Yet again I’m a little bit late with this post, I meant to have it up before the end of the year, but better late than never. As has become tradition, I’m not doing a top 5 or a top 10 but instead I’m making up some award categories and choosing a winner. No prizes for the winners I’m afraid but thank you for the stories.
So without further ado the winners are…..Read More »
Incredibly well written and terrifyingly believable, this is a very timely and relevant book. Unfortunately however while I could appreciate the author’s skill the multiple pov’s left me feeling detached rather than gripped and it lacked the tension I expected.
Three hours is 180 minutes or 10,800 seconds.
It is a morning’s lessons, a dress rehearsal of Macbeth, a snowy trek through the woods.
It is an eternity waiting for news. Or a countdown to something terrible.
It is 180 minutes to discover who you will die for and what men will kill for.
In rural Somerset in the middle of a blizzard, the unthinkable happens: a school is under siege. Told from the point of view of the people at the heart of it, from the wounded headmaster in the library, unable to help his trapped pupils and staff, to teenage Hannah in love for the first time, to the parents gathering desperate for news, to the 16 year old Syrian refugee trying to rescue his little brother, to the police psychologist who must identify the gunmen, to the students taking refuge in the school theatre, all experience the most intense hours of their lives, where evil and terror are met by courage, love and redemption.
Unpopular opinion time, I didn’t love this book.
I didn’t dislike it either but while I can certainly appreciate the writing, it wasn’t the tense, gripping read I expected. This was my first book from the author so I had no idea what to expect from it other than what the synopsis and the many rave reviews suggested. The premise is certainly an intriguing one and while there seem to be quite a few books around at the moment that center on a school shooting this is probably the first I’ve come across which is set in the UK and I loved the idea of the whole thing taking place over just three hours.
I did wonder how the author would stretch three hours over the 300 plus pages but I still had hope that it would be a powerful and tension filled read. Unfortunately however this proved not to be the case, or at least not for me. I never felt fully engaged with the story or the characters and I didn’t feel any tension or any emotion from it at all.
The story is really a lot of little stories, following as it does a lot of different characters over the three hour period. There’s the head teacher who’s seriously wounded at the start, a few of the students including two Syrian refugees, teachers, a worried parent and a police psychologist tasked with identifying the gunmen. There is definitely a lot to fill the pages but I think it was these many points of view that were the issue for me.
I’m generally not a fan of multiple pov’s in a novel and this book is a perfect example of why that is. With so many characters I found it difficult to keep track of who was who, where they were and what was happening particularly at the start. I also never felt like I really got to know any of them and consequently wasn’t invested in their story. I was left a detached observer, curious about how it would all play out but not really feeling much of anything.
It was also all rather predictable. There are a few surprises and unexpected twists but for the most part the author sends enough signals early on that you know what’s coming. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it makes it all feel real and believable but without the attachment to the characters I needed something to lift it.
This review is starting to make it seem like I didn’t like anything about the book but that’s really not the case. I loved the author’s writing and the way she set the scene of this remote school in the middle of a blizzard. There’s a real sense of isolation from it that works perfectly. I loved the connections made between what’s going on and the play the students are rehearsing, Macbeth. I loved the small acts of heroism and love. I was also impressed and slightly terrified by how real and how relevant a lot of it feels. The role of the media, the increase in hate and extremism and the vulnerability of young people in this age of social media.
Overall therefore, while I didn’t love this book I would still recommend it. I certainly seem to be in the minority as far as reviews go making me think a lot of the issues I had with it are more personal taste than any fault of the author’s. It’s definitely a unique read and incredibly relevant given how divided society feels right now.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my review.
Happy 2020 Everyone!!! I’m finding it very hard to believe we’re into the 2020’s, it doesn’t seem that long since we were all panicking about the world ending in 2000 (spoiler alert: it didn’t). Anyway, a new year and a new decade means the chance for a fresh start and some new year’s resolutions.
The WWW Wednesday meme is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.
To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:
Happy new year everyone!!! I can’t believe we’re in 2020 already, where does the time go? For my first book of the year I’ve decided to pick up Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine, the fourth book in the Stillhouse Lake series. I love Rachel Caine’s writing and this series is definitely a favourite. I’m only around 20% in as I write this and it’s off to a strong start, fingers crossed it manages to keep it up.
I’ve just finished my audio book and am still trying to make my mind up on what to listen to next so I’ve had the second Cat and Bones book, One Foot in the Grave, on the go for the last few days. I’ve listened to it before but it always makes me laugh so it’s keeping me going till I make a decision.
I decided to take a bit of a break from blogging last week (I’m off work for the hols so wanted a break from computer screens) and missed WWW Wednesday so this is two weeks worth of reading. I’ve actually had a great couple of weeks and I think the break may be doing me good as I feel like I’m starting to find the love again. Anyway over the two weeks I finished six books:-
I did also attempt to read the final Throne of Glass book, Kingdom of Ash, but I’m afraid I gave up on it pretty quickly. I think I’ve left it too long as I couldn’t remember who half the characters were and was very confused about what was going on. It’s unlikely I’m gonna go back and reread the previous books so unless I can find a recap somewhere I’m not sure I’m ever going to finish this series.
I snagged a copy of Starsight by Brandon Sanderson in the sales last week so I think I’m probably going to pick it up next as I’ve been eagerly awaiting it ever since I finished the first book Skyward. I also have an ARC of Holly Bourne’s new adult book Pretending which has been calling to me from my kindle. I’m also planning to start either Before the Devil Breaks You or Gemina as my next audio.
Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.
Happy Reading ❤
If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane takes one of my absolutely favourite romance tropes and brings something fresh to it. It’s sweet and funny but there’s also a surprising depth to it and I loved how relevant and real it felt. I loved the romance but I also loved the diversity, the friendships and the many other little threads woven through the story.
When Laurie’s partner of eighteen years, Dan, dumps her to ‘find himself’ (and leave her on the shelf at 36), she is blindsided. But not as blindsided as when he announces that his new girlfriend is now pregnant.
Working in the same office with Dan is soon unbearable – until the day she gets stuck in the lift with her handsome colleague Jamie. Jamie is looking for a way to improve his reputation in the company and what better way for Jamie to advance and Laurie to give the rumour mill something else to talk about than a fake relationship?
As Laurie and Jamie progress from Instagram snaps to dates, dancing and more, Laurie feels herself falling further for her unlikely hero. But you can’t break your heart in a fake relationship. Can you?
The fake relationship trope is one of absolute faves, so when I heard one of my favourite writers next book was gonna have just that I knew I had to read it. Yes it’s been done many, many times before but McFarlane brings something fresh and new to it. With a feminist slant to it and some clever messaging around social media and dating apps this feels very now and extremely relevant.
Main character Laurie is very relatable and incredibly likeable. She’s clever, determined, good at her job and fiercely loyal to her friends. Her devastation at long term partner Dan leaving her and moving straight on with another woman is very real and I was angry and upset right along with her.
It makes it very believable that she agrees to a fake relationship with co worker Jamie, despite warnings from her best friend Emily that she’s not cut out for lying and there will be consequences.
Jamie for his part is new book boyfriend material. He’s just lovely. He has an admittedly well deserved reputation with women but he’s completely upfront and honest in his views and is actually very sweet, attentive and considerate to Laurie.
They may be very different but it’s clear from the start that they’re perfect for each other. They just seem comfortable together, they understand each other and yes there is most definitely a spark. It isn’t insta love however so it’s a joy to watch them discover their feelings gradually.
I also have to say how much I loved the secondary characters. They may not all have big roles in the story but each and every one was memorable. Nadia in particular was an absolute stand out for me, in a batshit crazy, unintentionally hilarious kind of way. I want her as my bestie.
Another highlight for me was the depth to the story, the other threads woven through which highlighted a lot of very current issues, the everyday sexism Laurie faces in a workplace dominated by men, the racist comments, dating apps, the dangers of social media and also families. It’s incredibly well done by the author. I’m positive every book McFarlane writes is better than the last and I just love her style.
Overall this is a great read with real depth, diversity and wonderful writing. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a contemporary romance.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. This has in no way influenced my review. If I Never Met You will be published on the 1st January 2020 (so not too long to wait)
The WWW Wednesday meme is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.
To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:
It’s all change this week as I finished all of the books I was reading last week. On ebook I decided to pick up The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren, an ARC of which I received via NetGalley. I’ve enjoyed pretty much every Christina Lauren book I’ve read so far so couldn’t resist starting it almost as soon as it arrived on my kindle. It’s very early days, I only started it on Monday night, but so far I’m liking it. It’s reminding me a lot of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, no bad thing as I absolutely love that book.
On audio I’ve resumed listening to Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray, I started this a few months ago but put it on hold so I could listen to Darkdawn which I’d borrowed from the library. I was already quite far through when I took a break so I only have around 7 hours to go. It is starting to feel like I’ve been working my way through it for ages though so I think I’m going to make an effort to finish it in the next week.
I’ve had a pretty great reading week and managed to finish three books, two I loved, one not so much. The first one finished was The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain, a book I’d borrowed from the library based pretty much on the cover. I really wanted to like this book but I’m afraid it didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s my general grumpiness at the moment but I couldn’t find any empathy for the characters. It was all a little too predictable and on the twee side for me.
I suspect it wasn’t particularly helped by my listening to Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff at the same time. I don’t think I could have found a book more different if I tried and The Christmas Wish List just couldn’t compare to the power and emotion in Darkdawn. I absolutely loved it. There are so many twists and turns and so much happening. It is the final book in the trilogy so there are some heavy losses (I was not happy about a few of these) and an absolutely epic ending. I don’t re read books very often but I suspect this will be one I’ll read again.
After the trauma of Darkdawn, something a little lighter (and a lot less violent) was needed so I decided to pick up my ARC of If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane. I’m a big fan of McFarlane so was very excited when my NetGalley request for this one was approved. It’s a fake relationship story, one of my favourite romance tropes, and McFarlane does a wonderful job of making it feel very contemporary and relevant. The characters are likeable (and have chemistry) and there’s a bit of a feminist slant to it which is fantastic to see. I’m hoping to have a full review up soon.
I have only 3 days of work before I finish up for the Christmas break and I’m hoping that with a little more time in the house I can pick up a few of the hardbacks I bought in the last few months and haven’t wanted to carry around with me. It would be good to finish off a couple of series so I’m thinking probably Finale by Stephanie Garber or Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers. I also recently received an ARC of Holly Bourne’s new adult book Pretending so I doubt I’ll be able to resist it for long.
Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.
Happy Reading ❤
The Christmas Party by Karen Swan wasn’t quite the story I was hoping it would be but it’s an enjoyable read with a lot to like about it. I did struggle to connect to the characters but Swan’s writing is as wonderful as always and it’s something a little different from the usual festive reads.
The Christmas Party is a delicious, page-turning story of romance, family and secrets, by the Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan.
When Declan Lorne, the last remaining knight in Ireland, dies suddenly, an ancient title passes with him. But his estate on Ireland’s rugged south-west coast is left to his three daughters. The two eldest, Ottie and Pip, inherit in line with expectations, but to everyone’s surprise – and dismay – it is the errant baby of the family, Willow, who gets the castle.
Why her? Something unknown – something terrible – made her turn her back on her family three years earlier, escaping to Dublin and vowing never to return. So when Willow quickly announces she is selling up, her revenge seems sweet and the once-close sisters are pushed to breaking point: in desperation, Pip risks everything to secure her own future, and Ottie makes a decision that will ruin lives. It’s each woman for herself.
Before moving in, Connor Shaye, the prospective new owner, negotiates throwing a lavish party at the castle just days before Christmas – his hello, their goodbye. But as their secrets begin to catch up with them, Ottie, Willow and Pip are forced to ask themselves which is harder: stepping into the future, or letting go of the past?
As a long time fan of Karen Swan I was very much looking forward to her latest book The Christmas Party but I’m sorry to say this didn’t wholly work for me. It’s not bad and I suspect there may be an element of it being me rather than the story but I struggled to get into it and just never seemed to connect.
Swan’s writing is as wonderful as always and it’s an intriguing premise, a family at war over an inheritance, the uncovering of secrets and long term resentments. Unfortunately however I couldn’t quite find a character I was invested in. The story is told from the point of view of three sisters, Ottie, Pip and Willow, the daughters of the last knight in Ireland. When their father dies, his title dies with him but in a shocking twist he leaves the castle and most of the estate to youngest daughter Willow, something none of them are happy about. Willow has been estranged from the family for a couple of years and doesn’t want to be pulled back. The others are unhappy that they were passed over. Matters are made worse when they find the estate is in financial difficulty and Willow has to make some tough choices.
If I did have some sympathy for a character in this story it would be Willow. She doesn’t ask to be landed with the responsibility of a failing estate, or to have to put her life in Dublin on hold but she steps up and does what she thinks is best with no support from the rest of her family. It does feel at times like she’s rushing things and that she’s being a little vindictive towards her parents but as the truth is revealed about events from the past it all becomes a little more understandable.
Ottie and Pip I found more difficult to like. Ottie as the oldest sister seems to feel the biggest slight about not inheriting more and is probably the coldest towards Willow, barely speaking to her let alone helping her. Ottie is also having an affair with a married man, a storyline I’m never overly keen on. I found it incredibly frustrating to read her obsessing over someone who was very clearly not as invested in the relationship as she is. She also comes across as quite spiteful and nasty at times.
Pip, I also struggled with. Stubborn, reckless and speaks her mind she comes across as very self centered and rude a lot of the time. I do like a character who’s determined and goes for what they want but Pip often goes too far, taking silly risks and not taking any one else’s feelings into consideration.
With characters I found it hard to like I was probably always going to have problems really enjoying this story and I certainly found it difficult to get into in the first half. I also found myself becoming frustrated with the whole family secret thing. I’m afraid the constant references to it and hints about what it could be were more annoying rather than intriguing and I just wanted it to be revealed so we could get on with the other elements of the book. I was itching for a big confrontation between the characters but instead there’s lots of silences and avoiding each other.
Once the characters started speaking their minds and the secrets were revealed the story became so much more engaging. I very much enjoyed the way the different threads came together and I came to like many of the characters. I just wish it hadn’t taken quite so long to get to that stage.
One thing I did love about this story was the setting on the rugged South West Coast of Ireland and I thought the author did a wonderful job of making you feel like you were there. I also really loved the idea of this grand old castle that’s fallen into disrepair. There’s also a little bit of romance in there which was definitely a highlight. I probably would have preferred it if the author had put more focus on that side of the story and less on the family secrets.
Overall therefore this was an okay read for me. I may have struggled to get into it but it certainly picked up towards the end and while it did frustrate me in places there were things to love about it, it certainly hasn’t put me off picking up the author’s next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy. This in no way influenced my review.
A Wedding in December is yet another fantastic festive read from Sarah Morgan. It’s sweet, funny and as always made me a little bit emotional (yep I cried). For me it wouldn’t be Christmas without a book by Morgan.
In the snowy perfection of Aspen, the White family gathers for youngest daughter Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding.
First to arrive are the bride’s parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughter’s marriage is a milestone they are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own: they are on the brink of divorce. After living apart for the last six months, the last thing they need is to be trapped together in an irresistibly romantic winter wonderland.
Rosie’s older sister Katie is also dreading the wedding. Worried that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake, Katie is determined to save her sister from herself. If only the irritatingly good-looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…
Bride-to-be Rosie loves her fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell them she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one White family Christmas none of them will ever forget.
I can honestly say that one of the things I look forward to the most at Christmas is a new book by Sarah Morgan. They never fail to put me in the holiday spirit and this book is no exception. It’s sweet, it’s funny, it’s a little bit emotional and a whole lot addictive. Yet again I read the whole thing in a couple of days and it would’ve been even faster if I didn’t need to work.
The story centers on the White family [insert your own White Christmas joke here] and is told from the point of view of mother Maggie and her two daughters Katie and Rosie. I often struggle with multiple povs and I usually have a preference for one over the others but this time around I really enjoyed it. It’s great to have a book with three women at very different stages of their lives and to see the dynamics of the relationship between them from each pov.
Maggie, the mother of the family who I’m guessing is in her 50’s is at that stage in life where her children are grown and left the nest, leaving her feeling a little bit lost particularly as she has split from husband Nick.
Eldest daughter Katie is a doctor in a busy emergency department who sees people at their worst every day. In her early 30’s she doesn’t have the time for relationships and is struggling at work following a traumatic incident that’s left her doubting her abilities.
Baby of the family Rosie is a 22 year old student living in America who after a whirlwind romance with personal trainer Dan accepts his marriage proposal and the offer from his mother Catherine to hold the wedding at Christmas at their resort in Aspen. She loves her fiancee but after a call to Katie who believes her impulsive sister is making a mistake she starts to have doubts of her own.
As they all gather in Aspen for the big event each of these women is at a turning point in their life and has to decide what they want to do next. I really loved how this story brought together these very different women and it’s great to see an older character given some representation. If I had to choose I probably related most to Katie but I liked all three of the women and felt invested in all of their stories.
Like Morgan’s other recent books this story focuses more on family and friendships than romance, making it a very sweet read that’s perfect for the season. I loved the relationships between mother and daughters and also between the sisters. I also loved how each of the characters develops over the course of the story, how by getting away from everyday life they discover who they are and who they want to be.
That’s not to say there isn’t any romance, it wouldn’t be a Morgan book without a little bit of romance. Rosie is very much coupled up and Maggie is still getting over the end of a very long term relationship but sparks most definitely fly between Katie and best man Jordan and I think that was probably the highlight of the book for me. Aspen is just the perfect setting for romance and the author takes full advantage with a few of my favourite romance tropes thrown in.
As always Morgan’s writing is wonderfully warm and the descriptions made me feel like I was there in that winter wonderland, maybe someday. As always it’s packed full of emotion and as always I shed a couple of tears at certain points (Morgan’s books get me every single time).
This may not be my favourite book from the author but if you’re looking for a festive read to get you in the holiday spirit I highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC
The WWW Wednesday meme is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.
To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:
I’m still working my way steadily through Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff, the third and final book in the Nevernight Chronicles, and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve been mostly listening to it on audio so that always takes a little longer than reading (especially when it’s 21 hours long) but while I do really want to know how it all ends I don’t want Mia’s story to be over. I think I have just over three hours (100 pages) to go so I expect I’ll be finished by the weekend, although with the end approaching I may need to limit my listening to in the house as there have already been some heavy losses and I suspect the ending may break me.
I was kind of missing reading an actual book so despite my plan to just stick to one book at a time I have started reading The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain. This was a bit of a random pick from the library (I liked the cover and wanted something light and festive) but I’m starting to think it was a mistake as it’s annoying me and I’ve been avoiding reading it as a result. I should know better than to read this type of book when I’m in the kind of mood I am at the moment. December is always a super busy (and stressful) time at work, so I’m pretty tired and grumpy and suffering from a lack of empathy with the MC’s “problems”.
Nothing finished this week.
I should be finished both of my current reads in the next couple of days so assuming I survive the ending of Darkdawn I think I’m going to pick up something lighter and fluffier. I managed to get a copy of Christina Lauren’s new book The Honey-Don’t List from NetGalley (it’s Read Now everyone) so I’m kind of tempted to pick it up next. It sounds like a fun read and will hopefully provide a bit of a reading palate cleanse before my next fantasy read which I think may be Finale by Stephanie Garber.
Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below. With work as busy as it is I may be a little slow in responding but I promise I’ll get there.
Happy Reading ❤
The WWW Wednesday meme is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words and is a great way to do a weekly update on what you’ve been reading and what you have planned.
To take part all you have to do is answer the following three questions:
I’ve been trying to juggle too many books lately and making not much progress on any of them so this week I’m paring it back to just one, Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff. I’ve had this book sitting on the shelf for a couple of months now and I’ve also got the audio (I find it easier than the book) so I’m kind of flipping between the two and having a brilliant time. I only started it on Sunday but as I ventured out for a very long walk (partly as an excuse to listen to this) I’m around 8 hours in (13 or so to go). It’s not been that long since I read the first two books so I’ve found it very easy to jump back into the story and the style. Mia is definitely one of the best characters I’ve come across, I’m not sure how I’m going to cope when her story comes to an end. Does anyone know if there’s a support group?
I had a bit of a fight with my laptop last week and didn’t do a WWW post (the laptop won) so this is two weeks worth of books rather than just one.
First up was The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black, the third and final book in the trilogy. I’ve read some rather mixed review of it but I liked it. It did feel a little bit rushed and I’m not sure every character got the ending I would have liked but I flew through it and loved every moment.
My focus for reading is not great yet again so decided to stick with some easier reads and picked up A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones next. This has been the year of Darynda Jones as over the last 12 months or so I’ve read all 13 of the Charley Davidson books. They’ve kept me sane and made me laugh through house moves, renovations and changes at work. I had high hopes for this, the first book in a new series, but found myself not wholly convinced by it. It may just be because it’s a first book but it seemed to take a while to get going. It also feels a little too similar to the Charley Davidson books, similar characters, same humour. I did get hooked towards the end and will no doubt read on but it would’ve been nice to get something different.
After A Bad Day for Sunshine I decided to read Karen Swan’s The Christmas Party. Swan is another favourite author so I was looking forward to this however yet again I found myself struggling to get into to story – I’m starting to think it’s me. It was a little bit slow at the start but unfortunately I think my biggest issue was the characters. It’s told from the pov of three sisters and for around the first third I did not like any of them. Thankfully they did start to grow on me and towards the end I found myself hooked but overall this was slow going, and I’m sorry to say, not that memorable.
Thankfully after those not fantastic reads my library hold on The Places I’ve Cried in Public by Holly Bourne came in, so I dived straight in and it did not disappoint. It isn’t an easy read, it’s frustrating and a little bit heartbreaking but it is brilliant. It’s all about a girl struggling to get over what was an incredibly toxic relationship. Bourne does an amazing job of creating very authentic characters and relationships which bring the story to life. It’s an important book, but it’s also a very well written book. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a YA contemporary that’s not all hearts and flowers.
I’ve decided that December will be a bit of a read what I like month (I made a small dent in my ARCs last month) so I’m hoping to finally pick up some of the books I bought ages ago and maybe finish a few series’. Most of the series I am close to finishing seem to be fantasy but as I’m midway through a fantasy right now I think I may go for Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers next. I’m also in the mood for some Christmas reads so may also pick up The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain.
Have you read any of the books on my list this week? Any others you’d recommend? As always please feel free to leave comments and links below.
Happy Reading ❤
A Bookish Life 