Review: 'Billy and Me' by Giovanna Fletcher (2013)

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 ‘Billy and Me’ has to be the book release of the first half of 2013 I was looking forward to the most. I’ve been a McFLY fan for years, which is how I ended up following Giovanna on Tumblr and Twitter (for those of you who don’t know, Giovanna is married to one of the members of McFLY, Tom Fletcher), and that is also how I first heard about ‘Billy and Me.’ After reading the exciting blurb, seeing the pretty cover, and hearing lots of positive sounds from other bloggers, I couldn’t wait to start reading this novel myself. However, I decided it would be the perfect book to take with me on holiday (a guaranteed good read!) in July, so while sitting in the sun at a lovely beach cottage in Cornwall, I finally started reading ‘Billy and Me.’

At first glance, Sophie May’s life doesn’t seem very complicated: she still lives in the small village she grew up in (Rosefont Hill) together with her mother, she works full-time in the local tea shop ‘Tea-on-the-Hill’ together with her boss and dear friend Molly, and in her time off she loves to get lost in a classic novel like ‘Jane Eyre.’ However, it wasn’t Sophie’s own choice to not go to university and to not travel the world; she has a secret, which makes her not want to step out of her comfort-zone. However, when famous handsome actor Billy comes into the tea shop one day and falls head over heels in love with Sophie, her life is unexpectedly turned upside down. All of a sudden, photographers and the whole of England seem to be interested in the girl from the small village and every step she takes. Will Sophie be able to live with this, all for the sake of her relationship with Billy? Including sharing her biggest secret with the world?

There are so many things I loved about this gorgeous novel. I instantly liked Sophie; we both love many of the same things (tea, cake, the English countryside, old classic novels like ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’) and I could easily relate to her. Sophie isn’t one of those heroines who instantly believes in herself and knows she can do great things. Throughout the novel, she continues to feel lost every now and again, influenced by her past and the people around her, which I think happens to all of us occasionally. This made me love her even more, and I have to say Sophie is one of my favourite chick lit heroines so far. I thought the start of Sophie and Billy’s romance was also just adorable. It was clear Billy was captivated by Sophie from the start, and I loved the way he acted around her and what he did to see her and to make sure she would like him back. The fact that Billy is a famous actor really added something fascinating to the story, but it was not turned into something too glamorous, too focused on all the fame, glitter, and money. It was believable, which I think really added another layer to the story.         

After reading reviews from other bloggers, I was quite curious to find out what Billy would be like. Everyone seemed to have fallen completely in love with him after reading the novel, and I couldn’t wait to discover this modern-day Mr. Darcy myself! However, I have to be honest, I liked Billy, but I didn’t fall deeply in love with him. He definitely had his moments, but somehow he didn’t manage to capture my heart (well, maybe a tiny part of it). Yet, this didn’t spoil the reading experience for me even one bit. ‘Billy and Me’ is a brilliant and warm debut novel and I can’t wait to read Giovanna Fletcher’s upcoming releases. This is the perfect book to sit down with on a comfy chair, a cup of tea, and a slice of delicious cake. A tip: make sure you have a box of tissues nearby and several free hours ahead of you, because you will not want to stop reading this lovely story! 

Rating:9,5/10

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

At the end of July, I guess we can finally say that summer has definitely arrived in Europe! I've been on holiday for two weeks in the UK and had the loveliest weather, so managed to spend some nice days wearing sun dresses, reading good books, and enjoying (probably too much, oops) ice cream! And *snap*, before you know it, August is almost upon us, which of course means lots of great new releases! Whether you still need some ideas for novels to take with you on holiday, or whether you are already back home and need some cheering up because you had to say goodbye to the summer holiday bliss too soon... I'm sure this list of upcoming releases will bring a smile to your face!

Rebecca Chance - 'Killer Queens' (1st of August 2013)

Every little girl grows up dreaming of finding a prince - but what if the fairy tale turns into a right royal nightmare? 

Lori is a beautiful, blonde, all-American athlete. When the charismatic ruler of a small, filthy rich European state asks for her hand, she thinks she's snagged Prince Charming. But she soon realizes that all that glitters is not gold... 

Belinda was once the most recognized and loved princess in the world. Forced to stage her own death, she lives incognito abroad with her adoring royal lover. Now, she is determined to return to England to see her son Hugo wed, even if it means risking her own life. 

Chloe, Prince Hugo's fiancée, is the archetypical English rose. But it's a long road to becoming a princess, even when you're dating the heir to the throne. Perhaps the fairy-tale ending isn't all it was cracked up to be... 

Killer queens, scheming kings, murder plots and lashings of steamy sex - find out what REALLY goes on behind closed palace doors. 

Why so excited? --> I'm so incredibly excited about this novel, and I am sure many of you will want to pick up your own copy as well after just reading the blurb! As a real girly-girl, I love everything that has to do with royalty, princesses, gorgeous gowns, castles... So, the fact that this novel focuses not on one, but three different female characters within the world of glamorous royalty, makes me want to get my hands on this book as soon as possible!

Claudia Carroll - 'Me and You' (1st of August 2013)

I’m fine. I’m sorry. Please take care of him for me. And maybe one day I’ll get to explain.

Angie knows a lot about her best friend Kitty.

She knows Kitty is mad and wild and loves to wear clashing colours. She knows she’s incredibly funny and generous but also very unreliable.

And she knows that there is a perfect explanation for Kitty standing her up on her birthday.

She thinks she knows everything about Kitty, except she doesn’t.

Kitty knows that she is the happiest she has ever been.

She knows she’s so lucky to have a lovely boyfriend, Simon and a best friend like Angie. But what she doesn’t know is that on this night, her past is finally going to catch up with her and change everything.

Why so excited? --> I read my first Claudia Carroll novel at the start of this year, and really enjoyed it. I've heard good things about her latest release, 'Me and You', so I can't wait to read this one. The blurb doesn't give too much away, but already manages to intrigue me. What will happen to Angie and Kitty? What is it about Kitty's past? I have high hopes for this book and can't wait to read it!

Louise Candlish - 'The Disappearance of Emily Marr' (1st of August 2013)

Arriving on the windswept Ile de Re off the coast of France, Tabby Dewhurst is heartbroken and penniless, unable even to afford a room for the night. Then she overhears a villager repeating aloud the access code to her front door and, hardly believing her own actions, Tabby waits for the villager to leave and lets herself into the house...

And so she enters the strange, hidden world of Emmie, whose sudden offer of friendship is at odds with her obsession with her own privacy. Soon Tabby begins to form suspicions about Emmie, suspicions that will lead her back to England – and to a scandal with shattering consequences.

Why so excited? --> I've never read anything by Louise Candlish before, but the beautiful cover of 'The Disappearance of Emily Marr' straight away caught my eye. The blurb also has a mysterious sound to it, and I've become quite curious to learn more about Tabby and Emmie and the scandal that is mentioned!

Catherine Alliot - 'My Husband Next Door' (1st of August 2013)

When Ella married the handsome, celebrated artist Sebastian Montclair at just nineteen she was madly in love. Now, those blissful years of marriage have turned into the very definition of an unconventional set-up. Separated in every way but distance, Sebastian resides in an outhouse across the lawn from Ella's ramshackle farmhouse.

With an ex-husband living under her nose and a home crowded by hostile teenaged children, gender-confused chickens - not to mention her hyper critical mother whose own marriage slips spectacularly off the rails - Ella finds comfort in the company of the very charming gardener, Ludo.

Then out of the blue Sebastian decides to move on, catching Ella horribly unawares. How much longer can she hide from what really destroyed her marriage . . . and the secret she continues to keep?

Why so excited? --> 'My Husband Next Door' sounds like a trustworthy, enjoyable chick lit novel, and to my opinion you can't ever read enough of those. I like the idea of Ella living so close to her ex-husband, and can only imagine the kind of situations that will lead to. Especially if you add a hunky gardener to the story!

Sinead Moriarty - 'Mad About You' (1st of August 2013)

Emma and James Hamilton have weathered lots of storms in their ten-year marriage. From the heartbreak of infertility, to the craziness of then becoming parents to two babies in one year, to coping with James losing his job, somehow they have always worked as a team.

However, the pressure of moving from Dublin to London for James's new job - away from familiar surroundings and the family Emma loves - puts them under stress like never before. So when James starts getting texts from a stranger - texts that show startling insights into their lives - Emma is not sure what to think. She is far from home, isolated and before long finds herself questioning everything about their relationship.

Maybe those texts are telling her the truth and the life she believed to be solid and secure is just a mirage. Somehow she has to get a grip, but how can she do that when a stranger is set on driving Emma out of her home and her marriage?

Why so excited? --> I've read about Sinead Moriarty being compared to authors like Marian Keyes and Jodi Picoult, which are both big names within women's fiction. 'Mad About You' sounds like a slightly more dramatic novel than a typical chick lit, and it has definitely caught my attention. Looks like a promising read!

Milly Johnson - 'It's Raining Men' (1st of August 2013)

A summer getaway to remember. But is a holiday romance on the cards…? 

Best friends from work May, Lara and Clare are desperate for some time away. They have each had a rough time of it lately and need some serious R & R. So they set off to a luxurious spa for ten glorious days, but when they arrive at their destination, it seems it is not the place they thought it was. In fact, they appear to have come to entirely the wrong village… 

Here in Ren Dullem nothing is quite what it seems; the lovely cobbled streets and picturesque cottages hide a secret that the villagers have been keeping hidden for years. Why is everyone so unfriendly and suspicious? Why does the landlord of their holiday rental seem so rude? And why are there so few women in the village? Despite the strange atmosphere, the three friends are determined to make the best of it and have a holiday to remember. But will this be the break they all need? Or will the odd little village with all its secrets bring them all to breaking point…?

Why so excited? --> I adore Milly Johnson's novels. They're always great fun and have gorgeous covers! I have been looking forward to the release of 'It's Raining Men' for quite some time now, and I'm really glad it's almost August so I can finally get my hands on a copy! I love the sound of the story: three best friends needing some time off, finding themselves in a small village with a secret... Can't wait!

Diane Chamberlain - 'Necessary Lies' (1st of August 2013)

North Carolina, 1960. Newlywed Jane Forrester, fresh out of university, is seeking what most other women have shunned: a career.

But life as a social worker is far from what she expected. Out amongst the rural Tobacco fields of Grace County, Jane encounters a world of extreme poverty that is far removed from the middle-class life she has grown up with.

But worse is still to come. Working with the Hart family and their fifteen-year-old daughter Ivy, it’s not long before Jane uncovers a shocking secret, and is thrust into a moral dilemma that puts her career on the line, threatens to dissolve her marriage, and ultimately, determines the fate of Ivy and her family forever.

Soon Jane is forced to take drastic action, and before long, there is no turning back.

Why so excited? --> Another enchanting cover and an intriguing blurb! I received a review copy of this novel, and I can't wait to start reading it. I like the fact that the novel is set in the 1960's and Jane sounds like a fascinating character with an interesting story to tell. Looking forward to reading this!

Be sure to visit this blog in the upcoming days to read about more fabulous August 2013 releases! 

Review: 'The Longest Holiday' by Paige Toon (2013)

'Don't wait for the storm to pass; learn to dance in the rain…'

 Laura has been married to the man of her dreams for seven months. But a week before the wedding, Matthew made a terrible mistake. 

Escaping the humiliation that is now her marriage, Laura is whisked off to Florida's Key West by her best friend Marty. A carefree holiday full of cocktails and fun, surrounded by gorgeous, tanned men, is exactly what the doctor ordered. 

Distraction comes in the form of sexy Cuban scuba diver Leo. Laura's instant attraction to him knocks her flying, and she falls hard. 

As the end of the holiday approaches, Laura doesn't want to go home. Is it time to face the music? Or is there more to Key West than a holiday romance?

If there is something that can get me really excited, it’s a new Paige Toon novel. I read ‘Pictures of Lily’ several years ago, and since then Paige has definitely been one of my favourite chick lit authors. I don’t know what it exactly is about her novels, but they always manage to take over my life for several hours, in the best way possible! Once you get stuck in one of her tales, you don’t want to put it down until you’ve finished it. I had already fallen in love with the gorgeous cover (such lovely summer colours) of ‘The Longest Holiday’ and even though it took me some willpower, I decided it would be the perfect first read of my summer holidays this year. So, while I was on the way to my first holiday stop, the lovely city of Bath in England, I got stuck in ‘The Longest Holiday.’

Laura Smythson’s life is suddenly turned upside down when she finds out her husband of just a few months, Matthew, made a horrible mistake on the evening of his stag do. In an attempt to leave it all behind, Laura goes on a trip to Key West in Florida with her best friend Marty, where they spend their time in the sun, drinking and relaxing. Thankfully, Laura finds a good distraction in the form of diving instructor Leo, whom she fancies straight away. As the end of the trip comes near, however, Laura knows she shouldn’t do anything with her feelings since she is still married, but at the same time she can’t stand the thought of leaving Key West and Leo behind...

This was such an enjoyable and great read. I immediately got the ultimate holiday feeling from the descriptions of Key West, and from the beginning of the story I was already hooked. I especially loved Laura, she’s a great heroine that is easy to warm to, and the chemistry between her and Leo (such a great and brooding male hero to fall for!) was amazing. I love it when you find yourself rooting for two people to get together, and to me, the sparks between these two were practically coming from the pages! 

Paige Toon’s writing style is simply captivating, and easy to read, which made me fly through the pages of ‘The Longest Holiday’ and not want to put it down. I especially loved the saying that is used on the cover of the book: ‘Don’t wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain.’ The way this was used in the novel was so fitting and definitely inspiring! If you are looking for that perfect summer read to take with you to the beach or on holiday, definitely pick up this novel... Trust me, you will not want to put it down!

Rating:9/10

Review: 'Little Beauty' by Alison Jameson (2013)

A unforgettable story about one woman's struggle to do the best for her child.

1975: Laura Quinn has spent her life on the remote and beautiful Inis Miol Mor - Whale Island- off the west coast of Ireland. After the death of her parents, and faced with the continuing reluctance of her lover, Martin, to marry her, she realizes she needs to leave the island for her life really to begin.

She accepts a job as a housekeeper with a wealthy couple on the mainland. But a year later, Laura is back, and this time she is not alone. She has at last found the love of her life: a baby son named Matthew. But what sort of life can an unmarried mother have on a remote Irish island in the 1970s? In this complex situation is revealed a picture of a tightly knit community where Laura inevitably comes under pressure to conform to the rules of society.

I didn’t know anything about Alison Jameson or her 4^th of July release, ‘Little Beauty’, before I received a review copy of the novel in my mailbox (thanks Transworld!). The book has a stunning cover; I really like the design of it, the sea, the sand, the flowers, the little cloud hanging in the air with the author’s name in it. It’s also a cover that fits the tale inside perfectly. I didn’t really know what kind of novel to expect after reading just the blurb, but I was quickly taken in by Laura and her story.

Laura Quinn has always lived on the Irish island Inis Miol Mor, also known as Whale Island, where she is considered a bit of an outcast. This mainly has to do with the fact that her mother committed suicide and that their house was built facing the sea, which is considered bad luck. Laura feels as if nothing on the island is making her happy, including her uncertain relationship with lighthouse keeper Martin, so she decides to take on a job as a housekeeper on the mainland. A year later, Laura is back on the island and she has found the light in her life in the form of a son named Matthew. Yet, Laura is a single mother, which is not accepted by the other inhabitants of the island, and it doesn’t take long before she finds herself struggling to hold onto that one bit of happiness in her life.

‘Little Beauty’ is not your typical chick lit novel, and certainly not a light read. Laura is a slightly odd character, but I warmed to her as the novel progressed. I also liked Martin (even though I went from like to dislike in continuing waves throughout the story), and I fell in love with Audrey (the woman for whom Laura starts working as a housekeeper) when she was introduced to the story. I loved her description, her clothes, the way she danced around the kitchen... However, as the story continued, my feelings for Audrey changed. I don’t want to give too much away, but those of you who have read or will read ‘Little Beauty’ will understand what I am talking about. What happens to Laura is heartbreaking, and it really influenced the way I looked at the characters and the story as a whole.

Alison James has a really particular own way of writing, which I had to get used to at the beginning. At times, I thought the story was a bit long-winded, but at the same time the descriptions and emotions were really well-written and realistic. ‘Little Beauty’ is quite an intense read and definitely a story that will linger in your mind afterwards. If you are looking for something a tad heaver than your average chick lit, something emotional and original, then I’d certainly recommend picking up a copy of this novel. Even though it was a slightly different read, I enjoyed ‘Little Beauty’ and I have a feeling Laura Quinn’s tale will stay with me for quite some time to come!

Rating:7/10 

Review: 'In the Summertime' by Judy Astley (2013)

It's twenty years since Miranda, then sixteen, holidayed in Cornwall and her life changed forever. Now she's back again - with her mother Clare and the ashes of her stepfather Jack, whose wish was to be scattered on the sea overlooked by their one-time holiday home.

The picturesque cove seems just the same as ever, but the people are different - more smart incomers,fewer locals, more luxury yachts in the harbour. But Miranda and Clare both find some strangely familiar faces, and revisit the emotions they both thought had disappeared.

When I found a review copy of Judy Astley’s latest novel ‘In the Summertime’ in my mailbox (thanks to the amazing people at Transworld), I immediately started longing for my summer holidays a little bit more. The cover and blurb promise a perfect-for-a-day-on-the-beach holiday read, so I was looking forward to getting stuck in the story and imagining myself sitting on a sunny Cornwall beach!

When she was a 16-year-old girl, Miranda spent her summer holiday in Cornwall, where she experienced certain things that changed her life completely. She’s now a 36-year-old woman and going back to that exact same village in Cornwall to spend the summer. Main reason is her mother Clare, who has just lost her husband Jack, and wants to scatter his ashes on the sea near their beloved Cornish holiday home. Miranda’s teenage kids, Silva and Bo, have come along on the trip, and it doesn’t take long before Harriet, Miranda’s sister, joins them as well. Miranda soon realises that in contrast to what she initially expected, there are still lots of familiar faces walking around in Chapel Creek, including her former best friends Jess and Andrew, and her holiday crush Steve. It doesn’t take long before forgotten memories and emotions return, and it becomes clear this holiday has much in store for not just Miranda, but the rest of her family as well.

Miranda is such a likeable and warm character; I liked her from the first few pages of the novel. I enjoyed the fact that the story focused on different generations of one family. There’s Miranda in the middle (together with her sister Harriet, who is fleeing from her famous footballer boyfriend and the paparazzi); their mother Clare, who is trying to deal with the loss of her husband; and the kids, Silva and Bo, who are both dealing with their own teenage troubles of trying to fit in. Family takes on a central place in the story, and I loved the way Miranda tries to keep them all together. Next to this, the scene setting and the descriptions of Cornwall were fabulous, and they really gave me that summer feeling.    

After reading this novel, I found out it is actually a sequel to another novel by Judy Astley, ‘Just for the Summer.’ I had absolutely no idea about this when I started reading ‘In the Summertime’, but I never had the feeling as if I was missing bits of information. Astley has made sure everyone can read and enjoy this novel, and now I am actually looking forward to reading the prequel to see what the characters were like in their younger years! ‘In the Summertime’ is a lovely holiday read about a variety of characters, spread over three generations, which will warm your heart and make you long for sunshine and long days on the beach! 

Rating:7,5/10

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

I already told you about some fabulous releases that are coming up at the start of July. However, next month has even more lovely reads to offer, as you can read below!

Judy Astley - 'In the Summertime' (4th of July 2013)

It's twenty years since Miranda, then sixteen, holidayed in Cornwall and her life changed forever. Now she's back again - with her mother Clare and the ashes of her stepfather Jack, whose wish was to be scattered on the sea overlooked by their one-time holiday home.

The picturesque cove seems just the same as ever, but the people are different - more smart incomers,fewer locals, more luxury yachts in the harbour. But Miranda and Clare both find some strangely familiar faces, and revisit the emotions they both thought had disappeared.

Why so excited? --> I'll be going on holiday to Cornwall this summer, for the first time, so the fact that this book is set there, already sparked my interest! I love the beachy/summery feel of the cover, and I'm pretty sure Judy Astley won't disappoint!

Alison Jameson - 'Little Beauty' (4th of July 2013)

1975: Laura Quinn has spent her life on the remote and beautiful Inis Miol Mor - Whale Island- off the west coast of Ireland. After the death of her parents, and faced with the continuing reluctance of her lover, Martin, to marry her, she realizes she needs to leave the island for her life really to begin. She accepts a job as a housekeeper with a wealthy couple on the mainland. But a year later, Laura is back, and this time she is not alone. She has at last found the love of her life: a baby son named Matthew. But what sort of life can an unmarried mother have on a remote Irish island in the 1970s? In this complex situation is revealed a picture of a tightly knit community where Laura inevitably comes under pressure to conform to the rules of society.

Why so excited? --> I really love the cover of this novel, it's so cute! I'm quite curious to read this one, because it is set in the 70's (I haven't read many novels set in this particular decade, which might be an interesting switch to another time), and Laura's story already fascinates me. The island and trying to conform to the rules of the society Laura finds herself in... Look forward to checking this one out!

Gemma Burgess - 'Brooklyn Girls' (4th of July 2013)

Pia is living the dream: fresh out of college and sharing a house in Brooklyn with her best friends. So why is everything so complicated?

A drunken indiscretion has led to the loss of her boring office job, while her love life is a dizzy mess of accidental hook-ups and heartbreak...

Her parents don't trust her and, if she doesn't sort her life out soon, they're going to make her move back in with them...

But all that's nothing compared to the kind of trouble she's about to face.

At least she can rely on her friends - Coco, Angie, Julia and Madeleine. But how much can she really expect them to put up with?

Why so excited? --> The New Adult genre seems to become more popular with the minute, or am I the only one constantly coming across this term?! 'Brooklyn Girls' sounds like a lot of fun; I love novels about twenty-somethings who are still figuring out what they want in life, and all the drama that comes with it! Can't wait to pick up my own copy of this!

Claire Garber - 'Love is a Thief' (5th of July 2013)

What did you miss out on because you fell in love?

I might just be ‘that’ girl. You know the one. The girl who, for no particular reason, doesn’t get the guy, doesn’t have children, doesn’t get the romantic happy ever after. So I needed to come up with a plan.

What did I like doing? What didn’t I get to do because I fell in love? What would I be happy spending the rest of my life doing if love never showed up again?

Kate Winters is going on a journey to do all the things that love has snatched from her and her friends, to reclaim her dreams and theirs in the hope of finding her future. But there’s a chance that new dreams are better than the old…

Why so excited? --> I really like the description of this novel; it sounds like something different, something that hasn't been done before. Next to that, I've only heard lovely things about this novel from other reviewers, so I'll definitely give this a chance! 

Rebecca Farnworth - 'Swimming Pool Summer' (18th of July 2013)

Frankie hasn't had a proper relationship for years. But though she tells everyone this is how she wants it, but secretly she's in love with her best friend Patrick.

Tor didn't think she could have a baby, but now she is pregnant by her younger lover. Could this mean the end of a romance that has started to mean more to her than she expected?

Leila seems to have it all - a happy marriage, a beautiful daughter and a successful career. But Leila is harbouring a secret that could destroy her marriage forever.

On an idyllic Greek island, the three women try to keep their secrets hidden. But emotions are running high, and when an unexpected guest arrives, events start to spin out of control.

Why so excited? --> Okay, if this doesn't sound like the perfect summer holiday read, then I don't know what does! As the cover says: 'three women, three secrets, one holiday'... I'm intrigued and look forward to reading more about Frankie, Tor and Leila and their holiday on a Greek island.

Lisa Jewell - 'The House We Grew Up In' (18th of July 2013)

Meet the Bird Family:

All four children have an idyllic childhood: a picture-book cottage in a country village, a warm, cosy kitchen filled with love and laughter, sun-drenched afternoons in a rambling garden. But one Easter weekend a tragedy strikes the Bird family that is so devastating that, almost imperceptibly, it begins to tear them apart.

The years pass and the children become adults and begin to develop their own quite separate lives. Soon it's almost as though they've never been a family at all. Almost. But not quite.

Because something has happened that will call them home, back to the house they grew up in - and to what really happened that Easter weekend all those years ago.

Why so excited? --> I absolutely adore Lisa Jewell's novels. Her stories always have something special and  it sounds like 'The House We Grew Up In' won't disappoint! I'm already fascinated by the Bird Family and this particular event that happened in their family home. Without a doubt, I know this will be a good read I'll be recommending to others!

Tasmina Perry - Deep Blue Sea (18th of July 2013)

Beneath the shimmering surface lies a dark secret...

Diana and Julian Denver have the world at their feet. With a blissful marriage, a darling son and beautiful homes in London and the country, Diana's life, to the outside world, is perfect. But nothing is as it seems... 

When Julian dies suddenly and tragically, Diana is convinced there is more to it than meets the eye. She calls on the one person she had never wanted to see again - her sister, Rachel.

A former tabloid reporter, Rachel appears to be living the dream as a diving instructor on a Thai island. The truth is she's in exile, estranged from her family and driven from her career by Fleet Street's phone-hacking scandal. 

For Rachel, Diana's request opens old wounds. But she is determined to make amends for the past, and embarks on a treacherous journey to uncover the truth - wherever it may lead...

Why so excited? --> I read my first Tasmina Perry novel a couple of months ago ('Perfect Strangers') and I really liked it. Her novels are filled with glamour, mystery and intrigue, and it sounds like 'Deep Blue Sea' will fit these keywords perfectly. 

Lots of exciting releases coming up in the month of July! Which ones will you be picking up?

Review: 'The Rose Garden' by Marita Conlon-McKenna (2013)

Molly's perfect life comes crashing down following the unexpected death of her husband David. She is left alone with a big old house to maintain, finances in disarray and her hopes for happiness in a heap. But Molly is a survivor. Despite objections from her two daughters, Molly fears that the only solution will be to sell their beloved home.

But as she finds herself drawn to the old neglected and overgrown walled rose garden and the dilapidated gardener's cottage attached, she suddenly sees a future as she decides to restore them. As the rose garden takes on a new life and starts to bloom again, Molly finds that she can look to the future with new confidence and hope.

When I received a review copy of this novel (thanks to the lovely people at Transworld!), I was pleasantly surprised. I hadn’t heard anything about this book or its author before, but I straight away fell in love with the gorgeous cover (from the beautiful font to the wonderful colours that remind me of spring and sunshine) and the title. I’ve always had a soft spot for large country gardens with tons of flowers and wooden benches with engravings in them... Even though I am personally absolutely rubbish at taking care of even the simplest plants. Somehow, I had a feeling that I would really enjoy this novel, and thankfully, I was right!

Molly Hennessy is heartbroken after the sudden death of her beloved husband, David. She is now a widower with two grown-up daughters who are busy leading their own lives in other parts of Ireland, while she is still living at Mossbawn House, the large country manor that has functioned as their family home for several years. Molly can’t possibly imagine leaving Mossbawn, but there’s simply too much room for just her and her dog Daisy, and financially things aren’t looking great. One day, Molly discovers a part of the grounds she hadn’t really paid too much attention to before, a rose garden, and she decides to restore it to its former glory. With this project to keep her occupied and the help of two other women living in the town of Kilfinn, Gina and Kim, Molly finds herself slowly starting to pick up the pieces of her life and thinking about her own and Mossbawn’s future.

After just a few chapters I was already completely absorbed by this novel. I felt myself wanting to read on and on to find out more about the characters, the small Irish town of Kilfinn in which the story is mainly set, Mossbawn House... All of it. This probably had to do with the fact that ‘The Rose Garden’ includes numerous elements I adore in novels: some great and diverse female characters (Molly, Kim and Gina are each different and lovely women), several plotlines coming together, a wonderful setting (I loved all the descriptions of the Irish countryside) and a large, enchanting, country estate. Marita Conlon-McKenna managed to describe Mossbawn House so perfectly; I could see the house and garden in my mind, and the journey it goes through in this novel was just fabulous. I love visiting these kind of old mansions in my free time, and discovering the history behind the house and the families that grew up there, so the fact that a place like Mossbawn House takes on such a central role in this novel, made me enjoy it even more than I already did because of the interesting storylines and characters.

If I have to name something about this book I really did not like, I don’t think I could come up with something. However, there was something that did bother me a bit and that was the amount of characters, most specifically the amount of names. Kilfinn is a small town in which almost everyone knows everyone, and perhaps this is something Marita Conlon-McKenna wanted to get across. However, all the different names that were introduced with each event or party got my head spinning sometimes, because I couldn’t remember whether I was supposed to know someone or not and whether they played a significant role, yes or no. After a while, though, I just decided to read on and not remember all the different names, which worked out just fine. Overall, ‘The Rose Garden’ is a fabulous, heart-warming story about dealing with loss and taking the time to find love and happiness, in whatever kind or form... A definite must-read for lovers of anything romantic! 

Rating:9/10  

June 2013 release: 'Things We Never Say' by Sheila O'Flanagan

Abbey Andersen is the last person to go looking for change. Yes, it's tough that she barely sees her mother these days - but in San Francisco she has great friends, a steady relationship and a job she enjoys. When Abbey is contacted by Irish lawyer Ryan Gilligan she learns in an instant everything she believed about her roots is a lie. She must travel to Dublin to find out more - but she's scarcely off the plane when she's plunged into a new crisis. One that will change everything not just for Abbey but for the family in Ireland who had no idea that she even existed. Now Abbey has to make a choice that will affect everyone she knows. How can she be sure she makes the right one? And can life ever be quite the same again?

 

I just love the look of this new Sheila O'Flanagan novel! I've heard her books are always guaranteed great reads and so it's no surprise I am really looking forward to 'The Things We Never Say', which will be released on the 20th of June. I really like the cover of this novel; the colour combination is really pretty, with all the pink, and it gives me a calming feeling which is quite nice in the middle of a very busy time! I'm really curious to find out what Abbey's story will be like and how she will deal with this entire new Irish family.

 

Be sure to pre-order your own copy here!