Good morning everyone. Today is my last day at work for a week and a bit as we’re off on holiday Friday! I’m really excited and have my fingers crossed that the weather will be ok so we can go to the beach.
These are some of the books I’m torn between taking on holiday with me:
❤️The House In The Olive Grove by Emma Cowell 🧡The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods 💛The Other Side Of Mrs Wood by Lucy Barker 💚 Conviction by Jack Jordan 💙The Fascination by Essie Fox 🩵The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer 💜Bad Men by Julie Mae Cohen 🩷 Fearless by M W Craven 🤎The Sun And The Void by Gabriela Romero Lacruz 🖤The Quiet Tennant by Clémence Michallon 🩶Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
We’re going for a week and I like to have options but I think taking all these might be a bit much 🤣
What books would you take or what book would you recommend?
A slick, smart, stylish – and shocking – thriller from one of the most exciting new voices in crime fiction.
On a lonely farmstead, a 70-year-old woman falls down outside and, unable to move, is consumed overnight by two of her pigs.
It seems like a tragic accident, except the woman was well-known photographer Sophia Bertilak – and inside her house, someone has removed all her photos from their frames, seemingly erasing her past…
The first photo Sophia ever took remains her most infamous: a missing girl who was never seen again. Forensic veterinarian Cooper Allen is drafted in for the post-mortem – and slowly becomes obsessed with the victim, her family, and the crimes she brought to light decades ago.
As Cooper pulls on a dark thread of deception, secrets and lies, she begins to unravel the case – as well as herself…
My Review :
Consumed is a dark, absorbing read that I really enjoyed. I absolutely loved Sixteen Horses so I was excited to read this book.
Firstly as someone who reads a lot of crime fiction I really loved how unique this book was. I mean a case involving a lady being eaten by her pigs? I can honestly say I haven’t read anything quite like that before. The book also featured a forensic veterinarian which I hadn’t heard of before. I found it fascinating to discover what their role is and to learn the different things they have to do.
I thought the characters were well described and developed throughout the book, though I don’t think I particularly warmed to any of them. The author does a great job of describing the settings in the book which made me really able to picture it in my mind’s eye. They were so well described that I often found myself shivering as I read, especially the house which I’m glad I won’t be visiting any time soon.
The book had a great pace to it and I liked how the author slowly increases the tension until the book is impossible to put down. There were lots of twists that kept me guessing and the shocking ending was brilliant. I actually didn’t guess how it would end which is unusual for me and helped add to my enjoyment of this book.
Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Greg Buchanan is a BAFTA-longlisted writer for interactive and screen. His acclaimed debut novel SIXTEEN HORSES was selected for BBC Two’s Between The Covers and was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month. A TV adaptation produced by Gaumont Television is on the way.
Good morning everyone today on Two For Tuesday I’m featuring the two VMC editions I’ve collected so far. I absolutely love this collection as the covers are always really beautiful and striking. The inspiration for this post came from the lovely @lovedreadingthis who is thinking of starting her own collection soon
I’m reading one of these a month for the #vmcbookclub run by the lovely @r4ch4elreads and @bookbeforeuleap . If you’d like to join us do contact one of them. We are reading Mrs Palfey at The Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor next month.
Do you have a favourite classic book?
The Tortoise And The Hare by Elizabeth Jenkins
Imogen, the beautiful wife of barrister Evelyn Gresham, is facing the greatest challenge of her married life. Their neighbour Blanche Silcox, competent, tweedy, middle-aged and ungainly – the very opposite of Imogen – seems to be vying for Evelyn’s attention. And to Imogen’s increasing disbelief, she may be succeeding – for in affairs of the heart the race is not necessarily won by the swift or the fair.
Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden
High in the Himalayas, the mountaintop palace shines like a jewel. Built for the General’s harem, laughter and music once floated out over the gorge. Now it sits abandoned, windswept and haunting.
The palace is bestowed to the Sisters of Mary, and what was once known as ‘the House of Women’ becomes the Convent of St Faith. Close to the heavens, the nuns feel inspired, working fervently to establish their school and hospital. But as the isolation and emptiness of the mountain become increasingly unsettling, passions long repressed emerge with tragic consequences . . .
Good morning everyone and happy Monday. I saw @helen_t_reads do this challenge and was so intrigued I had to try it.
Here’s what I found:
❤️ Juniper And Thorn by Ava Reid 💛 Amy & Isabelle by Elizabeth Stroud 💚 Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors 💙 Gwen And Art Are Not In Love by Lex Croucher 💜 Clara & Olivia by Lucy Ashe
I actually found more than I thought. I knew I had Clara & Olivia but I was very excited to find the others. All of these are tbr but I’ll hopefully be reading them soon.
I’ve tagged a few people who might want to take part but, as always, no pressure.
Good morning everyone and happy Sunday. These are some of the lovely books I’ve bought this week.
❤️ Unladylike Lessons In Love by Amita Murray 💛 73 Dove Street by Julie Owen Moylan 💚 The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan 💙 The List by Yomi Adegoke 💜 A Game Of Lies by Claire Mackintosh
I actually thought I’d been really good and not bought many books this week but then all my pre orders started coming in 🤣🤦♀️
I absolutely loved The Last Summer so I’m very excited to read the second book in The Wild Isle series. I’m hoping it features a bit about Effy as I really want to find out what happened to her next. I’m a huge fan of Claire Mackintosh and Julie Owen Moylan so I knew I had to get their latest books. Unladylike Lessons In Love and The List have been getting great reviews on here which made me very intrigued.
If you want to know more about any of the above books, please look below for their synopsis.
Have you read any of these? Any of these on your radar?
Unladylike Lessons In Love by Amita Murray
Not every Regency lady is looking for a husband…
As the daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, impulsive Lila Marleigh has already broken the rules of society into tiny pieces.
When a face she never thought she would see again appears and begs for help, Lila must court notoriety once more and pit her wits against the annoyingly handsome aristocrat, Ivor Tristram. But does she risk opening her heart to the one person who can break it…?
73 Dove Street by Julie Owen Moylan
When Edie Budd arrives at a shabby West London boarding house in October 1958, carrying nothing except a broken suitcase and an envelope full of cash, it’s clear she’s hiding a terrible secret. And she’s not the only one; the other women of 73 Dove Street have secrets of their own . . . Tommie, who lives on the second floor, waits on the eccentric Mrs Vee by day. After dark, she harbours an addiction to seedy Soho nightlife – and a man she can’t quit. Phyllis, 73 Dove Street’s formidable landlady, has set fire to her husband’s belongings after discovering a heart-breaking betrayal – yet her fierce bravado hides a past she doesn’t want to talk about. At first, the three women keep to themselves. But as Edie’s past catches up with her, Tommie becomes caught in her web of lies – forcing her to make a decision that will change everything . . .
The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan
A reluctant bride. A forbidden romance. An island full of secrets . . .
It’s the summer of 1929 and Mhairi MacKinnon is in need of a husband. As the eldest girl among nine children, her father has made it clear he can’t support her past the coming winter. On the small, Scottish island of St Kilda, her options are limited. But the MacKinnons’ neighbour, Donald, has a business acquaintance on distant Harris also in need of a spouse. A plan is hatched for Donald to chaperone Mhairi and make the introduction on his final crossing of the year, before the autumn seas close them off to the outside world.
Mhairi returns as an engaged woman who has lost her heart – but not to her fiancé. In love with the wrong man yet knowing he can never be hers, she awaits the spring with growing dread, for the onset of calm waters will see her sent from home to become a stranger’s wife.
When word comes that St Kilda is to be evacuated, the lovers are granted a few months’ reprieve, enjoying a summer of stolen hours together. Only, those last days on St Kilda will also bring trauma and heartache for Mhairi and her friends, Effie and Flora. And when a dead body is later found on the abandoned isle, all three have reason enough to find themselves under the shadow of suspicion . . .
The List by Yomi Adegoke
ONLINE RUMOURS. REAL LIFE TROUBLE.
Ola Olajide, a high-profile journalist, is marrying the love of her life in one month’s time. Young, beautiful, successful – she and her fiancé Michael seem to have it all.
That is, until one morning when they both wake up to the same message:
‘Oh my god, have you seen The List?’
It began as a list of anonymous allegations about abusive men. Now it has been published online. Ola made her name breaking exactly this type of story. She would usually be the first to cover it, calling for the men to be fired. Except today, Michael’s name is on there.
With their future on the line, Ola gives Michael an ultimatum to prove his innocence by their wedding day, but will the truth of what happened change everything for both of them?
A Game Of Lies by Clare Mackintosh
They say the camera never lies. But on this show, you can’t trust anything you see.
Stranded in the Welsh mountains, seven reality show contestants have no idea what they’ve signed up for.
Each of these strangers has a secret. If another player can guess the truth, they won’t just be eliminated – they’ll be exposed live on air. The stakes are higher than they’d ever imagined, and they’re trapped.
The disappearance of a contestant wasn’t supposed to be part of the drama. Detective Ffion Morgan has to put aside what she’s watched on screen, and find out who these people really are – knowing she can’t trust any of them.
And when a murderer strikes, Ffion knows every one of her suspects has an alibi . . . and a secret worth killing for.
Eek I’m so excited for this book. I absolutely loved the first book in this series so I’m very excited to read the sequel, especially to catch up with Nell and Cricket. I love a funny, feel good read so this sounds right up my street.
Huge thanks to the lovely @libraryofchlo and @panmacmillan for my copy of this book.
Out 17th August 2023.
What’s your favourite funny/ feel good book?
Book Synopsis:
Nell’s back. Her life still isn’t going to plan. And she’s still asking the big questions and getting none of the answers. Like, for example:
Why is falling in love so easy, but staying in love so hard?
What do you do when your friendships are put to the ultimate test?
Can we ever really live in the moment and leave the past behind?
When everything goes tits up, do you fall apart or jump on a plane to LA with Cricket (an eighty-something widow and your BFF)?
And when all else fails, will celebrity-scented candles, smashed avocados and Instagram filters save us?*
In this hilarious, un-put-downable follow-up to the bestselling Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up, now the basis for the major TV series, Not Dead Yet, there are laugh-out-loud lessons to be learned, truths to be told, adventures to go on and joys to discover.
But first, Nell has some more confessions . . .
*#onlyjoking #sortof #LOL
About The Author:
ALEXANDRA POTTER is the bestselling author of numerous bestselling novels, including CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY-SOMETHING F**K UP which is now the basis of a major TV series. These titles have sold in twenty-five territories and achieved worldwide sales of more than one million copies, making the bestseller charts across the world.
Born and raised in Yorkshire, Alexandra lived for several years in LA before settling back in the UK. She currently lives in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog.
I saw this on the lovely @helen_t_reads page and knew I had to join in! They’re maybe not in the best Jenga pattern but I had a little five year old helper who kept knocking it over so this was the best I could do under the circumstances 🤣
Most of these are tbr though I have read The Botanists which I absolutely loved and The Henna Artist. I’m also currently reading The Beasts Of Paris which is very good so far.
Today is my last reading day at the kids school this term which I’m sad about but I’m hoping to move up with them and continue with the same kids next year so fingers crossed that works out. Then I’ve got to move lots of furniture back after having our new carpets which will be fun!
I’ve tagged a few people who might want to join in but, as always, no pressure
Spot any favourites here? Hope you have a good Friday!
Good morning everyone I thought I’d do a little reading update today.
❤️ Last – The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons 💛 Now – The Beasts Of Paris by Stef Penney 💚 Now – The Language Of Food by Annabel Abbs 💜 Next: Seven Exes by Lucy Vine
I’m absolutely loving my historical fiction at the moment so I was keen to read a few more on my tbr list. I’ve just finished The Air Raid Book Club which I thought was brilliant. You can find my review for this on my profile.
I’m currently reading The Beasts Of Paris by Stef Penney and The Language Of Food by Annabel Abbs which is for the #HFBookClub . I’m really enjoying both of these and looking forward to discussing The Language Of Food soon.
I’m then hoping to read Seven Exes which is the pick for the Gin and Phonics book club which I joined recently. They were so lovely when I asked about joining and I’m excited to make some new bookish friends soon.
Huge thanks to the tagged publishers for sending me these books and to the lovely Kerrie for my copy of Seven Exes.
Ooh I’m so excited to have got a copy of this book and to be taking part in the #romancereadalong with the Tandem Collective. I’ve heard lots of great things about this author but I haven’t actually read anything by her so I’m excited to read this book soon.
Huge thanks to @michaeljbooks and @tandemcollectiveuk for my copy of this book. Do check out the other books on the read-along too.
Book Synopsis:
THE INTOXICATING NEW LANCASTER PREP NOVEL FROM THE TIKTOK SENSATION AND AUTHOR OF A MILLION KISSES IN YOUR LIFETIME
Weston Fontaine is the hottest senior at Lancaster Prep.
He could have any girl on campus, except for one.
Me.
I’m a Lancaster, meaning I’m basically untouchable – or so I thought. My family owns the school which I have to endure before I can return to what I love most: ballet.
West doesn’t make my time here easy. He’s arrogant. Crude. Insufferable. Yet he’s the only boy I’ve ever let touch me . . .
You see, West and I? We share a secret. In Paris, I revealed parts of myself to him I’ve never shown anyone else. And he did the same.
So what happens when you helplessly fall for the one person you know is bad for you? . . .
About The Author:
Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.
She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere, along with their four cats and one crazy dog. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to sometimes putting her characters through tough, angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.
Good morning everyone I finally have enough pink books to share a Pink Wednesday Stack! As some of you know I sorted my books into colours a while ago and pink books were my smallest section by far.
🩷 The Hidden Letters by Lorna Cook
🩷 The Book-Lovers Retreat by Heidi Swain
🩷 The Echoes Of Love by Jenny Ashford
🩷 Wahala by Nikki May
🩷 The IT Girl by Ruth Ware
🩷 The Daughter Of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
🩷 Her Majesty’s Secret Coven by Juno Dawson
🩷 The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson
I think the only book I’ve read here is Wahala (fourth pink spredges from top) but I really want to read all of these soon as there are some of my favourite authors here.
Yes that does mean I bought The Shadow Cabinet before I’d even read Her Majesty’s Secret Coven… My next read from here will probably be This Echoes Of Love as I love her books.
Over The Rainbow Blog 