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Jan 26

Should I Tell You? By Jill Mansell

Should I Tell You‘Should I Tell You?’ is the latest book by Jill Mansell.

Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met as teenagers in the Cornish seaside home of kind-hearted foster parents. Years on, the bond between them is unbreakable. But Amber has a secret. She’s in love with Lachlan. She can’t tell him, because that would never work – he’s definitely not the settling-down type. Surely it’s better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?. Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can’t understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him? Now their widowed foster dad Teddy has found new love. Younger, charming and beautiful, Olga seems perfect. But is she? Or will she break Teddy’s fragile heart?

Sit back and relax in the latest offering by Jill Mansell, another charming story of friendship, new beginnings and love.

The story is primarily seen through the perspective of fostered siblings Lachlan, Amber, Raffelle who were all fostered by Teddy and May. Their foster parents helped structure them into the people they have become, May nurtured Lachlan’s love of cooking which led him to become a successful chef, Amber creates beautiful art from glass and Raffelle has become a successful celebrity hairdresser who uses his cutting skills to help those less well off which makes for touching scenes in the story. All three characters have interesting parts in the story, Lachlan is the local lothario, Amber is attracted to Lachlan and Raffelle is dealing with the breakdown of his relationship with Vee, who’s dealing with a breakdown of her own.

Since May passed away, Teddy takes himself away on a cruise and he meets Olga an outspoken Russian woman who likes expensive things. I found myself torn in my opinion of Olga, one minute you think she’s a gold digger and the next minute, you’re touched by her kindness and warmth, so she was definitely one of my favourite characters in the story. Another lovely character in the story is Benji, only son of the outspoken and confident Peggy, he struggles to interact with people due to his stutter but then he becomes friends with Jo and she helps him blossom.

Once again, Jill has delivered another joyful story that is packed with heart, warmth and laughter. The variety of characters all dealing with their own problems, all flow at a lovely pace and their interactions make for heartfelt reading. The story has multiple stories weaved throughout about love, heartbreak, family and catfishing which all come together seamlessly in the end.

A story proving that you don’t be blood related to be family, ‘Should I tell you?’ Is beautifully written and is another fantastic story from Jill made that for poignant and enjoyable reading.

You can buy ‘Should I Tell You?’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jan 19

Unfaithful By JL Butler

Songs In Ursa Major‘Unfaithful’ is the latest book by J.L. Butler.

Rachel Reeves has it all. The perfect family, a rich husband, and a gorgeous home. But when her only child flies the nest, Rachel feels lost – and succumbs to a mind-blowing one-night stand. Instantly regretting her infidelity, Rachel cuts ties with Chris. But he won’t let her go that easily. She erases him from her life – until a text changes everything. Someone knows what she did. And they’re ready to destroy her entire life because of it.

J.L Butler is the pseudonym for ‘Sunday Times’ bestselling author Tasmina Perry and her latest book is set in the fascinating world of publishing.

When her only child Dylan leaves home for university, Rachel decides to return to her job in publishing after an 18 year absence. After the excitement of being back in employment and doing something for herself, Rachel runs into an old university boyfriend and after several drinks and walks down memory lane, she ends up in bed with Chris Hannah. Distraught that she cheated on her husband, Rachel tries to move on from the incident, only for Chris to keep reappearing and want to reconnect again. Leaving Rachel in fear that this one night stand could potentially ruin her career and family, when professional and personal Iives collide.

I love Tasmina’s book, her books are rich in wealth, glamour, deceit and sex and even though she’s writing as J.L. Butler, I did feel as if I was reading the latest Tasmina offering.

I loved Rachel, keen to back out there and be seen as a professional and not as mother, she wants to make her mark in the publishing world and even though she’s been out of the game for 18 years, her knowledge remains intact. Her interaction with others makes for interesting reading particularly with her daughter, as she wants to not only be the mother but a friend too. She often appears as a meek character but as the story progresses, we see her become stronger with each problem she has to face.

For me as a keen reader, this book gave an interesting insight into the publishing industry and particularly enjoyed the scenes when Rachel was in work and pitching ideas for upcoming releases. The story concentrates on harassment and trolling, an action that has become much more prevalent in recently and it’s hard reading at times, the abuse that Rachel has to read about herself as well as what she has to face.

The story is cleverly written in a way that not everything is as it seems and just when you’re figured out who Rachel’s stalker is, something happens that pulls you into a completely different direction.

A gripping thriller set in the book world that oozes glamour, sex and suspense throughout, ‘Unfaithful’ is fast paced roller coaster of a story that hooks the reader attention from the very first page.

You can buy ‘Unfaithful’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jan 19

The Couple At The Table By Sophie Hannah

The Couple At The Table‘The Couple At The Table’ is the latest book by Sophie Hannah.

You’re on your honeymoon at an exclusive couples-only resort. You receive a note warning you to ‘Beware of the couple at the table nearest to yours’. At dinner that night, five other couples are present, and none of their tables is any nearer or further away than any of the others. It’s as if someone has set the scene in order to make the warning note meaningless – but why would anyone do that? You have no idea. You also don’t know that you’re about to be murdered, or that once you’re dead, all the evidence will suggest that no one there that night could possibly have committed the crime.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Sophie Hannah, so when I got the opportunity to read her latest, I jumped at the chance.

If you’re a fan of ‘Cluedo’ then settle in, as this book has all the key components of a gripping whodunnit, packed with suspicious characters who all had motives and one huge thing in common – they all despised the victim. Newly wed Jane to William, the ex husband of Lucy who had an affair whilst Lucy was pregnant with their daughter Evin. Lucy is now engaged to the kindhearted Pete and they decided to go away on a weekend, unknown that Jane and William, Lucy will also be staying at Tevendon, couples resort with three other couples. Whilst on this break, Jane manages to annoy everyone and when she receives a note saying “Beware” this gets her back up. So, when she’s found with stabbed in the back, couple Charlie and Simon who were off the beat with their job find themselves consumed with case and trying to find the killer.

This story is written in the past and present tense, the moment leading up to the murder and the couples in the months after as they all try to piece those last moments together knowing that there is a killer amongst them. Lucy who was once friends with Jane when she was her doula, is obsessed with the case and resorts to writing letters to all the visitors of the resorts as if they are the killer, just to get some movement on the case. Her obsession is the main plotline in the story and does make for dark reading as we learn more about the nasty character that Jane was.

Simon the police officer is also consumed with case, much to the pain of his colleagues and spends his day drawing maps and constantly accounting for each moment whilst staying at Tevendon. What’s interesting about the story, is the wide range of characters, who are all flawed in some way and all harbour secrets that they never want expose and this makes the pace of the story increase and the suspects mount up as you’re constantly wondering “what if?”.

An extraordinarily gripping and cleverly crafted book riddled with deceit and uncertainty from the first page, ‘The Couple At The Table’ is a taunt and observational story about complex relationships that had an ending that will blow your mind.

You can buy ‘The Couple At The Table’ on Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jan 19

Remember My Name By Sam Blake

Remember My Name‘Remember My Name’ is the latest book by Sam Blake.

When Cressida Howard catches her entrepreneur husband playing away from home, she hires security expert Brioni O’Brien to get the evidence she needs for a speedy and financially rewarding divorce. But what Brioni uncovers goes beyond simple infidelity. Because Laurence Howard is also in bed with some very dangerous people. Bribery and blackmail are the least of his worries as someone comes after the women in his life – someone who is out to destroy Laurence and his empire, whatever the cost. And Cressida and her teenage daughter could soon be collateral damage, if she and Brioni don’t act fast.

The latest book by Sam Blake is another rollercoaster of dramatic thriller packed with mysterious women and stunning bouquets that literally take your breath away.

The story is primarily seen through the perspective of Cressida after hearing her husband talking to another woman just as she was putting the phone down. This leads her on a crusade to find out if the powerful businessman, Lawrence Howard is cheating on her. To do this, she employs the help of Brioni, a cyber security specialist and between the two of them find themselves biting off much more than they can chew, with disappearing women, murders and poisoned floral bouquets.

Set in the bustling tech capital of Dublin and the rural countryside of Wexford, this cleverly crafted thriller made for gripping reading as the main characters and the reader were led a merry dance until the final gripping conclusion. The story is led by strong female characters, all determined and vocal to put things right no matter the cost. I loved Cressida, having led a life of luxury due to Lawrence’s success, her life comes to a standstill when she discovers that he might be having an affair. But, instead of crying about it, she hires Brioni, a quick thinking and dynamic young woman who is able to monitor Lawrence, not only online but also in real life as well. Cressida’s teenage daughter, Emily-Jane is a fantastic addition to the story, strong willed and outspoken, she is also there to speak her mind and doesn’t care who it riles.

This is only the second book that I’ve ready by Sam and I thoroughly enjoyed it. An atmospheric story that moved at a fast pace with fascinating characters and a cleverly crafted plot that got even more addictive with each page, ‘Remember My Name’ is a fantastic Irish thriller that was rich in suspense from the first page!

You can buy ‘Remember My Name’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jan 15

The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures By Holly Hepburn

The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures‘The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures’ is the latest book by Holly Hepburn. This book was originally a four part ebook series called ‘The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures’: Starting Over, Secret Loves, Broken Promises and Christmas Wishes’.

When Hope loses her husband, she fears her happiest days are behind her. With her only connection to London broken, she moves home to York to be near her family and to begin to build a new life. Taking a job at the antique shop she has always admired, she finds herself crossing paths with two very different men. Will, who has recently become the guardian to his niece after the tragic death of her parents. And Ciaran, who she enlists to help solve the mystery of an Egyptian antique. Two men who represent two different happy endings. But can she trust herself to choose the right man? And will that bring her everything she really needs?

If you’re looking for a story to tug on your heartstrings then look no further with this tearjerking story about new beginnings, friendship and a love story that spanned decades.

Seen from the perspective of Hope Henderson who’s just moved to York, to start afresh after the death of her husband, Rob. She gets a job in the Ever After Emporium to work with the charismatic Mr. Young, in a shop filled with collectibles packed with stories. It’s here that she meets the kind hearted Will and Brodie, a little girl who doesn’t talk. They develop a strong bond over their mutual loss and when Brodie finds a magical box, Hope finds herself on a historical love story based in Egypt and meets archaeological professor Ciaran, a loveable Irish rogue that Hope finds herself falling for.

I loved this story, it’s rich in charm and warmth and Holly has written a beautiful story that was a joy to read. I loved the setting of the magical emporium that was filled with stories of old loves and it was fascinating to join Hope as she delves into the historical love story against the backdrop of the Egyptian pyramids. There are many stories interweaved throughout this book and each one of them made for wonderfully lighthearted and poignant reading particularly as Hope and Brodie become friends. I adored Brodie, she’s a sweet little girl who’s been through a lot and even without her voice, she still expresses herself in the most creative and tender ways.

An uplifting and vibrant story packed with optimism and hope with relatable characters and an adorable little girl, ‘The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures’ is the perfect book to curl up,

You can buy ‘The Little Shop Of Hidden Treasures’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

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