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Jun 29

He Is Not Worthy By Lis McDermott

He Is Not Worthy‘He Is Not Worthy’ is the latest book by Lis McDermott.

Rhi Dobbs is head of the art department in a secondary school in Whittingbury, a small town on the south west coast of England. She has her dream job and lives in her own idyllic cottage by the sea with her cat Tibbs. Her life is more than she could ever hope for. Ben Brooks is a loner who cares for his mum, who always makes him feel worthless. He is obsessed with a red-headed girl who he met several years ago, just once, on what was the worst day of his life. He lives his life vicariously through hers, until she does the unspeakable. Tragic events and an inappropriate love affair mean that both of their lives will be changed forever.

This book was a relatively short and easy story that was easy to consume in one sitting.

Rhi is a teacher who develops feeling for her student and when Josh reciprocated those feelings, she finds herself in dangerous territory and out of a job. But unknown to Rhi, she made a difference to someone’s lives many years ago and they never got over. Reclusive Ben lives with his mother and dotes on Rhi from afar, but she’s unaware of him.

The story is seen from the perspective of Rhi and Ben and it makes for interesting reading as Rhi struggles with her feelings for Josh and the consequences of following her feelings. I had conflicted feelings towards Ben, on one hand I felt a sympathy towards him for the sheltered life that he led but I also found him extremely creepy and unsettling.

A thrilling story about forbidden love, lust and obsession, ‘He’s Not Worthy’ is a well crafted plot that made for engaging reading.

You can buy ‘He Is Not Worthy’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Jun 19

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A Life Of Their Own By Pauline Tait

A Life Of Their Own‘A Life Of Their Own’ is the latest book by Pauline Tait.

When Kate and her children step onto a bus early one Tuesday morning, she knows this is their only chance: their only chance at freedom and at a life of their own. But can she ensure their safety? Can she ensure they will never be found? This feeling haunts Kate as she and her children begin a new life far from New York, far from their troubled past. Little does she know that their new life will bring her closer to a different past, a life she had long given up, making her already fragile world more complicated than she could have ever imagined.

I really enjoyed this story, it was a short story that was easily consumed in one sitting.

Seen through multiple narratives, this story is a coming of age journey as a mother tries to build a new life for herself and her two children. Kate has left the bustle of New York and her controlling husband and escaped to small quiet place where she hopes to recover and make a better life for them all. It’s there that she meets Matthew, the man she loved for many years and never got over.

I loved this story, Kate’s a lovely character, a kind and warm person. It’s lovely to see her blossom and grow in confidence as the story progresses and she grows to find happiness. Her scenes with Matthew make for tender reading as the pair begin to get to know each other all over again.

The story is written in past and present tense, as we relive the horrors of Kate’s controlling relationship and how her confidence was chipped away.

A story about the struggles of domestic abuse and the recovery afterwards, ‘A Life Of Their Own’ is a story about new beginnings and the importance of a mother’s love, a heartfelt and emotional story.

You can buy ‘A Life Of Their Own’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

Oct 7

The Birthday House By Jill Treseder

The Birthday House”The Birthday House’ is the latest book by Jill Treseder.

The year is 1955, the location picturesque Devon. In a house by the River Dart, schoolgirl Josephine Kennedy posts invitations to her twelfth birthday party – a party that never takes place. Horrific violence is committed that night in the family home, leaving all of its occupants dead.Based on a disturbing real-life crime, this compelling story explores Josephine’s fate through the prism of friends and family – the victims and survivors who unwittingly influenced the events that led up to the tragedy. Josephine’s best friend, Susan, is haunted by the secrets of the birthday house. Can she ever find a way of making peace with the past?

At only 150 pages long, ‘The Birthday House’ can easily be consumed in one sitting.

Seen through the multiple narratives leading up to the horrific murders of a family, as a father is consumed and heartbroken by his wife’s infidelity, that he kills them all, including the family dog. The story is also seen through the eyes of the people who are left behind and consequences of the actions.

The story is set in the 1950’s in a small village. Claustrophobic and bleak in its setting, the story is atmospheric from the first page leading up to the sad events. Seen from the perspective of the murdered child, Josephine who’s aware of her father’s moods, her concern is only her birthday. The innocence and the naivety of the little girl is certainly heartbreaking.

Based on true events, ‘The Birthday House’ is a sad and tragic story, that really strikes a chord. With vivid descriptions and narratives, this story is a story of love and loss.

You can buy ‘The Birthday House’ from Amazon and is available to buy from goodbookshops.