Make Me Clean by Tina Baker

She will leave your surfaces sparkling. But she may well leave you dead... Maria is a good woman and a good cleaner. She cleans for Elsie, the funny old bird who's losing her marbles, with the terrible husband. She cleans for Brian, the sweet man with the terrible boss. She cleans for the mysterious Mr Balogan, with the terrible neighbours. If you're thinking of hiring her, you should probably know that Maria might have killed the terrible husband, the terrible boss and the terrible neighbours. She may also have murdered the man she loved. She didn't set out to kill anyone, of course, but her clients have hired her to clean up their lives, and she takes her job seriously - not to mention how much happier they all are now. The trouble is, murder can't be washed out. You can only sweep it under the carpet, and pray no one looks too closely…

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher Viper for my gifted ebook arc. 

I loved Tina’s first 2 books so I was eager to get this one when I could. This did not disappoint and was just as good as her previous books. I loved the main character Maria, I was rooting for her the whole time, and Elsie who sounds like such a laugh! Sounds like the kind of lady I’d love to sit down and have a cuppa with. I actually quite liked Balogan too, I picture him the whole time looking like Wilson Fisk from Daredevil.

If you like creepy, definitely read Tina’s books. Make Me Clean is just that, creepy, but suspenseful. Always making you think what’s going to happen next!

Looking For Jane by Heather Marshall

 

2017

When Angela discovers a mysterious letter containing a life-shattering confession in a stack of forgotten letters, she begins to look for the intended recipient. Her search takes her to the 1970s and 80s, when a group of daring women operated an illegal underground abortion network known only by its whispered code name: Jane . . .

1971

As a teenager, Dr. Evelyn Taylor was forced to give her baby up for adoption. Swearing she'll do everything she can to make sure other women have the right to choose, she joins the Jane Network to provide safe but illegal abortions. There, she crosses paths with Nancy, who was told that if she ever found herself 'in a position', she should ask for Jane. Nancy soon becomes the Network's newest volunteer, desperately trying to help others while family secrets threaten everything she knows to be true.

Over the years, Evelyn, Nancy, and Angela's lives intertwine to reveal the devastating consequences that come from a lack of choice, and the buried secrets that will always find a way to the surface . . .

I received a copy of this from the publisher Hodder and Staughton, and Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I read this with Kath as our November buddy read, although I really should apologize as I took ages reading this and Kath finished it way before I did. But that was down to me being tired, nothing to do with the book. 

The story was so good, I loved it. A heartbreaking and beautiful tale of 3 women, whose lives intertwine and connect. I loved learning about all 3 of them.

I wasn’t surprised at how hard things were back then for women and girls who needed an abortion, and how scary it was for them trying to find it. What I was surprised with though was realizing  that this was happening not so long ago. What those women and girls went through, the fear of being caught, I can’t even imagine. But also what the girls went through in those homes, the Sisters treating them the way they did, taking their babies without consent, giving them away and sometimes even selling them. 

But the Jane’s, well they were lifesavers weren't they. I’ve been researching them as I’m really interested in what they have done. Amazing women standing up for a much needed cause. They put their lives at stake to do what they did. 

I’d definitely recommend this book, it’s opened my eyes to just how scary and frightening this all was. I was about to say I’m glad things have changed and its different now, but honestly, in some places it still hasn’t.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finley Boylan

 

Olivia fled her abusive marriage to return to her hometown and take over the family beekeeping business when her son was six. Now Asher is over 6 feet tall and in his last year of high school, a kind, good-looking, popular ice hockey star with a tiny sprite of a new girlfriend who Olivia loves. Then Lily is found with a catastrophic head injury at the bottom of the stairs - and Asher is arrested on a charge of murder... what was the truth of their relationship?

I received a copy of this from the publisher Hodder and Staughton, and Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I love Jodi Picoult and had my eyes on Netgalley for this one popping up early, so I was pretty excited to get approved for it! I’ve never read any of Jennifer Finley Boylands books but I will be on the lookout now!

This one reminded me of Jodi’s old days, back to her original style of shocks and twists. I loved it, every page. The twist halfway through is something that neither me or my buddy readers (some of the girls also got it approved and we read it alongside each other) guessed what was coming. I wont say any more as to not give anything away.

I loved the characters, I really felt like I knew them, which is the way Ms JP always makes me feel in her writing. I learned a lot about Beekeeping and Bees in general while reading this, I love how there’s always something in her stories which make you want to learn more. And then this huge controversial topic which blows you away.

Honestly, just give this one a go, whether you’ve read either authors books before or not, I’d suggest you read this one. Also read the authors words after the book, I love the story of how thes two wonderful ladies came up with the idea for the book.

Thanks again to Netgalley and Hodder and Staughton for my advanced arc, obviously I went out on release day and bought myself a copy :)

Nobody But Us by Laure Van Rensburg

 

Steven Harding is a handsome, well-respected professor. Ellie Masterson is a wide-eyed young college student. Together, they are driving south from New York, for their first holiday: three days in an isolated cabin, far from the city.

Ahead of them, the promise of long, dark nights - and the chance to explore one another's bodies, away from disapproving eyes. It should be a perfect, romantic trip for two.

Except that he's not who he says he is. But then again, neither is she…

I was really excited to be on the tour for this one, I went into it not knowing much about the book, or the storyline really, and I’m glad I did! 

This book was, as I described it immediately after finishing, bat-shit crazy. I don’t even want to go into too much about it here as to spoil anything for anyone, but the twists and turns this one takes is mental. Two liars, a remote cabin, no phone signal, no neighbors, and a lot of secrets… what could go wrong!

If you like psychological thrillers with a bit of blood and gore too, I would recommend you check this one out!

Thanks so much to Penguin Random House for my gifted physical copy of this book, and for asking me to be on the tour. 

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

 

Set in a small Irish town and following a coal and timber merchant confronted by the past, this magnetic tale of determination and quiet heroism from the author of Foster is as hopeful as it is haunting.

It is 1985, in an Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal and timber merchant, faces into his busiest season. As he does the rounds, he feels the past rising up to meet him - and encounters the complicit silences of a people controlled by the Church.

This book has been on my radar for a little while so I decided to jump in a few nights ago. This book is lovely, I loved the descriptions of Furlongs work day, his home life. Honestly the book was set in 1985, but it gave off feels of being able to be set anytime from then to now. Claire Keegan writes with such beauty, I could feel myself walking along through the snowy streets, feel the cold, and feel the sense of community in their little town. 

The story is short but packs a punch, and the end made me feel quite happy and sad at the same time. It’s hard to believe the things that were going on weren’t so long ago, in fact the year I was born, 1985.

No wonder it was shortlisted for awards, and won the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

Life is short.

No-one knows that better than seventeen-year-old Lenni. But as she is about to learn, it's not only what you make of life that matters, but who you share it with.

Dodging doctor's orders, she joins an art class where she bumps into fellow patient Margot, a rebel-hearted eight-three-year-old from the next ward. Their bond is instant as they realize that together they have lived an astonishing one hundred years.

To celebrate their shared century, they decide to paint their life stories: of growing old and staying young, of giving joy, of receiving kindness, of losing love, of finding the person who is everything.

As their friendship deepens, it becomes vividly clear that life is not done with Lenni and Margot yet.

An extraordinary friendship. A lifetime of stories. Their last one begins here.

I buddy read this one with Emmie, our first buddy read together! I also sent it to Emmie for her birthday so it made it an extra special buddy read.

Wow can I just say this book is amazing. I can’t believe I waited this long to read it. So I think it’s my favourite read so far this year. 

You need a warning before you read this book though, you can’t read it without having a box of tissues close by! It is unbelievably sad in so many ways, but the last few chapters left me with a tear soaked pillow, a headache, and a broken heart.

This is the story of 17 year old Lenni, and 83 year old Margot. Together they make 100. And so comes the story of them both, telling the stories of their lives though paintings and spoken word to each other. I loved the idea of the paintings, 17 from Lenni and 83 from Margot. Marianne has written this amazingly, I could see the pictures so clearly.

Their friendship is beautiful, such a natural bond between these two ladies so different but quite alike. Lenni’s character was brilliant, such a funny charismatic girl. I liked how outspoken she was and didn’t have filter before saying things her relationship with Father Arthur was a lovely one too, an unexpected one. Margot was amazing, the stories she had, the things she’s been through in her life. I loved reading about her and he husband, lying watching the stars at night.

There are so many lovely things about this story but I shall leave you to read them for yourself. Please grab this if you can, but bring the tissues, you will need them!