Review: The Rabbit Girls

The Rabbit Girls by Anna Ellory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing read.
I’m probably one of the last to read this.

I listened to this on Audio and the two narrators were great.

The chapters alternate between two main people, each narrator taking on each persons voice.

I wasn’t expecting the author to be interviewed after the audio book and I didn’t realise this was based on historical event with the author inventing a personal slant on it. So wonderfully done.

It was emotional. It was enthralling so much so I had to put my Bluetooth headphones on whilst doing chores or cooking. I didn’t want to wait to see the outcome.

It wasn’t until the last few chapters I had a hint of what maybe.
And even so, it still brought a lump to my throat.

I’m so glad I finally got to this book.

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Review: The Newlyweds

The Newlyweds by Arianne Richmonde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not obvious spoilers but just in case!

You know what? I really enjoyed this book!
Each evening I picked this up I was excited to see what happens next.

The characters within these pages were damaged.

I’ve heard of getting revenge but......well. The length of time to get revenge astounded me.

The many curveballs in this devious, hate, longstanding, shocking read was great.

The author did such a good job of making a readers mind diverting down a different path, then reaching a dead end. Eventually I was going around a roundabout returning to my confused state of trying to work this out.

It is suspenseful, it is enthralling and it is a book I will remember.

This book was not straight forward telling you a “thriller” it’s much more than that.

To have that on your shoulders wanting to “make someone pay” after all those years.
Then .....,boom, treble punches for the reader!
Fab.

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Review: Queenie

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved the start of this book. I loved the middle of this book, and I liked the ending of this book.

Queenie is a right character who I think whilst us readers may take her at face value she’s really got some deep rooted problems.

The humour in this book was great.

Listening to this on audio is definitely the way to go. It expresses each individual and I could really follow this.

I often opened my physical copy and read along.
I had a very enjoyable time.

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Review: Perfect

Perfect by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A really poignant and what should have been.....an emotional read.
Reading the blurb I was expecting so very much more.
Lovely writing.
Great story.
But no heartstrings pulled.

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Review: Lost and ProFound

Lost and ProFound by Summer Felix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cute, romantic and real.

In your 30’s and here you are. You’re ex has moved on and making a life for himself.

The woman you follow on a blog as just “the best life”.
Your kids.....
You are waiting and waiting for life to change for the better for yourself.......

Then in he walks.......

Cute little read.

I liked it.

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Review: Dream with Little Angels

Dream with Little Angels by Michael Hiebert
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This was compared to Kill a mocking bird.

Your right.

Too close to that book it had so many parallels.

Not really wanting to read it again in different ways or characters or likenesses.

I must admit, I skimmed the lady three chapters.

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Review: The Marriage Merger

The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh dear oh dear.
Last week I went through my Netgalley books and saw books I requested way back when I joined in 2012. I was like a kid in a candy store. I’m much more sensible now! So made it my mission this month to see how many backlist books I could read or listen to on audio.
This was one of them.

I enjoyed this book, not u inquest but written. Made a good cleansing reading palate from my usual thrillers.

Well rounded out characters.

It was a good book. Didn’t love it, but I liked it.

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Review: The School Gates

The School Gates by Nicola May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great story. All these different Mummy’s with different stories to tell, different lives. Problems, emotions, and turmoil.
And one gay Dad.

These yummy mummy’s hold nothing back, there’s some very heated moment between the sheets.

I liked the narrator apart from the little girls voice she used, grated on me at times as it came across quite pathetic in sound.

Not the best narrator I’ve experienced but doable.

There is lots going on within the pages of this book that will definitely keep your attention.

It’s a very good entertaining read with lots to make you think about.

There are traumas, marriage problems, abuse , cheating and secrets and lies.

Mummy’s at the school gate and friendship.


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Review: Saint Christopher and the Gravedigger

Saint Christopher and the Gravedigger by Catherine Cookson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having grew up being a fan of Catherine Cookson and reading all of her books, I had the chance to read this.

I actually forgot I had it on my kindle! Knowing how much I loved her books I just can’t imagine why that happened.

Anyhow, I’ve read it now.

What a treat to have come across some papers in Catherine Cooksons attic on her estate and be able to get her last works published.
I read inside that some of the paper was faded etc so it’s wonderful how they pieced this together for her fans to enjoy. What a treat.

With the title of this book, I scratched my head wondering whatever this was about.
It was fun finding out.

The families in this saga were excellent. The dialogue just as usual, the only way this authors style could be.....excellent.

Fun story I thought.

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Review: You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.75 rounded down.

I’ve enjoyed the past books a lot, this one I thought was dragging in places and very predictable.
I still enjoyed it. I’m glad I listened to this on audio or I think I may have struggled picking the book up once put down in places where it dragged (if you know what I mean)

Loved the idea of this and the concept.

The other books though have been more inspiring a thriller due to its content not being done so many times. This has been written about before really, it’s not a unique thriller for me.

If you were not reading a lot of thrillers I can see this being a real good time.

I love the writing so a bump in the road won’t stop me reading more.

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Review: Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem

Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem by Fenyx Blue
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It’s a colourful poetic book.
However, there are a few flaws for me if I were to buy it.

I don’t like the illustrations much, the heads, that’s the things that seem less appealing and just not true to life.

I like that it has the points from the father. He didn’t have a father in his life so he wants to be a good one. I get that.

I think this book is more pointed at a parent to read this to their child but there are references to gold etc that veers more to a materialistic way of thinking in comparison side by side with his daughter that at times gets a bit of a troublesome thought from me.

With a little readjustment this could be a good acceptable story.

Bear in mind, this just are my thoughts on this!

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Review: The Open House

The Open House by Sam Carrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wooooooo

My main genre to read are thrillers so of course you get books with similar tropes.
This story isn’t unique.
This plot is not unique.

BUT, this book by Sam Carrington shines out from the many.

Why?
Because it drew me in and sat me out.
Her writing is such that you can’t help but ‘live’ within these pages. You can’t help but get involved with the characters.

Superb premise as it opened up to more dilemmas that added to the already intense feelings I had, the anxiety I had putting myself in the main characters shoes.

Toward the middle of the book I had a short list of names that I should have suspicion over. Reading on......I then cut them down to three likely candidates.

The multiple whammy left my jaw on the floor. WHAT!

They say you never fully know a person, not even if you live with them.
Decisions that had to be made blew my mind, the decisions that some made, rocked my world, when I thought they’d not do this.....they did.

A very good book that I’ll remember for a long time.

A beacon of light amongst similar thrillers.

The ending though did take a star off due to it being a bit unbelievable.

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Review: Grown

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enchanted is 17 years old. She has a dream. Her dream is to become a singer.

This is a dark disturbing book of manipulation and based very loosely on R Kelly. It’s shocking and oftentimes upsetting.

I just can’t imagine being the parents of this child.

I was so invested in this story, I think even more so when I started to listen to it on audio. It really kicked in.

There are many triggers in here so do you research before reading.
It’s a very impactful book though.

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Review: Mrs Death Misses Death

Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A poetic read.

I thought I’d give this a go based on some really good recommendations.
It’s a superbly written piece of work which I devoured BUT and a big but, by the middle of it I need to be honest here, I felt quite depressed and miserable.

I don’t think I knew what to expect. Yes it’s got the word “death” in it so I was expecting some grief.
Listening to this being read by the author on audio took on an entire meaning as it’s read harrowingly.
The voice is somber and I just don’t think (looking back) I should have chosen to read/listen to it.

Not with all the deaths with the pandemic etc.



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Review: When No One is Watching

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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I can’t lie.
I’m a bit confused.

The writing is good.
The characters are good and well rounded. No problem with that at all.

It’s the way of writing I’d usually enjoy.

If I wasn’t reading this with my book club I’d have ditched it......which is unusual for me.

It was heavy going at the start. The middle but I was getting more into, then it slumped and became a bit of a chore to finish it.

I carried on because this is the authors first thriller type book.

Nope, it won’t put me off, I am happy to read another from her if she writes a thriller type book again as I did like her style of writing.

Just didn’t really do anything for me.

I hate doing negative reviews! Much prefer to write positive ones.

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Review: Bad Habits

Bad Habits by Flynn Meaney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a great book and nothing like I expected.

I’m not a feminist 100% but do believe in equality.

This is unexpectedly set in a Catholic school of all places and you know what, it was the perfect setting. This is funny and serous all at the same time with a lifetime of learning.

The girls are great and the main character, well, what’s the difference between a rebel and someone who has strong opinions? Work that one out and you’ll fully understand these messages.

The narrator was fabulous in making each character take on a format, a body and a personality. She gave power to her voice when needed and pitched it good. Great pace on some important sentences and paragraphs.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Review: The Day She Came Back

The Day She Came Back by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Please....
Please.....
Pass me the tissues and a nice cup of tea.

I so know once I pick up one of Amanda Prowse books, more often than than not my heart is in for a break. This author can take the ordainary people and given some extraordinary circumstances and the reader is just sucked totally invested.

I imagined Prim, I imagined all of them including the house.

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You get so many emotional thoughts over this scenario that you are asking “why” “who would do that” “I wouldn’t do that”.

As things start to unravel you just can’t help but see everyone’s side, everyone’s point of view.

How would you feel if someone was you’re whole life and they lied to you?


This book did make me cry. I couldn’t help chatting to my hubby about this. His reaction was “sound good and I’d watch it if it was a movie or drama” (he doesn’t read much)

A story I’ll remember.

I took one star off because in some parts it was a bit repetitive.

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Review: The Girl at the Back of the Bus: An absolutely heart-wrenching historical novel

The Girl at the Back of the Bus: An absolutely heart-wrenching historical novel by Suzette D. Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I could increase the ratings on this I would.

A charged, emotive read. Very impactful.

I’m going to say “in my day” we had history lessons that involved the teaching of slavery and how the black people were treated plus the pregnancies that weren’t acknowledged, the segregation of whites from blacks.

This reminded me of how I felt then in my younger days to how I still feel today and how I raised my kids, plus stood up against diversity.

My soap box over!
This story was intense and sourly beautiful.
I loved Mattie and she reminded me of someone I knew in life with a strong disposition and a true tale to tell. A warm loving person with a huge back life.

The generation of women were astoundingly strong and resilient. Just like Mattie.

The Girl on the Bus . There starts the story. There sees the changes, personal and historic.

I was literally blown away by this story.
I need this book in physical format to keep on my shelves. It’s a book that will stay with me.


Do you think I’ve found my top 5 in literature fiction?
I do.
I can’t see anything surpassing this.

I need more books like this.

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Review: When I Was Ten

When I Was Ten by Fiona Cummins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m fast becoming a fan of Fiona Cummins as I know that I’m going to be in for a good time. A read that will have me so engrossed I won’t mind what’s happening around me.

This was very true with this book.

It didn’t take long to weave myself within the confines of this story.

A child kills her parents.

What?! I hear you ask.

I know. I was exactly like you are now. Gasping and in disbelief.

She owns up to it too.

This is, for sure, a dark and twisted read that I could only give 5* to.
Totally hooked, totally jaw dropping.

I “read” along with this on audio.

The narrator did a good job or throwing her voice to make me stand and take notice lots of times.
Right down to the singing.

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