Review: Like It Never Was

Like It Never Was by Faith Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 2nd July 2024

3.75 Stars Rounded up t0 4

After a prank goes wrong between Jolene and her friend Elizabeth, Jolene keeps this a secret, what follows is Jolene's guilt at what she's done and her inability to outrun this or numb it away.

Ten years later Jolene moves to Berkley and meets back up with Elizabeth and they attempt to rekindle a friendship, but will Jolene's guilt let her be friends? will the voice in Jolene's head ruin everything?

I had an interesting journey with this book, the first chapter... BANG hooked, then the story started to slow down in pace for a while and I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with it, then another cliff hanger and so it went on, until I completed the book, for me the end petered out to the point I felt it could have been 2 or 3 chapters shorter for my liking, but maybe that's because I'd guessed or at least suspected quite early on the outcome and would have preferred to end on a cliff hanger of not knowing, but I know for a lot of readers that would not work for them, so I get why it was fleshed out.

The characters were well written, with some absolute treats in there that kept me entertained, with the addition of the voice Jolene hears in her head and I did double guess myself a few times throughout the book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Crime Reading Month

 

As it's Crime Reading month, I thought I'd share 4 of my favourite crime books that I've read through NetGalley this year 

Listen for the Lie

by Amy Tintera

Published: 14th March 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 How to Solve your Own Murder 

by Kristen Perrin 

Published: 26th March 2024 

      🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Suspect

by Rob Rinder

Published: 20th June 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟 

The Vanishing Act

by Sarah Ward

Published: 4th July 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟

                                                                    

 

                                                   

Review: The Reunion Party

The Reunion Party by Penny Batchelor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 25th June 2024

3.5 Stars Rounded up to 4

This is a fast paced book about a reunion party for a group of 5's uni friend who died 25 years ago.
The story is from multiple perspectives and what unfolds is how their lives have changed since uni and what happened from their perspectives while they were all friends at that time.

The Reunion Party is set in a boutique Yorkshire hotel which has a digital detox policy and one of the friends is the manager and has arranged for her 4 other friends to stay free of charge for the weekend to remember their dear friend, until things start to go awry.

I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this book, as it really brought the story and characters to life and showed their vulnerabilities and insecurities, which helped me warm to them more. I was correct in my assumptions as to what had happened to an extent and I think I enjoyed the first half of the book the most as the suspense was building and the stories were unfolding and then the book took a different turn, which I wasn't expecting and felt could have been summarised more succinctly, which let the book down for me, as I would have preferred more of the mystery and build up, but that is just a personal preference.

I enjoyed how quickly the story moved and was able to read the book in two days (not bad for me especially as I had to work also).

If this kind of mystery appeals to you I think you'll enjoy it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Review: Honey

Honey by Isabel Banta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 25th June 2024

A wonderfully told story about growing up, finding out who you are and exploring the possibilities that exist for you, even when others are imposing their ideas onto you.

The story is of a young singer named Amber Young, who gets scouted at a young age to join a girl band Cloud9, in the era of girl and boy bands, the book then follows Amber's career, with all the highs and lows of being in the public eye and feeling owned by those around her. Being questioned if her ambition is enough, or is it just a desire to be loved and find love.

The story is cleverly set out into the sections of a song, I really liked this style and I really enjoyed the honesty and rawness of what it is like to be a young girl growing into adulthood in the limelight and how others thoughts and opinions shape who you think you are and impact you.

This is a brilliantly written debut novel, I loved the writing style, Isabel Banta has a great way with words, that help you to become immersed in the life of these pop icons of the late 90's early 00's.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Review: The Dead Friend Project

The Dead Friend Project by Joanna Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Published: 11th July 2024

Another great, witty, dark book from Joanna Wallace, with a lot of heart and emotion.

This book centres on Beth whose best friend, Charlotte died and her husband left her for her best friend on the same day, since then her life has been spiralling and she's lost her way and feeling lonely as she no longer has her mum friends to turn to.

It's a fabulous book that keeps you guessing as Beth goes on the hunt for who killed her best friend. Everyone else accepts Charlotte's death as a tragic accident, but once Beth starts asking questions the more the details don't sit right with her, the only problem is she's trying to solve the crime after a bottle (or two) of wine and can't decipher her own drunken notes, making it harder to piece together the facts.

Joanna Wallace's character's are believable, relatable and beautifully written and described. I laughed, cried and was hooked by this book.

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books, Viper and the author Joanna Wallace for this ARC.

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Review: The Vanishing Act

The Vanishing Act by Sarah Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 4th July 2024

So this is the third book in the Mallory Dawson Crime Thriller series and I have actually read these all and in order... (very unusual for me to get that right haha).

I have enjoyed the previous two books, so was looking forward to this one and I wasn't disappointed. And I think the story and the writing gives enough back story that you could read this as a standalone book.

The story is of a family of 5 who vanish from their holiday home in a remote area of Wales which the cleaner of the property notices is under strange circumstances. The cleaner Elsa knows Mallory and calls her as she is concerned for the family.

Through the book it becomes apparent that the house has a past which involves alleged poltergeists and strange happenings when a family lived their back in 2003 3 siblings and their hippy parents.

Leaving Mallory and DI Harri Evans to investigate the disappearance of the family and trying to see if there is a connection between what is happening now and the houses history, sue to the unexplained events.

I really enjoyed this book and thought it followed on nicely from the last book, I enjoy the returning characters and feel very comfortable and confident when they are involved in the story. The settings are well described and I really enjoy the atmosphere created and all the tension, with the building of the plot and the story, along with the twists and turns you expect from a good mystery.

My main niggle is the constant referencing of Welsh language TV and Radio, I don't think it's always necessary to mention, although it is very comforting to read and be immersed in the Welsh language in this book.

I hope there are more books to come in this series as I feel so invested in Mallory, her son Toby and DI Harri Evans stories I want to know how their relationships progress.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Review: The Suspect

The Suspect by Rob Rinder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book Published 20th June 2024

I didn't realise when I started this book, that it was second in a series, but in all honesty I didn't feel like that took anything away from this book, enough was explained throughout that I was able to enjoy this book and the characters without having read it. Having said that I will be going back and reading the first book now, as I enjoyed this one so much.

The writing style is enjoyable to read and the characters are well rounded and real, I felt like I knew them by the end of the book.

The story itself was good and kept me interested until the end. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

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Review: You’d Look Better as a Ghost

You’d Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Published: 21st September 2023

I saw this on offer for the Kindle through Bookbub and the title got me straightaway, it felt witty and interesting, then I read the first two lines of the synopsis:

"I have a gift. I see people as ghosts before they die.
Of course, it helps that I'm the one killing them."

After reading that I was sold, and couldn't wait to start reading it and boy was I glad I went for this. A wonderfully witty, dry, dark book that kept me hooked and rooting for a serial killer.

It's a story about the harsh realities of dementia and the care system at its core, but also bereavement and of course a serial killer: Claire who after her father dies, is caught off guard by her emotions and how that impacts her killings.

A joy to read

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Review: I Hope This Finds You Well

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 23rd May 2024

A heart-warming, funny and considered debut novel.

I loved the premise of this book. An office worker who accidentally gains access to her colleagues’ private emails and DMs and decides to use this intel to save her job.

It's true if you've ever worked in an office, you will identify the characters in this book, but it's so much more than that, it's an intricate weaving of relationships, fears, failures and the masks we wear around others, only allowing them to see what we want to see and what happens when those masks slip and people are seen for their authentic selves.

It's a rollercoaster of a ride, with a warmth that draws you in. The characters and the setting is well thought out and realistic, showing all the sides to human life, even if the actions aren't always great. It's a raw and honest look at life and what people do to maintain the status quo.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Guests

The Guests by Nikki Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book published: 21st May 2024

I found this book intriguing, there were lot's of hints and suspense of different events that had previously happened, that I think my nosiness kept me reading.

The book starts with a family going away on holiday to a very exclusive and supposed eco-friendly resort. Once there all three from the family encounter there own problems that they have to face, whilst also carrying the problems from home.

I didn't particularly like most of the characters, but that's not to say they weren't fully formed and I don't always believe we're supposed to like all the characters in a story.

I thought the story had potential, it really felt like it was building to an exciting end, but I felt let down and underwhelmed by the conclusion of the book.

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Review: The Sixth Lie

The Sixth Lie by Sarah Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 2nd November 2023

This is the second book in the Mallory Dawson series and it didn't disappoint.

I enjoyed the unravelling of the story surrounding the death of Heledd Jones and the links made to the death of her son Huw Jones over a decade previous and the six lies told by the six friends surrounding Huw's death.

The characters are great and very realistic and the story flows well. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series.

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Review: The Typo

The Typo by Emily Kerr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Book Published: 3rd May 2024

I'm torn with this book, I can't decide whether I liked it or not! I flitted throughout from loving the characters and wanting them to do well, to getting so annoyed by them and just wanting to finish the book! The fact I finished the book says something, as if I'd not liked it I would have stopped.

The premise is great a chance meeting (via email) with a stranger due to a typo in an email address to Amy Cameron, which sets her on the search for the correct A Cameron, or as it turns out Cameron A, they exchange emails and build a relationship, but not without its trials as is the way of life.

I liked Amy, but did find her very frustrating at times, but did feel for her situation. Cameron came across well in the book, but I was always waiting for some dark secret (maybe that's because I've read too many thrillers), I think the story needed a bit more pace for my liking.

If you want a nice easy read this summer then this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

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Review: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Published 2nd May 2024

When Eleanor's publishers send her and some of her peers on a 10th anniversary trip to Italy with some lucky fans, it becomes clear that there is a killer amongst the group, but can she suss out who it is, before she is the next victim?

What a brilliant book, I was hooked instantly by the protagonist's witty charm and yeah I'm writing the review on Goodreads about it. I couldn't put the book down, I was so immersed in the story that I wanted to add the books Eleanor had written to my TBR list haha. If I could I would have.

The story moves at a great pace, with just the right amount of characters to be able to keep track of.

I cannot wait for another book in this series, this wonderful dark comedy was an absolute joy to read.

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