Book Synopsis:

Berlin, 1939. Edith Falkenstein once lived a fairytale life. Falling in love with Julius introduced her to a world she had only dreamed of. She wore the finest silk dresses to host parties in their historic mansion home.

But those days are a distant memory. Under Nazi rule, her Jewish husband Julius has been stripped of everything. Now the couple share a cramped apartment with other destitute families, and the priceless jewels that once adorned Edith’s neck have been sold to buy food on the black market.

Julius was lucky to escape being imprisoned once, and Edith knows he won’t be so fortunate a second time. The echo of boots marching across the city is a constant reminder of the danger they face. She begs Julius to flee the country, while they still can.

But as war rages across Europe, the journey will be fraught with peril. All Julius has ever wanted is to keep Edith safe. He knows there is only one way to truly protect the woman who stole his heart all those years ago—even if it means breaking hers.

Time is running out and Edith must decide: let Julius go or follow her heart and her husband into the danger that lies ahead…

An absolutely gripping, heartrending story of the lengths we go to for love, that fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva will adore.

My Review:

The Berlin Wife’s Choice is an emotional, fast paced and gripping read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Firstly the author has clearly done her research as I felt completely transported to Berlin during the war. It was interesting to see events from the other side and to learn more about what life was like in Germany at this time. It was a time of great uncertain and fear, which was almost palpable at times so that I felt like I was actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters which I thought was very clever.

The two main characters Edith and Helga are brilliant creations and ones I enjoyed following throughout the book. Their strength and determination was incredible to see especially in the face of such adversary. I admired them and feared for them as they try to save their families. Edith’s horrible brother Joseph on the other hand I absolutely hated. How he could behave like that, especially when he knows his sister and husband were in danger was shocking to read about. It really helped drive home to me the strength of the Nazi party and how they managed to influence so many people.

I thought this was a very fast paced book and there always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest. With the benefit of hindsight the reader knows what is to come for the Jewish population and this increases the tension in the book as we watch things gradually become more difficult for the families. I quickly found the book hard to put down as I was so invested in the families and wanted to find out what happens next – hoping they might find a way out.

This book is set in 1941 so I’m hopeful that there is more to come from this fabulous series. If you’re a fan of historical fiction then I highly recommend this book.

Huge thanks to Sarah Hardy for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

Marion Kummerow writes historical fiction that explores the dark side of human history. A USA Today Bestselling author, she has received rave reviews from readers and critics for her novels about the German resistance during World War II. Her books feature characters who face moral dilemmas, make difficult decisions, and fight for what is right. She also infuses her stories with humor and undying love, because she believes that love is what makes the world go round.

Born and raised in Germany, Marion has lived in various countries before returning to Munich with her family. After writing several non-fiction books, she felt drawn to the past and the subject of resistance to the Nazi regime. It took her years of courage and hard work to turn the true story of her grandparents Ingeborg and Hansheinrich Kummerow into a trilogy: “Love and Resistance in the Second World War”. UNRELENTING is the first book in this series.

Bringing history to life through her books is Marion’s passion. She visits museums, travels to memorials and the locations in her books, reads original source material, and consults experts to meticulously research the historical facts and details in her novels.

Her stories are authentic and immersive, transporting readers to another time and place. She writes with the conviction that we must never forget the past, so it won’t repeat itself.

When she’s not writing or researching, Marion likes to travel, do yoga, and spend time with her family. She also enjoys reading books by other historical fiction authors.

Good morning everyone here is part 2 of my book haul!

❤️Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister
🧡 The Forgotten Shore by Sarah Maine
💛 The Revels by Stacey Thomas
💚 The Honeymoon by Kate Gray
💙 The Beach Party by Nikki Smith
💜 Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons

Gillian McAllister and Sarah Maine are two of my favourite authors. I love their books and I’m very excited to read those two soon – hopefully this month. The others are all books I’ve seen recommended by my lovely book friends on here .

Now to decide which books I’m going to read this month…😱

Are any of these on your radar?

Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister

22 years old.
Last seen on CCTV, entering a dead-end alley.
And not coming back out again.
Missing for one day and counting . . .

Julia is the detective heading up the case. She knows what to expect. A desperate family, a ticking clock, and long hours away from her husband and daughter. But Julia has no idea how close to home it’s going to get.

Because there’s a man out there. And his weapon isn’t a gun, or a knife: it’s a secret. Her worst one.

He tells her that her family’s safety depends on one thing: Julia must NOT find out what happened to Olivia – and must frame somebody else for her murder . . .

What would you do?

The Forgotten Shore by Sarah Maine

Discover the spellbinding new novel from Sarah Maine, author of the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year The House Between Tides

Scotland, 1940. Wounded in action, Archie Maxwell has returned to his family estate of Rosslie. But between the uneasy company of his father’s beautiful new wife, and the memories that haunt his nights, he finds the house more of a battleground than a refuge.

Forty years later, Eva Bayne is a journalist looking for a story. Ever since the disappearance of Rosslie’s heir during the war, the Maxwells have lived under a shadow – and Eva is drawn to the mystery. Especially when the glimpse of an old photograph stirs up long-buried memories of her childhood in Newfoundland . . .

Could uncovering the truth heal the wounds of Eva’s past? And what will it cost for Rosslie to give up its secrets?

From the shores of western Scotland to the wild coast of Newfoundland, this is a spellbinding story of family secrets, love and redemption.

The Revels by Stacey Thomas

‘I am no witch. I have not sold my soul to the devil for powers. What I am has never openly been whispered of, yet it is enough that people would hang for it.’

England, 1645.
After his half-brother dies, aspiring playwright Nicholas Pearce is apprenticed to Judge William Percival, an infamous former witch-hunter who is under pressure to resume his old profession.

In a country torn apart by civil war, with escalating tensions between Catholics and Protestants, Royalists and Roundheads, and rumours of witchcraft, Nicholas hides a secret: the dead sing. He hears their secrets, but will he find the courage to speak up to save innocent lives, even if it means putting himself in great danger?

A spellbinding debut novel perfect for fans of Stacey Halls, Laura Purcell and Bridget Collins.

The Honeymoon by Stacey Thomas

Two happy couples.
One dead body.
A whole load of secrets.
Married life wasn’t meant to start like this.

On honeymoon in Bali, you hit it off with another newlywed couple and celebrate your last night at a fancy cliff-side restaurant.

No one predicted the evening would end with a dead body. But it was an accident, right? A tragic accident.

The honeymoon may be over but it soon becomes clear that there’s another side to this story . . . and your life depends on uncovering it.

Many marriages can survive anything – but when it starts on a lie is it really ’til death do us part?

The Beach Party by Nikki Smith

Six friends.
The holiday of their dreams.
One night that changed it all . . .

1989: The tunes are loud and the clothes are louder when a group of friends arrives in Mallorca for a post-graduation holiday of decadence and debauchery at a luxury villa.

A beach party marks the pinnacle of their fun, until it isn’t fun any longer. Because amidst the wild partying – sand flying from dancing feet and revellers leaping from yachts – an accident happens. Suddenly, the night of a lifetime becomes a living nightmare.

Now: The truth about that summer has been collectively buried. But someone knows what happened that night.

And they want the friends to pay for what they did.

Fair Rosaline by Natalie Solomon

THE GREATEST EVER LOVE STORY WAS A LIE . . .

The first time Romeo Montague sees young Rosaline Capulet he falls instantly in love.

Rosaline, headstrong and independent, is unsure of Romeo’s attentions but with her father determined that she join a convent, this handsome and charming stranger offers her the chance of a different life.

Soon though, Rosaline begins to doubt all that Romeo has told her. She breaks off the match, only for Romeo’s gaze to turn towards her cousin, thirteen-year-old Juliet. Gradually Rosaline realises that it is not only Juliet’s reputation at stake, but her life.

With only hours remaining before she will be banished behind the nunnery walls, will Rosaline save Juliet from her Romeo? Or can this story only ever end one way?

A subversive, powerful untelling of Shakespeare’s best-known tale, narrated by a fierce, forgotten voice: this is Rosaline’s story.

Good morning everyone. As promised here is part 1 of my book haul from Rossiter Books. These all arrived while I was on holiday so I had lots of great books waiting for me when I got back.

❤️ Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

🧡 Talking At Night by Claire Daverley

💚 Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs

💙 Days At The Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

💜 Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

I’m a huge Ann Patchett fan so I’ve been very excited to read Tom Lake, especially as it’s now been picked up for the Radio 2 and Reese Witherspoon book clubs. Migrations was recommended to me by the lovely Rachel who’s recommendations I always trust as they’re normally brilliant. The rest have all had great reviews from my fellow book bloggers so I’m excited to read them soon.

Are any of these on your radar?

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

This is a story about Peter Duke who went on to be a famous actor.
This is a story about falling in love with Peter Duke who wasn’t famous at all.
It’s about falling so wildly in love with him – the way one will at twenty-four – that it felt like jumping off a roof at midnight.
There was no way to foresee the mess it would come to in the end.

It’s spring and Lara’s three grown daughters have returned to the family orchard. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the one story they’ve always longed to hear – of the film star with whom she shared a stage, and a romance, years before.

Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents lead before their children are born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart.

Talking At Night by Claire Daverley

Will and Rosie meet as teenagers.They’re opposites in every way. She overthinks everything; he is her twin brother’s wild and unpredictable friend. But over secret walks home and late-night phone calls, they become closer – destined to be one another’s great love story.Until, one day, tragedy strikes, and their future together is shattered.But as the years roll on, Will and Rosie can’t help but find their way back to each other. Time and again, they come close to rekindling what might have been.

What do you do when the one person you should forget is the one you just can’t let go?

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs

Joanna Kalotay lives alone in the woods of Vermont, the sole protector of a collection of rare books; books that will allow someone to walk through walls or turn water into wine. Books of magic.

Her estranged older sister Esther moves between countries and jobs, constantly changing, never staying anywhere longer than a year, desperate to avoid the deadly magic that killed her mother. Currently working on a research base in Antarctica, she has found love and perhaps a sort of happiness.

But when she finds spots of blood on the mirrors in the research base, she knows someone is coming for her, and that Joanna and her collection are in danger.

If they are to survive, she and Joanna must unravel the secrets their parents kept hidden from them – secrets that span centuries and continents, and could cost them their lives …

Days At The Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Hidden in Jimbocho, Tokyo is a booklover’s paradise. On a quiet corner in an old wooden building lies a shop filled with hundreds of second-hand books.

Twenty-five-year-old Takako has never liked reading, although the Morisaki bookshop has been in her family for three generations. It is the pride and joy of her uncle Satoru, who has devoted his life to the bookshop since his wife Momoko left him five years earlier.

When Takako’s boyfriend reveals he’s marrying someone else, she reluctantly accepts her eccentric uncle’s offer to live rent-free in the tiny room above the shop. Hoping to nurse her broken heart in peace, Takako is surprised to encounter new worlds within the stacks of books lining the Morisaki bookshop.

As summer fades to autumn, Satoru and Takako discover they have more in common than they first thought. The Morisaki bookshop has something to teach them both about life, love, and the healing power of books.

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

A dark past. An impossible journey. The will to survive.

Franny Stone is determined to go to the end of the earth, following the last of the Arctic terns on what may be their final migration to Antarctica.

As animal populations plummet, Franny talks her way onto one of the few remaining boats heading south. But as she and the eccentric crew travel further from shore and safety, the dark secrets of Franny’s life begin to unspool.

Haunted by love and violence, Franny must confront what she is really running towards – and from.

From the west coast of Ireland to Australia and remote Greenland, this is an ode to the wild places and creatures now threatened, and an epic, moving story of the possibility of hope against all odds.

Good morning everyone today on Two For Tuesday I’m featuring two witchy books I really want to read soon. I always love a witchy book as I think the witch hunts were a fascinating period in history and these both sound so good.

In other news I went back to work Sunday after my holiday and it was really nice to be back. All of my pre-orders had arrived while I was away so I had a few books to pick up. I’ll be sharing what I got later this week.

Q: Do you plan what you read or are you a mood reader?

Weyward by Emilia Hart

KATE, 2019
Kate flees London – abandoning everything – for Cumbria and Weyward Cottage, inherited from her great-aunt. There, a secret lurks in the bones of the house, hidden ever since the witch-hunts of the 17th century.

VIOLET, 1942
Violet is more interested in collecting insects and climbing trees than in becoming a proper young lady. Until a chain of shocking events changes her life forever.

ALTHA, 1619
Altha is on trial for witchcraft, accused of killing a local man. Known for her uncanny connection with nature and animals, she is a threat that must be eliminated.

But Weyward women belong to the wild. And they cannot be tamed…

Weaving together the stories of three women across five centuries, Weyward is an enthralling novel of female resilience and the transformative power of the natural world.

The Last Witch Of Scotland by Philip Paris

Scottish Highlands, 1727.

In the aftermath of a tragic fire that kills her father, Aila and her mother, Janet, move to the remote parish of Loth, north-west of Inverness. Blending in does not come easily to the women: Aila was badly burned in the fire and left with visible injuries, while her mother struggles to maintain her grip on reality. When a temporary minister is appointed in the area, rather than welcome the two women, he develops a strange curiosity for them that sets them even further apart from the community.

Then arrives a motley troupe of travelling entertainers from Edinburgh, led by the charismatic but mysterious Jack. It is just the distraction Janet, and particularly Aila, needs: for the first time in a long while, their lives are filling with joy and friendship, and a kind of hope Aila hasn’t known since her father’s death. But in this small community, faith is more powerful than truth, and whispers more dangerous even than fire.

Haunting and deeply moving, The Last Witch of Scotland is a story of love, loyalty and sacrifice, inspired by the true story of the last person to be executed for witchcraft in Britain.

Book Synopsis:

Bringing 1950s Morocco vividly to life, Jane Johnson’s masterful new novel, The Black Crescent, is a gripping story of murder, magic and divided loyalties…Hamou Badi is born in a mountain village with the magical signs of the zouhry on his hands. In Morocco, the zouhry is a figure of legend, a child of both humans and djinns, capable of finding all manner of treasure: lost objects, hidden water.But instead, Hamou finds a body.This unsolved murder instils in Hamou a deep desire for order and justice: he trains as an officer of the law, working for the French in Casablanca. But the city is trapped in the turmoil of the nationalist uprising, and soon he will be forced to choose between all he knows and all he loves…

My Review:

The Black Crescent is an absorbing, thrilling read which I think is the best book this author has written.

Firstly I loved the author’s fantastic descriptions of Morocco which helped transport me to 1950’s Morroco. The descriptions of the town and market places were so vivid that I felt I was actually there smelling all the fantastic spices or food. I hadn’t read anything about the French occupation of Morocco so I found it very interesting to learn more about this period. It was heartbreaking to see the difference in the French and Morocco life styles especially as the Moroccans often lived in poverty while the French lived lives of luxury. Even more poignant for me was the French’s casual disregard towards Moroccan customs and lifestyles,as shown by their behaviour during Ramadan. This attitude helped me to understand the background to the Moroccan independence fight and the hatred most people felt towards the French.

Hamou is a very likeable character who I enjoyed following throughout the book. I felt a lot of sympathy for him and the difficult line he trod between the two communities. His desire to help people through his role as a police man is very sweet though sadly misguided in Morocco and it was sad to see how he was treated by his fellow countrymen when he only ever wanted to help them.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to others. The book has a great pace to it and I soon found myself drawn into the story, unable to put the book down. The story is set mainly in 1955 but there are occasional flash backs to earlier years which help explain things that are happening in the main story. There always seemed to be something happening to keep my interest and there were areas of high tension when my heart was in mouth wondering how Hamou was going to get out of the dangerous situation this time.

Huge thanks to Sophie and Poppy for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publisher for my copy of this book. If you’re a fan of historical fiction then you need to read this book.

About The Author:

Jane Johnson is from Cornwall and has worked in the book industry for 30 years as a bookseller, publisher and writer.

For many years she was responsible for publishing the works of JRR Tolkien, and later worked on Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, spending many months in New Zealand with cast and crew (she wrote the official visual companions to the films). The authors she publishes include George RR Martin (creator of A Game of Thrones), Dean Koontz, Robin Hobb, Stuart MacBride, Mark Lawrence, Raymond E Feist and SK Tremayne.

While she was in Morocco in 2005 to research The Tenth Gift she met her soon-to-be husband Abdellatif, a Berber tribesman from a village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Returning home, she gave up her office job in London, sold her flat and shipped the contents to Morocco and they were married later that year. They now split their time between Cornwall and Morocco, and Jane still works remotely as a Fiction Publishing Director for HarperCollins.

Good morning everyone I got this fab new mug last week and knew I had to feature it in a post. I seem to have more black and white books than any other colours, but I chose these six as they are the ones I’m most excited to read.

The mug is in support of one of my favourite musicians, Joshua Woo, so it’s extra special to me. One of my favourite songs by him is Sunflower seeds so it seemed fitting to have my sunflowers in the picture too. If you haven’t listened to his music yet I highly recommend it. It’s on all the main streaming platforms so go have a listen and let me know if you like it too!

Who is your favourite band/ musician?

📚 Reading Update: Last, Now, Next

Good morning everyone and happy Sunday. I thought I’d do a little reading update today.

❤️ Last: The Quiet Tennant by Clémence Michallon
💛 Now: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
💚 Now: The Black Crescent by Jane Johnson
💜 Next: Death Of A Lesser God by Vaseem Khan

I’ve just finished The Quiet Tennant which I enjoyed but not as much as I thought I would tbh- review coming soon. I’m currently reading The Black Crescent and Hello Beautiful which I’m really enjoying. Then I’ll read Death Of A Lesser God as I’m on the blog tour for it next weekend.

In other news I’m back to work today which I’m actually looking forward to, especially seeing what new books we’ve had in. A few of my pre orders have come in too so I’m excited to retrieve them.

What are you currently reading?

Good morning everyone! My August reading subscription came whilst I was away and it sounds so good. I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author before either which is always exciting.

I managed to buy the little rainbow in the picture whilst on holiday and thought it was perfect for my blog. My seven year old daughter also loves it so I fear it might go missing soon. If this is the only picture it’s in then you’ll know that’s what happened 😂.

Huge thanks to my lovely friend @bringmerocks for gifting this to me. I always enjoy seeing what books I’ll get and I’ll miss it when it ends.

What are your weekend plans?

Book Synopsis:

The Earls of Trelawney have inhabited the same castle for 800 years – but recent generations have been better at spending than making money. Now living in isolated penury, unable to communicate with each other or the rest of the world, the family are running out of options. Three unexpected events will hasten their demise: the sudden appearance of a new relation, an illegitimate, headstrong, beautiful girl; an unscrupulous American hedge fund manager determined to exact revenge; and the crash of 2008.

Deliciously escapist and gloriously funny, House of Trelawney is a novel about family and forgiveness, chaos and crisis – and finding yourself in the most unexpected ways.

About The Author:

Hannah is an author who lives in London. She can’t walk past a bookshop or museum (or bakery) without going in. Most of the time, she tries to act normally most of the time.

Her first book, ‘The Baroness’ was about her great aunt, Nica who supported a generation of jazz musicians and loved one above all others: the late great Thelonious Monk.

Her first novel ‘The Improbability of Love’, a caper set in the art world featuring a talking painting and won the Everyman Bollinger PG Wodehouse prize for best comic novel in 2015 and was runner up to the Bailley’s Women Prize.

She followed this with ‘House of Trelawney’ the story of an aristocratic Cornish family fallen on hard times who get embroiled in the 2008 crash with disastrous consequences.

Her most recent book (published in June 2023 in the UK and July in the US is called ‘HIgh Time’ and follows a beautiful young woman who has lost everything- how low will she go to get even?

Her writing style has been compared to Evelyn Waugh, Nancy Mitford and Joanna Trollope.

Good morning everyone and happy Friday! Here are six thrillers I want to read soon:

❤️Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold
💛 Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
💚 A Killer In The Family by Gytha Lodge
💙 Fearless by M W Craven
💜 Zero Days by Ruth Ware
🩷 A Game Of Lies by Clare Mackintosh

This didn’t start out as a green and orange stack but ended up being one after I realised the first four books were those colours 🤣

In other news we’re heading home today after a lovely week in the mumbles. I’ll miss our lovely view and the beach but I’m excited to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Do you like thrillers? Any recommendations?

Book Synopsis:

The hen party from hell descends into darkness, perfect for fans of Nikki May, Dawn O’Porter and Zakiya Dalila Harris

Some friends have your back.
Some friends stab you in the back.

Ayesha is just about finding her feet on the London stand-up scene, but when her response to a sexist heckler goes viral, she finds herself drawn into an exclusive group of activists: a sacred circle of change makers, each woman with a specific gift to contribute to the cause.

The circle draws in her friend Yaz too and they are both invited to an intimate hen do, except it’s not a hen do – it’s a Goddess Retreat. While Ayesha, longing to find her tribe, tries desperately to fit herself into a shape that the women will accept, Yaz treats the entire ‘itinerary’ with open disdain. But the Goddess Retreat is no laughing matter. As the weekend descends into chaos, they’ll need to stick together if they want to get out alive.

Goddesses is a bitingly brilliant novel that explores the power dynamics of sisterhood and activism, the dark side of white feminism and the importance of making your voice heard.

My Review:

Goddesses is a dark, thrilling and unique book that’s unlike anything I’ve read before.

The book follows two main characters Ayesha and Yaz who both seemed very real and I enjoyed following them throughout the book. It was fun to learn more about them and their interests, especially Ayesha’s experiences as a female comedian as I don’t think I’ve read a book featuring one of those before.

The story is split into two timelines one following the months before the hen do and one focussing on the night of said hen do. It was interesting to see the darker side of activist groups and learn a little more about what might go on behind the scenes. It was heartbreaking to see how easily some people are brain washed or manipulated into thinking certain things though. I was especially sad to think that the leaders didn’t understand the different backgrounds the woman came from or that not everyone would have had the same life experiences which didn’t lead to a very connected group in my opinion.

Everything comes to a head at the hen do which I loved having a fly on the wall glimpse of whilst being very glad I wasn’t actually invited to it. All the toxicity that had been building up came out here with everyone showing their true colours. The ending was weird and wonderful, with the reader never quite sure what was going to happen next which I always love. It didn’t end completely as I hoped but maybe that wouldn’t have been realistic. This is the author’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

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

About The Author:

Nina is an author, playwright and screenwriter whose debut novel Goddesses will be published in July 2023 by Simon & Schuster and has been optioned for TV by Roughcut TV. Her play Service won the ETPEP Playwriting Award and she has written the BBC Sounds series Mortem as well as her first play Delete and a Dr Who International Women’s Day audio special, Turn Of The Tides.