Title: Differently Normal
Author: Tammy Robinson
Release Date: April 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
'Differently Normal' is a beautifully written story that will stay with me for a long time to come. With memorable characters that drew me in from the very first page, it is also a book that resonated with me on a very personal level. It portrays the reality of caring for a loved one with a disability in such a believable way, and is told with the care, humour and sensitivity I have come to expect from this author's work.
Tammy Robinson is a born storyteller. She breathes life into her characters, making you love and care about them, feeling every emotion right along with them. Maddy and Albert are brought vividly to life on the page and, more than anything, you're willing everything to work out well and for them to get all the things that life has so far denied them.
The unwavering love Maddy has for her sister, Bee (who has autism), is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, and as the parent of a (now adult) child with a disability, my heart goes out to her as she struggles to come to terms with the responsibility of caring for someone you love who is 'differently normal'.
A beautiful story of love and heartache that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride, 'Differently Normal' has a cast of memorable characters and a story that will stay with you long after the final page has been turned. Highly recommended.
Thank you to TBC and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
Friday, 21 April 2017
Thursday, 23 March 2017
Book Review - The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse
Title: The Idea of You
Author: Amanda Prowse
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
Summary:
Author: Amanda Prowse
Release Date: 21st March 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
Summary:
With her fortieth birthday approaching, Lucy Carpenter thinks she finally has it all: a wonderful new husband, Jonah, a successful career and the chance of a precious baby of her own. Life couldn’t be more perfect.
But becoming parents proves much harder to achieve than Lucy and Jonah imagined, and when Jonah’s teenage daughter Camille comes to stay with them, she becomes a constant reminder of what Lucy doesn’t have. Jonah’s love and support are unquestioning, but Lucy’s struggles with work and her own failing dreams begin to take their toll. With Camille’s presence straining the bonds of Lucy’s marriage even further, Lucy suddenly feels herself close to losing everything…
My Review:
Going into 'The Idea of You' I already knew it was going to be an emotional read as baby loss is an issue that's very close to my heart. As I read it, I also knew that when it came to writing my review it would be very difficult not to talk about the emotional impact it had on me on a very personal level.
I have never suffered a miscarriage myself, however my son and his wife lost their firstborn little boy, my grandson, to stillbirth in 2012. The lives of my family were forever changed in an instant, and our beautiful, perfect baby boy will be etched on our memories and in our hearts always.
So knowing that 'The Idea of You' dealt with baby loss I began to read with some trepidation, nervous at how the subject would be handled. But I needn't have worried as, in Amanda Prowse's capable hands, it was dealt with sensitively and with great empathy. I didn't always like Lucy and Jonah, or the way they dealt with things, but that made them all the more real and believable to me. And from my own personal experience of seeing loved ones grieve the loss of a much wanted baby, I recognised and empathised with so much of what they went through.
As the story progressed and more details of Lucy's past emerged, I grew to understand and sympathise with her even more, so much so that I went from sometimes wanting to shake her to wanting to envelop her in a gigantic hug. With a cast of supporting characters (including Jonah's feisty, beautiful teenage daughter Camille) that you quickly come to like and care about, this is a book full of heart and family values. Beautifully writtten with such a wonderful depth of emotion, 'The Idea of You' is not only a story of heartbreak and loss, but also one of hope.
A highly recommended 5 star read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this beautiful book.
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Book Review - Quieter Than Killing by Sarah Hilary
Title: Quieter Than Killing
Author: Sarah Hilary
Release Date: March 9th 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
This is the fourth in Sarah Hilary's wonderful DI Marnie Rome series, and was every bit as good as I expected it to be.
Delving even deeper into Marnie's past and the murder of her parents by her foster brother Stephen Keele, 'Quieter Than Killing' is a psychological thriller full of the twists and turns we have come to expect, taking you on a rollercoaster of a ride that leaves you breathless and eager to find out what happens next.
With the always fabulous DS Noah Jake by her side, Marnie is investigating a spate of what appear to be vigilante attacks. But nothing is ever as straight forward as it seems and the case begins to take a very unexpected turn, with Marnie having to face up to the ghosts of her past while trying to remain focused on the task of bringing the perpetrator to justice.
I don't know how she manages to do it with every outing, but 'Quieter Than Killing' is the best in the series so far and Sarah Hilary has outdone herself yet again. Beautifully written, with a cast of memorable characters, the DI Marnie Rome series is one I highly recommend. And if you haven't read them yet? Do it, now. You won't regret it.
A fantastic 5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher who gave me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, which is available to buy now.
Author: Sarah Hilary
Release Date: March 9th 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
This is the fourth in Sarah Hilary's wonderful DI Marnie Rome series, and was every bit as good as I expected it to be.
Delving even deeper into Marnie's past and the murder of her parents by her foster brother Stephen Keele, 'Quieter Than Killing' is a psychological thriller full of the twists and turns we have come to expect, taking you on a rollercoaster of a ride that leaves you breathless and eager to find out what happens next.
With the always fabulous DS Noah Jake by her side, Marnie is investigating a spate of what appear to be vigilante attacks. But nothing is ever as straight forward as it seems and the case begins to take a very unexpected turn, with Marnie having to face up to the ghosts of her past while trying to remain focused on the task of bringing the perpetrator to justice.
I don't know how she manages to do it with every outing, but 'Quieter Than Killing' is the best in the series so far and Sarah Hilary has outdone herself yet again. Beautifully written, with a cast of memorable characters, the DI Marnie Rome series is one I highly recommend. And if you haven't read them yet? Do it, now. You won't regret it.
A fantastic 5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher who gave me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, which is available to buy now.
Sunday, 19 February 2017
Book Review - The Liberation by Kate Furnivall
Title: The Liberation
Author: Kate Furnivall
Release Date: November 2016
Rating: 4 stars
'The Liberation' is a fabulous historical romance that's as rich in atmosphere as it is in characterisation. It drew me in from the very first page and moved along at such a fast pace that the hours just sped by and before I knew it the story was coming to an end. Beautifully written, with characters you quickly come to care about, the twists and turns come thick and fast, even taking me by surprise on occasion. The sense of time and place is brought to life on the page and I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would.
A different kind of read to what I usually choose, but I'm so glad I decided to take a chance on it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction and would definitely read more by Kate Furnivall in the future. A good solid 4 stars from me.
Thank you to TBC and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read 'The Liberation'.
Author: Kate Furnivall
Release Date: November 2016
Rating: 4 stars
'The Liberation' is a fabulous historical romance that's as rich in atmosphere as it is in characterisation. It drew me in from the very first page and moved along at such a fast pace that the hours just sped by and before I knew it the story was coming to an end. Beautifully written, with characters you quickly come to care about, the twists and turns come thick and fast, even taking me by surprise on occasion. The sense of time and place is brought to life on the page and I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would.
A different kind of read to what I usually choose, but I'm so glad I decided to take a chance on it. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction and would definitely read more by Kate Furnivall in the future. A good solid 4 stars from me.
Thank you to TBC and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read 'The Liberation'.
Tuesday, 14 February 2017
Book Review - The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman
Title: The Summer of Impossible Things
Author: Rowan Coleman
Release Date: June 2017
Rating: 5 stars
'The Summer of Impossible Things' by Rowan Coleman is quite simply pure perfection. I didn't think there was any way Rowan could produce a book to rival 'We Are All Made of Stars', which catapulted to the top of my all time favourite reads in 2015, but somehow she has managed to do so with ease.
How can I write a review that will do this wonderful, magical book justice? That will convey the many different emotions I felt as I drank in every word of Luna's beautiful and moving story? I don't think I can. But what I will say is this: Read 'The Summer of Impossible Things' and enjoy every word of the journey it takes you on. Allow yourself to be swept along on a voyage of discovery, feel every emotion with Luna as she tries to put right the events of the past. Believe the impossible.
The Brooklyn of 1977 is brought vividly to life, you can feel the heat of that long gone summer and are instantly transported to a different time and place. If you had the opportunity to change the past, to heal the wounds of the people you love, would you? This is the dilemma Luna is faced with, all the time knowing that doing so could rewrite her own future. Is she willing to give up everything for the sake of her family?
This is a book like no other I have ever read. At the same time as wanting to rush ahead to find out what happened, I didn't want the story to ever end. I savoured every beautiful, heartfelt word and felt moved beyond words when the story finally came to an end.
'The Summer of Impossible Things' is a book that will stay with me. It's one of the few books I know I will read again and again like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, 'Time and Again' by Jack Finney and, of course, Rowan Coleman's earlier book, the fabulous 'We Are All Made of Stars'. All very different, but all with one thing in common: the ability to move and inspire me.
If I could give it more than 5 stars I would, but it is, without a doubt, the easiest 5 stars I've given in a long time. Outstanding. I can't wait to see what Rowan Coleman comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of 'The Summer of Impossible Things' which is available to preorder now and will be out to buy in June.
Author: Rowan Coleman
Release Date: June 2017
Rating: 5 stars
'The Summer of Impossible Things' by Rowan Coleman is quite simply pure perfection. I didn't think there was any way Rowan could produce a book to rival 'We Are All Made of Stars', which catapulted to the top of my all time favourite reads in 2015, but somehow she has managed to do so with ease.
How can I write a review that will do this wonderful, magical book justice? That will convey the many different emotions I felt as I drank in every word of Luna's beautiful and moving story? I don't think I can. But what I will say is this: Read 'The Summer of Impossible Things' and enjoy every word of the journey it takes you on. Allow yourself to be swept along on a voyage of discovery, feel every emotion with Luna as she tries to put right the events of the past. Believe the impossible.
The Brooklyn of 1977 is brought vividly to life, you can feel the heat of that long gone summer and are instantly transported to a different time and place. If you had the opportunity to change the past, to heal the wounds of the people you love, would you? This is the dilemma Luna is faced with, all the time knowing that doing so could rewrite her own future. Is she willing to give up everything for the sake of her family?
This is a book like no other I have ever read. At the same time as wanting to rush ahead to find out what happened, I didn't want the story to ever end. I savoured every beautiful, heartfelt word and felt moved beyond words when the story finally came to an end.
'The Summer of Impossible Things' is a book that will stay with me. It's one of the few books I know I will read again and again like 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, 'Time and Again' by Jack Finney and, of course, Rowan Coleman's earlier book, the fabulous 'We Are All Made of Stars'. All very different, but all with one thing in common: the ability to move and inspire me.
If I could give it more than 5 stars I would, but it is, without a doubt, the easiest 5 stars I've given in a long time. Outstanding. I can't wait to see what Rowan Coleman comes up with next!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of 'The Summer of Impossible Things' which is available to preorder now and will be out to buy in June.
Thursday, 9 February 2017
Book Review - The Somme Legacy (Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery 2)
Title: The Somme Legacy (Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery 2)
Author: M.J Lee
Release Date: 9th February 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to TBC and the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of 'The Somme Legacy'.
This is the second in the Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery series by M.J Lee and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first in the series 'The Irish Inheritance'.
The story moves seamlessly between the past and the present, with the genealogical aspect adding to the intrigue and suspense as the events of the past slowly begin to reveal themselves.
Jayne Sinclair herself is a fascinating character, who is brought vividly to life in this series of books and I very much hope to see more of her in the future. The weakest element of the story was the villain who sometimes came across as a bit of a 'pantomime villain' to me, but other than that I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well researched historical mystery with the added bonus of a genealogical twist.
A fabulous 4 stars.
Author: M.J Lee
Release Date: 9th February 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to TBC and the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of 'The Somme Legacy'.
This is the second in the Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery series by M.J Lee and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first in the series 'The Irish Inheritance'.
The story moves seamlessly between the past and the present, with the genealogical aspect adding to the intrigue and suspense as the events of the past slowly begin to reveal themselves.
Jayne Sinclair herself is a fascinating character, who is brought vividly to life in this series of books and I very much hope to see more of her in the future. The weakest element of the story was the villain who sometimes came across as a bit of a 'pantomime villain' to me, but other than that I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well researched historical mystery with the added bonus of a genealogical twist.
A fabulous 4 stars.
Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Book Review - The Damselfly by SJI Holliday
Title: The Damselfly (Banktoun3)
Author: SJI Holliday
Release Date: 2nd February 2017
Rating: 5 stars
This is the third and final book in the Banktoun trilogy by S.J.I Holliday and in my opinion is the best of them all. With very real and true to life characters 'The Damselfly' is a psychological murder mystery novel that will keep you guessing.
It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride and there are twists and turns aplenty, but it's the standard of writing that lifts this book head and shoulders above so many others of this genre. Not only is it beautifully written, but the Scottish town of Banktoun is brought vividly to life, and I couldn't help but feel bereft as I came to the end of the final page.
An impressive 5 stars.
Thank you to TBC and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of 'The Damselfly'.
Author: SJI Holliday
Release Date: 2nd February 2017
Rating: 5 stars
This is the third and final book in the Banktoun trilogy by S.J.I Holliday and in my opinion is the best of them all. With very real and true to life characters 'The Damselfly' is a psychological murder mystery novel that will keep you guessing.
It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of a ride and there are twists and turns aplenty, but it's the standard of writing that lifts this book head and shoulders above so many others of this genre. Not only is it beautifully written, but the Scottish town of Banktoun is brought vividly to life, and I couldn't help but feel bereft as I came to the end of the final page.
An impressive 5 stars.
Thank you to TBC and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of 'The Damselfly'.
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