Wednesday, May 29, 2024

My Review for The Hospital by Leslie Wolfe, read by Tanya Eby


This was such a brilliantly written book. I loved it from start to finish, and what a whirlwind of a story it was. There were so many times that I thought I’d worked out what was what, only to be flummoxed yet again. I couldn’t decide who were the good characters and who were the bad ones, and although I thought I’d worked it all out about three-quarters of the way through, I couldn’t be sure and there were lots more twists to come.

I listened to this one as an audiobook, and the narrator, Tanya Eby, was really good. I’ve listened to books which she has narrated before and always enjoyed them. She played Emma, the female main character, well, and as with any good narrator, I could well believe that she actually was Emma, lying in that hospital bed.

One of the best thrillers I’ve listened to (or read) for a long time, and although this was my first by Leslie Wolfe, it definitely won’t be my last. There were so many moments when I thought ‘no way’, that can’t be how it happened and I loved that I was kept guessing the whole way through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen to The Hospital by Leslie Wolfe.



About the Book

When I wake up, I know three things. My name is Emma. Someone tried to kill me. And I can’t remember who. When I blink, my eyelashes brush against scratchy cloth. My fingers twitch, numb and distant. In the distance, sirens wail. I’m in the hospital. I should be safe here, but I know I’m not. The last thing I remember is running, seeing an arm raised to strike… Why would anyone want to kill me? Desperately, I piece together my scattered memories. I’m standing with my husband on sugar-white sand, our rings glinting in the sunlight. I’ll get better, and I’ll go home to him, and he will protect me. But when he visits, his new girlfriend is on his arm. He tells me we got divorced three years ago, and my world falls apart. What else have I forgotten?The only way I can keep myself safe is to uncover the answers buried deep in my mind. But as I talk to my visitors—listening to the gentle tones of the doctors and nurses, grateful for the care of my friends and family—I start to see the lies that contradict what I remember of my life. They say it’s just my broken memory. But I know the shocking I can’t trust a word anyone says…


About Leslie

Meet Leslie Wolfe, bestselling author and mastermind behind gripping thrillers that have won the hearts of over a million readers worldwide. She brings a fresh and invigorating touch to the thriller genre, crafting compelling narratives around unforgettable, powerhouse women. Her books are not only an adrenaline-packed ride, but they're also sprinkled with psychological insights, offering readers an immersive, authentic experience that goes beyond conventional suspense.

You might know her from the Detective Kay Sharp series or have been hooked by Tess Winnett's relentless pursuit of justice. Maybe you've followed the dynamic duo Baxter & Holt through the gritty streets of Las Vegas or plunged into political intrigue with Alex Hoffmann.

Recently, Leslie published The Girl You Killed, a psychological thriller that's pure, unputdownable suspense. This standalone novel will have fans of The Undoing, The Silent Patient, and Little Fires Everywhere on the edge of their seats.

Whether you're into the mind games of Criminal Minds, love crime thrillers like James Patterson's, or enjoy the heart-pounding tension in Kendra Elliot and Robert Dugoni's mysteries, Leslie's got a thriller series for you. Fans of action-packed writers like Tom Clancy or Lee Child will find plenty to love in her Alex Hoffmann series.





Tuesday, May 28, 2024

My Review for An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr


I love a book set in beautiful, scenic countryside, and so when the opportunity arose to read Kennedy Kerr’s recent novel, set in the Highlands of Scotland, I couldn’t turn it down. An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch is slow to begin with, but as soon as I become familiar with the characters (some of who are loveable and some who grow on you), the story picked up speed and I soon became immersed in Deb’s new challenge at Loch Cameron and invested in her story.

The author deals with several challenging issues alongside the lightheartedness of planning a party and forming new friendships, and I enjoyed the contrast between the two. 

Although this is the fifth book in the Loch Cameron series, it’s the first I’ve read and I don’t think it matters that I haven’t read the others and can definitely be read as a standalone. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review An Invitation to the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr.


About the Book

High on the hills above the wide blue loch, Deb pulls the torn, sepia photograph out of her pocket, tracing her thumb over the girl pictured playing happily amongst the heather. Her grandmother hid this secret for decades…

After losing her sense of self recovering from a serious operation, event planner Deb Sutherland is desperate to reconnect with her family and start living again. So, when an email arrives from the Laird of Loch Cameron asking her to plan his annual Spring Fling, Deb packs her life into her car and makes for the rolling hills of the Highlands. This could be her chance to explore the Scottish roots her beloved grandmother refused to speak about. Auditioning bands and designing decorations at the Laird’s grand castle, Deb runs into property developer Kyle Abernethy on the edge of the manicured gardens. Kyle ismaddeningly arrogant, but Deb can’t deny how his icy blue eyes make her stomach flip.And as they share a bottle of wine overlooking the glittering loch, Deb finds herself laughing like she hasn’t in years. But when Deb finds an old map of tumbledown worker’s cottages in the castle archives, her heart stops. She remembers how tearful her grandmother would get when asked about her childhood. Was Loch Cameron her home before her family was tragically torn apart? Has Kyle been hiding this truth from her all along?

As the Spring Fling approaches, should Deb run from Loch Cameron for good? Or will confronting her heart-breaking family history mean she can finally move forward with Kyle by her side?


About Kennedy (in her own words)

Without daydreaming, I don't think I would ever have thought about becoming a writer. One of my most favourite things is staring at the sea or a lake - being by the water is important to me. I find it very calming, and I have a lot of ideas when I walk by the sea or stand overlooking a lake - or a loch. Perhaps that's why I've written about coastal communities so much in my books.

In fact, I really love writing about small communities, mysteries and family secrets. I grew up in a town where it felt like everyone knew your business, and I've ended up writing about those kind of places quite a lot. I live in the UK, and my family is originally from Scotland. I have a real soft spot for the Highlands, but also for the rugged coast of Cornwall in the south west of England too. Anywhere there are beaches, cliffs, legends and mystery - plus a good cake shop, of course! - I'm there.

What else can I tell you? I am the lucky owner of one very cuddly, fat cat who spends her days sleeping. I love cooking and baking all types of food, and I love eating it even more. I really look forward to the day when I can throw caution to the wind and adopt a Homer Simpson type of eating schedule and consume a box of doughnuts a day. It's the dream.

I'm also a classic "roses, chocolates and date nights" romantic. I believe in true love and happy endings. I also believe that most of us go through difficult times in our lives, and we usually need some time to heal through it and come out the other side. Love is part of that, but not just romantic love - the love we have for our children, our families, our friends and our community is so important. As is the love we can have for particular places, and for nature.

I was very proud when The House at Magpie Cove became a USA Today Bestseller - that's all thanks to you, of course, my readers! I'm so happy that you enjoyed Mara's story, and the little village of Magpie Cove that seems to have a way of helping people find their way back to happiness. I've also loved writing the Loch Cameron books and been delighted to see so many of you enjoy the series set in the sleepy (yet active) lochside village, full of local characters and highlighting the stories of ordinary women.





Saturday, May 25, 2024

My Review for A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans



Jaimie blows it out of the park. Every. Single. Time. I adore her books, I love the ‘Ever After Street’ series, and I am constantly impressed by the ideas she comes up with for her books. Of course, A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street is no exception, and for this book we see Cleo open The Wonderland Teapot, an Alice in Wonderland-themed teashop, complete with Wonderland-inspired cakes, and its very own Mad Hatter, aka Bram.

Jaime’s latest creation is full of romance, friendship, secrets and baking. The characters are fanciful, delightful and full of creativity. I wish Ever After Street was a real live place because if it were, I’d be there in an instant.

If you’ve read the other books in this series, then you’ll be familiar with the other characters, but you don’t need to read them in order. Each can totally be read as a standalone, but read them all. Go on, why wouldn’t you?

Imagine yourself all cosy and warm, wrapped up in a great big bear hug from the person you love most in the world. Well, that’s how Jaimie’s books make me feel. Put simply, a hug in a book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review A Wonderland Wish on Ever Street by Jaimie Admans.


About the Book

A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street...

There's always time for tea... unless you've lost your teapot…

Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran. So when she accidentally fools the interview board into thinking she's a brilliant baker and is offered a prime spot on Ever After Street, she knows her dream is about to come true!

Stepping into The Wonderland Teapot is like falling down the rabbit hole - magical! But there’s a catch: Cleo has completely lost her love of baking! With her little white lie ticking in her ear, it seems her dream is over before it’s begun.

Until she meets her very own Mad Hatter. Loved by everyone on Ever After Street, magician Bram brings an energy to the teashop that lifts everyone, and slowly, with his encouragement, Cleo is getting back to doing what she loves best.

But with Bram hiding secrets of his own, Cleo isn’t sure she can put all her faith in him. And when things start going wrong at the teashop, Cleo wonders if the culprit sabotaging her dream is someone closer than she thinks?

If Cleo wants her wish to work, she has to learn to trust again before she loses her head and heart completely…although it might already be far too late for that...

About Jaimie

Jaimie is a 38-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. 

She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.  

She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.