The Appeal by Janice Hallett

 

In a town full of secrets... Someone was murdered. Someone went to prison. And everyone's a suspect. Can you uncover the truth?

Dear Reader - enclosed are all the documents you need to solve a case. It starts with the arrival of two mysterious newcomers to the small town of Lockwood, and ends with a tragic death. Someone has already been convicted of this brutal murder and is currently in prison, but we suspect they are innocent. What's more, we believe far darker secrets have yet to be revealed.

Throughout the Fairway Players' staging of All My Sons and the charity appeal for little Poppy Reswick's life-saving medical treatment, the murderer hid in plain sight. Yet we believe they gave themselves away. In writing. The evidence is all here, between the lines, waiting to be discovered. Will you accept the challenge? Can you uncover the truth?

I wish I had jumped into this book sooner! It’s been on my shelves for a while and I just thought why not try it. Well by gosh was it good! I was addicted after reading the first few pages. The book is written so different to anything I’ve ever read before. It’s all documents, emails, and conversations, and you have to really read into them to figure out what’s going on and who done what. But its so cleverly done too, I had no idea what the ending was going to be at all, and no I did not figure it out! There are so many different ways you could go after evading the correspondence, but I guarantee you’ll have fun trotting to guess.

If you haven’t already read this one. I suggest you do. I went out the day after I finished it and bought Janice’s second book The Twyford Code! Massive 5 stars from me on this one.

A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods (Sweet Magnolias book 2)

Dana Sue runs the best restaurant in Serenity, but still can't get her too skinny daughter, Annie, to eat. When Annie lands in hospital, Dana Sue must turn to the man she loves to hate: Ron, the husband who took her heart with him when she threw him out. Ron is still Annie's white knight, even if he's decidedly more tarnished in Dana Sue's eyes. But sometimes life picks strange ways to mend fences, and Ron still looks good enough to eat, and maybe, just maybe, to forgive...

Once, Ron made the mistake of letting Dana Sue go without a proper fight. But he has always loved her and now she is about to get another taste of sweet devotion from a man hungry for that slice of heaven he found with her.

This is book 2 in the Sweet magnolias series. It was really good, and again I could picture the characters so clearly, but again as their tv show actors. Not a bad thing though. This book is based on Dana Sue, and her relationship with daughter Annie and ex husband Ronnie. I love Ronnie in the show, and I was excited to read their story, especially as this book is so different to the show, the storyline doesn’t even happen. Annie has Anorexia, and ends up in hospital with a cardiac arrest due to her not eating, It was a really good storyline, and one that was dealt with very well by the author. 

Also alongside that is the side story of Dana Sue and her diabetes which keeps popping up from time to time. I have diabetes so it was good to read a character with the same issues (like wanting cake when you shouldn’t have it).

I’m definitely going to keep on with the series, next up for Serenity is Ms Helen’s story!

Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart

Born under different stars, Protestant Mungo and Catholic James live in the hyper-masculine and violently sectarian world of Glasgow's housing estates. They should be sworn enemies if they're to be seen as men at all, and yet they become best friends as they find a sanctuary in the pigeon dovecote that James has built for his prize racing birds. As they find themselves falling in love, they dream of escaping the grey city, and Mungo works especially hard to hide his true self from all those around him, especially from his elder brother Hamish, a local gang leader with a brutal reputation to uphold.

But the threat of discovery is constant and the punishment unspeakable. When Mungo's mother sends him on a fishing trip to a loch in Western Scotland with two strange men whose drunken banter belies murky pasts, he will need to summon all his inner strength and courage to get back to a place of safety, a place where he and James might still have a future.

I received a lovely physical proof of this from the publicist at Pan Macmillan, and also an e-arc on netgalley, all in return for an honest review (and, I have had it on pre-order for ages, a signed copy too!).

Ok so everyone pretty much knows now that Shuggie Bain is my favourite book, and I tell everyone who hasn’t read it that they need to. When I heard the news about Young Mungo, I knew I had to read it and was so excited when Camilla gave in to my cheekiness and sent me a proof (thank you).

I started reading Young Mungo as my first book of 2022. I read a few pages the first night, a few more the second, then devoured the last ¾ of the book in one day! I couldn’t put it down. Douglas Stuart writes with so much love. The book is filled with it, yet so much heartbreak too. 

Young Mungo is 15, but he seems so much younger. My heart broke for him so many times during the story, I cried for him, and cheered him on. The book gives you so many emotions, it easily flips you from sadness to happiness in the same sentence. I loved the other characters too, James seems like a proper little Jack the lad, quietly mischievous, but not very noticeable to others. Jodie was one of my favourites. I love how much she cared for Mungo, she practically raises him, she’s like a mother to him. But their mother is also there, when she’s there. A strange one for sure, but as you read you see how she is in the situation she is and why, and even though sometimes you hate her, you also feel sorry for her. But Hamish, Mungo and Jodies older brother, wow. I pictured him so clearly. A bully with a secret heart. 

The scene with the fighting had me on edge, my heart was in my throat. I will say no more. But the last third of the book was the best, it had me glued to the pages and I honestly didn’t move until I finished it all. 

I’ve since been nursing a book hangover, and need Douglas Stuart to wrote another very quickly! Please read this book, it’s amazing, heartbreaking, warm and beautiful. And if you haven’t read Shuggie Bain already, why the hell not?! 

Thank you Mr Stuart for another amazing book that will stick in my mind for a long long time.

Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar

 

In the darkness of night, magic awaits...

It was a rainy day that the magic came, and once magic has entered your life, you stay in its glittering clutch forever.

Nottingham, 1906

Marietta Stelle longs to be a ballerina but as Christmas draws nearer, her dancing days are numbered. At the wishes of her family, she will be obligated to marry and take up her place in society in the New Year. But when a mysterious new toymaker, Dr Drosselmeier, purchases a neighbouring townhouse, it heralds the arrival of magic and wonder in her life. Although Drosselmeier's magic is darker than Marietta could have imagined...

When he constructs an elaborate theatrical set for her final ballet performance, Marietta discovers it carries a magic all of its own. As the clock chimes midnight, Marietta finds herself walking through a land of snow-topped fir trees leading to a frozen sugar palace silent with secrets and must find a way to return home.

In the darkness of night, magic awaits and you will never forget what you find here…

I’ll start by saying I never really knew the story of The Nutcracker properly, the most I had probably seen or known was from Mickeys Once Upon a Christmas! So I was really excited for this book. I bought it a few weeks ago and really felt in a Christmas mood reading it. Also, I bought an amazing Waterstones exclusive copy, and it has the most gorgeous spredges. I also had it approved on Netgalley so thank you to HQ and Netgalley for the advanced e-arc.

5 stars from me. This book was fabulous and so magical. I loved the descriptions of Everwood. The gingerbread houses, the smells and scents people and things gave off, the magic was found everywhere. The story was a great retelling (if I can say that without having read the original), and I loved Marietta. She was fearless, and strong and brave, and I loved how she stood for what she believed in. Now Drosselmeier was awful, but I loved his character! Ms Kuzniar has written him brilliantly, he is so evil, and the scene in the ballroom with the clock was amazing, it had me on edge. But when Marietta was transported to Everwood, wow it was just captivating. 

I think everyone would love this book, it’s full of magic, beauty, sorrow and happiness. Give it a read… you know you want to!

The Tattoo Thief by Alison Belsham

When Brighton tattoo artist Marni Mullins discovers a flayed body, newly-promoted DI Francis Sullivan needs her help. There's a serial killer at large, slicing tattoos from his victims' bodies while they're still alive. Marni knows the tattooing world like the back of her hand, but has her own reasons to distrust the police. So when she identifies the killer's next target, will she tell Sullivan or go after the Tattoo Thief alone?

This was Tsundoku Squad’s June book, so our 6th read together. 

This was a fast paced, easy to read book. Marni seemed pretty bad ass if I’m honest, I liked her character and enjoyed the tattooing aspect of it, I’m a big fan of tattoos. It was a bit predictable at times though, and I think a few of us guessed certain things at one point or another. Sullivan seems a bit arrogant I though but I warmed up to him a bit throughout.

But it was also a bit gory. There are parts where the Killer speaks, and those are the parts I enjoyed the most. It gave the book an edge I thought, and I honestly thought I’d have given it less stars if those bits hadn’t been there. 

A good read, easy to read (I read each weeks part while I was on the exercise bike!), and I’ll more than likely read book 2 and see if the story carries on.

I gave the book 3 and half stars but rounded up to 4 on Goodreads (as they still don’t do half stars grrr). 

Check out Em’s collective round up and review here: REVIEW

A Girl Made of Air by Nydia Hetherington

This is the story of The Greatest Funambulist Who Ever Lived..

Born into a post-war circus family, our nameless star was unwanted and forgotten, abandoned in the shadows of the big top. Until the bright light of Serendipity Wilson threw her into focus.

Now an adult, haunted by an incident in which a child was lost from the circus, our narrator, a tightrope artiste, weaves together her spellbinding tales of circus legends, earthy magic and folklore, all in the hope of finding the child... But will her story be enough to bring the pair together again?

Beautiful and intoxicating, A Girl Made of Air brings the circus to life in all of its grime and glory; Marina, Manu, Serendipity Wilson, Fausto, Big Gen and Mouse will live long in the hearts of readers. As will this story of loss and reconciliation, of storytelling and truth.

I’d bought this book back in January and just haven’t had time to read it. I’m so glad I got round to it. I’d recently read Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth MacNeal so was quite looking forward to reading another circus style book. How different the two books are! A Girl Made of Air is so good, its lovely, heartwarming, sad, heartbreaking, uplifting and magical all at the same time. 

Mouse is a child, thrown into such a strange life where she isn’t wanted and pushed aside. Her parents are close by but don’t have anything to do with her. Serendipity Wilson comes along and everything changes for Mouse. She has someone who loves her, someone who looks after her, they live together in Serendipity’s tent. I loved how the author always made Mouse use Serendipity Wilson’s full name, there was something very old worldly about it. 

I loved the way Mouse describes the circus world, the way she sees things from under the caravans when she’s hiding away watching the world. She sneaky, and knows exactly where to go and how to stay away from people. The love she brings when she talks about being on the wire, you can tell it makes her feel special and gives her joy. And the way she talks about Serendipity Wilson, she is very specia to her and you feel it through the pages. 

I liked the adult mouse talking to the reporter, giving her views of what happened back whe she was a child, talking about the missing child and her time trying to find her. I loved the house with the rollercoaster on top, the thought of something so fun like that was great. 

But there was also great sadness in the book, there were a few times I welled up a little, Nydias descriptive and heartfelt writing of these moments were so well written it dug deep down and made you feel it so much. 

I loved this book, a huge 5 stars from me. I’m hoping Nadia writes more and I would definitely read any more of her books. 

Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Sutanto

ARE YOU...DEAD?'

OH MY GOD. I THINK HE IS.

When Meddy Chan accidentally kills her blind date, she turns to her aunties for help. Their meddling set her up on the date so they kind of owe her.

WELL, THAT DIDN'T QUITE GO TO PLAN.

Although hiding this goddamn dead body is going to be harder than they thought especially when her family's wedding business has THE biggest wedding of the year happening right now.

IT'S PRETTY BAD TIMING REALLY.

It turns out the wedding venue just happens to be managed by Meddy's ex, aka the one who got away. It's the worst time to see him again, or...is it? Can Meddy finally find love and make her overbearing family happy?

I received a proof copy of this book from the publisher, thanks ever so much!

I read this over 2 day, I drank it in and it was just what I needed. Sitting in the sunshine reading a book that had me giggling out loud to myself. This book is so funny, it’s so crazy that its brilliant. I really really loved it, and wait until you meet he Aunties, they are brilliant. 

There are 4 Aunties: Ma (Meddy’s mum), Big Aunt, Second Aunt and Fourth Aunt. I love them so much. I can just imagine them, I had visions of them all in my head as I was reading. They seem so much fun. I think Jesse wrote these characters perfectly and I wouldn’t change a a thing about them. Their relationship is so strange, they love each other but are always in contest with each other too. 

Meddy is the main character, and we know from the blurb that she accidentally kills her date (you’ll see what happens when you read it, I say when because I know you’re going to). The craziness of what ensues afterwards had me both laughing at the absurdity of it all, whilst also sitting on the edge of my seat wondering when they were going to get caught! There is an absolute hilarious moment with text messages and emojis, and it made me giggle so much, its so real.

Please read this book, you will love it, and it will make you laugh. I would definitely read sequels to this about the aunts as they were by far all my favourite characters. 

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. One for every boy she's ever loved. But when her imaginary love story becomes public knowledge, her life suddenly becomes much more complicated. The inspiration for the Netflix-hosted runaway hit film, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a classic coming-of-age high school romance: a sweet, smart, sharply funny story about the aches and pains of growing up and falling head over heels for the very first time.

So we all know the story right? The film that was made famous by Netflix, which was amazing, but please read the book because it’s absolutely fantastic. I was a bit dubious about reading the book after a few people said it wasn’t as good as the film, but believe me it was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed the film. It has made me want to sit down and watch the films again. I’m desperate to dive into book 2 and 3 but I’m unsure whether to read something else first and break them up. This book had me captivated all day.

Laura Jean writes love letters, it’s her way of saying goodbye when she realises she doesn’t love a boy anymore, but they aren’t sent out, but kept for herself. One day a letter she wrote to Peter Kavinsky makes it’s way into his hands, Laura Jean is mortified, he has a girlfriend Genevieve, who is awful, like something out of Mean Girls. Laura Jean runs home to realise all the letters are missing, not just Peters. Stuff happens and they come up with an idea of pretend dating, that way Peter can get back at Gen, and Laura Jean can avoid the other letter receivers.

This book is just so nice, I love how the relationship between Laura Jean and Peter develops. I love the relationship LJ has with her sisters too but most importantly with Kitty. Oh and her Dad, who was a single parent to 3 girls after the Mum died when Kitty was little. But Peter… Oh I love him so much. He stole my heart completely (as did Noah Centineo in the movie). If you like Cheesy rom-coms you will love this book,. I really hope you love it as much as I did.

Heartstopper Vol 2 by Alice Oseman

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. An LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the second volume of Heartstopper

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself.

I dived right into book 2 after Vol 1, and loved this one just as much. I’m fully invested in Charlie and Nicks story now and book 2 dives a bit deeper.

We see Nick finally trying to come to terms with the fact he likes Charlie. There are a lot of hidden moments, embarrassment and loneliness. But it is such a lovely story and like I said, I’m rooting for them all the way!!

Definitely another great graphic novel, and I’m looking forward to books 3 and 4 now!

May Wrap Up

 Happy June!! Wow I can’t believe it’s June, but mostly I can’t believe we’re actually having some gorgeous weather! We’e spent the last few days in the sun, eating in the garden and burning ourselves (whoops I know, I did have cream on I promise). 

So in May I read 8 books. I’m happy whether I read 1 or 20 books, remember it’s not a competition, as long as you’re enjoying what you read is the main thing. Here’s what I read:

1- 3 star

4 - 4 star

3 - 5 star

The Perfect Lie by Jo Spain ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Murderess by Ivan Jenson ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Don’t Let Him In by Howard Linskey ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Lace by Shirley Conran ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Summer At Skylark Farm by Heidi Swain ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Hearstopper Vol 1 by Alice Oseman ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Heartstopper Vol 2 by Alice Oseman ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Have you read any of these? What did you like best? Have a lovely day guys!

WWW Wednesday 26.5.21

 Today we have another WWW Wednesday. I haven’t read much lately at all so this one won’t be very different from last weeks.

WWW is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Worlds and asks 3 questions. What are you currently reading? What have you recently finished reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

I currently have one book on the go and that is still Summer at Skylark Farm by Heidi Swain. I’m really enjoying it I just haven’t read much this last week.

What have you recently finished?

I finished out Tsundoku Squad May book of Lace by Shirley Conran. It was a strange one, look out for my review next week!

What do you think you’ll read next?

Next I will stay the same with The Twenty Seven Club by Lucy Nichol, Famished by Anna Vaught, and have added The Tattoo Thief by Alison Belsham as that is Tsundoku Squads June book.

Thanks for stopping by, hopefully I will get more reading done this week! 

 

WWW Wednesday 19.5.21

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a WWW Wednesday post, so this one will be for the last 3 Wednesdays!

WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Taking on a World of Worlds and asks 3 questions:

What are you currently reading? What have you recently finished? What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading? 

I’m reading 2 book at the minute. Our book group are reading Lace this month by Shirley Conrad, and so far we have read 3 parts (we split it into 5 this time as it’s so big), and it’s causing quite a stir. Lots of controversial topics and we are having good discussions about it. I’m also reading Heidi Swains Summer at Skylark Farm and loving it.  She is getting to be my new favourite author.

What have you recently finished?

Since this is for the last few weeks, I have finished 4 books. I read The Perfect Lie by Jo Spain, The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, The Murderess by Ivan Jenson and Don’t let Him in by Howard Linskey. The first 3 were blog tour books.

What do you think you’ll read next?

I think next I will move onto The Twenty Seven Cub by Lucy Nichol which is a Netgalley read, and Famished by Anna Vaught which is a collection of short stories.

Thanks for stopping by, sorry it’s been so long!! Until next time :)

Summer Reading Challenges

 This year I’m taking part in a lot of challenges , 21 in 2021 x 2, 12 friends 12 books, A-Z 2021. But I’ve decided to add 2 more into the mix! I was pointed towards these on Twitter and they look fab. See below for details and where to find them, and how to join in of course! I’m crossing them over a little and adding some of the Netgalley ones to the Books of Summer challenge, kill two birds with one stone!

20 Books of Summer

hosted by Cathy Brown over at https://746books.com/

You can find her on Twitter at @cathy746book and Instagram at @cathy_746books

The rules are simple, read and share! There are photo logos for 10/15/20 books of summer. The challenge runs from 1st June to 31st September.

Check it all out and sign up here:

https://746books.com/2021/05/08/20-books-of-summer-21-share-your-sign-up-posts/

Here is my 20 books of Summer list!

☀ Victoria Park by Gemma Reeves

☀ Big Girl Small Town by Michelle Gallen

☀To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

☀ Because Of You by Dawn French

☀ The Push by Ashley Audrain

☀Ghosts by Dolly Alderton

☀ Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain

☀ The Girl Who Reads on the Metro by Christine Feret-Fleury

☀ The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

☀ The Island Home by Libby Page

☀ Dog Days by Ericka Waller

☀ A Girl Made of Air by Nydia Hetherington

☀ The Young Team by Graeme Armstrong

☀ The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Rofley

☀ The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird

☀ Hostage by Clare Mackintosh

☀ The Puppet Show by M.W Craven

☀ Meet Me In Another Life by Catriona Silvey

☀ The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

☀ Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie

2021 Summer Netgalley Challenge 

hosted by Bookstacks and Golden Moms over at https://bookstacksngoldenmoms.com/

Find them on Twitter at @BookstacksMoms and Instagram at @bookstacksngoldenmoms

The goal is to get through as much of your Netgalley shelf as you can, and lower that ratio!! The challenge runs from June 1st - Aug 31st. Check out the post here:

https://bookstacksngoldenmoms.com/summer-netgalley-challenge/

And remember to use the hashtag #bookstacksnetgalleysummer21 

Here is my 2021 Summer Netgalley Challenge list!

☀ The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

☀ The Long Long Afternoon by Inga Vesper

☀ The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox

☀ Dog Days by Ericka Waller

☀ The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson

☀ The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain

☀ The End of Men by Christina Sweeney-Baird

☀ The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Davila Harris

☀ The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas

☀ Lie Beside Me by Gytha Lodge

☀ The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr

☀ The Spiral by Iain Ryan

☀ Tall Bones by Anna Bailey

☀ Where We Belong by Anstey Harris

☀ Madam by Phoebe Wynne

☀ Dear Child by only Hausmann

☀ The Thing Place by C.D. Major

☀ Ruthless Women by Melanie Blake

☀ The Wild Girls by Phoebe Morgan

☀ The Coffin Makers Garden by Stuart Macbride

☀ Meet Me in Another Life by Catriona Silvey

☀ Hostage by Clare Mackintosh 

☀ Five Strangers by E.V. Adamson

☀ The Blood Divide by A.A Dhan

☀ The Pasenger by Daniel Hurst

☀ Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie

☀ The Island Home by Libby Page

☀ Unbreak Your Heart by Kate Marsh

☀ Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian

☀ This Fragile Earth by Susannah Wise

BLOG TOUR! The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

IT WAS THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME: PROTECT HER

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his new wife, Hannah: protect her. Hannah knows exactly who Owen needs her to protect - his sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. And who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As her increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, his boss is arrested for fraud and the police start questioning her, Hannah realises that her husband isn't who he said he was. And that Bailey might hold the key to discovering Owen's true identity, and why he disappeared. Together they set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen's past, they soon realise that their lives will never be the same again…

I was very happy to join in the blog tour for this!!!

I really enjoyed this book, the story kept me interested, and I really wanted to know what happened to Owen. I felt really bad for Hannah and Owen’s daughter Bailey. I can’t imagine waking up to find your husband is gone, with no other explanation except a note saying ‘Protect Her’. This had me intrigued as to why he would leave his wife and daughter, unless he was in serious trouble. And what did he mean by protect her? Protect her from what? Or who?

We see and feel how Bailey feels about Hannah, and it’s understandable when a new woman comes along and takes away the only parent you have. I felt for her, I really did. But it was lovely to see the relationship between step mother and step daughter grow, and yet still have it’s problems.

The book passes between now, and Hannah and Owens past, where we see how they met and how their married life started. We get small clues as to what May have happened in the past, and why Owen has hidden things from his wife. 

A great book with a great storyline, I was hooked to the end. I’d definitely recommend this one. 4 - 4.5 stars for me!

Thank you to Viper books for my advanced ebook for review

 Reviews:

 

'I adored this beautifully written thriller' - JO SPAIN

'A massive page-turner, really gripping' - LAURA MARSHALL

'Exactly what you want from a thriller' - C.J. SKUSE

'It literally grabs hold of you and runs' - EMMA CURTIS

'Dizzying suspense and gorgeous prose' - RILEY SAGER

 

Author Bio:

Laura Dave is the national and international bestselling author of Eight Hundred Grapes and other novels. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times; O, Oprah Magazine; Ladies' Home Journal; Glamour; Redbook; Self; and the New York Observer. She resides with her family in Santa Monica.