Sam's Fireside - Cosy Book Reviews & Recommendations

' An innocent soul, walled up and forgotten'. Burying Jericho is the third book in the Scott Jericho series, and it's by far and away the best! I loved everything about it. With each book I read, I'm learning more and more about the fairgrounds, the people who live and work there and the mysticism that often surrounds them. The stories in this instalment just build and build, both with the disappearance of the young lad that Scott is searching for, and the mystery that Harry is looking into. I can't say too much about anything, you'll not hear any spoilers from me. Suffice to say that I was hooked, and along with the million and one curveballs that the author threw us and guessing (incorrectly) who the culprit(s) were, my mind was in turmoil. As I turned the last page, I felt like I had questioned every witness and fought every psychological battle that Scott did. I am excited to see what is next for 'the Great Showman Detective'. Thank you to Zaffre boo...

Scott Jericho is back! I'm loving this series, as I write this review for the second book, I am well on my way to finishing the third. Scott Jericho just can't sit back and forget his past, all he wants is to be in the thick of an investigation and this time, he really is, slap, bang in the middle. Can he discover who the killer or killers are before too many more people get murdered? The book isn't all brutal murders and searching for the bad guys, there is an emotional side to it too. In the first book, Scott hooks up with his old flame, Harry, and in Jericho's Dead, they are still together - sort of. Scott doesn't seem the most stable of men in his relationships, so will they stay together, you'll have to read this to find out. Miscommunication is a huge issue between these two and many a time, I found myself muttering in despair - just talk to each other for heaven's sake! If you love a good murder mystery, with some pretty squeamish bits, then please ch...

A fantastic start to a new series. I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I began to read Killing Jericho, those of you who read my reviews regularly will know that I rarely read the synopsis, where would be the fun in that? 😂 Scott Jericho is a former police officer who is having trouble letting go of his detective roots, so when horrendous murders begin to occur, then who better to investigate them. I really enjoyed the weird way in which these victims had been murdered - that sounds wrong, doesn't it? Let's just say the story kept me entertained, 🙈 and I had absolutely no idea who the murderer was until the reveal - well played there to the author. I loved the side story of the fair, where Scott lived much of his childhood. It was fun and interesting to read about what happens behind the scenes in a fairground and the hard work that so obviously goes into moving sites and setting up regularly. I was briefly taken back to Mr Galliano's Circus by Enid Blyton, whi...

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." I was pretty sure that I'd read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was younger, but when I started to read it for April's choice of the month for  #classiclitbookclub. I'm not actually sure that I have.  For me, it was very much a coming-of-age story, told through the eyes of Scout, an eight-year-old girl who lives alone with her father and older brother. Along with Scout and her brother Jem's perception of life in a small town in the 1930s, I enjoyed reading and learning more about the prejudice and discrimination that existed between black and white people, as well as richer and poorer.   Their Dad, Atticus, has incredibly high morals, treating everyone equally and attempting to teach his children to be the same.  The story jumped from situation to situation and from person to person. It was an interesting read as one minute we are wondering just who Boo R...

When feuding becomes loving. I listened to The Enemy immediately after finishing The Match, and enjoyed it almost as much - if only there had been another dog! Evie and Charlie do make the odd appearance, but this one is all about the enemies to lovers story of June and Ryan. After their last meeting, twelve years ago, June is convinced that she hates Ryan, but of course, deep down, she wants the one kiss they experienced together to make another appearance - twelve years later! The back-and-forth bickering between the two is a fun narrative, there were lots of laugh-out-loud moments, and many more when I just wanted to bang their heads together and lock them in a room! The narrators did a great job with the two main characters, I just love a dual narration, and of course we get our happily ever after - did you expect anything else? Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review The Enemy by Sarah Adams. About the Book Enemies should never get a ...

Loved, loved, loved this!  As I turned the last page, I felt a warm glow, along with the Pretty Woman and Notting Hill vibes. 🥰 Once again I’ve fallen in love with a Nicola May book, and once again she’s blown me away with her sensitivity to a difficult subject. Gracie’s heartbreak is overwhelming at times, but I loved, that along with friends and family, she begins to comes to terms with what’s happened to her and finds away to help the local community with similar stories.  Leo was awesome, I adored him, his kindness and generosity were just what Gracie needed at a time when her self-esteem was rock bottom and her feelings were all awry.  There are some very heavy subjects covered in Nicola’s new book, so please, please check the trigger warnings. Personally, I felt that she managed to cover them in a lighthearted yet sympathetic and empathetic manner, whilst creating that hug in a book that the author is so good at.  Thank you to Storm Publishing and Rachel’s Ran...

Gorgeous dogs and hot, single men! I adored this book from beginning to end. Evie and Charlie together, wrapped me up in a big warm hug and then Sam and Daisy did it all over again. I loved that Evie was helping to train service dogs and to help others be able to keep their independence.  It very definitely isn't love at first sight for Evie and Jacob, but slowly and surely they wear each other down, and with a little bit of cajoling from Sam, of course we get our happy ever after. The audiobook narration was brilliant. Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward complemented each other well and an audiobook with great narrators makes for an even better story. Thank you to  Dreamscape Media and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review The Match by Sarah Adams. About the Book Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. Evie Jones has dedicated her life and very limited funds working for Southern Service Paws, the company that matched her with the love of her life: Charli...

Another first and another winner. Once again, I'm late to the party and this is my first Ali Hazelwood book. Listening on a beautiful spring day, whilst pottering in the garden, I had no idea what to expect. I never read the blurb, I had no idea what level of spice 🌶 to expect, I just knew that lots of people love Ali Hazelwood and here was my opportunity to join them.  I loved the diving side story, I'm in awe of watching divers on TV, they have so much skill, it's incredible. Listening to how Scarlett overcame her injury and her blocker on the dive that caused it had me hooked. Lukas was a very welcome addition to Scarlett's life and as she gradually opens up to him, and him to her, the whole relationship made me all gooey inside!  This wasn't as spicy as I was expecting, after I'd listened to the disclaimer at the beginning, but it fitted into the story nicely, as both Scarlett and Lukas began to trust and support each other as time went on - both in and ou...

Who doesn't love a witchy book! How did I not know until I came to write this review - ashamedly I listened to this at the end of September 2024, and I am only now just getting around to the review 🙈 - that it is number three in a series?! Never mind though, I think it can definitely be read as a standalone. I guess you would get the backstory of some of the other characters if you'd read the others, but it didn't take away my enjoyment of the story. Ellowyn and Xander are the witches who are gonna kick ass, and whether they want to or not, overturning the Joywood coven is next on the list. I loved these two. I loved that they were sworn enemies for 364 days a year, but on just the one day, they get together to scratch the itch!  This is full of witchy vibes, magic, and great characters. I am adding the others to my TBR right now and checking when the fourth book is out. Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review Truly, Madly, Mag...

A book of firsts for me... My first ever Tessa Bailey book and my first ever hockey romance! Teddy Hamilton, aka Xaden Riorson reads the part of Sig Gauthier in Dream Girl Drama, and no, I didn't know this before I started listening, but hey, who doesn't want a bit of Xaden's voice, even if this time he's a professional hockey player and there are absolutely no dragons involved! I didn't like Chloe at the beginning, was I supposed to? I'm not sure. She grew on me, though. Just as the story progressed and Chloe learned how to be an adult, I began to like her more and more. She was hilarious, growing up, she lived a very privileged life and when she started to find her own way in the world and found out she needed to do her own laundry - that had me laughing out loud! I enjoyed the air of mystery surrounding whether Sig and Chloe's relationship would be allowed to happen, and I was second-guessing what might happen to allow it to continue. I'll definitely ...

So relatable to women of a certain age! Lisa Darling has lists, and on these lists are things that just get postponed from day, to day, to day. I have lists, and on these lists are things that just get postponed from day, to day, to day! 🤣 I think it's a peri-menopause/menopause thing! We've only recently fallen down the Grey's Anatomy rabbit hole, so I smiled at the McDreamy references in relation to Zach! I loved It's Getting Hot in Here by Jane Costello, it's full of humour, fun and sarcasm and the protagonist is a similar age to me. I didn't relate to some of the stuff Lisa was going through, but a lot of it I did. I laughed out loud every time she moved 'descale the kettle' to the next day! The whole book is a story of growth and self-development, for all the characters to be honest, but especially for Lisa and her eldest son Leo - the stroppy teenager!  Marisa Calin as the narrator did an amazing job, reading the book, throwing her heart into the ...

Secret societies and sinister goings-on. I liked this one, it took me a while to get into, and it was pretty slow-going, but once I figured out who everyone was, and got my head around the different points of view, I became invested in what happened to Jake and Sasha. Was it really suicide or was there something more ominous going on? I found myself asking whether secret societies do exist in colleges, or whether they are always a work of fiction? I chose not to attend college or university, and I therefore have no firsthand experience of this.  I enjoyed how invested Jake's Mum was in finding out the truth, even if it was sometimes to the point of obsessiveness. Lauren Fortgang as the narrator brought an element of mystery to the story which I'm not sure you'd have achieved from reading it. I would definitely listen to something she narrates in the future. Thank you to Libro FM and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to listen to and review The Wayside by Caroline W...

Times are changing, as Manchester's ladies try to survive during WWII. I love an educational WWII novel, and I've read many over the years. The ones where you learn more about the atrocities of the prison camps and the tenacity of the people who were held there. But I equally love a more lighthearted story, which is exactly what A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas is. It's the first in a new series, and although there is one heartbreaking topic (check the trigger warnings), this was a winner for me. This time we are in Manchester as WWII continues, men are off fighting and the women are left to hold the fort - or the hotel! The characters are resilient and resourceful, and Kitty in particular was amazing as she fought to keep her home, and reconfigure the business to provide for her teenage daughter. Lily, Beatrice and Kitty (and Abbie) all became firm friends by the end of the story and I can't wait to hear what's in store for them next. Thank you to N...