Adrift by Will Dean

Adrift by Will Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - less than a day

Pages - 352

Publisher -

Source - ARC copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Peggy and Drew, both aspiring writers, move to an isolated canal boat with their fourteen-year-old son. Peggy is the glue that holds their family together, even as their son is bullied relentlessly for his physique and his family’s lack of money. But when Drew becomes frustrated by his wife’s sudden writing success, he moves their boat further and further from civilization.

With their increasing isolation, personal challenges become harder to ignore, even as they desperately try to break toxic generational patterns. But when Drew’s gaslighting becomes too much for Peggy to take, it sets off a catastrophic series of events.



My Review

Oooft prepare yourselves to be sucked into a tense, impending doom, claustrophobic and almost struggling to breathe and times, buckled up dudes. Living on a boat, a relatively small boat considering a family of three are living in it. Drew - husband, Peggy - wife and their son who is a teenager Samson are pretty cramped quarters. Drew is a bully, he rules with tone, threats, coercion, gaslighting, abuse honestly he is abhorrent. Peggy is the one that holds them all together, the peacekeeper, the glue, she brings a wee bit of money in through her library job. Drew and her both write, Drew once got an award and now (for years) has been focusing on his next big brilliant wordy masterpiece, Peggy keeps her writing relatively quiet because she knows how it would be met. And wee Samson, typical teen but because money is tight the wean doesn't have the best of gear and gets bullied horrifically at school (as well as at home) for everything from his red hair, clothes, how he walks, where he lives.

Peggy would love to leave but she knows she can't, not just because of Samson but she knows exactly what Drew is capable of, we the reader feel the threat of danger but Peggy knows exactly how deadly Drew is because he told her. I felt a knot of tension in my chest a lot reading certain passages/chapters - Drew is a master manipulator, he controls all the money, he controls the noise allowed in the house, nothing is done without his ok. Peggy and even Samson to begin with are walking on egg shells, something happens and mental health becomes a big theme within the book, yet another sword for Drew to wield and manipulate with.

I think even if you come from a background without any of this stuff you will still feel the weight of it all and threats. If you have ever had a Drew in your life it packs a pretty hefty punch, even thinking back to the story whilst doing this review I feel a stone in the put of my stomach. He is such a vile character and it is done so so well because his abuse hasn't come from his fist, he has utmost control over every aspect of his wife and kids life by having the threat there or other punishments. It is hard to describe too much without spoilers and we don't do spoilers but it is written so well and you are screaming for Peggy and Samson to get out but totally get why they can't.

It is not an easy read, not because it isn't good it absolutely is but because we have a person who is a horror, a bully, a manipulator, vile and it is done in such confined space and with people he is meant to love and protect. I struggled to put it down, I just wanted more comeuppance for all the bad things done and the horrible people which as we know isn't always how it goes in real life but we love a bit of karma and or accountability, 4.5/5 for me.

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Powerless by Elsie Silver

Powerless by Elsie Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 days

Pages - 464

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Two childhood friends. Two broken hearts. One impromptu road trip to get away from everything. That’s all this was supposed to be. Afterall, I’ve been living in the friend zone for years now.

But hockey heartthrob Jasper Gervais isn’t looking at me like a friend anymore. And he isn’t touching me like one either.

To his fans, he’s the handsome, talented athlete on TV. But to me he’s still the lost boy with sad eyes and a heart of gold.

The man I’ve loved in secret for years.

So when my life falls apart on my wedding day, it only makes sense that he’s the one to swoop in and save me. And when his world comes crashing down around him, I’m there to return the favor.

But the more time we spend alone, the more Jasper doesn’t feel like a friend at all. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted and thought I could never have.

Our feelings aren’t straight forward though. They twist and turn around the pain of his past and the reality of my present.

Jasper Gervais acts like he wants me.

But after years of turning me away, he’s going to need to prove it.


My Review

I have read the other two Chestnut Springs books and to be honest you can absolutely read this as a stand alone. Sloan has always had eyes for Jasper since he came into the family and her life. HE knew she had a crush but there is a wee bit of an age gap, like she wanted him to go to prom with her and he was like college or just started his hockey career so it isn't much at all but it does sound bad. Now she is getting married and somewhere along the years Jasper's friend Sloan became a grown beautiful woman and is marrying an absolute creep.

So we get a current day, the wedding is looming, her fiance is just a horrible dude, her father really wants this marriage because it will be good for business. Sloan just wants everyone to be happy and has long since given up hope for her and Jasper. Jasper is nailing it in his hockey career, he is a net minder, he has beautiful women on his arm at all the big events, their paths are set. However on Sloan's wedding day things blow up and Jasper is there for her. After events transpire the two find themselves together on a trip and the attraction is electric, will Sloan finally get her man? Will Jasper finally allow his feelings for his bestie to surface?

So I liked this but I didn't love it, there is spice (I did find some a wee bit cringe but I know hundreds LOVED them), drama, throwbacks to how their friendship came to be. Family expectations and that recently dropped fiancé, ugh I wanted revenge and consequences. I was left lacking in a few parts. I LOVE the wee snippets from Cade, Willa and Harvey I have two books left in the series and not sure who gets these stories. Hoping for Harvey for sure and the very small snippets of Sloan's mum I liked. I think maybe because I enjoyed the first two of these books I just wanted a bit more. Like I liked it, it was absolutely making me want to read and not put it down but I just didn't love it, 3/5 from me this time. Looking forward to book four and five and I have one other of hers, I do enjoy her writing.

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A Promise Of Ankles by Alexander McCall Smith

A Promise of Ankles by Alexander McCall Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 297

Publisher - Abacus

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

The latest, delectably witty installment of Alexander McCall Smith's sumptuous 44 Scotland Street series.

For the residents of 44 Scotland Street, life in Edinburgh's intriguing New Town is a thing to be relished. After all, there are new faces to excite Domenica's anthropological imagination, precious moments with his triplets for Matthew to savor, and the prospect of a trip to the promised land of Glasgow for young Bertie.


My Review

Book fourteen of the 44 Scotland Street series, if you haven't read them go back to the start just so you have back story for our residents. Irene is spending most of her time in Aberdeen but still makes an appearance to dampen everyones spirits. For one who has done and is doing what she did she sure has a cheek to be looking/talking down on Stuart, Nicola et al. Wee Bertie finally gets to go and see the holy grail (to him) good auld Glasgow with his wee bestie Ranald Braveheart McPherson.

Stuart is dabbling with the thought of dating again, Bruce, vain arrogant Bruce is his usual nightmare self, just out there doing what he does best, mad serial dater! An unusual finding may be of great importance to the museum with Angus and Domenica in the middle of it all. I did think this book was going to be more and feature more with Cyril (dog) due to the title so I was a wee bit disappointed by how little he actually did feature.

It is always nice to dip into Scotland street especially as my book before this one was so heavy and dark. I have ordered the next book in the series and whether I just like them or love them I am always looking forward to the next, 3/5.

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Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 618

Publisher - Piatkus

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

He wants to save her. She wants to hide.

She's damaged. He's determined.

Fate brought them together. Love binds them.

Johnny Kavanagh is the definition of popular. He is an all-star rugby player with loads of friends, which means he should be enjoying the many perks of his life. But what people don't know is that he has been dealing with a painful injury that could halt the magnificent trajectory of his career. This means he has no time for distractions or mistakes. Especially not a girlfriend.

Shannon Lynch has been bullied all her life. She is shy and would rather hide herself away to make it through school. But when she arrives at Tommen College for a fresh start, she meets the notorious Johnny Kavanagh on her first day in a not-so-romantic way. What follows is a complicated friendship that turns into undeniable chemistry. It seems that Shannon won't be able to hold onto the anonymous status she once hoped for. But maybe that's alright?

Johnny won't give up on Shannon. No matter what it might cost them both.


My Review

This is my first time reading this author, I kept seeing this series all over Booktok and Bookstagram so I had serious FOMO (fear of missing out). We know it is Shannon and Johnny romancey, she starts at his school, she is fifteen, moved to the private school as a last resort. Johnny is the catch, rubgy star, seventeen and attraction hits them both. That was the jist of what I had heard and knew but I absolutely was not prepared for what all it was. Folk saying oh get your tissues ready so I was thinking girl loves boy, boy ends up loving girl but inevitable heartache/break of some description, guys!!!!!

Chapter one gives you a heads up of the darkness and deep hard hitting issues, Shannon is tiny for her age, she has been horrifically bullied, like so so bad pretty much her whole life. That is essentially chapter one and this getting to the new school is the last chance for her. The dark themes are woven through and for folks who get triggered this book really hits some dark topics and authentically so. Like I said if the author has not experienced this first hand then she has done intense deep research because ooft.

The book absolutely covers the attraction of the two teens and how drastically different their lives and circumstances are. Domestic violence, domestic abuse, beatings, bullying, intimidation, failure to thrive, lack of protection at home are hugely central themes and really knocked me a bit reading it. Depending on your own history, experiences and survival stories will absolutely impact how deep this book can affect you. Ooft it was emotive for me and called a lot of stuff up from a long buried past, honestly either Walsh has survived it herself or has done impressive research!

Shannon is a wee scone, she is kind, sweet, unassuming, grateful - you just want to protect her - I recognise that wee lassie. Then you have the bullying humiliation she has endured and she is still the sweetest wee soul. Johnny is different, like so far on the opposite end of the scale, money, looks, head hunted, impressive physique, talent, respected. When him and the boys chat they are very much seventeen and very active. Johnny tends to be more experienced with older women and they talk quite crass as a lot of teen boys do so if you are offended by certain types of "locker room" chat again just a heads up.

Someone said have the next book ready for when you finish this and I appreciate the heads up because my response was NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, WHAT?!?!?!? that being said I did need to pick up a lighter read and genre switch because this book is very dark at times and harder hitting if you have any personal experience. Absolutely need to be reading book two asap because gurl needs to know!!! 4.5/5

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Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days

Pages - 402

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Number One bestselling author Jodi Picoult returns with her compulsive new novel - about the lengths we go to for those who have left us behind; about the staying power of love; and about how three broken souls might have just the right pieces to mend each other.
Jenna Metcalf was with her mother the night she disappeared in tragic and mysterious circumstances, but she remembers nothing.

Over ten years have passed, and still Jenna reads and rereads her mother's journals, hoping to find some clue hidden there, in the meticulous recording of her scientific research with elephants.

Desperate for answers, Jenna uses all her savings to recruit the aid of a private detective - and a psychic.

Jenna knows her mother loved her. She knows she would not leave her. And she will not rest until she finds out what happened that night. In her most gripping mystery since House Rules, Jodi Picoult brings us a powerful story of a young girl's determination to uncover the truth, however shocking and life-changing it might be.


My Review

Another Jodi Picoult with an animal theme/focus, remember like with the wolves? But this time it is elephants and I know not everyone likes that but I do. So the book goes between present day, Jenna wants help to finally find out what happened to her mum Alice. Alice disappeared when Jenna was just a baby, now a teen she hires a psychic, Serenity and an ex cop now PI. Serenity was once famous before scandal reduced her to being the one thing she hated "a swamp with" charging to read peoples fortune by cold reading. The unlikely trio work together to try and find out what happened to Alice all those years ago.

The book flips between characters and when we hear from Alice, Jenna's mum that is where we meet the elephants. She studied them in the wild before meeting Jenna's dad and joining him at his elephant sanctuary.

I love anything with ghosts so the whole psychic thing I was absolutely YES and as the book goes on we find out what happened and why she is so disgraced. Same with the Cop turned PI. The elephants, oh the elephants. There is talk of death/harm and the things these beautiful beings go through and their behaviours, health and care. This won't be for everyone but I love learning about stuff and I love animals so it was a win win for me. At the end of the book she also adds links to check out, you can help out and learn more. There is even a live camera from a sanctuary, three free webcams you can watch elephants, support these fantastic causes and learn about the harm/Ivory trade and what you can do to help.

A few themes that some may find triggering and I can't cover them all without spoilers which we don't do. Elephants well fare and harm, loss, murder, mental health, love, lies, secrets, ghosts/medium, 4/5 for me. I do enjoy Picoults books so this is no surprise that I enjoyed this one but I think it could be a marmite for some.

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No one Keeps a Secret by Denise Brown Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for book "No One Keeps A Secret" by author Denise Brown, out to buy now.

No One Keeps a Secret by Denise Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 288

Publisher - Hashtag Press

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.


My Review

Young adult, mystery, the main characters are Haigh and Cherry, teens, told in first person point of view. Haigh's mum is dating Oz, a not very nice guy at all, the duo Haigh and Cherry become a trio when they meet Sunrise. The three end up meeting whilst chasing down a temperamental bitey chihuahua and bond over the trauma of finding a dead body, that of Oz and things go from there. Haigh has ADHD so we see snippets of that in different situations whilst trying to investigate what happened and be "the man of the house".

So there is a fair bit to unpeel in this, friendship, teen attraction, murder, investigation like the kids are on the case a bit like maybe the secret seven or something. It is super busy and sometimes, some of the elements like the ADHD could have been much more in depth. I think people will be happy to see more representation absolutely but whilst we get glimpses and moments of how Haigh lives with it they are fleeting. Also the characters are sixteen but come across so much younger at times as teens can be. So it was a bit mixed for me with the younger characters and a lot of questionable small town folk but we do love dark/shady characters.

The adults/secrets part I did like and wanted to know all of what Oz's chat was, I feel so much was touched on or hinted at but then didn't give us as much as I would have liked. If they book was chunkier and we got more backstory and depth I think I would have liked it a lot more. They do say a good author leaves you wanting more. I do feel some things came a bit left of field and I love when an author shocks you and or pulls the rug but, I don't know instead of ooooh I was a bit more oh, wait hang on, gasp. If that makes sense? I liked it, I liked I was questioning what was coming, who is a dodgy biscuit, are they just dodgy or actually bad/involved. Small village, secrets, murder, teen protagonists, kid working through some big developments/shocks with his friends and living with ADHD. It was different,this was my first time reading her, I would read her again.

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Ever After by Amanda Prowse

Happy publication day to Amanda Prowse, Ever After is OUT NOW.

Ever After by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Lake Union

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

If you’re given another chance at love, shouldn’t you take it?

Enya’s life has become small. Her husband’s death has left her bereft, and though she’s only in her early fifties, she’s happiest looking after her son, Aiden, his childhood sweetheart, Holly, and her beloved cat, Pickle.

So the spark she feels for the stranger who bumps into her car in the airport car park is a complete shock. But Enya can’t stop thinking about him.

Then, when Aiden makes a life-changing decision, Enya suddenly finds her close-knit community thrown into chaos. Her best friend, Jenny, isn’t speaking to her, Aiden’s future hangs in the balance, Holly is devastated, and the stranger from the car park is suddenly in her life.

Torn between family, love and loyalty, Enya faces a stay safely where she is, or take a leap into the unknown? Because maybe her happily-ever-after could have one more chapter yet…



My Review

Enya is still in the throws of grief, her husband died a few years ago but still she is getting by with life as it is. Her bestie Jenny lives practically next door and often nips in, day or middle of the night for a cuppa and gab. They are going into business together, their kids are growing up, in love and living with each other, despite her loss her life is content and she still sees her husbands "ghost" so she isn't lonely. She also has her wee cat Pickle and despite job upheaval everything seems to be going well. UNTIL.........she is at the airport dropping Aiden (her son) off when someone hits her car, a handsome man, the first to capture her attention since the lose of her husband. That moment changes things for Enya more than she could ever know!

Strap in guys, if you haven't read Prowse before you are in for a treat, if you have, grab your comfies and settle in! Aiden is Enya's pride and joy, her bestie's daughter and him have been destined to be together and done just that. When Aiden gets home from his trip he has made a decision that rips apart their cozy little community and Enya finds herself between a rock and a hard place.

This book captures so much of the everyday issues, love, grief, friendships, family and with Enya she has so much going on and trying to put out all the fires caused by one decision. I felt for her at times, other times I wanted to shake her GURL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!? She made me feel for her, want to hug her, questioning why she would do/say XYZ. I think one of the talents Prowse has is making her characters quite real to life, even the ones making wild choices and behaviours. Life is like that sometimes, people behave selfishly, erratically, some are so good and kind that you wouldn't believe it unless you met them.

There are so many themes explored, friendships, fractured friendships, grief, how to react when you are loyal to so many people but they are on opposing sides. Feeling attraction after losing your other half and trying to navigate one crisis and or surprise after another. It is a bit chaos, sad, funny and a very good look at how much a mother can and does sacrifice for her loved ones, 4/5 for me this time.

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His Truth Her Truth by Noelle Holten

His Truth Her Truth by Noelle Holten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1.5 days

Pages - 415

Publisher - One More Chapter

Source - Arc and bought a treebook copy

Blurb from Goodreads

An anonymous call raises the alarm. Two bodies found as a result of a home invasion. Then the police see the knives.One in his hand.

One in hers.

Joe and Beth appeared to have the perfect marriage. But there are two sides to every story.

His truth. Her truth. And the actual truth.

In this marriage of lies, only one person can be telling the truth, can’t they?


My Review

Opening chapter, prologue, they are lying in a pool of blood, knives in hand is how the police find them after an anonymous call. We then flip back X period of time before the incident and go between chapters from Joe and Beth. Partners, getting ready to marry, Beth loses her father and we see cracks starting to form in the relationship. Joe has his own issues going on but is trying to look after Beth. Beth is devastated, grief stricken and battling her inner demons. Going between his point of view and hers we watch as things crumble, getting darker and their relationship and implodes taking us to that fateful day the police find them and everything after.

Ooft strap in lads because it is about to get bumpy! Relatively short chapters which I love so even with a reading block/slump I could sink right in. Mental health and addiction feature quit heavily especially as we get further into it. When you have a character going through such a hard time they can be a bit of a difficult narrator, the way this is written you can see Beth's descension as it happens. Backed up by seeing Joe's point of view and responses to what he sees/finds as well as getting insight into what he is up to and going through. As the reader we get the context between the actions and seeing what the other person is missing.

Some of the characters are so unlikeable, like the cop, I can't even remember his name but like what was his damage, his partner seemed nice so not sure if it was emphasising good cop bad cop. Beth's mum I would not tire of slapping, she is just not a likeable person and every time she appeared I would puff or sigh. Some of us sadly have relatives like that who are just so self absorbed and horrible, yeah I really hated her. Beth cuts a sad character and whilst she also irritated me at times I did fell heart sorry for her because grief is awful and soul destroying but sadly it almost consumes her as does her "coping mechanism". The characters are quite real to life, well most of them, in their behaviours, actions, reactions, focuses with maybe one or two catching me off guard because I didn't forsee or catch what was headed my way. I think flawed characters can be difficult to capture and sometimes feel forced, with Beth I feel she was really well done and authentic because sadly we have had loved ones like that. So deep in their own hole, pushing folk away, becoming vulnerable in ways you/they didn't expect, 4/5.

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Noone Keeps A Secret by Denise Brown

=No One Keeps a Secret by Denise Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 288

Publisher - Hashtag Press

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

When three teens track down a missing chihuahua to an abandoned theme park, they stumble upon a chilling discovery: a corpse, strangled by his own camera strap. The victim was meant to be 400 miles away in London, where he'd promised a lot of people a lot of money. But every one of them has a solid alibi. As Haigh, Cherry, and Sunrise get pulled into the murder investigation, they uncover mafia connections, a still-operating ghost train, and gossiping grannies, revealing their quiet village is far more dangerous than they ever imagined.


My Review

Young adult, mystery, the main characters are Haigh and Cherry, teens, told in first person point of view. Haigh's mum is dating Oz, a not very nice guy at all, the duo Haigh and Cherry become a trio when they meet Sunrise. The three end up meeting whilst chasing down a temperamental bitey chihuhua and bond over the trauma of finding a dead body, that of Oz and things go from there. Haigh has ADHD so we see snippets of that in different situations whilst trying to investigate what happened and be "the man of the house".

So there is a fair bit to unpeel in this, friendship, teen attraction, murder, investigation like the kids are on the case a bit like maybe the secret seven or something. It is super busy and sometimes, some of the elements like the ADHD could have been either much more in depth or just left off. I think people will be happy to see more representation absolutely but whilst we get glimpses and moments of how Haigh lives with it they are fleeting. Like maybe if he was not a main character? Also the characters are sixteen but come across so much younger in a lot of it. So it was a bit mixed for me at times.

The adults/secrets part I did like and wanted to know all of what Oz's chat was, I feel so much was touched on or hinted at but then didn't give us as much as I would have liked. If they book was chunkier and we got more backstory and depth I think I would have liked it a lot more. I also felt some things came so left of field and I do love when an author shocks you and or pulls the rug but, I don't know instead of ooooh I was a bit more oh, wait hang on. If that makes sense? I liked it, I didn't love it. Small village, secrets, murder, teen protagonists, kid working through some big developments/shocks with his friends and living with ADHD. It was different, 3/5, this was my first time reading her, I would read her again if I come across the book(s).

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The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards Happy Publication Day

Happy publication day, out to buy NOW, here is my review, I was lucky enought to get an arc but kept my review til today.


The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over a few days

Pages - 336

Publisher - Michael Joseph books

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

A dinner party in a beautiful Notting Hill townhouse turns into a sinister game, as six old friends are forced to spill their darkest secrets…or else.

Six friends reunite in London to celebrate the life of their recently deceased ex-employer, a professor that brought them together in 1999 to help build a dating website based on psychological testing.

But what is meant to be a night of bittersweet nostalgia soon becomes a twisted and deadly game when the old friends find themselves held at gunpoint. They are given an ultimatum: reveal their darkest secrets to the group or pick each other off one-by-one.

It soon becomes clear that their current predicament is related to their shared past. The love questionnaire they helped develop in 1999 for the dating site was also turned into a tool for weeding out The Wasp Trap. This and the other tragic events of that summer long ago may help reveal the truth behind a killer hiding in plain sight.

Alternating between the past and present with a colorful ensemble of characters, The Wasp Trap is a fast-paced and twisty thrill ride that is perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Alice Feeney.#


My Review

It has been over 20 years since everyone was together, getting together to celebrate the man who had once brought them all together, all those years ago. Six friends who live very different lives coming to their affluent pals, the duo of the group who have done the best and now having a posh meal at their fancy gaff. No expense spared, all the stops are pulled out however the night takes a turn and the six are forced to face the past and come clean about secrets they would rather stayed buried.

The first part of the book they are all kind of feeling each other out, catching up with the missed past twenty odd years. Then a turn of events, violence and shocking admissions as they try to get to the bottom of what is wanted. We then go back to when they were all pulled together on a project as we try to figure out, along with the character, what exactly the secret is.

Tense, shocking, violent, a forced game of cat and mouse almost with people being put on the spot to choose and try and figure "the secret". Psychological thriller, the guests/friends are clueless just like the reader so we are all figuring out, or trying to figure out what is going on. The threat of violence is constant and looming and as moments tick by (we are very much clock watching) tempers fray and fear climbs making everyone volatile in an already tense and dangerous situation, 4/5.

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Innocent Guilt by Remi Kone

Innocent Guilt by Remi Kone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days

Pages - 424

Publisher - Quercus

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

'A startling new crime writing talent!' Peter James
'Impossible to put down' Patricia Cornwell

Victim or murderer . . .
Can she discover the truth?

On a misty autumn afternoon, a woman covered in blood clutching a baseball bat walks silently into a London police station. The two officers assigned to her case are DI Leah Hutch and DS Benjamin Randle.

But the woman refuses to speak. She is not injured and the blood on the bat is not hers. What has she done? Is she the victim or the perpetrator? As Leah and Randle start their inquiry, a man is found battered to death in a nearby park. Journalist Odie Reid receives a tip off and is determined to solve the case first, trying to link this death to the woman held in custody.

Leah and Odie have history and very quickly their cat and mouse game becomes personal, leading them both to the very darkest corners of their pasts.


My Review

Opening chapter with Leah, clearly just having suffered a loss when she heads to work, she is a copper, a DI to be precise. As she gets to work, the station, a woman appears, covered in blood, clearly in shock, holding a bloody baseball bat. When she is checked over, she is uninjured so whose blood is it and where are they because it is A LOT of blood. We then get a chapter with a victim and then we meet Odie, a journalist who is enemy to Leah, why? They used to be work together, now in different careers they still have a very strained relationship. Odie is like a bloodhound, she gets a sniff of a story and nothing will get in her way.

The book is pretty good, the blood covered self presenting to the police station was a great pull, the damaged female detective dealing with a recent loss and with that of course comes family drama/trauma. Then the very tense "relationship" between Leah and Odie although to be fair Leah is very closed off to everyone and you get her back story, slowly unravelled so you do understand a bit better why she is the way she is. I really liked her partner, DS Randle, he is so understanding, patient and a real nice all rounder.

It is a busy book, the victims, the investigation, Odie investigating, Odie's family dynamics, Leah as the officer, Leah's personal life and following the aftermath of her loved ones death the opens another vein of story. A good start to a series, this is a debut from what I can see, so if it goes onto a series I will absolutely read more. Be interesting to see what else is in store for these guys and where the writer goes next, 4/5.

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Grumpy Darling by Alexandra Moody

Grumpy Darling by Alexandra Moody
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Electric Monkey

Source - Vine review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Alexandra Moody's BookTok sensation continues with Darling Devils #2: Grumpy Darling — perfect for fans of Hannah Grace, clean romance, and slow-burn fire on the ice!

She's never been kissed. He's never felt this way about anyone.

Paige has ticked off everything on her senior year bucket list except one tiny thing — she’s never kissed anyone. And her best friend, Grayson Darling, is to blame.

Grayson is the school hockey team’s notorious enforcer, and he’s been scaring away any eligible bachelors that so much as look in Paige’s direction. With time running out, she demands that Grayson stop defending her honor. Instead, he’ll become her dating coach, training her to win the guy of her dreams.

But Grayson has plans of his own. He’s been in love with Paige since they were kids, and his clock is running, too. Coaching Paige might be his last chance to show her how good they’d be together. After all, practice makes perfect.


My Review

So this is book two in the Darling Devils series, you however do not need to have read book one. So this, like the first, is young adult but this one feels very young adult. So this book concentrates on Grumpy, Reed's twin brother. He has been in love with his best friend Paige forever but Paige is completely oblivious. As they get ready to finish school and head towards university or whatever they choose, Paige has a list she is working through of things she wants to do before then. The last thing on her list and soon becomes the main focus is getting her first kiss. She ends up enlisting Grumpy's help to kiss the newest recruit to the ice hockey team, their old pal. The chapters jump between Grumpy and Paiges point of views.

I really liked book one and figured this would be similar vibes which it does but because it centres around this first kiss it was very young. And I know it is young adult so it is young as is the characters but book one they seemed older, like the dramas and behaviours. This time round it was very high school, the pursuit of the first kiss, the crushes and all the drama's surrounding the situations, party, drink, embarrassment etc.

The banter and ribbing of the boys to each other did make me laugh, Paige and Grumpy are cute but it just seemed to take forever, a bit of a slow burn and I did find my self exasperated at times. That being said it is a cute read, poolside for sure, 3.5/5 for me. I would read the next in the series and check out her other books!

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Kitty's War by Eimear Lawlor Blog Tour

Today is my stop for the blog tour for "Kitty's War" by Eimear Lawlor, for my stop I have my review, enjoy. This is a Rachels Random Resources tour. Buy link for the book from Amazon UK.

About the author:

Eimear Lawlor was born in Co. Cavan and now lives in city of Kilkenny with her husband John and two sons. Unfortunately, her middle child Ciara passed away in 2016, who was the inspiration of her writing career. Her debut novel Dublin's Girl was an Irish Times bestseller and was inspired by the true story of her aunt, who worked with Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera as their private secretary.

Kitty's War by Eimear Lawlor


Time taken to read - in and out over 6 days

Pages - 317

Publisher - Head of Zeus

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

Kilkenny, 1939. Ireland might be neutral, but Kitty Flynn is caught in her own war. Forced to give up her child at seventeen, she escaped to London in search of a fresh start.

However, in 1941, upon hearing that her brother, Anthony, who had been injured during the Spanish Civil War, is now gravely ill, Kitty must return home to care for him. In a time where food and medicine are scarce, Kitty is relieved to secure a nursing job – that is, until G2, the Irish Intelligence notices her proficiency in German…

G2 are determined to use Kitty's translation skills to extract information from the German internees at The Curragh Military Camp, even using Anthony as leverage.

Before she knows it, Kitty finds herself in the treacherous world of espionage. And soon Kitty must will she sacrifice herself to save her brother?

Inspired by real life events Kitty's War is the new sweeping historical novel by the bestselling author of Dublin's Girl, Eimear Lawlor.


My Review

So Kitty is our main character, living in London after fleeing for a fresh start, unwed and forced to give up her baby - it is 1939, Ireland. Her plan is a new life and with her friend they both are going into healthcare. When Kitty has to go home due to a bereavement she finds her brother in trouble, now it is just the two of them they need to stick together. Kitty will do whatever it takes to save her brother, from illness, from authorities even from himself.

Poor Kitty, travelling whilst a war and bombs are going on, getting caught up in all kinds of dodgy situations and everything comes back to saving her brother. She risks just about everything for him, they had a turbulent childhood, often depending on each other and now as adults he needs her more than ever.

I kinda wish I hadn't read the blurb because it goes on about Kitty being caught up in espionage which doesn't come until later, much later. I thought the book was going to be thick of war/espionage and whilst war and threat is peppered throughout this is really all about Kitty. She has constant inner battles, putting herself in some really dodgy situations all in desperation of doing what is right for her brother.

The whole war/Ireland part was really interesting, I know not a lot about the wars so I fond myself having to put the book down and reading up XYZ. I love when books make me do that. There are some dodgy characters and Kitty had me frustrated at times but again it was all through the love and devotion she had to her brother. The book also deals with issues relevant to the time period, babies out of wedlock and being hidden away as a result, the impacts that kind of loss has. Her mother 's treatment and her ideals/memories of her father.

The book has huge threads of family weaved throughout, dodgy morals, sexuality, family, friendship, accusations of espionage, mistrust of anyone seemingly linked to or sympathising with Germans/IRA or a parent being German. There is a lot going on and I wasn't sure where it was all headed, I do enjoy a book that keeps you guessing. Touching in places, some bits she had me ripping my knittin and some emotive scenes. This is my first by this author, I would absolutely read her again.

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The Girl With The Suitcase by Lesley Pearse

The Girl with the Suitcase: A captivating historical novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author by Lesley Pearse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 391

Publisher - Michael Joseph

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

The enthralling new novel from the 10-million-copy, No. 1 bestselling author is available to PRE-ORDER now!

London, 1941

When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different. Elizbeth is beautiful and charming, about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Ireland where she’s inherited a grand house. Mary, shy and meek, has nothing to look forward to but the dreary life of a maid in Hampstead.

But when an air raid forces them to take shelter underground Mary’s life is suddenly changed forever. After waking up in hospital, injured but alive, the nurse mistakes her for Elizabeth and hands over her suitcase with Elizabeth’s money and tickets to Ireland inside.

This is Mary’s chance to escape the hardship of her life and start afresh.

Will she take it and what could go wrong?



My Review

Mary has known poverty and cruelty her whole life, it is wartime and she is desperate to escape her job as housekeeper, cleaner and general dogsbody. When she meets the beautiful Elizabeth who offers her a chance at a new life, she has just came into a fabulous house in Ireland, inheritance from an estranged aunt. A bomb hits, the girls are in an underground shelter when everything goes dark. Mary wakes injured but alive, she is misidentified and finally has a chance to live, really live but can she do it?

Aw Mary, what a poor soul and hard going "upbringing" she had. We find out more about Mary and why she is the way she is by going from present to past. As always Pearse's books feature some of the darker side of humanity, abuse, SA, child endangerment, substance abuse, stolen identity. You get reeled in because you are rooting for Mary aka Beth but you do question some of her decisions and behaviours. I think that is one of her gifts, she gives you characters who aren't wholly whiter than white (Mary), and some downright horror bags the "stepfather".

When Mary goes to Ireland we meet a whole cast of people, sweet, nosey, hearing about the aunt, ooft she was a character in herself. We see how world war 2 affected different parts of the world, meat rationing, families, love, loss. It is a busy book as is Pearse's way but she does it so well the story flows and envelopes you. Lots of characters/happenings, some time and place jumps but all done effortlessly.

Even when I have a reading block I can still inhale one of her books, 4.5/5 from us, I need to check her backlist and see what I have missed (we have read loads but she has published loads) and catch up on any missed. She is a fab writer, pulls you emotively and allows you to escape your own life and merge into a world full of love, loss, sadness, friendship, family, she ticks the boxes.

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A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton

A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read -

Pages - 425

Publisher - Harper Collins

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads (to follow)

My Review

Ahhhh I had my whole review typed and she wiped (using a Bluetooth keyboard and my phone).

The book is split into two parts, we start present day and Cordelia is heading, reluctantly, to Wilder Woo. A beautiful huge house that I am envisioning as a mansion. It holds nothing but negative memories and hurt for Cordelia. Her bestie Sammi is making her go, it is hers now and she needs to face her past.

The book deals with many themes, some sadly are fleeting and with one especially being very dark/triggering I personally don't think it needed to be in there. Some themes throughout, especially in part one are relationship heavy. Families, friendship, love and an insider look at love bombing, gaslighting and toxic love and people.

I was not a huge Cordelia fan at times but I did feel sorry for her. Part two has brought us to present day and Cordelia purging her soul by telling her aunt the truth of all that happened to her. She is still hating Wilder Woo but now we know why and Aunt Rose is determined to see the place. Part two is much more positive, healing and restoration to self and the gaff.

Set in Cornwall, a mixed bag of people with flaws, characters and some with hearts of gold. Mrs Joy was a beacon of joy, at one point I wondered if she was a ghost. She always knows what you want, what you need and shows up literally whatever thing/task is required, an actual Mary Poppins vibe. I am not sure if this is my first Fern Britton book, I did like it so overall 3.5/5 for me this time. The imagery and settings are actually so well done, perfect for sitting indoors with the horrible rain/wind and a nice fire on the go!

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No Mercy by Max Connor

No Mercy by Max Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 6 days

Pages - 412

Publisher - HQ Stories

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

The old unit will reunite to complete one last mission in honour of their fallen comrade. But all she wants is revenge … When their old comrade, retired veteran and decorated Royal Marine Frankie Chapman, dies during a home invasion, the 11/06 club come back together to recover his stolen military medals. After they find out the medals have fallen into the hands of a wealthy billionaire who dabbles in human trafficking, they form a plan to steal the medals back – and Frankie’s daughter, Josie, wants in on the action.

But Josie wants more than just her father’s medals returned. She wants retribution, and she’s out for blood …



My Review

When a robbery results in the death of retired vet Frankie Chapman his old team pull together to get his military medals back. They weren't counting on his daughter not only joining them but being the driving force in some aspects. The more they dig the dirtier the people they find. As they get closer to finding the medals the danger ramps up, pulling resources they are trying to do what is right and will cross whatever lines it takes.

The book opens well with Frankie, bless him he is a good soul and Josie, his daughter, takes after her old man. The team investigating took a bit to really get started I felt, there was so much they needed to do and explore. Then we get to the people behind it, there is nothing this guy won't take if he wants it, money is no objective and no morals.

Once we get into the third end of the book I felt that is where it really came into its own, action, plan, movement, lets do this! Up to that I would say was more getting to know the character(s), them building up and becoming a team, the old boys previously served together but Josie was just their comrades daughter. One thing that did annoy me with Josie when when they called her a term of endearment (which was frequent) she would get annoyed and pull them on it, often! Maybe its just a generational thing, my folks friends still use kiddo, pet, terms for young women and whilst it can be grating as an adult let alone one who is breaking the law with them it just happened more than I liked. That and a frequent bladder although I absolutely got it and am the first to admit I am super prickly just now so things that normally would be water off a ducks back really gets under my skin just now.

I do like Josie's character and hopefully this is just book one in a new series, this is an established author writing under another name but I think this is my first time reading him, I will need to check. 3.5 rounder up to 4 because whilst I liked some bits and disliked some of the first 3/4's I did really really like the last quarter of the book. Pace, action, banter, interactions with each other so yeah 4/5 for us overall with all things considered.

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What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2.5 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Netgalley and bought a copy

Blurb from Goodreads

One Day meets a contemporary Bridgerton in this high-drama, escapist wonder of a love story, Paige Toon’s best yet.

Three days to fall in love. Six years to try to forget.

Ellie didn’t expect to fall in love while interrailing through Europe. But she also didn’t expect to meet a man like Ash. Three blistering days in Lisbon is all it takes to form an unforgettable connection—a bond deep enough for them to scrap their itineraries and plan to meet again in Spain. But Ellie arrives late, and Ash is nowhere to be found.

Six years later, Ellie has landed her dream job working as a gardener for a viscount and viscountess on their sprawling five-hundred-year-old estate in Wales. She finds peace amongst the towering topiary hedges and colorful gardens, but her idyll is shattered when Ash crashes back into her life. And when it becomes clear why he didn’t show in Madrid, her heart breaks anew—for what the truth means for her, and for his fate.

But they have never been able to resist each another, and when the sparks of their attraction fly, Ellie’s life will catch flame. She will have to make a choice.


My Review

Ellie is interrailing (I think of it as backpacking but not sure if there is an actual difference), trying to deal with stuff and personal growth. When she meets Ash she has no intention of dating, she is dealing with a whole host of stuff but then Ash, beautiful Ash and her just click. For three days in Lisbon love blossoms and they make plans to meet and travel together. Typical something happens and they don't meet, she is late and he isn't there when she arrives. Six years of struggling with the loss of what could have been, her family expectations and everything her and Ash had she does something for herself and gets her dream job. Just as everything is going perfectly Ash crashes back into her life, everything is turned upside down, there is a lot of hurt, questions and barriers you could not begin to imagine but what they felt all those years ago still burns, in them both. What do you do when you are pulled together like moths to a flame but everything is stacked against you?

Aw guys, so I have read a Paige Toon ages ago (I checked Goodreads, 2012!) so when we got the chance to read this one, clickity click! I am a sucker for a romance and who hasn't had either a holiday romance or the old one who got away. Coupled with that you have so many family issues, on both the main characters, Ash and Ellie, parental expectations, keeping up with the Joneses . With this one we have a wee bit of classism, societal divides for example the gardeners at Ellies new job, they all work at this beautiful prestigious 500 year old estate but there is a tone between other hired staff and the gardeners.

When Elli and Ash finally find each other again, especially after six long years there is so much to unwrap! I loved the will they won't they, the barriers flung between them, the shady attitude especially exhibited by Ash's dad and one of the help at the house. People can be absolute bangers, snobbery and how folk treat each other, even Ellie's parent's, despite not being in the book much their impact they have on Ellie is huge and far reaching.

A tale of love, near misses, societal barriers, travel, family, relationships, friendships and following your heart and dreams. At one point I had goosebumps, a few moments of NOOOOOO what are you doing! As I said I have only read one of Toon's books before this and will be getting more, 4.5/5 from us.

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Human Remains by Jo Callaghan Blogathon

Today is my stop for Human Remains by Jo Callaghan, book 3 in the Kat and Lock series.

Human Remains by Jo Callaghan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 384

Publisher - Simon & Schuster UK

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

The truth will always come out, but at what cost?

Fresh from successfully closing their first live case, the Future Policing Unit are called in to investigate when a headless, handless body is found on a Warwickshire farm. But as they work to identify the victim and their killer, the discovery of a second body begins to spark fears that The Aston Strangler is back. And as the stakes rise for the team, so do the tensions brewing within it.

When DCS Kat Frank is accused of putting the wrong man behind bars all those years ago, AIDE Lock – the world's first AI Detective – pursues the truth about what happened with relentless logic. But Kat is determined to keep the past buried, and when she becomes the target of a shadowy figure looking for revenge, Lock is torn between his evidence-based algorithms and the judgement of his partner, with explosive results. 

When everything hangs in the balance, it will all come down to just how much an AI machine can learn, and what happens when they do . . .


My Review

Guys if you haven't read book one and two PLEASE go back and read them first then come back because they are fab, you need the back story and they are pretty epic so just do it. So we open with someone plotting dastardly plans towards Kat and then onto the present day and finding of some bones, possibly human and DCS Kat Frank needs to investigate.

The interactions between Lock and Kat are absolutely one of my fave things about these books, LOCK is a machine but learning o fast it is actually scary. He can process information, scenes, stats but the human intuition and nuances escapes him. We see the short comings of AI but also the positives but the Sheldoness of the machine is an absolute fave.

As well as investigating the bones and what follows from there Kat is being scrutinised publically and online as a podcast has an old case of hers under the scope and questioning is she got it wrong. Is it linked to the new finding of bones and Kat is good but she is human and the pressure is on, cracks are showing. Add into that her son is coming home and bringing his new girlfriend home, it is stress city for Kat and folk online seem to have it in for her and someone is watching her every move and waiting.

Lots of high emotions, the pace is fast and multifactorial with different threads/stories taking place - all interlinked. I cannot wait for the next book in the story and see where it is going, Lock reminds me a bit of Vision/Jarvis from the avengers like he is good, he was created for good purposes and has a bit of Sheldon (from the Big Bang Theory) and I like all off them, echoes of but Lock is a whole new creation. Strap in folks this one will take you through a host of emotions & I didn't want to put it down, I NEEDED to know! 4/5.

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Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 336

Publisher - Michael Joseph Books

Source - Netgalley & bought one from Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

From the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller Wrong Place Wrong Time comes an addictive thriller about a new mother’s world upended when her husband commits a terrifying crime. How well does she truly know the man she loves? And what danger does she face if her entire life has been built on a lie?

It is June 21st, the longest day of the year, and new mother Camilla’s life is about to change forever. After months of maternity leave, she will drop her infant daughter off at daycare for the first time and return to her job as a literary agent. Finally. But, when she wakes, her husband Luke isn’t there, and in his place is a cryptic note.

Then it starts. Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London. The police arrive, and tell her Luke is involved. But he isn't a hostage. Her husband—doting father, eternal optimist—is the gunman.

What she does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind that morning says...


My Review

New baby, finally heading back to work all is great except your husband isn't here for day one of your return and babies first day in daycare, where is he? Heading through the day getting increasingly more nervous, no response to calls, no contact and then news of a hostage situation and then the police arrives at Camilla's (Cam's) work place and life as Cam knows it is gone!

Oooft dun dun dun, what a sweeping start eh. Cam goes through all the emotions, there is no way he could do this, she knows him, she loves him but the police show her, it is indeed her husband. Talk about the rug being pulled out from under you, I think the reason these type of stories grip you so much is the main character is normal, just a worker, a mum a normal person who finds themselves thrown into your worst nightmare.

The book takes us across X span of time, the day of the siege, after the siege and then seven years later, all clearly marked. Different time periods, Cam trying to sort her life, processing, recovering and I think, as the reader, you can't help but put yourself in her shoes. Would you react like that, would you do/think x,y,z way? How do you recover from that, what changed, what did you miss, how could that be your husband, how could he do that?

I was sucked in pretty much from the get go, I could not gage where it was going next, like all this has happened in the first X pages/chapter, where can it go next. I love when a book does that, I am the first to admit I never or rarely ever know the how or why but I think even those who do wouldn't be able to figure out where it is going. An author who keeps you guessing has a talent indeed. The first quarter of the book was intense and packing a punch, it then takes a slower turn but continues to be pacey, engaging and for me anyway invested in the character(s), 4/5. This isn't our first McAllister, it won't be our last, I need to bump the others up the tbrm.

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A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 338

Publisher - First ink

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Why save the world when you can have tea?

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling on some of the city's most skilled outcasts, Arthie hatches a plan to infiltrate the sinister, glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not everyone in her ragtag crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it.

From the New York Times—bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame comes the first book in a hotly anticipated fantasy duology teeming with romance and revenge, led by an orphan girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her self-made kingdom. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.


My Review

I honestly don't know where to start, this is a beautiful copy, mine has sprayed pages which is what drew me to the book, I am a sucker for sprayed pages. So Vampires, tick, romance and revenge it sounded like it had everything I could want. I don't really know what to say, it was very light on the vampire side to be honest to the point I felt they were incidental. Arthie Casimir owns a tearoom that cater to vampires at night, on the sneak. There is a big brutal boss who lords control and power over everything and now Arthie's tearoom is being threatened to be taken from her. With her bestie they embark on a mission with the help of others to do the undoable and take down the bad guy and save the tearoom.

I checked fantasticfiction and it is book one in a series but I feel like I was missing out on so much, Arthie does she have a back story of her own like a whole other book? The romance part again wasn't a huge play at all in the book the only thing that I would say was central and the plot was the revenge and everyone working together.

A mixed bunch of characters, secrets, lies, I would say more flirty and scorn than romance. The coconut thing I will let you read, discover and absorb yourself but that was another thing I was a bit like um ok? The book was ok, I didn't love it but did like some of the characters (Jin - I loved Jin) and interactions which makes it 3/5. Some folk seem to love this book, I think maybe the other series but give me a bit more - I just feel I was missing so much that maybe is why I didn't connect with the characters as much. The book has a map which is stunning, we do love a map.

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