In Little Stars

Two families divided by hate
A love that will not die.

Sylvie and Donna travel on the same train to work each day but have never spoken. Their families are on different sides of the bitter Brexit divide, although the tensions and arguments at home give them much in common.

What they don’t know is that their eldest children, Rachid and Jodie, are about to meet for the first time and fall in love. Aware that neither family will approve, the teenagers vow to keep their romance a secret.

But as Sylvie’s family feel increasingly unwelcome in England, a desire for a better life threatens Rachid and Jodie’s relationship. Can their love unite their families – or will it end in tragedy?

This is a book that is unputdownable. I can quite honestly say that this is the author’s best book to date.

Green really gives us a message in this book. Finding that this is based on real events has added a whole element to this book.

In Little Stars is beautiful and completely addictive. I have devoured this book in just one sitting.

I love how the characters are brought together and with an element of disagreement on their opinions and beliefs. I can honestly say I didn’t expect to be so engrossed in this one.

Green has written a gem, I have adored this book from beginning to end. This is a gut wrenching and heartbreaking novel by a truly wonderful author.

I cannot say anything negative about this book. This is a wonderful read.

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A Mother’s Heart

Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
While Rachel Butler likes her life in a pretty Dublin coastal village, her heart lies in Hawke’s Bay, where she grew up. Visiting for the first time since tragedy tore her family apart, she and her stepchildren fall for its beauty and outdoor lifestyle.

Malahide, Ireland
As Rachel picks up the threads of her life as a single parent, she can’t shake off the memories of her loving family in New Zealand – and her dream house, the villa on the bay. But it’s time to move forwards with their life in Ireland, close to the children’s grandparents, amid the familiar surroundings they all know well.

Until the children’s grandmother, still grieving, starts to interfere, questioning Rachel’s position as stepmother.

Until Rachel’s attempts to strengthen the family she loves so dearly backfires, pitting everyone against each other.

And until her late husband’s parents mend the rift that has existed as long as she’s been married – bringing with them an explosive secret . . .

Review

This is a beautiful book which is written by a truly magnificent author. I found myself instantly addicted. I have found myself completely engrossed in this one very quickly.

A Mother’s Heart is a brilliant book filled with loveable, realistic characters. The book explores a custody battle and considers the impact on wider family members.

This is a read which has been gut wrenching and really pulled at the heart strings . This has been written and presented sensitively and in a way that really has an impact on the reader.

This is superb, I love that the author has included so many real and relatable topics. The characters are flawed but I have loved them in their own ways.

This is a must read book which I have devoured. A must for the TBR.

Never Go Back

THE CARTER WOMEN DON’T FOLLOW THE RULES: THEY MAKE THEM.

The brilliant new gangland thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of DIAMOND.

Gangster Max Carter and his ex-wife Annie Carter are leading separate lives in separate countries: past hurts and broken promises cannot be resolved. But then a summons to Majorca and a tragic death makes Max question all that has happened to him over many years.

He had two brothers – both are now dead. His closest friend has been found hanging from a London bridge. As the police wrestle with a seemingly unsolvable case, Max is forced to revisit his painful past to find answers to a mystery that seems to make no sense at all. Who is targeting his family and why?

Annie Carter is at a crossroads in life. She has a luxurious lifestyle but no one to share it with, and Max clearly thinks she is in danger too. Her daughter, Layla, has left her mafia lover Alberto Barolli and is back in London, stumbling into the police investigation and making waves. You should never go back, so the old saying goes. But then, the Carter women don’t follow the rules, they make them.

And when the truth of what’s been happening is finally revealed, will the Carter family stand together – or will it finish them for good?

This is an author I absolutely adore! Jessie Keane is a queen!! Never Go Back is a book that does not disappoint.

I adore the Carters. I was pulled into the pages of this one instantly. Keane is able to transport me to the pages and make me feel as though I am watching the events play out in front of me.

This is a perfectly paced read. I have been unable to predict where this was going. I love Annie, she is a brilliant character and it has been interesting to follow this one with her.

This is a book I have been completely addicted to! Jessie Keane is a gem and every book gets better and better.

The Carters are definitely an interesting bunch and a group who you will have mixed opinions of throughout reading this.

This is an absolutely brilliant book worthy of all the stars. I have loved this and cannot say anything negative about this one.

A definite for the TBR.

The Prisoner’s Wife

Publishing Feb 2nd 2023.

She’s married to a monster.
Till death do them part…

Emma’s husband is in prison.
Emma’s husband claims he is innocent.
Emma’s husband is a liar.

And he’s not done with her yet…

A pacy and gripping read with a chilling twist, perfect for fans of My Lovely Wife, Blood Orange and The Perfect Couple.

My Bookish Thoughts

Well what a phenomenal debut! I need more!! This has been everything I had hoped for and more.

Emma is married to top dog, dodgy character Tommy. As this begins, Tommy is found guilty and sentenced to five years imprisonment. Only, this doesn’t mean freedom for wife Emma.

Tommy has left Emma a set of rules she needs to live by and follow while he’s inside. He makes it clear that his mother and brother will be the ones keeping an eye on her. If Emma doesn’t follow the rules, her family will get hurt.

My heart has raced as I’ve read this book. Blood has pulled me in and I’ve found this a book which has been completely impossible to put down. I have devoured page after page of this gem in just one sitting.

There are so many complications for Emma in this one- a controlling husband, colourful and uncaring in laws, fear and urgency to protect her own family and she’s haunted by mistakes she has made while Tommy has been inside.

This book has everything I’d hoped it would have. I have been left completely speechless by this one and wish I could experience reading this for the first time all over again.

Blood is going to be an author to watch out for. This is engaging, gripping, addictive and completely unpredictable. An absolute must read and one I will be recommending to everyone.

The Flight

A young mother is trapped with a killer thirty thousand feet up, in this gripping midair murder mystery by the author of Open Your Eyes.

On a plane to Barbados, nurse Melissa sits with her young son, Theo. On the same flight, up in first class, are a bride- and groom-to-be, heading for their tropical wedding destination, accompanied by family and friends.

When two members of the wedding party die in mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that a killer is on board. Trapped in the cabin thousands of feet above the Atlantic, tensions mount as accusations fly—and when little Theo seems to vanish into thin air, this bizarre flight becomes even more turbulent . . .

Will Melissa be able to use her medical knowledge to find her son and bring a cold-blooded killer to justice before it’s too late?

Sometimes you read a book and just know you will love the author. For me, that’s what happened with Heather’s debut. I was then extremely excited to join this blog tour.

The Flight is a book I have devoured in one sitting. This was a book that captivated me from the very beginning and one that was impossible to put down.

This flows perfectly and moves at a brilliant pace. There is plenty of tension that fills the pages of this. The characters are an interesting bunch, each have their own unique part to play.

I have literally felt as though I have been watching this one play out in front of me. I could easily imagine this one on screen.

Fitt is brilliant. Definitely an author with the mind of a genius. I absolutely loved Heather’s debut and this one has been equally as wonderful. Fitt is an amazing author and a definite for the TBR.

There is nothing to dislike about this book. This is brilliant from beginning to end. A book worthy of all the stars.

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Thank you to Amber at Harper Fiction for my advanced copy of this gem.

From the Cover:

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.

UNIQUE. ORIGINAL. UNFORGETTABLE.

Discover the power of being Weyward in 2023’s biggest debut

My Bookish Thoughts:

A Weyward woman belongs in the wild and should not be caged.

This is a gem to read and what a wonderful debut I have devoured in just one sitting. The characters that fill the pages of this gem are interesting and completely captivating.

The journey through this one is intriguing, interesting and beautifully written. Each woman has their own story which is connected by determination and the strength of the characters.

We are introduced to Altha who is tried for being a witch, Violet who has an abusive father and Kate who is enduring a violent relationship. Each story will touch the reader one way or another.

I have found that this has flowed beautifully and been a book completely unlike anything I’ve read previously.

Hart really has a talent for story telling. This is completely captivating and immersive. I found myself hooked by this. Weyward is definitely a book that has converted me as a fan of this author. I need more.

Weyward is a brilliant read and one that needs to be on everyone’s TBR. I have loved this debut from Hart. This is a masterpiece from beginning to end and one that I cannot recommend enough.

Make Me Clean by Tina Baker

Hugest thanks to Viper for my advanced copy of this one. Also, a shoutout to my fellow Squadette Sue for grabbing me a copy at the event.

Publishing 16th February 2023.

From the Cover:

She will leave your surfaces sparkling.
But she may well leave you dead…

Maria is a good woman and a good cleaner. She cleans for Elsie, the funny old bird who’s losing her marbles, with the terrible husband. She cleans for Brian, the sweet man with the terrible boss. She cleans for the mysterious Mr Balogan, with the terrible neighbours.

If you’re thinking of hiring her, you should probably know that Maria might have killed the terrible husband, the terrible boss and the terrible neighbours. She may also have murdered the man she loved.

She didn’t set out to kill anyone, of course, but her clients have hired her to clean up their lives, and she takes her job seriously – not to mention how much happier they all are now. The trouble is, murder can’t be washed out. You can only sweep it under the carpet, and pray no one looks too closely…

Darkly funny and completely gripping from the first page to the last, Make Me Clean is one thriller you won’t be able to scrub from your mind. Perfect for fans of Harriet Tyce, Fiona Cummins and My Sister the Serial Killer.

My Bookish Thoughts:

All hail queen Tina who is back with an absolutely amazing masterpiece. I am in awe of Tina, every book just gets better and better. I do love February which brings a new Baker read.

Maria is a cleaner, only not a conventional cleaner. As a character, on the whole I’ve liked her. She has been interesting and the journey through this book with her has made for delightful reading.

This is, as expected dark but also filled with moments that will have you laughing out load. There are plenty of twists thrown in to keep you guessing as well.

Baker writes wonderfully, it’s easy to become lost in the pages and feel as though you are watching each event play out.

Make Me Clean is an easy to read book which is a must for all book lovers. Maria is a character that will stay with you. Her and Elsie are a brilliant pair and I’ve enjoyed reading the interaction between the pair.

This is refreshing, addictive, entertaining and utterly brilliant. The queen has returned with a must read! I’ve read all Tina’s books and this one might possibly be my favourite (though I still love Mammy) ❤️

There is nothing negative I can say about this book. It’s bloody brilliant!!! Tina is fantastic! Make Me Clean is definitely a must read that I cannot recommend enough.

One Down by Diana Wilkinson

The brand new thriller from Diana Wilkinson, author of 4 Riverside Close

I’m not being paranoid. It’s all there in the crossword clues…in black and white. There’s no doubt the threat is real. Today, the answers spell out my murder.
May Third. Amanda. Silver Birch. Noontime. Assassination.

Is Nathan, my estranged crossword-setter husband, really planning to kill me? Or is it someone closer to home?

I check the door is bolted, slither to the ground, and count down the seconds to noon. There’s nothing left to do, and no one I can call. Who’d believe me anyway? The lady on the ground floor has already left the building, and my new boyfriend is on holiday. Or is he?

A tread of footsteps. A rap at the door, and I close my eyes, hold my breath…

A smart and unsettling psychological thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena and Claire Douglas

My Bookish Thoughts;

This is a book that intrigued me from the very cover. I’ve read a few books by Wilkinson now and this is high on the list. This is an author who knows how to deliver.

This has been an interesting read, unique to others I’ve read. This has been fascinating to read and one I was unwilling to put down.

Amanda has been an interesting character, convinced crossword puzzles are aimed at her. On times this has felt quite claustrophobic and I’ve wanted to give her a big cwtch.

Amanda is quite unreliable. Yet it makes for great reading. There is tension and suspense which really adds an element to this book. Amanda’s flashbacks allow us to see exactly what ex husband Nathan is truly like.

This is gripping, full of tension and suspense. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

An absolute must for the TBR.

The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish

My hugest thanks to Laura S for my advanced copy of this gem.

Publishing February 2nd 2023.

From the Cover:

*** PRE-ORDER THE NEW CAUTIONARY TALE OF OBSESSION, LOVE, JEALOUSY AND DECEPTION FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUR HOUSE AND THE OTHER PASSENGER ***

There’s the obvious story. And then there’s the truth.

Alex lives a comfortable life with his wife Beth in the leafy suburb of Silver Vale. Fine, so he’s not the most extrovert guy on the street, he prefers to keep himself to himself, but he’s a good husband and an easy-going neighbour.

That’s until Beth announces the creation of a nature trail on a local site that’s been disused for decades and suddenly Alex is a changed man. Now he’s always watching. Questioning. Struggling to hide his dread . . .

As the landscapers get to work, a secret threatens to surface from years ago, back in Alex’s twenties when he got entangled with a seductive young woman called Marina, who threw both their lives into turmoil.

And who sparked a police hunt for a murder suspect that was never quite what it seemed.

It still isn’t.

My Bookish Thoughts:

Louise Candlish is back with another brilliantly fantastic masterpiece. This book is a must read and one that should be on all TBR’s of book lovers.

There is nothing to dislike about this book. Candlish has included the perfect amount of tension and suspense. She also manages to completely pull the ground from under you as a reader.

The Only Suspect has captured me from the very beginning and I have devoured page after page in one sitting. I found myself completely unable and unwilling to put this one down. I was hooked from chapter one.

Alex has been an interesting character, my opinions have changed numerous times throughout this one. I have really felt for his wife, the changes and moods he has had have made me want to give her a big cwtch.

The dual timeline has been a welcome aspect of this one. It has really given me a full perspective of what has taken place. As the events have unfolded, I have been completely speechless by the brilliant mind of the author.

This book is just completely genius. Candlish is a masterful storyteller and this one is wonderful. I have loved the contrast in characters and how unpredictable this one has been.

This is a must read and one I cannot recommend highly enough. A book worthy of all the stars.

The Marriage Act

Absolutely delighted to join the blog tour for this fantastic author.

From the cover:

From the bestselling author of The One, now an eight-part Netflix series. Set in the same world as The One, The Marriage Act is a dark, high-concept thriller.

‘One of the most exciting original thriller writers’ Simon Kernick

What if marriage was the law? Dare you disobey?

Britain. The near-future. A right-wing government believes it has the answer to society’s ills – the Sanctity of Marriage Act, which actively encourages marriage as the norm, punishing those who choose to remain single.

But four couples are about to discover just how impossible relationships can be when the government is monitoring every aspect of our personal lives, monitoring every word, every minor disagreement . . . and will use every tool in its arsenal to ensure everyone will love, honour and obey.

Black Mirror meets thriller with a dash of Naomi Alderman’s The Power.

My Bookish Thoughts

John Marrs has done it again, this is another absolute gem that is impossible to put down.

This is a scary plot that makes you think about how technology is evolving and how eventually it could be used.

Marrs has created an array of characters who will definitely give the reader a mixture of feelings. The book develops and we can see tensions and issues as we get to know the characters that fill the pages.

I’ve had mixed opinions of the individuals that fill the pages of this book. Arthur and June have definitely stolen a part of my heart.

I love how Marrs has considered all aspects with the characters of this. You definitely see all parts of the argument as you read. There is nothing predictable about this either.

Imagine having a device recording all parts of your relationship and then judging you by it. As a result, you may be visited and judged further by a stranger and eventually taken to family court… slightly terrifying but Marrs really makes this believeable with this book.

The plot unfolds at the perfect pace. This is an addictive read that I have been completely unwilling to put down.

I’ve read many books by this author but this is definitely a favourite. I’ve found myself lost in the pages and unwilling to put this book down.

Marrs never fails to deliver and this is an absolute gem. I highly recommend this masterpiece to other fans of the genre! This is a book I have loved.