in the story you became. I was shocked by Daniel on more than one occasion and I loved how Iris was not your typical surfer.
I found that this book took me on a journey of different emotions. I loved the kindness and sadness I felt with nanna, the anger I felt with Daniel and the love I felt with Zeke. This is a perfect all round novel that will capture all your emotions. It is a brilliant for a beach read or even for a rainy day, when I read it – I wanted to be transported to somewhere lovely and this book did that for me.
This is one of those books that when you pick it up, you know instantly you are going to finish it in record time as it is such an easy read and addictive, I was so pleased that I had found a book that made me feel like this, lately I have struggled to get into books so this was a joy to read. I was a little sad when it was drawing to a close as I enjoyed it so much. Who knows though? Maybe there will be a sequel at some time? I do hope so!
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.
A Kiss in the Dark by Cat Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
'When Alex meets Kate the attraction is instant.
Alex is funny, good-looking, and a little shy – everything that Kate wants in a boyfriend.
Alex can’t help falling for Kate, who is pretty, charming and maybe just a little naive…
But one of them is hiding a secret, and as their love blossoms, it threatens to ruin not just their relationship, but their lives.'
I found out about this book through Twitter, I had never read any books by Cat Clarke before and other than the fact she writes YA books I knew nothing about this.
From looking at the front cover and reading the blurb I had got a completely different impression of this book and it was not what I expected! A classic - don't judge a book by it's cover!
I read the blurb and I must say it tells you very little and left me feeling intrigued. Due to the vague blurb (and now I know why) I am going to be finding it very difficult to review this book without giving the plot away.
This is a love story, about Alex and Kate, not in the conventional way, one that goes wrong and the struggle of teenagers dealing with this as a 'first love' The book takes you through a range of emotions, love, hate, betrayal and revenge.
When reading the book, you find out about what one of them is hiding right from the off set and from that moment on you know it is not going to be ending well for the two characters.
I really liked Alex in the story, I felt that the character was developed very well and emotions were raw in it, I also took a shine to Jamie as I thought he was especially caring towards Alex and tried to help the best way he felt he could. As the story goes on Alex's problem gets worse and the hole gets bigger. Alex believes that the relationship with Kate can work and they can both be happy, they are after all soul mates...
Alex and Kate gradually fall in love, but this makes it even worse when the truth is going to be coming out.
The first part of the book is written from the preservative of Alex, and I enjoyed reading this part, more than the second part of the book, which is written from Kate's POV, I found this a little harder to connect with, I am not quite sure why. I began to have sympathy for Kate but not in the beginning. Her friends played an important part in my sympathy for her and it reminded me how cruel kids can be. By splitting the book in two and reading from both main characters perspective's it allows the reader to get a whole picture of the the story.
A kiss in the dark was a really interesting book, like nothing I had read before. Current and challenging issues are brought to light in this book and I feel Clarke addressed them well. I feel that this is a good book for YA audience and I would recommend others to read this.
How to Love by Katie Cotugno
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
'This is a love story. But it's not what you think. This is not a first kiss, or a first date. This is not love at first sight. This is a boy and a girl falling in messy, unpredictable, thrilling love. This is the complicated route to happiness that follows.
This is real. This is life. This is how to love.
Before:
Reena has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember. But he's never noticed her, until one day... he does. They fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town, leaving a devastated - and pregnant - Reena behind.
After:
Three years later and there's a new love in Reena's life: her daughter Hannah. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again.
After everything that's happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer again?'
When I was offered a copy of How to Love by the publishers I jumped at the chance. I love to experience new authors and YA titles.
How to Love is from two perspectives Before and After. The story revolves round Sawyer and Reena, (Before) they have know each other for a long time and fall in love. They have an uneasy relationship until one day when Sawyer leaves, leaving Reena 16, pregnant and alone.
(After) Two years later Sawyer arrives back in town, Reena has a two year old daughter Hannah, a job and is currently seeing Aaron who is brilliant with Hannah. Sawyer however turns up as if nothing has happened.
It took me a few chapters to get into the book, to understand the flow of writing and the order in which it is written. Once I got into it I really enjoyed the way it was written. I thought that by going, before and after it allowed the reader to connect better with the characters and learn about them from their past.
I feel that Katie Cotugno took a chance writing a novel about teen pregnancy, it is something that isn't covered too often and as a debut novel could have been a risk, but I think she covered it well, it was 'real' and many people will be able to relate to the story.
When reading the story I did have a preference, I enjoyed 'Before' more than After, this I think is because I liked reading about how Sawyer and Reena got together and her feelings as a 16 year old girl, and what other 'real life' issues she has to go through.
Once I got into the story I wanted to continue reading it and found it hard to put down. As a debut novel from Katie Cotugno I think it is brilliant and I would defiantly read more from this author.
I would like to thank the publishers for sending me this copy to review.
The Moment by Claire Dyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
"Paddington station, nine a.m., rush hour. As the crowds ebb and flow, time suddenly
stands still for two people: Fern and Elliott, ex-lovers who parted twenty-five years before and never expected to see each other again.
But here they are, face to face, and the connection is as powerful as it was the day they first met. Their lives have moved on – to marriage, children and divorce – yet neither has stopped regretting the day that drove them apart.
Fern gives Elliott her number and they tentatively arrange to meet again that
evening when both will be travelling back through the station. And, as the day ticks on, and the memories resurface, both Fern and Elliott relect on the past. As
their emotions go round in circles, so does the Paddington clock, counting down the minutes to eight p.m. – and the moment the future is in their hands."
I was sent this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Moment is a story that is about Fern and Elliot. They were once lovers at university, their relationship never lasted and they went their desperate ways. Both have families of their own and have long moved on. 25 years later they by chance meet each other at the train station on their way to continue their busy lives. Fern going to meet her friend for her birthday and Elliott on the way to his father's house in Wales for day.
I thought that the initial idea for this story was a good one, unfortunately I didn't really find it to be my type of book. I found it very slow and the falling into the past I found confusing at times. I also found the story to b a bit repetitive and this I found I was skipping to get to a part that was a little more interesting. I thought that this would be a quick read, it was but not for the reasons I originally thought.
The story is all set during one day and most of this day is thoughts about what if? Elliot has lost a few things in his life and contemplates these during the day, hid angle I found a bit depressing as he swallowing in self pitty. Fern is more upbeat and remembers all the firsts and good parts of her life, such as the first time she took her children abroad. I prefered reading her part during the story for this reason.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me the book, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream by Abby Clements
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
'Amelia has a dream: toasting chestnuts by the fire with her husband Jack in their own cosy cottage. Their real life is another world - a cramped one-bedroom flat in Hackney. But when life takes a surprising turn, removal vans are soon heading to the Kent countryside.
They soon realise the cottage makeover is a far bigger project than they'd anticipated. On top of that, there's Amelia's newly loved-up mum and her tearaway half-sister, Mirabel, to contend with - pushing Amelia and Jack's marriage to breaking point.
Amelia begins to strip back the wallpaper and fittings in the cottage and discovers the story of the cottage's previous owner - and a hidden secret. As Amelia's ideas about love and family change, will her fireside dream finally come true?'
I was so excited when this was sent to me to review. I first discovered Abby Clements earlier this year when I read Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop and I absolutely loved it. I find Abby Clement's books very easy to read and she is very quickly becoming one of my favourite chick lit authors.
Amelia Grey's Fireside Dream is a fantastic addition to Abby's novels and is about Amelia, she is a teacher at a busy inner city school. Amelia is approaching thirty fast and is re-evaluating her life, she realises she wants more from her life. Her husband, Jack and her are looking for a new house and Amelia decides that maybe they should be looking further afield as they would get more for their money.
Jack is unsure at first but begins to come round to Amelia's way of thinking and start to house hunt in Kent.
Life is not plain sailing for them, this story identifies the stress a move can cause and how it can have an effect on your relationship. It also covers natural progression in life, Amelia's friend Suni is pregnant and it is assumed that Amelia won't be too far behind. (She is married, they have a mortgage, moving to a bigger property...)There are ups and downs in the story which keep it fast paced and interesting.
This is a wonderful story for this time of year, I can visually see the story panning out and I feel that I am with Amelia in her house, while renovations are taking place. Abby Clements writes in a way that is smooth and the plot develops smoothly. Although I have a lot I want to say about this book because it is so good, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet.
This is a perfect book for anyone who has ever moved, redecorated/renovated or just wants a wonderful story leading up to Christmas. I read this story very quickly and only wish it was longer, I cannot wait to read more from Abby Clements I enjoyed this story immensely and would like to thank the publisher for sending me a review copy.
