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.

Reviews also published on:
Coffee and Kindle Blog
The StoryGraph
Amazon

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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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Review: The Therapist

The Therapist by S.A. Falk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book Published: 25th April 2024

This book centres around a successful psychiatrist Dr Stephanie Fletcher, who works in the prison system trying to rehabilitate the criminally insane. When the serial killer Trent Davis is assigned to her and the emergence of a copycat so Dr. Fletcher throws herself into the investigation.

I struggled with the book, I enjoyed the premise and most of the story, but it was quite repetitive at times, but the ending really let it down, I don't always have a need for the story to rounded off neatly, but an ending would have been good, it felt unfinished.

I loved the story and the building of the Trent Davis character, it felt very intriguing and I felt short changed with that towards the end. I also loved how dark and involved the plot went and the pacing was great. I was so glad it didn't turn into a romance novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: How to Solve Your Own Murder

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Published: 26th March 2024

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars

I loved the concept and execution of this story and cannot wait for more in this series.

This was a great read, with some great characters and the plot moved along at a great pace unravelling the story through first person experience and diary entries which was a great way to get clues to solve the mystery, where everyone is a suspect, but also giving good evidence as to why most were not the murderer.

IT was fun to try to guess along as I was reading.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

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Review: I'm F*cking Amazing

I'm F*cking Amazing by Anoushka Warden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Published: 21st March 2024

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

A boldly written book about a woman and her relationships, with partners; family; friends and more importantly her own body. This book isn't afraid to tackle any subject and does so in a brilliant matter-of-fact way, with humour and tenderness.

The opening line had me hooked and made me want to continue as I loved the writing style straight away. It's written in a wonderful style as if you're having a conversation with a friend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of this ARC

Reviews also published on:
Coffee and Kindle Blog
The StoryGraph
Amazon

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Review: Listen for the Lie

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Published: 14th March 2024

Absolutely adored this book from the first page.

The story focuses on Lucy and a true crime podcaster trying to figure out if Lucy really did kill her best friend Savvy, Lucy claims she has no memory of the night five years ago, but is the main suspect in Savvy's murder. After leaving her hometown, her grandma invites Lucy back for her birthday party, where she meets the podcaster Ben and encounters the distain from the people of the town she left where everyone assumes she has murdered her best friend.

I instantly loved Lucy and her Grandma, some of the others not so much, but they are fully thought out and rounded characters, looking at them as a whole with their good points and flaws. All the characters felt relevant and crucial to the story and all added their own stamp too. Lucy's sarcasm and quick dark wit kept me entertained and amused throughout.

I really enjoyed Amy's writing style and the story being told from Lucy's perspective and the interviews on the podcast.

It was a book that I didn't want to end nor say goodbye to those characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC

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Review: Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Published: 12th May 2020

I really enjoyed this audiobook.

I found it absolutely fascinating to learn about the world of fungi, in such magnificent depth. Merlin (the author) has such a eloquent and wonderful way with words, that kept me hooked and entertained.

At times some chapters felt very science heavy which I appreciate, but wasn't always the easiest for me to follow, but I did appreciate the great analogies and summaries in plainer terms that rounded off the chapters.

I have since bought the illustrated version of the book, which I've found a joy to experience the visuals that accompany what I heard and enjoyed.

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Review: The Woman in Carriage 3

The Woman in Carriage 3 by Alison James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Published Book: 22nd May 2023

2 stars

I thought the book was ok, it started off strong, but I felt that the story started to get stilted and slow half way through.

The publicity blurb was misleading and sold a different story.

It was difficult to like the characters which made it more difficult to feel anything for them.

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