Monday 30 May 2016

5* review: My Husband's Wife - Jane Corry



When lawyer Lily marries Ed, she's determined to make a fresh start. To leave the secrets of the past behind.
But then she meets Joe. A convicted murderer who reminds Lily of someone she once knew, and who she becomes obsessed with freeing.
But is he really innocent?
And who is she to judge?


Lily and Ed are recently married and not getting on as well as Lily would like, Ed is distant and displaying his artistic temperament a little too much for her liking. She is a defence lawyer and facing the task of proving herself in a particularly difficult case, representing convicted murderer, Joe Thomas, a man with a strange and addictive personality who reminds Lily of her late brother, Daniel. There are more secrets in that closet!

They live next door to Francesca and daughter Carla. They are Italian and Carla is frequently bullied for standing out and being very different to the other children. Her mother has two jobs, one seemingly more moral than the other, and does not give Carla too much of her time (although Carla clearly adores her) so is grateful when Lily and Ed take to babysitting her on Sundays. Something that will see their lives permanently interwoven and not in a positive way

Lily discovers Francesca's secret and shatters little Carla's life apart.

When Carla rediscovers them as an adult and sees their life through mature eyes she realises they were not the couple she first thought, and implements the plan she has been devising.

My Husband's Wife really is a good, multidimensional story to sink your teeth into. I was very quickly hooked by the alternating chapters narrated by Lily and Carla, and was endeared to Carla as a child, until a different side of her started to appear.

It really shines upon the fact of good and bad in people and who is the judge of who is what? Each of the characters has a balanced blend of both and I found myself liking characters I didn't think I should (Joe Thomas!).

Safe to say this is an excellent, dark psychological tale and one that I will enjoy rereading time and again.


Many thanks to the publishers for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.




Friday 27 May 2016

5* Review: B-Side (Arielle Lockley series book 2.5) by Elle Field




"What do I honestly know about the music industry? I'm just another idiot with a dream who is naive enough to hope that I might be the next big star."
Etta Millhouse has always had big musical ambitions to match her big voice, but she's also got three very big problems - the addiction she won't admit to, her godmother's illness that she can no longer ignore, and her godmother's useless business partner (who she wishes she could ignore).
Keeping an eye on Arielle's poor business decisions is the last thing Etta wants to do when she's offered the chance to record a demo with a top producer. But, a promise is a promise, even if it has her reaching for another pick-me-up... And then another. And then one more.
When the secret she must keep for her dying godmother, Felicity, sends her drug habit spiralling out of control, can Etta battle her demons in time and make her dream happen? Or, will her music career be over before it's even begun?


We meet Etta in Lost, book 2 in the fabulous Arielle Lockley series, and quickly into it are introduced to new character, Etta. I really, REALLY did not like Etta. Her character comes across as extremely bad tempered, spoilt and melodramatic; taking an instant dislike to the lovely Arielle and being as utterly loathsome to her as possible, taking her for a money grabbing, lazy rich girl. She thinks she is pulling the wool over godmother, Felicity's eyes and ruining her business, which is far from the truth.

I did not think a book devoted purely to her would endear me, but I was hoping I would at least understand a little more about her, and as the author promised - there is two sides to every story.

What a remarkable character, it turns out, that Field has crafted! I did not like her any better when I had finished the book, but certainly understood what drove the extremely downtrodden, wary young girl who had suffered dreadful tragedy and a life-changing abusive betrayal by a member of her family which drives Etta's future down a very dark and dangerous path, and could see why she reacted with so much jealousy and protectiveness over Felicity.

I was shocked while reading B-Side how Field could go from writing fun, witty novels to writing something powerful and showing a whole new side to her writing which is already clever, well written and great to read. It really opened my eyes to what a versatile writing talent she really is. I enjoyed B-Side, it really is fast paced and keeps you turning the pages as you watch the story unfold.

The story mainly looks at the sad deterioration of Felicity's health and how both characters handle it, another issue sensitively written. Arielle has her wedding to Piers to plan while trying to prove herself with a new business venture and Etta has a promising music career to handle, while trying to keep her life in general on track, dealing with issues that threaten to ruin it all.

It whets the appetite beautifully to the finale of this wonderful series, in Found (out August 2016).

Would work as a standalone novel but far more enjoyable when read in order as part of the series.

Many thanks to the author for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review.












Monday 16 May 2016

Cover reveal - Found by Elle Field (Book 3 in the Arielle Lockley series)

Today I am super happy to introduce Found by the wonderful Elle Field. Found is book three in the Arielle Lockley series and will hit your shelves on August 9th...





One death. Two weddings. Three months in New York City.

Who knew one flight could change everything? When Arielle Lockley stepped on the plane at Heathrow, she never realised how different her life would be when she touched down in New York. Now she's dealing with that aftermath, as well as trying to find common ground with Etta, her new and unwanted business partner.

But, trying to sort out her shop in London whilst Piers is stuck in New York is starting to take its toll on their relationship, and Arielle isn't the only one with an important decision to make... Can Arielle and Etta continue Felicity's legacy without destroying it, and will Arielle and Piers manage to make it down the aisle to say "I do"?

Find out what happens in the final part of the warm and wonderful Arielle Lockley series - out this August.


Find out a bit more about Elle's other books here: Elle Field's Arielle Lockley series







Saturday 14 May 2016

5* review & Giveaway - The Woolworths Girls by Elaine Everest



It's 1938 and as the threat of war hangs over the country, Sarah Caselton is preparing for her new job at Woolworths. Before long, she forms a tight bond with two of her colleagues: the glamorous Maisie and shy Freda. The trio couldn't be more different, but they immediately form a close-knit friendship, sharing their hopes and dreams for the future.
Sarah soon falls into the rhythm of her new position, enjoying the social events hosted by Woolies and her blossoming romance with young assistant manager, Alan. But with the threat of war clouding the horizon, the young men and women of Woolworths realize that there are bigger battles ahead. It's a dangerous time for the nation, and an even more perilous time to fall in love . . .

It's been a while since I've read a book in this genre and I absolutely loved it. A gentle, beautifully narrated story of love and friendship in wartime England - along with the much loved and greatly missed institution that was Woolworths.

Sarah, Maisie and Freda: three girls from different walks of life all in their own way escaping from some aspect of their lives and hoping to find solace in the camaraderie of the working life of being a Woolies Girl. Firstly, their boss, 'Bossy Billington' seems a fierce and unlikeable character, looking down somewhat on brassier yet glamorous character, Maisie, but during the story reveals a much softer and vulnerable side, making her I think my favourite character in the book. Ruby Castelton - Sarah's nan is another wonderful character - the epitome of family matriarch in this troubled time in history and someone you would most definitely want on your side in a crisis.

I loved the vivid descriptions of this time period and often felt I was reading more of a memoir, it felt very realistic. I followed the ups and downs of life with the girls avidly, rooting for all to end well for them, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ending where slightly predictable, was satisfying and in no way disappointing.

This is a wonderful nostalgic read from start to end that evoked memories of my childhood (albeit not in the time period which the book is set...!) taking my pocket money to Woolies on a Saturday morning to buy sweets and records!

Well worth reading...

Many thanks to Sophie at EDPR for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

Giveaway!!

I am giving away a paperback copy of Elaine Everest's The Woolworths Girls - just comment below (or on my Facebook page) and tell me your fondest memories of Woolworths!
UK only please...



Thursday 5 May 2016

When I Was Invisible - Dorothy Koomson



‘Do you ever wonder if you’ve lived the life you were meant to?’ I ask her. 




She sighs, and dips her head. ‘Even if I do, what difference will it make?’ 


In 1988, two eight-year-old girls with almost identical names and the same love of ballet meet for the first time. They seem destined to be best friends forever and to become professional dancers. Years later, however, they have both been dealt so many cruel blows that they walk away from each other into very different futures – one enters a convent, the other becomes a minor celebrity. Will these new, ‘invisible’ lives be the ones they were meant to live, or will they only find that kind of salvation when they are reunited twenty years later?


Veronica Harper is introduced to Veronika Harper, two eight year old girls born to different families yet with virtually identical names - the unlikeliest of coincidences. They both realise a love for ballet and want to become serious, professional dancers, not in frilly pink tutus but with unseen twisted feet covered in calluses - just for the love of the art. But that changes when something horrible and unthinkable happens, and Veronika (Nika) feels she has no choice but to leave her home, friends and family, and leaves the other Veronica (Roni) with a hole in her soul and guilt so strong the only way she can find escape is to become a nun. But then even that doesn't help, so she leaves in order to find the other Veronika Harper and try to ease the noises that wont quieten in her head. 

As usual, Koomson tackles hard hitting subjects with the most utmost skill and sensitivity, but brings them home with huge realism that makes you really think hard.

Roni and Nika's pasts and presents are delved into in personal depths, and we follow the events that define their lives and sculpt their futures showing how both girls' strength of characters differ, one choosing to face things head on, and one choosing to hide - both becoming invisible in their own ways.

I was fascinated by Nika's past, especially the time she spent on the streets and how she ended up there, making the hugest leap in circumstances someone can - and the characters that surrounded her.

The book culminated in a very powerful ending in so many ways which I certainly wasn't expecting. An excellent, thought provoking read.

Many thanks to Sophie at EDPR for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.




Tuesday 3 May 2016

Cover Reveal - B-Side by Elle Field

Today I am thrilled to introduce to you the cover for B-Side by Elle Field...



A bit about the book...


"What do I honestly know about the music industry? I'm just another idiot with a dream who is naive enough to hope that I might be the next big star."

Etta Millhouse has always had big musical ambitions to match her big voice, but she's also got three very big problems - the addiction she won't admit to, her godmother's illness that she can no longer ignore, and her godmother's useless business partner (who she wishes she could ignore).

Keeping an eye on Arielle's poor business decisions is the last thing Etta wants to do when she's offered the chance to record a demo with a top producer. But, a promise is a promise, even if it has her reaching for another pick-me-up... And then another. And then one more.

When the secret she must keep for her godmother, Felicity, sends her drug habit spiralling out of control, can Etta battle her demons in time and make her dream happen? Or, will her music career be over before it's even begun?

B-Side sits between Lost (out now) and Found (out August 2016) in the Arielle Lockley series - read Etta's version of events in this gritty Lost spin-off.

Find Elle here...




And a bit more about her books...