Sam's Fireside - Cosy Book Reviews & Recommendations

'What if a dragon started the Great Fire of London?' I regularly return to the books I read as a child—especially when I'm feeling a bit down or stuck in a reading slump. There's nothing quite like rediscovering that first love of losing yourself in a world within a book. So when I was asked if I wanted to read Patrice's new book, I jumped at the chance, knowing I'd love it—I mean, just look at that cover! Sometimes, even as an adult, it’s fun to step back into childhood and just 'be'. Anyway, back to the book. It was fun, fast-paced, and full of weird and wonderful fantasy creatures—most of them good! (The human-like characters were the villains, of course.) I loved the idea of the elemental spirits who helped Marisee and Robert—our two brave adventurers—and always had their backs. Whether ensuring they landed safely after jumping into a well or sweeping them away with the help of the wind, the spirits were always there. Patrice’s imagination is astound...

“but curiosity is a restless and scrupulous passion, and no one girl can endure, with patience, that hers should be baffled by another. ” Carmilla was an additional read/listen for October for #classiclitbookclub, and I loved it! Admittedly, the version I listened to was abridged and performed by a BBC Radio cast, but I think the gist of the story came through really well. Carmilla reminded me of a cross between Dracula (well, it did inspire Bram Stoker) and, for some reason, a mixture of Daphne du Maurier’s novels. I think it was the gothic vibe—the characters wandering through the darkness. I wasn’t sure whether I was going to enjoy it; female vampires just don’t have the same draw as the male ones 😂. But actually, I liked Laura and her dad, even if I really didn’t like Carmilla—she was the essence of evil and manipulation: narcissistic and just plain creepy! I’ll read the full version at some point, but I’m really glad it’s now on my radar. About the Book In an isolated castle deep...

'You’d die for a stay here. But would you kill for it'? I joined a listen-along for this book back in July 2024 (it was called The Last Resort then), and apologies for the delay in posting my review! I wasn’t sure what to expect—maybe a Death in Paradise style mystery—but what I got was a story full of dark secrets, a slow-burn mystery, and some truly sinister goings-on. I enjoyed learning about the history behind the retreat and the events of the past, though I could have done with less of the spiritual wellbeing stuff—that just isn’t my cup of tea. The characters were fascinating, annoying, and downright awful in equal measures. Not awful in a bad way, but I definitely wanted to shake a few of them! Reviews for this book are mixed; it seems people either love it or hate it. It’s a slow-paced story with deep dives into each character, so give it a try if you enjoy character-driven mysteries—you might just love it. Thank you to Boldwood for the opportunity to listen to and revi...

“Go and live out your best Hugh Grant fantasy.” Ohhhhh — Annie and Nate, I loved them so much! Although, Annie is a bit needy, right? It wasn’t just me who thought that? Come on, girl — it’s time to get out and explore a bit more; you can’t stay cooped up in a house with your besties forever! 😂 Falling for You is a cute, fast read (or listen!) that gave me all the autumnal, cozy vibes as I popped in my earbuds and strolled along the country lanes of Norfolk — chatting with the piggies and immersing myself in Annie’s hunt for Prince Charming after he disappears into the night without a backward glance. If you’re a fan of autumn, The Holiday, or anything starring Hugh Grant, grab yourself a copy of this one. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you to Libro.fm and Penguin Randomhouse Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review Falling for You by Emily Maple. About the Book I LOVE autumn. It’s my favourite season – the crisp October air, the smell of pumpkin-spiced lattes, wearing my b...

“If you don't trust us, why tell us?” And so Leo’s ominous plans for expanding the British Empire continue, while the Resistance fights back, in the second instalment of Russell Dumper’s Britannia series. Having got my head around the world-building in the first book, I settled into Britannia Strikes very quickly this time, now that I know who everyone is and what their roles are. I still can’t help picturing our current Royal Family as this fictitious one though 🙈 — it’s been very cleverly imagined by the author. I’m not usually a fan of political stories, but this series has really grabbed my attention. The level of research that must have gone into it is phenomenal, and I’m full of admiration for Russell’s dedication to a world he’s been developing since his teenage years. This is a dystopian novel full of intrigue and mystery — and it’s quite frankly unsettling at times, as you realise how easily its events could mirror the real world, with all its relentless and often controv...

'The illusion of some level of democracy over there keeps the people satisfied.' I have had this book on my shelf for a couple of years (sorry Russell), 🙈 but as the second book in the series is out next week, I decided I would read them back to back. Of course I hadn't looked at the synopsis for ages and so I had no idea what I was getting into, and admittedly it did take me a while to get to grips with the characters, the story and the slight weirdness of it all. However, once I'd got all that sorted in my head, I flew through it.  Britannia Rises starts off a bit slow, but once it gets going the pace really picks up. Before I knew it, I was racing through the pages trying to keep up with the action.. The book is a dystopian take on an alternative view on the monarchy and Britain as we know it. Gone are the days of our adorable Queen, and in steps her son, and more importantly, her grandson who is set to change our country as we know it. All this is in the book, don...

"'You have no idea how much we've saved,' Marina said. I was more worried about how much they'd spent." Quick off the start and a fast pace all the way to the finish line! Dark Horse is another surefire winner from Felix Francis. I devoured Dick Francis books as a teenager, and Felix has expertly picked up the reins to continue his father’s legacy. Sorry — was that a bit corny?! 😂 Imogen is our protagonist, and although she can come across as a bit over-dramatic, she does have good reason. She ditches her controlling and abusive boyfriend and moves to another country for a fresh start. From there, with the occasional high point, it’s pretty much a downhill ride — and not in a good way! There are also little touches of humour scattered throughout — the quote I used at the beginning  made me laugh, and there are lots of little snippets like this throughout.  Dark Horse is a quick read, with lots going on and an ending I definitely didn’t see coming. If you’re n...