Book Synopsis:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Reese’s Book Club Pick The Other Woman comes The Trade Off, an electrifying new novel of suspense that begs the question: Would you tell a story, if you knew it was a lie? Or tell the truth and sleep at night?

For Stella, deputy editor of The Globe, the choice has always been clear. It doesn’t matter how low she has to stoop–getting the best story is what she’s built her reputation on.

For Jess, The Globe‘s rookie reporter, the story stops when the truth does. But she knows that the dirty tricks of the tabloids will be hard to overturn.

And when a celebrity is hounded by The Globe and pays the ultimate price, Jess wonders just how much Stella and the paper are responsible.

Determined to show the world what the tabloid is capable of, Jess will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth, but she needs to watch her back, because someone else is prepared to kill to bury it.

RISK or REWARD. JUSTICE or REVENGE. INNOCENCE or GUILT.

My Review:

The Trade Off is a tense, twisty read that I have continued to think about long after I’ve finished reading.

The book focuses on the methods used by the tabloids to get the next big story. This is obviously quite a timely topic which has been much reported recently so I enjoyed exploring it whilst reading. The story is told from the point of view of two characters- Stella a veteran reporter who is used to using every tactic possible to get a story and Jessie the new reporter who is shocked to learn some of the methods used to get a story. It was quite shocking to learn more about how the tabloids work and some of the frankly underhand tactics that are used. It was also quite emotional to realise the impact these stories can have on people when their secrets are revealed.

I thought this story was a bit of a slow burn but despite this I never felt bored or needed to put the book down as I enjoyed learning more about the characters and found is very interesting to follow them while they were doing their job. The story really picks up half way through with lots of twists that kept me guessing and a bit of back stabbing which was quite shocking. The ending surprised me which I always love and I was very satisfied with how it all played out.

Huge thanks to Chloe from Pan Macmillan for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Sandie Jones has been a freelance journalist for over 20 years, interviewing celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Isla Fisher, Simon Cowell and Naomie Harris.

Her debut novel, The Other Woman, is a psychological thriller about the destructive relationship between a woman and her partner’s mother.

If Sandie wasn’t an author she’d be an interior designer as she has an unhealthy obsession with wallpaper and cushions!

She lives in London, England, with her husband and three children.

Book Synopsis:

One war may be over, but their fight for survival continues…

For sisters Etta, Jessie and Celie Fry, the Great War and the hardships of the years that followed have taken a heavy toll.

Determined to leave her painful past behind her, Etta heads to the bright lights of Hollywood whilst Jessie, determined to train as a doctor and use her skills to help others, is hampered by the men who dominate her profession. On the vast, empty plains of the Canadian prairies, Celie and her small family stand on the brink of losing everything.

As whispers of a new war make their way to each sister, each must face the possibility of the unthinkable happening again…

My Review:

In The Shadow Of War is an immersive, fascinating, multi timeline read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The story follows three sisters and takes place over three different countries which may sound confusing but is actually easy to follow when reading. I really loved following all of the sisters and learning more about their lives. Through them we experience life during the great depression as well as the golden era of Hollywood which I found really fascinating, especially when I found out that Cecilia’s storyline is based upon the actual experiences of the author’s family.

All of the sisters were fabulous creations and I liked how the author manages to make them so different from each other. Out of the sisters my favourite was definitely Jessie who I admired for training to be a doctor, in a period when it was an unusual profession for a woman, and for her determination to succeed. Etta annoyed me at times as she seemed such a selfish person at times though I did enjoy following her throughout Hollywood as I’ve always enjoyed films from that time.

I thought the book had a good pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. The change in point of view really helped to propel the story along top as the snippets into the sister’s lives made me very intrigued to see what would happen next. The story ends on a bit of a cliff hanger , with a few unresolved threads, which makes me hopeful they’ll be another book in this fabulous series. This is actually the third book in the series but I think it could easily be read as a standalone as anything important is explained.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Adrienne Chinn was born in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, grew up in Quebec, and eventually made her way to London, England after a career as a journalist. In England she worked as a TV and film researcher before embarking on a career as an interior designer, lecturer, and writer. When not up a ladder or at the computer writing, she often can be found rummaging through flea markets or haggling in the Marrakech souk. Her debut novel, The Lost Letter, was published in 2019. Her second novel, the international bestseller, The English Wife, was published in 2020. Her third novel, Love in a Time of War, the first in a series of four books in The Three Fry Sisters series, was published in 2022. The second book in the series, The Paris Sister, was published in 2023, and the third book, In the Shadow of War, was published in March 2024. She is currently working on a new historical timeslip novel to be published in 2025.

Good afternoon everyone I hope you’re having a good Sunday. I was lucky enough to receive this fantastic book post yesterday. This has been described as a dark academia thriller which sounds right up my street!

Huge thanks to Chloe Rose and Transworld for sending.

Out 2nd May 2024.

Find out more about the book below ⬇️

Book Synopsis:

“I’m not here for prestige. I’m here for revenge.”

Lou Manson is an outsider when she joins the final-year class at Highfield Manor, Dublin’s most exclusive private school. Beyond the granite pillars and the wrought-iron gates is a world of wealth, privilege and potential. But Highfield is also hiding a dark secret – and Lou is here to expose it.

When Lou befriends the beautiful and talented Shauna Power, her plans are thrown into turmoil. Speaking out against the school would mean betraying Shauna, and Lou soon discovers that the Highfield elite will go to any lengths to protect their own reputation…even when the consequences are fatal.

Thirty years later, Lou is called to testify in a new lawsuit against Highfield. But telling the truth means confronting her past – and there is one story she swore she’d never tell…

For fans of GIRL A, MY DARK VANESSA and ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL, When We Were Silent is a propulsive, bold exploration of power, corruption and retribution.

About The Author:

Fiona McPhillips is an award-winning Irish journalist, author, and screenwriter. She is an editor at The Forge literary magazine and her own work has appeared in The Manchester Review, Hobart and Barren Magazine, among others.

When We Were Silent, the runner-up for the 2021 Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger, is her debut novel and will be published in May 2024 by Transworld in the UK and Flatiron in the US. She is also the author of two nonfiction books – Make the Home you Love (O’Brien Press) and Trying To Conceive (Liberties Press).

Fiona lives in Dublin with her three kids, two cats, and a dog.

Book Synopsis:

Welcome to Dressmakers’ Alley, a twisted place filled with dark and deadly secrets

London’s East End 1923

In the heart of Dressmakers’ Alley Madame Pauline’s sweatshop is rumoured to be a particularly unpleasant place to work. Filled with seamstresses paid a pittance who turn a blind eye to what darker activities are hidden behind locked doors.

Young Winnie Brown is keen to prove her value to the Women Movements and secures a job as a seamstress to investigate the whispers of some unsavoury goings on. Her concerns are soon justified when she discovers that there are terrible things afoot, as she hears a desperate cry for help.

Meanwhile, happily married, Lady Diane Cooper is the darling of London’s high-society. Beautiful and talented, she seemingly has it all. But the strict constraints society assigns her leaves her frustrated, she craves more freedom. With the help of her devoted dresser Susie can she realise her dream?

What is the connection between Lady Diane’s world and the poor exploited young women of Dressmakers’ Alley?
Can the two worlds come together for the good of all?

Missing Mulberry Lane? Read Dressmakers’ Ally and you won’t be far away…

My Review:

I’m a huge fan of this author so I was incredibly excited to learn she had a new book out and even more so when I found out it was the start of a new series. Once again Rosie has written a gritty, absorbing saga that I thoroughly enjoyed.

One of the things I most love about this author’s books is her vivid descriptions which helps bring a period to life. I really felt like I was following the character’s around 1920’s London watching all the action unfold or following Winnie into this danger of the dressmakers which was quite a nerve wracking experience at times. I always love books where I learn something new and I enjoyed learning more about what life was like back then and more about the Woman’s Rights movement as well.

I thought all the characters were wonderful creations that I enjoyed learning more about throughout the book. I loved how courageous they all were putting themselves out for others in the hope of creating change. Winnie was my favourite character and I warmed to her quickly as she goes undercover in a dangerous environment. I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to go undercover like she did and my heart was in my mouth as I watched everything unfold.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more in the series. I think I went through every emotion whilst reading and there always seemed to be something happening to ensure that I couldn’t put the book down. There was some cross overs with other series which made my fan girl heart very happy, including a little trip back to Harper’s which I loved. This book definitely shows a different, gritty side of London which while fun to explore made me very glad I didn’t live there.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Boldwood for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series. She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire.

Good morning everyone and happy Friday. I got these cute looking chocolates for my birthday from one of my closest friends and thought they’d be good to use in a photo (once a book blogger hey)

🐞Close To Death by Anthony Horowitz
🐝 Butter by Asako Yuzuki
🐞How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristin Perrin
🐝The Night In Question by Susan Fletcher

All of these are tbr but I’m planning on reading How To Solve Your Own Murder and The Night In Question next. The chocolates sadly didn’t last long after the photo as I shared them with the kids.

I’m off this morning and the kids want a quiet morning which I’m happy to oblige with. I’m then working this afternoon which is always fun especially as I’m working with someone today and then I’ve got my first Zumba session!

Do you go to any exercise classes?

Good afternoon everyone I’m on the blog tour for Race To Novus by R. A. Clarke today.

I’m a huge fan of Science Fiction books as it’s fun seeing what worlds the authors have made from their imagination so this book really appeals to me. I sadly didn’t have time to read it for this tour but I hope to pick it up soon.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour.

Find out more about the book below.

Book Synopsis:

A daughter’s last chance at redemption on an alien planet. A sweeping secret that could not only end her dreams, but her life as well.

Finn Rucker boards the starship to seek a fresh start as part of a colonizing effort on Joya. The race, sponsored by Governus, yields free land and startup funds for the lucky winners. The number of entrants guarantees someone is going to lose and Finn is determined that she and her bionic horse, Herc, are among the winners.

Racing through uncharted jungle to the settlement of Novus, Finn and her fellow racers soon discover that not everything is as it seems – and Governus withheld information from the contestants. Strange beasts attack the racers, mechanical equipment begins to fail, and the very air seems out to get them.

When all seems lost, a mysterious people arrive and help the racers, revealing the depth of Governus’ deception. Finn will have to keep her pulse pistols close and her new friends closer – but not too close – as they all race to survive the jungle.

You will love this mashup of Hidalgo and James Cameron’s Avatar as Finn navigates the guilt of her past, the promise of a future, and the imminent dangers of her present.

About The Author:

R.A. Clarke is a former police officer turned stay-at-home-mom living in Portage la Prairie, MB with two busy boys, a sport-aholic husband, and a couple of quirky dogs. She maintains her sanity by guzzling copious amounts of coffee and diving into fantastic worlds of her own creation.

Rachael loves fulfilling dreams and seeking new inspirations. As an artist, community theatre actor, and writer, her creativity never sleeps. She’s currently working on a little bit of a lot… which includes writing a YA fantasy novel, a sci-fi adventure novel, and writing/illustrating picture books (under the name Rachael Clarke). If you have kids, feel free to check out her children’s chapter book, The Big Ol’ Bike, just released in November, 2020.

You can follow R.A.’s writing adventures and read her multi-genre short fiction on her website: http://www.rachaelclarkewrites.com.

Other social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raclarkewrites/

Instagram: @rachaelclarkewrites

Twitter: @raclarkewrites

Book Synopsis:

Lois Saunders thought that marrying the right man would finally cure her loneliness. But as picture-perfect as her husband is, she is suffocating in their loveless marriage. In 1951, though, unhappiness is hardly grounds for divorce – except in Reno, Nevada.

At the Golden Yarrow, the most respectable of Reno’s ‘divorce ranches’ Lois finds herself living with half a dozen other would-be divorcees, all in Reno for the six weeks’ residency that is the state’s only divorce requirement. They spend their days riding horses and their nights flirting with cowboys, and it’s as wild and fun as Lake Forest, Illinois, was prim and stifling. But it isn’t until Greer Lange arrives that Lois’s world truly cracks open . . .

Gorgeous, beguiling, and completely indifferent to societal convention, Greer is unlike anyone Lois has ever met – and she sees something in Lois that no one else ever has. Under her influence, Lois begins to push against the limits that have always restrained her. But how much can she really trust her mysterious new friend? And how far will she go to forge her independence, on her own terms?

Set in the glamorous, dizzying world of 1950s Reno, THE DIVORCEES is a dark, riveting page-turner and a dazzling exploration of female friendship, desire, and freedom.

My Review:

The Divorcées is a book I’d been hearing lots of good things about so I was very excited to start reading it. It was a different book to what I was expecting but in a good way as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I thought the author did a great job of bringing the 1950’s to life and I enjoyed learning more about the period through the characters. I had never heard of the divorce ranches before so I found it fascinating to learn more about them. It was interesting to follow the woman through their time at the ranch and to discover more about society’s attitude towards the divorcées. It’s quite shocking to realise how little rights women had at this time still and how they were beholden to men, having to answer to either their father or their husband.

I thought that all the characters were fantastic creations and I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the group. It was very interesting to see the dynamics of the group and how they shifted when Greer arrived. The relationship that develops between Greer and Lois was especially fascinating to follow , with the reader never quite sure what direction it was going to take. I found myself feeling quite sorry for Lois as the awkward outsider of the group as I watched her slowly being drawn into Greer’s influence. I found myself wishing she had someone to guide her though I don’t think she’d have actually listened to anyone as she so wanted to be included in the group.

Overall, as you can probably tell, I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be recommending it to others. It isn’t a fast paced book but it is very well written and I quickly felt drawn into the story. The tension in the book slowly creeps up as we discover more about Greer and the sense that the characters are heading towards a disaster made the book quite gripping to read on places. I found myself simultaneously wanting to read more but also not sure I wanted to find out what would happen next!

This is the author’s debut novel and I’m very excited to read more from her in the future.

Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publishers for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Rowan Beaird is a fiction writer whose work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Kenyon Review, The Southern Review, and The Common, among others. She is the recipient of the Ploughshares Emerging Writer Award, and her work has been nominated for a Pushcart. She has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and StoryStudio, and she currently works at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her first novel, The Divorcées, will be published by Flatiron Books in spring of 2024.

Good morning everyone it’s my birthday today so I thought it was a perfect opportunity for a meet the book blogger post! So here’s a little bit about me:

❤️My name is Joanna but a lot of people call me Jo or JoJo .

🧡I’ve been married for 14 years and have three kids aged 11, 8 and 6. I’m also an angel mum to a little boy called Christopher who came early at 24 weeks and sadly died at a few hours old.

💛I work as a book seller for Rossiter books which I absolutely love .  I’ve worked there for just under a year as it was my interview for the job a year ago tomorrow. I really enjoy talking about books with the customers and recommending my favourite books to them.

💚I’ve been a huge reader since I was small.  My dad was a huge reader and I have fond memories of him sitting at the kitchen table or in the conservatory reading.  My mum loves reading now too and I love sharing books with her

💙I read a huge variety of books and often say if the blurb intrigues me I’ll read it.  My favourite genres are historical fiction, fantasy and crime.

💜I help run the bookclub for Rossiter books which I really enjoyed as it’s fun sharing the books I’ve loved with others.  I’ve made some great friends there which is really nice and we’re all going out for a curry together on Saturday which I’m looking forward to.

🤍I started my book blog 9 years ago after encouragement from the lovely @thebookreviewcafe and Instagram a few years ago ( properly I actually joined at the same time as blogging bit never really used it). I’m still enjoying it and I’ve made some great bookish friends.

🩶 I don’t have many hobbies apart from reading apart from watching music on Twitch though I’m hoping to start walking more to help my high blood pressure and I’m starting Zumba again this Friday which I used to love pre kids.

I’m having a quiet morning with a few friends coming over to share some cake and then we’re going to my mum’s tonight for a meal which I’m looking forward to.

Good morning everyone and happy Tuesday. I hope you had a great Easter. Today on Two For Tuesday I’m featuring two books by Emily Henry.

I’ve heard lots of great things about her books but I haven’t actually managed to read anything by her yet- despite having Book Lovers on my shelf for ages. I’m excited to read Funny Story soon as it sounds really good.

I’m back to work again today after four fun filled family days and I’m guessing it’s going to be a busy one as we’ve had no deliveries over the weekend. I’m then hoping to come back and read some more of my fantastic book before heading back out for my book club tonight which is always great fun.

Funny Story is out on the 23rd April 2024. Find out more about the book below ⬇️

What are you currently reading?

Funny Story by Emily Henry

A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author Emily Henry

Daphne always loved the way Peter told their story.

That is until it became the prologue to his actual love story with his childhood bestie, Petra.

Which is how Daphne ends up rooming with her total opposite and the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles.

As expected, it’s not a match made in heaven – that is until one night, while tossing back tequilas, they form a plan.

And if it involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex . . . right?

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

One holiday. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn’t see coming…

Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Her whole life is books.

Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he’s Nora’s work nemesis.

Nora has been through enough break-ups to know she’s the one men date before finding their happy-ever-after. To prevent another dating dud, Nora’s sister has persuaded her to swap her city desk for a month’s holiday in Sunshine Falls.

It’s a small town straight out of a romance novel, but instead of meeting sexy lumberjacks, handsome doctors or cute bartenders, Nora keeps bumping into…Charlie.

She’s no heroine. He’s no hero. So can they take a page out of an entirely different book?

Brimming with witty banter, characters you can’t help but fall for and off-the-charts chemistry, BOOK LOVERS is Emily Henry’s best novel yet.

About The Author:

Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Happy Place, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read. She studied creative writing at Hope College, and now spends most of her time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it. Find her on Instagram @EmilyHenryWrites.

Good evening everyone I hope you’ve had a great Easter weekend! I have a book spotlight on my blog today for The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable.

This is one of my most anticipated reads for this year and I’m very excited to read it soon. I love historical fiction, especially if it features real life historical figures that I hadn’t heard of before so this book sounds right up my street.

Huge thanks to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy of this book.

Out 15th August 2024!

Is this book on your radar?

Book Synopsis:

Venice. 1704. In this city of glittering splendour, desperation and destitution are never far away. At the Ospedale della Pietà, abandoned orphan girls are posted every day through a tiny gap in the wall.

Anna Maria is just one of the three hundred girls growing up within the Pietà’s walls – but she already knows she is different. Obsessive and gifted, she is on a mission to become Venice’s greatest violinist and composer, and in her remarkable world of colour and sound, it seems like nothing will stop her.

But the odds are stacked against an orphan girl – so when the maestro selects her as his star pupil, Anna Maria knows she must do everything in her power to please this difficult, brilliant man. But as Anna Maria’s star rises, threatening to eclipse that of her mentor, the dream she has so single-mindedly pursued is thrown into peril.

From the jewelled palaces of Venice to its mud-licked canals, this is a story of one woman’s irrepressible ambition and rise to the top, of loss and triumph, and of who we choose to remember and those who lie forgotten.

About The Author:

Harriet Constable is a writer and filmmaker based in London. Her debut novel, The Instrumentalist, will publish globally in August 2024. Her work has featured in The New York Times, The Economist and on the BBC.

Portrait by Sophie Davidson.