My Review of The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this so, so, much! The Winter of Second Chances reminded me of an adult version of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books with their smuggler’s coves and secret passageways under the sea, but without the ‘lashings and lashings of ginger beer’, and instead, lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows! 

Annie needed to get away. From her husband, her restaurant, and her life in the city, and so she finds a nice little hideaway on the coast where she can begin to reset her life. However, her plans to relax and take some time out for herself soon embark on a different route, and soon Annie finds herself busier than ever. 

The Winter of Second Chances is a beautiful, cosy read which will warm the cockles of your heart. Alfred reminded me of Tammylan in Enid Blyton’s, ‘Children of Cherry Tree Farm’, with his outdoor living and love of nature. I know that Enid Blyton’s books never became popular in the US, but those of you in the UK will understand completely! 

This is a brilliant book for a stormy winter’s day, so grab yourself that hot chocolate, settle back, relax and enjoy this amazing read from Jenny Bayliss. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Winter of Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss.

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My Review for Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market by Nicola May

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The second book in Nicola May’s Ferry Lane Market series, Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market, transports us once again to Hartmouth. Home to Steren (Star) Bligh and Kara Moon. This time around, Star is our protagonist and we learn how challenging life has been for her since she had her daughter, Skye, at age sixteen. Since then, Star has built herself a career and a home for them both. There is just one thing missing....

I love how the author brings all the characters together and somehow they all become intertwined. With such a close-knit community, it’s surprising that newcomers are made to feel welcome, but they really are. As long as they treat the current residents in the right way then they will soon become part of the furniture. 

There are twists and turns as we learn the stories behind some of the characters' lives. Many of these aren’t expected and I’m sure you’ll be shocked at things you discover as you read on. However, as life in Ferry Lane Market continues, I developed a virtual friendship with many of them and, as always, with books that create an enveloping feeling, I want to visit Hartmouth, buy some flowers from Kara, and some exquisite jewellery from Star! I hope Nicola has started writing the third in the series because I can’t wait for another trip to Ferry Lane Market.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Starry Skies in Ferry Lane Market, and a special thanks to Nicola May for ensuring I got a copy. 🤗

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My Review for Stolen Ones (Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Book 15) by Angela Marsons

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Angela Marsons sets her books in the Black Country, a part of the West Midlands in the UK, and so-called because of the black soot that emanated from the ironworking foundries and forges in the nineteenth century. My Grandad came from the Black Country and I can’t believe I have only discovered Angela’s books now. This is number 15 in the Kim Stone series and although I haven’t read any of the others, I was assured by the person who introduced me to them that I could read this as a stand-alone, but that I absolutely must go back and read the others!

Stolen Ones has so many twists and turns, that I couldn’t keep up, and the ending just blew me away. I guarantee that you won’t see it coming! I was hooked from the start and I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough. Never having experienced any of these characters before, I guess I didn’t know what to expect. Some annoyed me, some I sympathised with and others I just wanted to punch in the face - well done to Angela here because I guess this was her aim!

 I now need to find the time to go back and start at the very beginning of the Kim Stone series and I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, meaty crime thriller. Oh and if there are any TV producers reading this, the Kim Stone series would make an awesome television production! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Stolen Ones by Angela Marsons.

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My Review for The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary read by Kwaku Fortune and Carrie Hope Fletcher

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I seem to be giving a lot of my reads/listens, 5 ⭐ reviews lately, but that’s just the way I feel about them. If I love it, then I want others to know and enjoy it too.

The Flatshare is the second book by Beth O’Leary that I have listened to and it captured me all the way through. The unusual situation of sharing a flat and a bed, but not a life. As the front of the cover says, Tiffy and Leon have never met, yet they share so much.

A lovely, happy, and romantic read, interspersed with a couple of serious topics. These are dealt with carefully and with compassion, and particularly with Tiffy. We begin to understand why she is perhaps the way she is around men.

The post-it notes that Tiffy and Leon leave all over the place for each other is adorable and probably something I would have done too in my dim and distant youth! It’s a bit like old-fashioned letter writing with a twist and not as instantaneous as sending a text!

All of Tiffy’s friends are so loyal to her, but above all else, they are honest and tell her the truth, and not necessarily what she wants to hear. Everyone needs a friend like that. 🤗

If you love a good old romance book, with a quirky side, then give The Flatshare a read. I can definitely recommend the Audiobook and both narrators portrayed the two protagonists brilliantly.

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My Review for The Post Box at the North Pole by Jaimie Admans

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is just a big, warm, cosy hug 🤗 in a book! I smiled the whole of the way through and just couldn’t get enough of Sasha and Tav. All wrapped up in hot chocolate, Christmas, Santa, reindeer, snow, and lots of Christmas magic. I want to move to the North Pole forest and look after reindeer, whilst experiencing the joy on children’s faces as they see where the elves make the toys and where Santa answers all their letters.

I want to see this made into a movie. There must be a scriptwriter out there who can adapt this for the big screen. Imagine having read the book, and then snuggling up with your kids in front of a crackling log fire with a mug of minty hot chocolate each and falling into Santa’s world. 

Jaimie writes about all her characters with love and affection. You can tell they would be her friends in real life. There are a few ups and downs along the way but of course, you know everything is going to work out ok in the end, that’s just the kind of book it is. 

The Post Box at the North Pole is the perfect story to read, coming up to Christmas. Who knows whether there will be snow at Christmas where you live, but in the nooks and crannies of this book, it’s guaranteed. I can’t rate this highly enough. I loved it so much and I hope you do too. 

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Post Box at the North Pole by Jaimie Admans.

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My Review for The Dark (Interland Series Book #3) by Gary Clark

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you to Gary Clark for sending me an ARC of The Dark, the third book in the Interland series. Once again, it was a privilege to be asked, and I loved reading it and falling into the world of Given and Readers.

After the downfall of Readers, Jay, and her friends and family, are continuing with their lives and trying to get back to some sort of normality. Jay is working in Alf’s bookshop in a dedicated section on the top floor, which she is dedicated to the history of Given. Collecting books from all over the country, Jay has provided a wealth of information for anyone wanting to learn more. 

But something isn’t right. Darkness appears to be just around the corner and Jay, Cassie, Stitch and their friends need a plan of action. They need to discover what is happening and work out how to fix it.

As with his previous books, The Given and Interland, Gary Clark has written a real page-turner with The Dark. Full of tension, thrills and nail-biting experiences, The Dark takes us on a whirlwind journey through countries, islands and varying powers as Jay and her friends attempt once more to take on their enemies. Meeting new friends along the way, anyone with Given powers is eager to help take on the leader of the Dark.

Clark highlights the lengths that some people will go to, to keep their friends safe, even if it means putting themselves in danger, but with the ultimate goal of protecting everyone.

I would recommend The Dark for Young Adults and older. Lose yourself in another world, one where magic is paramount, but not everything will turn out as you expect! I really hope there is a 'next in the series'!

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My Review for Dracula by Bram Stoker, Narrated by Mark Gatiss

⭐⭐⭐⭐ When a Facebook Group I’m a member of, suggested reading Dracula, coming up to Halloween, I thought I’d give it a go. Never having read it before and not having a lot of time, I thought I’d try it as an Audiobook. I searched through Audible for one I fancied and an abridged version (although not very abridged - it was still almost 18 hours in length) came up, narrated by Mark Gatiss and had excellent reviews. I downloaded it and, for the next few days, I was in another world.

I obviously knew the general idea of the story - it’s about a vampire - right? Well yes, it is, but there is so much more to it and I wish I’d picked it up years ago! 

No, it’s not very fast-paced and yes, Stoker could have probably written it in half the number of pages, but I thought the story was told well. Gatiss was an excellent narrator. I’m not sure some of my friends across the pond would understand the Yorkshire accent in parts (hell, I’m not sure I got all of it) but it added it to the authenticity of the location.

Initially told from the point of view of Jonathan Harker’s journals, Dracula follows several characters as they are immersed in the story. Mina is Harker’s fiancee, Lucy is Mina’s closest friend and Art is her fiancé. Each one is drawn into Dracula’s world in their own way, and Dr Van Helsing and Dr Seward set out to solve the mystery.

The story is descriptive and entertaining, with a wide variety of characters. Some you will warm to and others are just plain boring. As Dracula’s ship comes into Whitby harbour, the story of its journey across the seas put me on board with the crew to experience what they did. Was I scared? No, not at all, I have read much more terrifying stories of vampires and suchlike but this was just a well-written and often warming story.

Should you read it, if you haven’t already? Yes, of course, because it’s a classic and everyone should know the story. I’ve added it to my list of books to buy and I’d like it as a Penguin Clothbound to add to my collection! It will look good on my shelves!

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