Review: 'The Lying Game' by Tess Stimson (2013)

There are some things we are never meant to know...

Harriet Lockwood has never really bonded with her daughter, Florence, the way she has with her three sons. Then one day, she discovers why. The girl she’s raised for the last fifteen years is not her biological child.

Zoey Sands is a single mother with a chaotic lifestyle. The one constant in her life is her daughter, Nell. Nothing can ever come between them – can it?

When Harriet turns up on Zoey’s doorstep demanding to see her biological daughter, the two families are plunged into a storm of bitter rivalries… and unexpected alliances.

I was really excited when I found a review copy from the lovely people at Pan MacMillan of Tess Stimson’s ‘The Lying Game’ in my mailbox. Not only had the attractive cover already caught my eye a few times (I love the intense blue of the woman’s skirt, the red high heels, and the touch of drama added by the falling wine glass), but I had never read anything by Tess Stimson before, while I’ve heard good things. This review copy of ‘The Lying Game’ therefore provided me with the ideal opportunity to sit down with a hopefully great novel and to be introduced to a new author at the same time! 

Harriet Lockwood seems to have the perfect life: she is married to the love of her life, Oliver, with whom she has four children (one daughter, three sons); she has a PR job which she loves; and she lives in a beautiful house in rural Vermont. However, somehow Harriet has never really bonded with her teenage daughter Florence. Somewhere deep down it is therefore not a complete surprise when Harriet discovers her biological daughter and Florence were switched at birth. At the other side of the world, Zoey Sands lives together with her daughter Nell in a small, messy London flat. Zoey’s already slightly chaotic life is completely turned upside down when she receives a letter from the hospital stating her daughter Nell is not her biological child. Harriet, Zoey and their families are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride as they try to deal with the switch and what this means for each and every one of them and their futures.

Within the first 40 pages of this novel, the reader is invited to have a look at the lives of the Lockwood’s and the Sands’, from the perspectives of mothers Harriet and Zoey, and daughters Florence and Nell. It doesn’t take long before the switched-at-birth incident comes to the light and together with the characters in the novel I was taken on a heavily emotional and unpredictable journey. The subject of babies being accidentally switched at birth in the hospital is a controversial topic that has been discussed in various ways over the years (perhaps some of you are familiar with the American TV show ‘Switched at Birth’). Tess Stimson deals with the issue in a realistic and interesting way, especially by not simply writing from one point of view but using the perspectives of numerous characters: both mothers (Harriet & Zoey), both daughters (Florence & Nell), and also a male standpoint from Harriet’s husband, Oliver. I personally thought this really added another layer to the story, because the experience is different for each individual character with a world of emotions behind it. Because the novel is not that long (approximately 300 pages), this did result in some seemingly hurried scenes every now and again. While some people might like the fast pace of this novel, I found myself wishing there were perhaps another 100 pages extra to get to know the characters just that little bit better. 

While reading I found myself not wanting to put this novel down for even a single second. The term ‘emotional rollercoaster’ is one that definitely applies when it comes to this book. This is of course linked to the controversial topic, but also has to do with the way Tess Stimson manages to introduce new enthralling elements every few pages. If you are looking for a simple light summer read, I would not recommend this book. But if you are looking for an absorbing, thought-provoking, fast-paced chick lit novel, then definitely pick this up... You will not be disappointed! 

Rating:8/10      

May 2013 release: 'It's Up to You New York' by Tess Daly

Will Holly find love in the city where dreams are made?

Fielding calls from disgruntled customers on a crispbread telesales careline isn't exactly where Holly Collins saw herself in life. Living in a shoebox flat and working in a windowless building on an outer London industrial estate were never quite what she'd had in mind. So when Holly is picked from obscurity to take part in Street Scout, a television series on the hunt for fashion's next big model, life finally seems to be taking a turn for the better for the happy-go-lucky twenty-something. Surely this is her big moment?

But Holly knows only too well that dreams are just that and when it feels like everything - and everybody - is conspiring against her, Holly heads for New York with her best friend Meg. The magic of Manhattan has Holly in its grasp: strutting down 5th Avenue and drinking two too many cosmopolitans, taking romantic carriage rides in Central Park and standing at the top of the Empire State building she can scarcely believe how far away the real world seems. But when Holly is faced with the biggest decision of her life can she make the fairy tale become a reality?

I only know Tess Daly as a TV presenter and I honestly had no idea she is also an author of chick lit novels. Her book 'The Camera Never Lies' looks like a lovely read, but on the 23rd of May her new novel 'It's Up to You New York' will be released! This book tells the story of Holly Collins who goes to New York to escape her troubles and hopes to find her own real-life fairy-tale in the Big Apple. I am already in love with the cover and the setting of this particular novel, and I can't wait to find out what Tess Daly's writing skills are like!

Pre-order your own copy here!

May 2013 release: 'Billy and Me' by Giovanna Fletcher

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she's successfully kept for years. It's meant that she's had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy - an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy's glamorous - but ruthless - world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

Giovanna Fletcher's upcoming novel has been getting a lot of attention the past few weeks, and I am one of those people who really can't wait to get their hands on a copy! I've only heard good things and read great reviews of 'Billy and Me', and apparently there's especially lots of love for the character of Billy... Nothing like a gorgeous leading man to dream about! Giovanna Fletcher is such a lovely person and I am 100% sure her novel will not disappoint... Can't wait for its release on the 23rd of May! 

Pre-order your own copy here!

Review: 'Perfect Strangers' by Tasmina Perry (2012)

Just an innocent invitation...

When Sophie Ellis is asked to house-sit at a luxurious Knightsbridge townhouse, it appears to be the offer of a lifetime. Drawn into the glittering circle of the home's owner, she meets wealthy American businessman Nick Cooper and is swept up into a thrilling and passionate affair. 

But when Nick is found dead in his hotel suite, Sophie is suddenly the prime suspect for his murder, and soon realises Nick was not the man he seemed. Racing to find the truth and clear her name, Sophie must elude not only the authorities but also a group of dangerous players who believe Sophie has something that they want. And who won't stop until she's caught...

I am a true sucker for romance and happy endings; have been for as long as I can remember. This becomes instantly apparent from my favourite books and films: all of them have to do with love and, most importantly, have that happily ever after some people find too unrealistic or predictable. I know precisely why these are the kind of tales I love to lose myself in: I want to find that kind of happiness in my life, and I thoroughly enjoy reading about other people’s (even if they are just fictional characters) roads to their own happy endings. Why would I want to read about murder, financial troubles, war...? There’s already enough trouble in this world, so in that little corner of my mind there’s simply not allowed to be any. So, when I received this review copy of Tasmina Perry’s novel ‘Perfect Strangers’ from the lovely people at Headline, I at first wasn’t completely sure whether this novel would be something I’d enjoy. How wrong was I!

Sophie Ellis is a rich Chelsea socialite who seems to have it all. However, when her family loses all their money and her father suddenly dies of a heart-attack, Sophie’s life changes significantly. She decides to pick up the pieces and go on as quick as possible, so when she is asked to house-sit for a new friend in Knightsbridge, she gladly accepts. At a glamorous party she meets handsome stranger Nick Cooper with whom she starts a passionate love affair. Yet, when Sophie finds Nick’s lifeless body in the shower one morning and she is automatically considered one of the main murder suspects, her life is once again turned upside down. This time, however, it turns out to be slightly more difficult to find her way out...

I hadn’t read a novel by Tasmina Perry before, and I was pleasantly surprised. From the first couple of pages I was captivated by the story and its exciting and intriguing plot. Who killed Nick, and why? What was going to happen to Sophie? I didn’t want to put the novel down, and all the twists and turns which I seriously did not see coming only strengthened this longing to keep on reading. I really liked Sophie; she isn’t your average Chelsea girl, which becomes clear from the start. She is thrown into a situation no one wants to find themselves in and I think it is very impressive how she deals with everything that is going on in her life. I adore fictional heroines who are strong, know how to take care of themselves and want to do the right thing; Sophie fits this picture perfectly. I found myself rooting for her straight away and hoping she would be able to find the real killer and go on with her life. 

Tasmina Perry turns out to be one of those authors I have definitely been missing out on. Even though I initially thought this novel might not be the kind of thing I would like, I found out that chick lits with a touch of crime might after all be books I can really enjoy and get lost in. ‘Perfect Strangers’ encompasses a great mix of mystery, excitement, drama and a touch of romance and keeps on throwing new twists and turns your way. If you’re looking for a novel that includes both glamour and intrigue, then be sure to pick up this book. I certainly can’t wait to get my hands on the next Tasmina Perry novel!

Rating:

8/10

May 2013 release: 'The Lying Game' by Tess Stimson

There are some things we are never meant to know . . .

Harriet Lockwood has never really bonded with her daughter, Florence, the way she has with her three sons. Then one day, she discovers why. The girl she’s raised for the last fifteen years is not her biological child. Zoey Sands is a single mother with a chaotic lifestyle. The one constant in her life is her daughter, Nell. Nothing can ever come between them – can it?

When Harriet turns up on Zoey’s doorstep demanding to see her biological daughter, the two families are plunged into a storm of bitter rivalries… and unexpected alliances.

Ever since I saw the cover of Tess Stimson's new novel, I've been excited about it. The gorgeous blue dress and red high heels really grabbed my attention, but so did the blurb! The story reminds me of the TV show 'Switched at Birth', which I really like, and I'm quite curious to read what Tess Stimson did with this particular storyline. What will happen to Harriet and Zoey and their daughters? If you're already just as intrigued by this novel as I am, be sure to pick up your own copy from the 23rd of May!

Click here to pre-order your copy now! 

May 2013 release: 'The Foster Husband' by Pippa Wright

 

In love and marriage, practice makes perfect...

 

Kate left her seaside home town of Lyme Regis for the bright lights of London when she was eighteen, and never looked back. She had it all: the glamorous career, the lovely house, the gorgeous husband.

 

But now she’s back: unemployed, separated, and holed up in her dead granny’s bungalow. Worse still, she’s forced to share the bungalow with Ben, the clueless and domestically challenged fiancé of her bossy sister Prue.

 

Ben is a man in need of simple instruction. And Kate is a woman in need of a project. So she decides to secretly train Ben, her foster husband, as a selfless pre-wedding gift to her sister.

 

But Kate may still have a few lessons of her own to learn…

 

I am really excited about this new novel by Pippa Wright which will be released on the 9th of May! Next to the pretty purple and pink cover, the blurb promises a fabulous story! I love the idea of a project, and a foster husband to train sounds like a recipe for disaster and laughter. Perhaps us readers can even pick up a thing or two to deal with the men in our lives! Can't wait to find out what happens to Kate!

 

Click here to pre-order your copy now!

May 2013 releases to look forward to! (Part 2)

Several days ago I already focused on some exciting upcoming May releases in a blog post, but next month has so many lovely novels in store for us... Too many for one blog post, so here are some of the other exciting new releases coming your way at the end of May!

Tess Daly - 'It's Up to You New York'

Will Holly find love in the city where dreams are made?

Fielding calls from disgruntled customers on a crispbread telesales careline isn't exactly where Holly Collins saw herself in life. Living in a shoebox flat and working in a windowless building on an outer London industrial estate were never quite what she'd had in mind. So when Holly is picked from obscurity to take part in Street Scout, a television series on the hunt for fashion's next big model, life finally seems to be taking a turn for the better for the happy-go-lucky twenty-something. Surely this is her big moment?

But Holly knows only too well that dreams are just that and when it feels like everything - and everybody - is conspiring against her, Holly heads for New York with her best friend Meg. The magic of Manhattan has Holly in its grasp: strutting down 5th Avenue and drinking two too many cosmopolitans, taking romantic carriage rides in Central Park and standing at the top of the Empire State building she can scarcely believe how far away the real world seems. But when Holly is faced with the biggest decision of her life can she make the fairy tale become a reality?

Why so excited? --> I love everything about this novel already: the cover is gorgeous, Holly's adventure sounds exciting, and who doesn't love a chick lit novel set in New York City? I honestly can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! 

Hilary Reyl - 'Lessons in French'

First love: first heartbreak. First job: first nightmare boss. A seductive coming-of-age tale set in the most romantic city on earth.

Fresh out of university and determined to dream big, Kate can hardly believe her luck when she lands a job as a ‘little-bit-of-everything’ to the world famous photo-journalist Lydia Schell. Better still, the job is in Paris, and her guide to the most romantic city on earth is the handsome Olivier. The Berlin Wall is about to come tumbling down, and the world feels full of possibility.

But the oh-so-charming Lydia turns out to be the boss from hell. The ‘little-bit-of-everything’ includes collecting under-the-counter diet pills and walking a flatulent dog round the rainy streets of the sixth arrondissement. And the gorgeous Olivier? He happens to be dating Lydia’s daughter…

As the two worlds of her disastrous job and exciting flirtation look set to collide, Kate is about to get a fast education in the French approach to having it all.

Why so excited? --> Hilary Reyl's debut novel sounds like a treat! Kate's tale which features a horrible boss and a gorgeous love interest slightly reminds me of 'The Devil Wears Prada', which I loved. The story is set in Paris, which is also already a thumbs-up... Enough to be excited about!

Giovanna Fletcher - 'Billy and Me'

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she's successfully kept for years. It's meant that she's had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then she meets the gorgeous Billy - an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy's glamorous - but ruthless - world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

Why so excited? --> I've been looking forward to the release of this novel for what seems like ages! I've been following Giovanna Fletcher on Twitter for quite some time already, and ever since she announced her first novel I knew I wanted to read it. The plot sounds fantastic, and I've only heard good things so far... Definitely looking forward to this book!

Tess Stimson - 'The Lying Game'

There are some things we are never meant to know . . . 

Harriet Lockwood has never really bonded with her daughter, Florence, the way she has with her three sons. Then one day, she discovers why. The girl she’s raised for the last fifteen years is not her biological child. Zoey Sands is a single mother with a chaotic lifestyle. The one constant in her life is her daughter, Nell. Nothing can ever come between them – can it? When Harriet turns up on Zoey’s doorstep demanding to see her biological daughter, the two families are plunged into a storm of bitter rivalries… and unexpected alliances.

Why so excited? --> I'm not familiar with Tess Stimson's other novels, but the plot of this novel sounds intriguing. It seems to be slightly different from the 'average' chick lit novel, but definitely worth a try.

Abby Clements - 'Vivien's Heavenly Ice Cream Shop'

When Imogen and Anna unexpectedly inherit their grandmother Vivien's ice cream parlour, it turns both their lives upside-down. The Brighton shop is a seafront institution, but while it's big on charm it's critically low on customers. If the sisters don't turn things around quickly, their grandmother's legacy will disappear forever.

With summer looming, Imogen and Anna devise a plan to return Vivien's to its former glory. Rather than sell up, they will train up, and make the parlour the newest destination on the South Coast foodie map.

While Imogen watches the shop, her sister flies to Italy to attend a gourmet ice cream-making course. But as she works shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best chefs in the industry, Anna finds that romance can bloom in the most unexpected of places...

Why so excited? --> I don't know why exactly, but I absolutely adore novels that have to do with ice cream shops or cupcake cafes... Must be the yummy treats! As soon as I came across this novel on the Internet, I knew I had to add it to my to-read list straight away. Lovely cover, lovely plot, lovely setting... Can't wait!

May 2013 releases to look forward to! (Part 1)

May is almost upon us and this month has quite a lot of special new releases in store for all the chick lit lovers out there! Be sure to get your hands on these lovely novels as soon as they are released!


Christina Jones - An Enormously English Monsoon Wedding

Life simply couldn't be better for Erin Boswell. At twenty-seven, she is engaged to the simply divine Jay Keskar - and every minute of her day currently revolves around planning the wedding of her dreams. Until, that is, Jay's parents announce that they want to 'discuss' things - and this is when Erin's wedding heaven turns into her wedding hell . . .

Tavish and Deena are Indian and have very firm beliefs about the form of wedding their only son should have. Of course, they say, Erin will be wearing a sari. And of course all the Indian pre-wedding ritual ceremonies - including tilak, mehendi, sangeet - will be observed.

As Bollywood comes to Berkshire, can East eventually meet West in perfect harmony? And if not, will Erin and Jay's dream wedding even take place?

Why so excited? --> I love the idea of spinning the typical English wedding around and adding a touch of India. The bright yellow cover is already getting me all excited about this particular story!

Beth Kendrick - The Week Before the Wedding

After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up.

Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow.

As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.

Why so excited? --> Oh my, so much going on, and that's just in the blurb! A wedding, a lovely setting (how gorgeous does 'Valentine, Vermont' sound?), a fiancé, a handsome ex... I'm sold!

Fern Britton - The Holiday Home

Two sisters. One House. The holiday of a lifetime…

Set on a Cornish cliff, Atlantic House has been the jewel in the Carew family crown for centuries. Each year, the Carew sisters embark on the yearly summer holiday, but they are as different as vinegar and honey.

Prudence, hard-nosed businesswoman married to the meek and mild Francis, is about to get a shock reminder that you should never take anything for granted.

Constance, loving wife to philandering husband Greg, has always been outwitted by her manipulative sibling. Suspecting that Pru wants to get her hands on Atlantic House, Connie won’t take things lying down.

When an old face reappears on the scene, years of simmering resentments reach boiling point. Little do the women know that a long-buried secret is about to bite them all on the bottom.
Is this one holiday that will push them all over the edge, or can Constance and Pru leave the past where it belongs?

Why so excited? --> We are getting closer and closer to summer, so what's better than already getting that holiday feeling by reading a good holiday novel? Constance and Prudence already sound like an interesting pair... Can't wait to find out what happens to them and Atlantic House!

Victoria Connelly - Wish You Were Here

Sun, sea and secrets…

A week on the sunny Greek island of Kethos is just what Alice Archer needs, even if she has to put up with her difficult sister. Stella’s tantrums and diva-like demands are a fair price to pay for crystal-clear waters, blue skies and white clifftop villas.

When Alice meets Milo, a handsome gardener at the Villa Argenti, for the first time she suddenly feels beautiful, alluring and confident. But is it just holiday magic or will the irresistible pull between Alice and Milo survive against all odds?

Why so excited? --> I absolutely adored Victoria Connelly's novel 'A Weekend with Mr. Darcy' and even though this one does not include an Austen hero, it promises to be a good summery read!

Pippa Wright - The Foster Husband

In love and marriage, practice makes perfect...

Kate left her seaside home town of Lyme Regis for the bright lights of London when she was eighteen, and never looked back. She had it all: the glamorous career, the lovely house, the gorgeous husband.

But now she’s back: unemployed, separated, and holed up in her dead granny’s bungalow. Worse still, she’s forced to share the bungalow with Ben, the clueless and domestically challenged fiancé of her bossy sister Prue.

Ben is a man in need of simple instruction. And Kate is a woman in need of a project. So she decides to secretly train Ben, her foster husband, as a selfless pre-wedding gift to her sister.

But Kate may still have a few lessons of her own to learn…

Why so excited? --> I immediately fell in love with the purple and pink cover of this book! The setting sounds amazing as well (London and Lyme Regis!), and the idea of training a man...? Perhaps I can even pick up a lesson or two from this story!

If you're curious to hear about some more fabulous May releases, be sure to keep your eye on this blog and check back soon! :)