Review: After the Storm

After the Storm by G.D. Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Two children went into the sea. Only one came out alive.

What a debut novel! Absolutely heart wrenching!
I knew it would be so kept putting off reading it, until I felt ready and then decided the audiobook was possibly the better option to go for, mainly because I can't read when I'm crying.

This is such a well written book about the human condition, we all make mistakes and how those split second decisions can have grave consequences.

I find the characters to be believable, raw and honest in their grief and behaviour. This book had me gripped and I couldn't stop listening to it, even though at times it was harrowing.

If this is G.D Wright's debut novel, I can't wait to read what he releases next.

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Review: After the Storm

After the Storm by G.D. Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

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Review: January Thaw

January Thaw by Jess Lourey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Review: Booked for Murder

Booked for Murder by P. J. Nelson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Review: Sweat

Sweat by Emma Healey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a hard hitting book!

Cassie is a personal trainer who works at a gym, when her coercive, controlling ex, Liam comes through the door and she is asked to work with him. Plot twist he is now registered blind.

This is a story of a toxic relationship that is handled so delicately and sensitively, with a dash of humour, in the right places.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Review: Sweat

Sweat by Emma Healey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Review: The Survivors

The Survivors by Caroline Mitchell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fatal car crash with only one witness—but is she telling the truth?

What a twisty, disturbing thriller this is... WOW!

This story is told from 3 points of view and with each point of view comes more shocking twists and turns, this one had me unable to stop listening.

When Finn takes her baby to visit her aunt Maura in Ireland after her mother dies, she has a car accident on a windy cliff top road and hits another mother and baby. Only one baby survives the accident, but which one?

This is a dark psychological thriller which touches on a lot of triggers, so be warned, but if that is your thing, then you'll love this book as it's non-stop and just when you think you've got a handle on what's going on, bam another surprise, right until the end of the book. It keeps you hooked and the tension just keeps building.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Review: The Inheritance

The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Murders in Great Diddling

The Murders in Great Diddling by Katarina Bivald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: We Solve Murders

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars
Release Date: 17th September 2024

Richard Osman has done it again, he's drawn me into his world and got me hooked.

I'm loving these new characters: Amy is another strong woman, who is a personal bodyguard, she has her vulnerabilities, but doesn't like to show them; then there's her father-in-law Steve, ex police who also doesn't like to show his vulnerabilities, but the two of them have a wonderful dynamic of supporting each other, at enough of a distance that they can both handle it; and finally Rosie D'Antonio the famous, best selling author, which Amy has been hired as her bodyguard. Things take a turn when it's Amy's life at risk and not knowing who to trust, she turns to Steve and there the adventure begins.

What a wonderful world Osman creates, with realistic characters, with a lot of heart and humour.

I absolutely adore that I can trust that when we press play on the audiobook, we will be in safe hands of great characterisation, world building and a great plot to keep us engaged.

I can't wait to see what adventures this new team get up to.

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Review: Not in My Book

Not in My Book by Katie Holt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Release Date: 10th December 2024

3.5 stars rounded up

The Hating Game meets Beach Read in this sexy and hilarious contemporary romance from a debut Peruvian-Tennessean voice.

This is an enemies to lovers romance book, which is true to the trope.
Two wannabe writers on a course together, who keep clashing over their feedback of each others work, but Rosie and Aiden start to realise it isn't hate between them, but love never does run smooth with a few bumps in the road reigniting that original clash of personalities.

Great writing style in this debut novel by Katie Holt, keeps you reading and wanting to know what happens next. With a book within a book storyline, great atmosphere and setting and started with great tension, which I felt petered out towards the end.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

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Review: The Crucifix Killer

The Crucifix Killer by Chris Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Release Date: 1st August 2009

As a big fan of crime psychological thrillers, this is right up my street.

Following Homicide Detective Robert Hunter and his new rookie partner Garcia on a case to the body of a young woman that is discovered in a derelict cottage who has been sadistically tortured making her dead body difficult to identify. This case starts to resemble a previous closed case of Hunter's The Crucifix Killer, but they think this is the work of a copycat as they have already caught and imprisoned.

The deaths and violence in this book are explicit and explained in real detail, giving a visceral reaction to them as they're discovered and really helps to immerse you into the setting and the events. I really loved the great characterisation and the psychology of all the characters in the book, all needed to move the story along and added more depth.

I'm really looking forward to continuing with this series.

I would say if you are squeamish, maybe this book isn't for you.

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Review: Whiteout: A Thriller

Whiteout: A Thriller by R.S. Burnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Release Date: 11th February 2025

What a debut thriller of a book! I was sold from the synopsis. I just didn't want to put this book down.

Rachael is persuaded by her old boss Guy to head back to Antarctica to carry out some vital research, but after months alone, with no human contact, except a radio message that a nuclear war has broken out, Rachael fears the worst for her husband and daughter who she left behind and is battling to survive a harsh winter storm, when things start going from bad to worse.

Is Rachael the only survivor? Will she survive a winter storm in Antarctica? Has she got the resilience and ability to survive?

This is an atmospheric and gritty, page turner. the writing is brilliant and I felt like I was there with Rachael witnessing it all unfold, with clever use of flashbacks to give a fuller picture as to what led Rachael to this point, you can't help but root for her.

There are so many twists and turns, you don't see coming and catch you off guard, but keep you hooked to find out what's going to happen next.

From the premise to the execution this is hands down one of my favourite reads of the year!

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers Crooked Lane for this ARC.

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