Sam's Fireside - Cosy Book Reviews & Recommendations

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This has been sitting on my shelf for a while, and I finally had a few days free to read it. Kia Abdullah was recommended to me by a friend, and the author is such a great find. Take it Back is my first step into Kia Abdullah’s world, and what a rollercoaster of a world it is. Full of triggers such as rape, racism and discrimination, this book won’t be for everyone, but I was fully immersed from beginning to end. From one page to the next, I was torn as to who was telling the truth and right up until the very end, Take it Back was full of twists, turns and WTF moments that just kept me reading on and on. If you enjoy a book that is full of darkness and you just aren’t sure what is going to come next, then I would highly recommend this. I’ve mentioned the triggers, so you have been warned. Go in at your own risk. I already have another Abdullah sitting on my shelf and I can’t wait to see what that one brings. Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  |...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a weird one, sort of mystery and a thriller with some psychological stuff thrown in. I didn’t really like Emily. In fact, I didn’t really like any of the characters, apart from Mrs Peabody, who appears for about a nanosecond at one point. Emily ran away to Sidmouth in Devon twelve years ago, and she’s been hiding ever since, but what did she run from and why?  It takes a talented author to write a story where none of the characters are particularly likeable, but this is what Sue Watson has done, and she’s done it brilliantly. There are some dark moments throughout the book and a lot of things happen that I honestly just didn’t see coming and one particular WTF moment towards the end!  I’d urge you to check The Nursery out if strange psychological novels are your thing. Definitely, one I’d recommend if you don’t know what to read next. I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to re...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Lost Letters of Ireland is the fifth in the Starlight Cottage series, but only the second one I’ve read, and these can definitely be read as a stand-alone . Edwina is nearly forty and has come to a fork in the road that is her life. She’s just resigned from her job in the city and has recently broken up with a flashy boyfriend. So what does she do next? I loved reading about Edwina’s new project in Sandy Cove and the friends she makes along the way, most of whom you will have met before if you have read any of the other Starlight Cottage books. The project eventually brings her family closer together, but can they all put what happened in the past behind them and move on? Aside from Edwina's renovation project, there is another story intertwined as she sets herself a mission to find out who wrote the message in a bottle, which she discovers in the sea at the beginning of her stay in Sandy Cove. I love this book’s cover; it’s so adorable and I want to walk down that path to...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Never before have I read anything that will stay with me as much as The Woman Outside the Walls. Never before have I read a book where the protagonist was on the ‘wrong side’ and spent the rest of her life essentially running. This little old lady who cleans at the church, makes the most amazing cakes and is the ideal neighbour, has a history that she doesn’t want anyone to know about because she feels incredible fear and guilt.   Written across multiple timelines, Suzanne Goldring’s latest novel will send you on a hugely emotional journey. I was shocked, horrified and disgusted but also sympathetic, understanding, and pleased that Anna’s story was finally being told.  If you enjoy reading historical fiction and you have an open mind (and stomach) then check out The Woman Outside the Walls. Incredibly educational and a story that will stay with you for a long time. I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture ...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  What an awesome, captivating, page-tuner! I was hooked from about chapter 3 and you would find me with my nose between the covers at every opportunity. Full of subterfuge, lies and heart-stopping moments, My Husband’s Lover is my first foray into author Jess Ryder’s world, but it won’t be my last. Sophie and her Swimmers are off on a wild-water swimming experience in the depths of Scotland and one of them is there for an entirely different reason, but who is it and what is her reason for joining Sophie’s Swimmers? My Husband’s Lover just goes to show that everyone has their secrets and we can never be too sure what is going on in another person’s life - whether good or bad. If you fancy a fast-paced, riding by the seat of your pants, psychological thriller, then check out Jess Ryder’s latest novel, out now! I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of My Husband’s Lo...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The last book in this series from Marion Kummerow and our final journey with Margarete and Stefan. Once again we are enveloped within the resistance world of the Second World War, as Margarete, disguised as a young German woman, Annegret Huber tries to help save as many Jews as she can from being transported to the Prisoner of War camps. The author takes us along with Margarete and Stefan as their relationship grows despite the hardships they are forced to overcome. As Margarete is betrayed by an old schoolfriend, Stefan steps up to help manage the estate in her absence. We discover how the Poles, Jews and Germans worked alongside each other when necessary and that actually, some wanted the same outcome. These books could be read as stand-alone. Indeed, I have only read the final two in the series, but for the full experience of Margarete’s journey I would suggest starting at the beginning with A Light in the Window. If you enjoy historical fiction and books about the resistan...

  ⭐⭐⭐⭐  The first book in a new series by Michelle Vernal and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Shannon is heading back to her home village of Emerald Bay, just in time for Christmas, after a traumatic break-up and having to leave an apartment she can no longer afford. James is a visitor to Emerald Bay, but why is he so far from home, a few days from Christmas, and just what is his link to the village? Family, friends, a cosy pub and your Nan’s cooking. What more could any girl need? I also wanted to sit around the family kitchen table, eating hot pot and soda bread slathered in butter, with the snow falling softly outside with my fluffy Persian cat on my lap! If you enjoy a cute, Christmassy romance, then go and grab yourself a copy of Christmas in the Little Irish Village and settle yourself by the fire with a glass of mulled wine. I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an AR...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fast-paced, energetic and twisted. Three words to describe The Perfect Mother by Matthew Farrell. I really enjoyed reading this and raced through it in just a couple of days. It took me a few chapters to work out what was going on, as there are multiple timelines, and there were occasions when I couldn’t remember what was happening in each one. However, by the middle of the book, I’d sussed it out, and was excited to discover what was happening, and why. Laura is our protagonist, and I loved her and hated her at the same time. The author was brilliant at managing my emotions and I’m pretty sure they were chopping and changing as he’d anticipated. I definitely hadn’t envisaged some of the twists and turns that just kept coming and I was kept guessing throughout. This is my first venture into Matthew Farrell’s world, but it won’t be my last. If you love a psychological thriller, that’ll keep you on your toes, then put The Perfect Mother on your Christmas list. I am lucky enou...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it, loved it, loved it! From start to finish, I was eager to find out whether Rowan would get her man. Rowan is miserable, she has a job with potential but currently isn’t enjoying, a stroppy teenage daughter, an ex who sometimes doesn’t want to be an ex and she has absolutely no money. However, she does have an amazing bunch of friends who think she’s special and they set about devising a way to cheer her up. I googled how much it is to buy a Liberty advent calendar…£245 with products worth £1000!!! Me? I’d prefer a gin one! This idea from Rowan’s group of girlfriends was something special though and I would love for someone to do something like this for me. Read the book for more details, I don’t want to spoil the surprises. If you love Christmas and romance, mulled wine and chocolates, check out Santa, Please Bring me a Boyfriend or put it on your Christmas list. I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this book, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutur...

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I can’t remember the last time that a book made me cry, but towards the end of this one there were definitely tears in my eyes, although I’m telling myself they were hormonal!  Christmas at Red Robin Cottage is all about friends, family, lost loves and second chances, it’s warm, cosy and happy. I loved Sarah and Ellie and how they came together to work out, that usually it’s best not to have Mum and daughter secrets. I was hooked on Luke and Sarah’s story and the house on Adelaide Terrace reminded me of the pastel Painted Ladies houses that I’ve seen in San Francisco.  I’ve read a couple of other books by Sue Roberts and she never fails to make me smile, her characters are always loveable and her writing so vivd and descriptive. Reading this makes we want to wander through a snowy winter village with Sarah and then settle by the fire with a hot chocolate and I really, really want to try that orange shortbread. I’m off to find myself a recipe.  I am lucky enough...