My Top Ten Reads of the Year

I still have a few reviews to complete and post, but thought I'd fit in one last blog post of 2015. So here (in no particular order) are my top ten reads of the last year:

1. Shtum - Jem Lester

I still need to post my full review of this amazing book, but wow, this book really did blow me away! 'Shtum' isn't due for release until April 2016, but I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Tracy Fenton at TBC on Facebook - and I'm so glad I did! It's possibly the best book I've ever read about life with a disabled child and it touched me on a very personal level. Outstanding debut novel and Jem Lester is an author I will look out for in the future.

2. We Are All Made of Stars - Rowan Coleman

After reading Rowan's wonderful 'The Memory Book' last year, I didn't think she would be able to top it, but oh my goodness how wrong was I! 'We Are All Made of Stars' made me laugh and made me cry. I fell in love with each and every character, and even slowed down my reading as I wanted to savour every beautifully written word. I could have read about these characters forever and so didn't want it to end! A beautiful and moving novel that was one of the highlights of 2015 for me.

3. Moving - Jenny Eclair

This was my first Jenny Eclair novel, but it definitely won't be my last! I don't know quite what I expected when I picked up 'Moving', but it certainly wasn't the emotionally charged, beautifully written novel I got. The story is narrated by several different characters and spans the lifetime of one of the most memorable characters I've come across in a long time. A book that will stay with me for a long time to come.

4. Silent Scream - Angela Marsons

This is an author I would never have found if it hadn't been for TBC on Facebook. 'Silent Scream' introduces the wonderful DI Kim Stone and is the first of a series of psychological thrillers. There have already been two more instalments that are every bit as good (if not better) than the first, and I hope to see much, much more of DI Kim Stone and her team in the future. Excellent books with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and a fascinating lead character who never ceases to surprise you. Another author I hope to see much more from in 2016.

5. My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry - Fredrik Backman

I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book! One second I would be laughing, the next I would be sobbing; the emotions it evoked in me were unexpected and all consuming. Anything I can come up with to say would not do this book justice, and to say I loved it would be an understatement. 'My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry' by Fredrik Backman made me feel so many emotions I can't even begin to describe them. It's a book about Elsa, a seven year old girl who is different from most of those around her. It is also a book about her eccentric old granny and the magical fairy tales she shared with the granddaughter she adores. It's about family relationships and how each one is different but still as important in very unique ways. And superheroes. We should never forget the superheroes!

6. No Other Darkness - Sarah Hilary

The second in the DI Marnie Rome series, 'No Other Darkness' is every bit as good as its predecessor. Another strong and memorable female character, who I look forward to seeing more of in future books. The supporting cast are also interesting in their own right, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep you in suspense throughout the book. I like the fact the villains are also three-dimensional characters and not just cardboard cutouts. Excellent book and highly recommended.

7. The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes - Anna McPartlin

Emotional and (especially considering the subject matter) strangely uplifting book about the last days of Rabbit Hayes. A beautifully written book that makes you think about the things that really matter in life. Loved it and it's an easy choice to be included in my top ten reads of 2015.

8. A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman

My second Fredrik Backman book to be included in my top ten and his debut novel. Ove is a difficult man to like at the beginning of the book, but I soon came to love the old curmudgeon. I don't know what it is about Fredrik Backman's writing that moves me so much, all I know is that it moves me in ways many other books couldn't. I don't think I've ever  sobbed as much reading a book as I have readin this and 'My Grandmother...'. Brilliant author and one that I will look forward to reading in the future.

9. After You - Jojo Moyes

'After You' is the much awaited sequel to 'Me Before You', a book I both loved and hated with equal measure. It's difficult to say too much about 'After You' without spoiling the first book, but suffice to say I loved it! A fitting sequel to the rollercoaster of emotions that was 'Me Before You' .

10. I Let You Go - Clare Mackintosh

Another book that it's difficult to say too much about, but wow, this book really did blow me away. There are moments you just don't see coming that give you the shock factor very few books are able to do. Just wow!

And that brings me to the end of my top ten reads of 2015. There are so many more I could have added, but these are the ones that stood out the most for me. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read, comment or tweet me this year. Thanks to all the wonderful authors, without whom my life would be a much darker and duller place. 

Here's to 2016!

Book Review - The Secret by the Lake by Louise Douglas

Title: The Secret by the Lake
Author: Louise Douglas
Release date: November 19h 2015
Rating: 4.5 stars

I've read several books by Louise Douglas now and have enjoyed them all, so wasn't surprised to find 'The Secret by the Lake' to be every bit as good as her previous work. I have to admit it took a little while to get going, but once it did it had me gripped.

'The Secret by the Lake' is a ghost story full of atmosphere, intrigue and romance, with lots of twists and turns and an ending I did not see coming. It had a very old fashioned feel to it, which I loved, that felt very reminiscent of classic novels such as 'Rebecca' by Daphne Du Maurier.

The haunting secrets held within the walls of Reservoir Cottage and the lake that surrounds it are slowly uncovered, with the tension building more and more until the ghostly and tragic Caroline finally reveals the grim secrets of her past. This is where the novel takes a much darker turn as the full horror of what happened 30 years before becomes disturbingly clear.

I loved 'The Secret by the Lake' and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned ghost story. The perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter night.

An atmospheric 4.5 star read. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading more Louise Douglas novels in the future.

'The Secret by the Lake' is available to buy now.

Book Review - Lost Girls by Angela Marsons

Title: Lost Girls
Author: Angela Marsons
Publication Date: 6th November 2015
Rating: 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture who gave me an ARC of 'Lost Girls' in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I didn't think Angela Marsons DI Kim Stone series could get any better, but she really has outdone herself here. A fabulous and fast paced thriller with a tight plot and twists and turns galore. Once started I could not put it down until the last page had been turned.

Although references to Kim's past are made throughout the novel, 'Lost Girls' could also be read as a standalone story if you haven't read the previous books in the series. The previous two books are so good, though, that I would urge you to read them as soon as you possibly can!

I don't give books a 5 star rating unless they have that special something that blows me away and 'Lost Girls' is most definitely one of those books for me. I look forward to reading more DI Kim Stone stories in the future.

A mind blowing 5 stars. Highly recommended.

'Lost Girls' is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be released on 6th November 2015.

Book Review: Time to Die by Caroline Mitchell

Title: Time to Die
Author: Caroline Mitchell
Release Date: 24th September 2015
Rating: 4 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Time to Die' is a wonderful page turning thriller that would appeal to anyone who enjoys a good story with a supernatural element running through it. This is the second in Caroline Mitchell's DC Jennifer Knight series and is every bit as good as the first.

I don't like to give too much away when I review books like this one as I think it's so much better to go into it without knowing any of the twists and turns that happen along the way. All I will say is that 'Time to Die' is a beautifully written crime novel with a surprising supernatural twist. Once started it is very difficult to put down and if you're anything like me, you will find yourself reading long into the night until the final thrilling page has been turned.

As a big fan of James Oswald's Tony McLean series, I've been looking for another author with a similar love of the supernatural, and I'm happy to say I think I've found her in the shape of Caroline Mitchell. Definitely an author I will look out for in the future.

A fabulous 4 star read. Highly recommended.

Book Review - Charlie and Pearl by Tammy Robinson

Title: Charlie and Pearl
Author: Tammy Robinson
Rating: 4 stars

Charlie and Pearl is a quick read that has a writing style with a lovely flow to it that makes it very difficult to put down. I can't say too much without giving something away, so I'll keep this review short and to the point.

It's a beautifully written love story that gently flows along for the first half of the book, but then takes a couple of unexpected turns that culminate in an ending that will take your breath away.

This is a book that will most likely divide opinion. Some people will love the ending, while others (and I am one of them) will understand it but not like it.

A beautifully written love story that will tug at your heartstrings and will definitely give you food for thought. Tammy Robinson is a new author to me, but one I will look out for in the future. Her writing style is beautiful.

A tearjerking 4 stars.

Book Review - The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who gave me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Jonathan Kellerman book, but it definitely won't be my last. It drew me in from the very first page when we meet Grace for the first time as a little girl. She's a fascinating character that will stay with me for a long time to come, and is one that I hope to meet again in future novels. I have a feeling that her future is going to be every bit as interesting as her past has been.

The Murderer's Daughter is told both in the past and the present day. The sections of the story dealing with Grace's past were fascinating and I found it very difficult to put the book down during these parts of the story. Although the present day aspect of the story did drag a little in places, the flashbacks to Grace's past were enthralling and more than made up for it.

It's difficult to place this book in any particular genre. It does have some aspects of a psychological thriller, especially the parts told in the present day, but it is so much more than that.

It's a book that ended up being very different to anything I've ever read before and I enjoyed it immensely. An excellent 4 star read. Recommended.

Book Review - Moving by Jenny Eclair

Title: Moving
Author: Jenny Eclair
Release Date: July 2015
Rating: 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley who gave me an ARC of 'Moving' in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not quite sure what I expected when I started this book, but it definitely wasn't this perfect little gem of a novel. I only know of Jenny Eclair as the quick witted, hilarious comedienne and had no idea that she was an accomplished author, so this wonderful story came as a complete surprise to me. Heartbreaking, bittersweet, yet laugh out loud funny at times, this book has moments that completely take your breath away.

The story is told by three very different narrators, the first being Edwina, who I fell in love with from the moment we first meet her. After more than 50 years living in the same house, Edwina has decided that the time has come to sell up and move away. As she begins the long, arduous task of getting her house ready for sale, the memories begin to flood back and we are taken on a journey throughout the years. What follows is a moving, very real story of a life well lived. Of love, losses, happiness, heartbreak and the many unexpected twists and turns our lives can take us.

The story is then taken up by two other narrators who shed light on the events of the past, which lead us to a moving, bittersweet, yet ultimately uplifting conclusion.

 I loved this book from beginning to end and savoured every beautifully written word, especially Edwina's story, which felt very real to me. She is a character who I think will stay with me for a long time to come.

An excellent 5 stars. A highly recommended read.