Tuesday, September 30, 2025

My Review for The Awakening by Kate Chopin, read by Lisa Ross

September 30, 2025  , , ,  No comments


“...but whatever came, she had resolved never again to belong to another than herself.”

The Awakening was another classic I listened to for #classiclitbookclub in 2024. Looking back, I think it’s one that would grow on me with rereads. Edna Pontellier was a woman way ahead of her time. She isn’t happy with her life, or with her role as a wife and a mother. Despite the expectations of society, she basically throws in the towel, sticks her fingers up to the world, and says: nope, I’m not doing this anymore. I’m going to do what I want from now on.

Some people aren’t meant to be parents, and some just don’t want to be. But in her time, Edna was married and a mother because that’s what was expected. Drop her in the twenty-first century and I don’t think she would have made the same choices. The climax of the book is heartbreaking, but I think Edna felt like she didn’t have another option.

I really enjoyed the rebellious side of The Awakening, and writing this review makes me want to read it next time instead of listening.

About the Book

First published in 1899, this revolutionary novel so disturbed critics and the public that it was banished for decades afterward. Now widely read and admired, The Awakening has been hailed as an early vision of woman's emancipation. Rooted in the romantic tradition of Melville and Dickinson, it is the story of twenty-eight-year-old Edna Pontellier, a surprisingly modern woman trapped in a dehumanizing marriage and in search of self-discovery. Turning away from convention and society toward her primal instincts for passion and freedom, Edna abandons her family to realize herself as an individual. But her quest leads to her destruction by a society that grants no place for those unfulfilled by marriage and motherhood.

About Kate

Kate Chopin (1850–1904) was an American author best known for her bold, ahead-of-its-time explorations of women’s inner lives. Writing in the late 19th century, she tackled themes like independence, desire, and identity in a society that often tried to silence women’s voices. Her novel The Awakening caused a stir when it was first published in 1899, but today it’s celebrated as an early feminist classic.




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My Review for The Accidental Rewrite by Milly Johnson, read by Colleen Prendergast

September 30, 2025  , , , , ,  No comments



"Polly often wondered whether, if someone were to cut through Ward Hunt, they'd find 'greed' running through him like a stick of Blackpool rock."

Published in the UK in 2024 as The Happiest Ever After, this book has a brand-new US title—The Accidental Rewrite—and it's out today!

I absolutely adored listening to this. It was cute, sad, fun, and absolutely hilarious—I was giggling all the way through. Polly is awesome. She's put up with a lot, and now, finally, it's time for her to put herself first—though, of course, it doesn't quite go to plan.

I love books with UK references, like Mrs Bucket (Bouquet), Kew Gardens, and sticks of rock! I even had to explain to a US friend what a stick of rock is (candy found in seaside towns throughout the UK). Pink mint is the best, by the way!

Colleen Prendergast was brilliant narrating this one. With her gorgeous northern accent, her voice is still spinning through my head even as I write this review. I'm definitely going to look for more audiobooks she's narrated, even if I don't usually read that genre. 😁

I haven’t read enough books by Milly Johnson yet, but that will soon be rectified—back catalogue, here we come!

Thank you to Libro FM and Harper Muse for the opportunity to listen to and review The Accidental Rewrite by Milly Johnson.

About the Book

What if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you'd always dreamed of?

Polly Potter is losing the plot of her life. At work, her jerk of a boss is making her days unbearable. At home, she's trapped in an unappreciated relationship with a man-child of a partner. She's left completely drained by always putting others first. Amid this chaos, Polly finds solace in one place: the pages of her novel, where she shapes the world of the fearless and triumphant Sabrina Anderson, a character who embodies everything Polly wishes she could be. And thus a plan is born: Polly Potter is going to stop writing the life she wants and start living it.

Just as she makes her move--quitting her job, leaving her partner, and embarking on a road trip to start over--fate turns everything upside down. A wild turn of events leaves her far from home along the Yorkshire coast, in the hospital, waking up from a concussion, believing her name is Sabrina Anderson. She doesn't know where she's come from, but she feels she could heal in that seaside town, with the fresh air, seagulls, and a few kind strangers who take her into their lives. And into the heart of their joyful, boisterous Italian family restaurant--run by Teddy, the warmhearted son of her new landlady. When the restaurant is threatened, she knows she has the skills to help--and as her memory slowly returns, she must choose between Sabrina's life or Polly's. With her identity in question, Polly wonders: what if this new life could truly be hers? What if she could rewrite her story with a happier ending?

About Milly - by Milly

Hello. My name is Milly Johnson and I’m an international novelist (Sunday Times bestseller – ahem. I would have been a number 1 and not a number 2 if Richard Osman hadn’t blocked up the top spot!), newspaper columnist, poet, after-dinner speaker, professional joke writer (and winner of a Come Dine With Me week!).

I come from Barnsley in South Yorkshire where I’ve lived all my life – apart from four years at University in Exeter doing Drama and Education (St Lukes in case you’re asking) and thirteen years in Haworth in West Yorkshire, where I went hoping to catch some Bronte writing magic. I married there, had my children before coming back to my OG home part of the county.



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Sunday, September 28, 2025

My Review for The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, read by Andy Ingalls, Caitlin Kelly, Damian Lynch, David Monteith, James Patrick Cronin, Munich Grace, Siho Ellesmore and Steve West

September 28, 2025  , , , , ,  No comments


“The problem with knowledge, is it's inexhaustible craving. the more of it you have, the less you feel you know”

Chosen for September’s read for #thatindiebookclub, I’m still unsure how I feel about The Atlas Six. I listened to the audiobook, and since the story is told from multiple viewpoints, the full cast definitely helped keep track of the numerous characters.

The story was unlike anything I’ve experienced before—there was so much to take in and work out, and I got lost many, many times. Figuring out who each character was and what their magical power entailed was… complicated. I liked some characters, hated others, and felt ambivalent about the rest. I did like the plant lady—Reina, I think—but the voice of the plants was a bit sickly-sweet and weird (you wouldn’t get that if you’re reading the print version!).

There’s a lot going on, but at the same time, not much actually happens—yes, I know that sounds contradictory, but that’s exactly how I felt 😂. Will I read the next one? Probably, but I won’t be rushing. Hopefully it’ll be easier to follow now that I already have the world built in my head!

About the Book

The Alexandrian Society, caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity, are the foremost secret society of magical academicians in the world. Those who earn a place among the Alexandrians will secure a life of wealth, power, and prestige beyond their wildest dreams, and each decade, only the six most uniquely talented magicians are selected to be considered for initiation.

Enter the latest round of six: Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, unwilling halves of an unfathomable whole, who exert uncanny control over every element of physicality. Reina Mori, a naturalist, who can intuit the language of life itself. Parisa Kamali, a telepath who can traverse the depths of the subconscious, navigating worlds inside the human mind. Callum Nova, an empath easily mistaken for a manipulative illusionist, who can influence the intimate workings of a person’s inner self. Finally, there is Tristan Caine, who can see through illusions to a new structure of reality—an ability so rare that neither he nor his peers can fully grasp its implications.

When the candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they will have one year to qualify for initiation, during which time they will be permitted preliminary access to the Society’s archives and judged based on their contributions to various subjects of impossibility: time and space, luck and thought, life and death. Five, they are told, will be initiated. One will be eliminated. The six potential initiates will fight to survive the next year of their lives, and if they can prove themselves to be the best among their rivals, most of them will.

Most of them.


About Olivie 

Olivie Blake, the pen name of Alexene Farol Follmuth, is the author of internationally bestselling speculative fiction for adults. She is a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around the collective experience, what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.

​Olivie tripped and fell into writing after abandoning her long-premeditated track for Optimum Life Achievement while attending law school, and now focuses primarily on the craft and occasional headache of creating fiction. Her New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling The Atlas Six released in 2022 from Tor Books, with The Atlas Paradox and The Atlas Complex rounding out the bestselling trilogy in 2024. The re-release of her viral literary romance Alone With You in the Ether was followed by backlist titles One for My Enemy and New York Times bestselling Masters of Death, with brand new titles Gifted & Talented and Girl Dinner to release in 2025. She has also been published as the writer for the graphic series Clara and the Devil and a variety of other adult SFF books. As Alexene, she is the author of young adult fiction.

Olivie lives and works in Los Angeles with her husband and son. She has trained in boxing for the last seven years and enjoys dinner conversation, art made by humans, and overindulging her sweet tooth.



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Wednesday, September 24, 2025

My Review for The Bystander by John David

September 24, 2025  , , ,  No comments


'She's turned her lemons into the equivalent of a lemonade conglomerate.'

If an author asks me to read their book, I’ll skim the synopsis, say yes or no, and then forget all about it — so I usually go in blind. It could be fantasy, romance, or thriller and I’d have no clue until I start reading! That’s exactly what happened here. When I picked up The Bystander on Sunday, I was a little cautious (as I often am with debut novels), but I needn’t have worried. I was hooked from the very beginning — mystery, suspense, thrills, and even a few cringe-worthy moments!

The story felt unique — I’ve never read anything quite like it. The description mentions a shooting, but things quickly take an unexpected turn I didn’t see coming. It also shines a light on issues that are more common than many of us might realize, which made it all the more impactful.

Corruption, deceit, violence, and even a dash of romance — if you love a thriller with all that wrapped in, definitely grab a copy of The Bystander!

Thank you to John David and Tule Publishing for the opportunity to read and review The Bystander.

About the Book

TV reporter Pete Lemaster anticipates nothing more riveting than filming a short lifestyle segment for an upcoming college football rivalry when he arrives at the Jacksonville Waterfront pregame tailgate party. Then chaos erupts as a bystander stops an active shooter with an act of stunning bravery. And Pete suddenly holds a golden career opportunity in his hands—an exclusive video that goes viral.

With the citizen hero’s star rising among the Second Amendment folk, Pete, too, enjoys the perks of fame. But something about that now-famous moment feels off, so he uses his journalism skills to poke around. Suddenly, he’s not sure what he captured is the truth.

And now opportunistic political and media figures are threatening Pete’s life if he doesn’t back off. Can he blow the whistle on a coverup, out the real villain, and stay alive?


About John

John David is a long-time public relations and crisis communications consultant, author of a non-fiction business book, and a corporate ghostwriter. 

His debut novel, The Bystander (The Lemaster Files Book 1), was longlisted for the BPA First Novel Award, was awarded as a finalist for the 2025 Storytrade Book Award for traditional mysteries, and was named a finalist for the 2025 Page Turner Award for mysteries and cozy mysteries. It will be released by Tule Publishing in September of 2025. 

Though not a big joiner, he is a member of the International Thriller Writers Debut Author program. When not working or writing, he enjoys fishing, talking about politics, and following the Florida Gators. He and his beautiful wife Pamela live in Pinecrest, Florida.


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Tuesday, September 23, 2025

My Review for The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman, read by Andi Arndt

September 23, 2025  , , , , ,  No comments


“It’s not easy to say no to your ideal of success. But… sometimes your definition of success changes.”

Crisp autumn mornings, with the smell of fresh apples on the trees, cinnamon buns in the bakery, and pumpkin spiced latte to top it all off. The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn gave me Gilmore Girls vibes, along with snippets of all the other autumn books I've devoured this year. I loved it. 

The entire story is cute and heartfelt, romantic and full of humour. Ellie's ex-boyfriend is a complete knob-jockey who deserves to be pushed off the roof of the cute little inn. I'm so glad we didn't see a lot of him in the story. Pumpkin the pug was a huge hit, with me and with everyone who flocked to his Instagram account - there's just something about a dog in PJs! 😂

I felt that, despite living in the city for years, Ellie had a lot of personal growing-up to do, to realise that what she wants now, isn't necessarily the same as what she wanted when she was a kid. She found her place back in the small town on Long Island and I loved that she did.

This is a perfect read for anyone who loves cosy small-town romances with autumn vibes.

Thank you to Avon Books and Libro FM for the opportunity to listen to and review The Honeycrisp Orchard Inn by Valerie Bowman.

About the Book

Ellie Lawson’s city life was treating her just fine until a sour turn of events knocks her out in one fell swoop. Dumped by her boyfriend and fired from her event planning job, she is left with no choice but to return to her parents’ idyllic inn, nestled within a picturesque Honeycrisp orchard on Long Island. Anticipating a quiet hiatus in the attic apartment, she is instead met with Aiden, the stubborn, attractive son of the orchard owner who is currently occupying her planned refuge.

Forced together by circumstance, they find themselves not only roommates but also coworkers, when they’re put in charge by their parents of the orchard’s vital Harvest Festival, a lifeline for both the struggling orchard and the inn. Amidst the enchanting disorder of small-town life, Ellie and Aiden grapple with their conflicting values, burgeoning feelings, and an electrifying tension.

As Ellie discovers the unexpected charm of the life she left behind and Aiden learns there’s much more to Ellie than he’d first assumed, one fact the future of the orchard and the inn depends on their unlikely collaboration.

Embark on a captivating journey of rediscovery, love, and the irreplaceable magic of small-town life.


About Valerie

Valerie Bowman’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.



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Monday, September 22, 2025

My Review for The Catcher in the Rye by J.D.Salinger

September 22, 2025  , ,  No comments


'He was a very good skater and all, but I couldn't enjoy it much because I kept picturing him practicing to be a guy on roller-skates on the stage.'

The Catcher in the Rye was chosen for September's #classiclitbookclub. This is my first time reading it, and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. At first, I found Holden to be annoying, the story depressing, and there was a lot of overthinking. But as the book progressed and drew to a close, I started to understand why Holden narrates the way he does. 

Holden seemed like a troubled teen still grappling with the death of his brother. His parents appeared more concerned about his academic failures than his emotional state. I suppose this is reflective of the time in which the book was written—mental health awareness was not as prevalent back then. Today, there are more resources available for teens going through similar struggles. 

What really stood out to me was Holden's internal conflict—he’s trying to act like an adult when he clearly isn’t ready to let go of his childhood. He has no true friends; instead, he’s surrounded by acquaintances who tolerate him but don’t really understand him. 

After reading a few other reviews, it’s clear that people either love or hate this book. As for me, I’m still on the fence, but I think if I read it again, I’d lean more toward ‘love’ than ‘hate.’

About the Book

It's Christmas time and Holden Caulfield has just been expelled from yet another school...

Fleeing the crooks at Pencey Prep, he pinballs around New York City seeking solace in fleeting encounters—shooting the bull with strangers in dive hotels, wandering alone round Central Park, getting beaten up by pimps and cut down by erstwhile girlfriends. The city is beautiful and terrible, in all its neon loneliness and seedy glamour, its mingled sense of possibility and emptiness. Holden passes through it like a ghost, thinking always of his kid sister Phoebe, the only person who really understands him, and his determination to escape the phonies and find a life of true meaning.

The Catcher in the Rye is an all-time classic in coming-of-age literature- an elegy to teenage alienation, capturing the deeply human need for connection and the bewildering sense of loss as we leave childhood behind.


About J.D. Salinger

People well know this author for his reclusive nature. He published his last original work in 1965 and gave his last interview in 1980. Reared in city of New York, Salinger began short stories in secondary school and published several stories in the early 1940s before serving in World War II. In 1948, he published the critically acclaimed story "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" in The New Yorker, his subsequent home magazine. He released an immediate popular success. His depiction of adolescent alienation and loss of innocence in the protagonist Holden Caulfield especially influenced adolescent readers. Widely read and controversial, sells a quarter-million copies a year.

The success led to public attention and scrutiny: reclusive, he published new work less frequently. He followed with a short story collection, Nine Stories (1953), of a novella and a short story, Franny and Zooey (1961), and a collection of two novellas, Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction (1963). His last published work, a novella entitled "Hapworth 16, 1924", appeared in The New Yorker on June 19, 1965.

Afterward, Salinger struggled with unwanted attention, including a legal battle in the 1980s with biographer Ian Hamilton. In the late 1990s, Joyce Maynard, a close ex-lover, and Margaret Salinger, his daughter, wrote and released his memoirs. In 1996, a small publisher announced a deal with Salinger to publish "Hapworth 16, 1924" in book form, but the ensuing publicity indefinitely delayed the release. 

Another writer used one of his characters, resulting in copyright infringement; he filed a lawsuit against this writer and afterward made headlines around the globe in June 2009. Salinger died of natural causes at his home in Cornish, New Hampshire.

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Thursday, September 18, 2025

My Review for The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore, read by Savannah Peachwood and Sebastian York

September 18, 2025  , , , ,  No comments



"Annie was an on-kilter kind of girl."

Book number five in the Dream Harbor series, and finally we get to read about Annie and Mac's story. I need to say this though… am I the only one who, for some reason, thought that Annie and Mac were a senior couple?? Nope? Just me then! 🙈

Is it just characters in books who don't communicate and end up wasting months—sometimes years—of their lives? The Gingerbread Bakery was written from Annie and Mac's points of view, from both "then" and "now." I must admit I got a little lost sometimes as to what year we were in, but I soon caught up.

It was such a cute read, and I loved every minute—especially when we caught up with all the other characters from the previous books. Personally, I'd have liked to spend some more time in the actual Gingerbread Bakery and less time on the relationship, but that's just because I love cakes! The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore is still my favourite book, and Noah and Hazel are still my favourite couple. Perfect for anyone who loves small-town romances with plenty of sweetness. Now let's see what's in store for Daisy in the next book.

Thank you to Libro FM and HarperCollins for the opportunity to listen to and review The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore.

About the book

As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.

Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they're about to spend a lot more time together.

As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?


About Laurie/Melissa - by Laurie

As Melissa McTernan, I write sweet and steamy fantasy/paranormal romance. I love grumpy heroes, sarcastic heroines, and grown-up fairy tales. I am currently working on The Wolf Brother’s series for One More Chapter (a HarperCollins UK imprint). The trilogy follows three werewolf brothers and their (maybe if they don’t screw it up) Mates.

As Laurie Gilmore (my pen name), I write steamy small-town romance. My Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. I love finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strive for that in my own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then these books are definitely for you.

When I’m not writing, I’m most likely reading or wrangling my kids as a stay-at-home mom. I live in upstate New York with my husband, kids, cats, puppy, and full bookshelves. I write romance to keep my sanity.








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Wednesday, September 17, 2025

My Review for Shaedes of Beasts by Jenny Grimes

September 17, 2025  , , , , ,  No comments


'Watch where you are going, you glorified pincushion!'

I'm finding it difficult to begin this review. Not because I hated the book (absolutely not!) but more because I can’t quite pin down how I feel about it yet.

For a change, let's work backwards.The last chapter was so good. I’m already itching for the next book just to see how this new character is going to shake things up (don’t worry—no spoilers). The final battle was less fighting and more of an intense rescue mission. It was heart-wrenching and scary, whilst being fully immersive, as we trudge through the forest in the rain, and the mud, with an incredibly novel way to stop the storm from raging and the rain from pouring down. 😉

Shaedes of Beasts was slow to begin with, as Jenny takes her time reintroducing old faces and bringing in new ones, whilst slowly recapping earlier battles. However, once it gets moving you are once again thrown into the magical lives of the members of the Shaede Court, as they attempt to save their worlds and their friends. 

Depressed - that's how I felt when I was reading this. Not because I wasn't enjoying it (I was), but because it basically never stopped raining, inside the book and outside my window. Zero sunshine. But hey, not all battles can be fought under a blazing sun! 🤣 

Thank you so much to Jenny Grimes for including me on her ARC team for Shaedes of Beasts.

About the Book

One love will make her. One spell will break her. One choice will save her.

The consequences of everything that happened in Corynthia haunt the High Shaedes as they attempt to savor the peace their sacrifices purchased on behalf of the Seam. While everyone seems to be moving on, Opal remains shattered—broken in ways that no one else can even begin to understand.

Edmyn and Farris are more than willing to distract her battered heart, but soon are faced with more troubles of their own. The Moon King must continue to rebuild what the dragons destroyed, while Farris must deal with the return of an unwanted figure from his past, come to wound him anew.

What will happen when a mysterious and alluring purple Shaede appears at court and offers Opal a taste of something she’s never had before?

And will the Shaedes be able to maintain the frail peace they’ve secured even when faced with suspicious talking beasts from Jovii’s Isle invading their lands and making soul magic demands?

About Jenny

Jenny Grimes writes fantasy romance novels that focus on the blurred lines between worlds, the darkness you’ll find in all of them, and the love that resides there too. She creates her characters and spins her stories from her home in the human realm, where she raises her three little book dragons with her husband, and spends a healthy amount of time reading, travelling, and creating art.





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Monday, September 15, 2025

My Review for Tess of the D'urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

September 15, 2025  , ,  No comments


“I think of people more kindly when I am away from them.”

I picked up the gorgeous Penguin Clothbound copy of this one, and I adored Tess of the D'urbervilles. Yes it's disturbing, yes it's sad, and tragic, and it focuses very much on the class system in England in the nineteenth century, of which Tess is nearer the bottom than the top. It's brilliantly and beautifully written, and Mr Hardy captures the essence of the English countryside in great detail throughout. 

Poor Tess, thrown out into the world without any real life skills, and susceptible to the predatory nature of the men she comes across. Wasn't it a thing to talk to your daughter about s*x in the nineteenth century? Surely they had some sort of conversation!🤷

Tess is a true victim throughout this book, society treats her shoddily, and she deserves so much more. A tragic end for such an aspiring young woman, who could have done so much better with her life if given half a chance.

I had to read Far From the Madding Crowd for school, and I need to read it again, without the hassle of looking for symbolism, and meaning and all that guff. I'm sure I'll enjoy it, just as much as this one. 

It's a while ago now, but thank you to #classiclitbookclub for choosing to read Tess of the D'urbervilles by Thomas Hardy. 

About the Book

When Tess Durbeyfield is driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D'Urbervilles and seek a portion of their family fortune, meeting her 'cousin' Alec proves to be her downfall. A very different man, Angel Clare, seems to offer her love and salvation, but Tess must choose whether to reveal her past or remain silent in the hope of a peaceful future. With its sensitive depiction of the wronged Tess and powerful criticism of social convention, Tess of the D'Urbervilles is one of the most moving and poetic of Hardy's novels.


About Thomas

Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) was born in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, into a close-knit rural family whose characters and landscape shaped his imagination. His father, a builder and musician, passed down a love of music, while his mother encouraged his education. After schooling in Dorchester, Hardy apprenticed as an architect before moving to London in 1862, where he worked as a Gothic draughtsman and wrote poetry. Poor health brought him back to Dorset in 1867, where he turned to fiction. His first published novel, Desperate Remedies (1871), was followed by Under the Greenwood Tree (1872) and Far from the Madding Crowd (1874), which made his reputation and allowed him to marry Emma Gifford. Their unhappy marriage ended with Emma’s death in 1912, inspiring some of Hardy’s most powerful poetry.

Over the next two decades Hardy produced major novels including The Return of the Native (1878), The Mayor of Casterbridge (1886), Tess of the d’Urbervilles (1891) and Jude the Obscure (1895). Outrage at Jude led him to abandon fiction and devote himself to poetry, publishing eight volumes and the vast verse-drama The Dynasts. He lived from 1885 at Max Gate, his Dorchester home, where he wrote until his death. Celebrated as the “Grand Old Man of English Letters,” Hardy was admired by younger writers such as Sassoon, Graves, Woolf and Lawrence.

He died in 1928. In a compromise between family and state, his ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey, while his heart was buried in Stinsford beside Emma.




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Thursday, September 11, 2025

My Review for Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

September 11, 2025  , , , , ,  No comments


'Why would anyone ever want to live a life without books?'

Jessica! You made me cry. I rarely, if ever, cry at a book, but I shed a few tears towards the end of Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop. The entire book was gorgeous, from beginning to end. I adored Lily, I was charmed by Lars, and I adored all the book references. Yes please Jessica, will you write the Snow Dragon for us?! 💕

I learnt lots about the Icelandic traditions around Christmas time, it's so much fun to find out what other countries around the world do. I'm not sure about some of those things the Yule Lads got up to though, 🙈 but with a mother who eats naughty children, 😜 I can't say I'm surprised! They sort of reminded me of the Elf On The Shelf tradition!

Both Lily and Lars have experienced loss and heartbreak throughout the years, but together they can come to terms and deal with everything. I was especially obsessed with the Paperback Pixie — what a magical idea! I even caught myself imagining how I could do something similar in my village (though it might bankrupt me 😂).

With the many references to Anne of Green Gables, I really need to sit down and read it - I never have, even though I have a pretty copy on my shelf, just waiting. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books, Jessica Redland and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop. 

About the Book

Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.

After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he's been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.

Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.

Surrounded by the quiet magic of the season and the soft glow of festive lights, perhaps there’s even the possibility of finding a love as enchanting as the Northern Lights on a winter's night.


About Jessica - by Jessica

I write uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in stunning Yorkshire. My Whitsborough Bay books take readers/listeners to the North Yorkshire Coast and my Hedgehog Hollow books transport them deep into the countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

My books are about real people living real lives. You'll find plenty of warm and fuzzy moments between the pages but you may occasionally find yourself tearing up and reaching for the tissues. I love my characters so, no matter how tough the going gets, I make sure they get their happy ending. Of course, with a series, it may take a few books to fully get there!

My favourite subject at school was English and I always loved the aspects of my day job in HR which involved writing but I never considered writing a novel until my manager told me that my business reports read more like stories and joked that I should write a book. As soon as a plot idea presented itself, that’s exactly what I did.

















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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

My Review for Snowflakes Over Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt

September 09, 2025  , , , ,  No comments


'That I love you...crazy banshee and all'.

I haven’t read the other books in this series, but that doesn’t matter. It can definitely be read as a standalone. Snowflakes Over Starr’s Fall was full of small-town vibes with lots of fun, individual shops, where all the shopkeepers know each other and help each other out. 

Jenna and Jack are the quintessential enemies to lovers couple. To say they detest each other at first sight is an understatement! I loved them both. I loved Jack’s city-type persona, but actually, pick him up and put him in the middle of a small town, and he slots in just nicely. Jenna’s reluctance to accept that change is necessary, in order to ensure that her store is a success, is admirable, but frustrating. I was remodelling it before Jack ever set foot in the door. 😂

This was a fun and lighthearted read. I enjoyed meeting all the different characters in Starr’s Fall, and I’ll definitely be going back and reading the first two books. 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Snowflakes Over Starr’s Fall by Kate Hewitt.

About the Book

Welcome to the magical town of Starr's Fall ❄️✨🤍 As the stars twinkle and the snow drifts over the town… someone’s about to find the magic she didn’t even know she’d been missing…

Jenna has lived in Starr’s Fall for most of her life, and has run the general store for over ten years. Secretly she might dream of love and romance, but she’s happy as she is. Really.

That is, until Starr’s Fall’s newest resident—ex-New Yorker, millionaire investment banker—Jack Wexler breezes into Jenna’s store, seemingly furious they don’t stock smoked salmon. Jenna is as amused as she is annoyed. Who is this ridiculous guy, and doesn’t he realize he’s not in Manhattan anymore?

Jack meanwhile can’t believe he lost it in public. But ever since being forced to leave his high-flying career to focus on his health, he’s not been himself. What’s more, the last person he’d expected to be attracted to is the shrew of a storekeeper he’s just encountered… which he might have called Jenna, in a moment of temper…

Neither of Jenna or Jack’s ideal of romance includes these sorts of furious sparks flying. But when they’re both roped in to organizing the town’s Winter Wonderland parade, they’re forced to work together. And as Christmas approaches – will two opposites merely attract? Or, in magical Starr’s Fall, could they fall in love for keeps?

About Kate

Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell. 

She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.

Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.



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Sunday, September 7, 2025

My Review for Pan by Michael W. Clune, read by Michael Crouch

September 07, 2025  , ,  No comments


“Panic … isn’t a disease of death. It’s a disease of life.”

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this one. It’s very different to anything I’ve read—or listened to—before.

The fact it’s still on my mind probably means it struck a chord. I keep turning it over, wondering what the author wanted us to take from it. It was definitely unique, throwing us right into Nicholas’s mind and showing us how his panic attacks take hold, and how much they weigh on him.

Nicholas doesn’t have the easiest family life. His mum passes him on to his dad, and when he goes to live with his dad, he’s left alone because work takes priority. That pretty much leaves Nicholas to his own devices. His friends, too, don’t feel like real friends—they seem to use him more than support him.

I’ve noticed that other reviews of Pan highlight the philosophical nature of the story, the beautiful prose, and the intensity of teenage thought. That’s not really my style. If you’ve read my reviews before, you’ll know I focus more on how the story and characters made me feel.

So here’s my take: it was strange, it was different, and it was definitely a little weird—but not in a bad way. Would I recommend it? Yes, I think so. But I also believe that every single reader (or listener) will walk away with something different. For me, it was a story about a teenage boy worried about growing up and finding his place in life. I didn’t pick up on the rhythm of the words, the “beautiful prose,” or the artistic side of it—but that’s okay.

Thank you to Vintage Books for the opportunity to listen to and review Pan by Michael Clune.

About the Book

A strange and brilliant teenager's first panic attacks lead him down the rabbit hole in this wild, highly anticipated debut novel from one of our most distinctive literary minds

“I steal language and ideas from Michael Clune.” ―Ben Lerner, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of The Topeka School

Nicholas is fifteen when he forgets how to breathe. He had plenty of reason to feel unstable He’s been living with his dad in the bleak Chicago suburbs since his Russian-born mom kicked him out. Then one day in geometry class, Nicholas suddenly realizes that his hands are objects. The doctor says it’s just panic, but Nicholas suspects that his real problem might not be a psychiatric maybe the Greek god Pan is trapped inside his body. As his paradigm for his own consciousness crumbles, Nicholas; his best friend, Ty; and his maybe-girlfriend, Sarah, hunt for answers why—in Oscar Wilde and in Charles Baudelaire, in rock and roll and in Bach, and in the mysterious, drugged-out Barn, where their classmate Tod’s charismatic older brother Ian leads the high schoolers in rituals that might end up breaking more than just the law.

Thrilling, cerebral, and startlingly funny, Pan is a new masterpiece of the coming-of-age genre by Guggenheim fellow and literary scholar Michael Clune, whose memoir of heroin addiction, White Out—named one of The New Yorker’s best books of the year—earned him a cult fan base. Now, in Pan, the great novel of our age of anxiety, Clune drops us inside the human psyche, where we risk discovering that the forces controlling our inner lives could be more alien than we want to let ourselves believe.

About Michael - by Michael 

I write about memory, literature, money, and music. Sometimes I work in creative nonfiction and fiction; some problems require academic methods. I believe that literary style isn’t decoration but a form of knowledge.

My creative books include a novel (Pan, forthcoming from Penguin in Summer 2025), and a work of creative nonfiction, Gamelife (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2015). The tenth anniversary edition of my memoir White Out: The Secret Life of Heroin appeared in 2023 from McNally Editions.

My most recent critical book is A Defense of Judgment (University of Chicago Press, 2021). Other monographs include Writing Against Time (Stanford University Press, 2013) and American Literature and the Free Market (Cambridge University Press, 2010).

My essays have appeared in Harper’s—where I am a contributing editor—Critical Inquiry, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, The Atlantic, Best American Essays, PMLA, and elsewhere. My work has been supported by fellowships from the Guggenheim and Mellon Foundations, and my books have appeared on “best of the year” lists from The New Yorker, NPR, and elsewhere.


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