The Safe House by Louise Mumford

 

Esther is safe in the house. For sixteen years, she and her mother have lived off the grid, protected from the dangers of the outside world. For sixteen years, Esther has never seen another single soul.

Until today.

Today there's a man outside the house. A man who knows Esther's name, and who proves that her mother's claims about the outside world are false. A man who is telling Esther that she's been living a lie.

Is her mother keeping Esther safe - or keeping her prisoner?

I was very excited to get a spot on the tour for this one though InstaBook Tours!

This is the first of Louise Mumford’s books I’ve read and really enjoyed it. It had very easy to read and quick chapters which I love, it means I can grab a chapter or 2 in before I fall asleep at night.

I really liked Esther, I was rooting for her throughout, and was really excited when she saw the man outside the house! It was very cult like to me, Mother making her repeat the whole ‘Who keeps us safe….’ mantra every night. But I was also interested in how mother kept everything ‘safe’ as she put it. So many things Esther didn’t know about. 

It was a good story, with a good ending. I’d definitely read more of Louise’s books. Thanks so much to InstaBook Tours for my advanced e-arc, and for my spot on the tour.

Ben and Sally by Oliver Sparshot

Ben has ditched his entire life to move to London, and Sally needs a roommate. A match made in heaven? Maybe not - because Ben is more interested in sleeping in other men's beds than finding one of his own, and Sally is probably the worst housemate in the entire city!

Based on a real life diary, this funny, heart-warming and true story leaves NOTHING to the imagination.

Okay, so this book opens with a bang (literally by the way)! I was gutted I missed out on being on the tour, so I decided to buy it on release day and read it as quick as I could. It is absolutely hilarious, and down right rude! In a good way though.

I love the way each chapter starts with a little text conversation between Ben and Sally (& Kate), and it had me guessing for so long as to who Kate was, we find out about halfway through the story, and it made so much sense! I love both Ben and Sally, and think they would just be perfect friends. Ben’s mother also plays a brilliant role, and has some smashing crack.

There were so many laugh out loud parts, at one point I even snorted and the dog looked at me funny! The best line from the story is ‘Yes! It’s too much for a fucking ice cream.’ This was the snorty part.

Along with all the laughs is a whole butt load of sex (don’t pardon the pun, the pun was intentional), and boy oh boy is it graphic! But don’t let that put you off, as the story is just brilliant, a hoot and a half. 

I’m really looking forward to season 2, and I’m definitely going to try to jump on the tour for that one (so keep me informed Instabooktourstours!!)

BLOG TOUR! The Housemaid by Sarah Denzil

It seems like the perfect job. Great wages, accommodation provided, and all located within the walls of Highwood Hall, a stunning stately home owned by the Howard family. Not many little girls dream of becoming a maid, but this is an opportunity for me to get back on my feet. And for me to revisit my past...

But I soon realise I’ve made a mistake. The strict housekeeper, Mrs Huxley, watches my every move, emerging from the shadows when least expected. Lord Howard’s son, Alex, takes an interest in me, and as a former addict, I find myself drawn to him because I know he’s bad for me. There’s a general atmosphere of unease at Highwood Hall, from the narrow tunnels laced throughout the sprawling house, to the abandoned north wing, rumoured to be haunted. It’s easy to imagine the secrets hidden within these walls, like the secrets I hold close.

On my first day, I receive a mysterious package. I open up the pretty gift box to find a miniature doll version of me trapped inside a dollhouse. In this scene I’m dead, lying in a pool of red paint at the bottom of the perfectly recreated staircase. Someone sent this threatening diorama to me, but who even knows I work at the hall? And what do they want?

I know only one truth: my perfect job is turning into my perfect nightmare.

Thanks to Instabooktours for including me on the tour and my e-arc, and thank to Sarah Denzil for my gorgeous signed book. I was really up for reading and reviewing this book when I found out there was to be a tour. 

This book is brilliant. It’s totally not what I expected. I’m not sure how much I’m going to be able to say without giving anything away!! So we start seeing the housemaid on her way to Highwood Hall for an interview. Mrs Huxley the housekeeper, immediately seems to take a dislike to her, but she has no idea why. 

Mrs Huxley reminded me of the housekeeper from Downton Abbey, Mrs Hughes, so I couldn’t get her voice out of my head while reading it! But she was a great character I thought, very grumpy, stern and proper, but I loved it! I loved the secrets and hush-hush stuff that was obviously known by certain people, and I was guessing left right and centre as to what was going on. By the end I realised I hadn’t a clue and was left reeling with the shock of it all!

The housemaid lets us know little things about her life, we read pieces of letters from her mother to her father, and learn things about her past and why she wants to be at Highwood Hall so bad. I liked her, I liked her character and her voice. Alex, I wasn’t sure what to think. He seemed very domineering, a man with a Christian Grey demeanour, ‘do what I say or else’ kind of thing.

It’s a great read, I devoured most of it in one day. I would definitely recommend this if you like thriller/mysteries with a little difference.

Thanks again to Instabooktours and Sarah Denzil.