My Review for The Imperfect Art of Caring by Jessica Ryn, Read by Rebecca Cooper

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this so much, I just couldn’t stop listening! Violet Strong is bad news, a bad person with no friends, no career, and a mother who hates her. Or has she got all that wrong.....?

What jumped out most to me about this book is how adept and compassionate Jessica Ryn is at describing many people with many caring needs. From adults with learning disabilities to elderly folk with Parkinsons, or a seemingly normal person on the outside who is suffering from mental torment within. Each character has their own unique personality and Ryn writes delicately about each one and their carers and how they deal with everyday life.

I loved that Violet has her own blog, where she puts her book reviews, and I identified a lot with this, as I’m sure many people reading this review will do. What better place is there than loads of reviews, all in one place, from people who like the same sort of things you do!

Violet discovers her true self towards the end of the book and realises that perhaps she isn’t bad news after all and maybe there is hope for the future.

I’d highly recommend this book as something to warm the cockles of your heart when you need something happy to dip into.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The Imperfect Art of Caring by Jessica Ryn.

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My Review for The Arctic Curry Club by Dani Redd, Read by Zoha Rahman

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Arctic Curry Club is a very busy book, with a lot going on. However, this didn’t take away anything from my enjoyment of it. On the contrary, it kept me entertained and guessing throughout.

My only criticism is that some of the narrator’s pronunciations appeared to be incorrect, which irritated me somewhat.

That aside, the story is well-written and addictive. Covering many subjects and situations, the author deals with family secrets, adulterous boyfriends, new countries, new careers, and new friends. Maya, the protagonist in the story, finds out so much about herself as a person, gaining in confidence as the book progresses and discovering just what she wants to do with her life, with a few hiccups along the way.

I love the descriptions of the Arctic, with the Northern Lights and snow-covered landscapes, and how lonely and depressing it can become from one month to the next, with no daylight. Many of us know how it feels to not experience the warmth of the sunshine on our faces for a few weeks. I just cannot imagine months and months with no light, let alone no sun!

I dare you to try to not let your mouth water as Maya cooks some delicious Indian recipes that she has inherited from her late mother’s recipe book. A glass of wine, delicious cooked food, and a snowy landscape. Sounds good to me! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The Arctic Curry Club by Dani Redd.

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My Review for Daughters of Magpie Cove, by Kennedy Kerr

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another great read from Kennedy Kerr with further adventures in Magpie Cove. Daughters of Magpie Cove primarily focuses on the age-old feud between two families, the Christies and the Connors. We see how it affected each family through the generations, right up until the present day when Connie Christie returns home to Magpie Cove and continues to receive threatening notes and the feeling that she is being watched, just as she did all that time ago when she was at school.

With talk of smugglers and disused tunnels, gossipy village life, and the wildness of the sea, we can't be anywhere else but Cornwall. Who else reads books like these and wants to go and explore those tunnels for themselves?!

Kennedy Kerr drew me into the story from the beginning, from wanting to grab a pint at the new pub, to relishing those cakes at Maude's Bakery. For those of you who have read either of the other two books in the Magpie Cove series, you'll be reacquainted with some familiar faces, even if only fleetingly. There is Lila, Mara, and Maude, each getting on with their own lives but still very much a part of Magpie Cove life.

This can easily be read as a stand-alone novel, but why not read all three and immerse yourself in life around Magpie Cove.  If you love contemporary romance with a hint of mystery thrown in, then check this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Daughters of Magpie Cove, by Kennedy Kerr.

Book Description

Connie stared out at the quiet Cornish sea as the hazy early morning light bathed the horizon in a beautiful golden glow. She inhaled the salty, cleansing ocean air, looked down at the handwritten note and wiped away the lone tear that had started to fall…

When Connie Christie’s mother summons her home from the city to Magpie Cove to take over the family business – a quaint, charming museum – Connie is reluctant. The cove holds nothing more than bad memories for Connie, memories she’d rather leave buried…

The tiny coastal museum is a hub for the local community but it is struggling to survive, and despite herself, Connie is determined to save the business that has been in her family for generations. Discovering her great-grandmother’s diary tucked away in a dusty box in the attic – which reveals her struggles as a young woman – gives Connie a surprising clue to unlocking the secrets in her own past. Maybe what happened to her all those years ago wasn’t her fault after all?

Connie starts to relish her work at the museum and the beautiful, calm surroundings of Magpie Cove. A chance encounter with handsome local entrepreneur, Alex Gordon, leaves her with more than just butterflies. Perhaps embracing a new start in her old home maybe isn’t the worst idea she’s ever had.

But just as Connie starts to feel like she finally belongs somewhere, the peace she has found crumbles when the one person she has tried for years to forget resurfaces… Can Connie finally find her home, and herself, in Magpie Cove, or will her painful past force her to run away again, this time for good?

From USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Kerr comes a heartfelt, emotional read, set on the beautiful coast of Cornwall. Fans of Sheila O’Flanagan, Mary Alice Monroe and Pamela Kelley will adore it.

Author Bio

Kennedy Kerr has written and published poetry, children's and adult books. She lives in London and is originally from the West Country, which gave her accent a subtle (yet noticeable) pirate twang as well as a love of cream teas and all things mystical.

Kennedy loves mythology, magic, tarot, pretty much most music, fantasy and sci-fi novels, luxury skincare products, spas, candlelight and stormy beaches. She is the proud owner of a cuddly black cat called Twinkle, who evidently believes she is a princess. Kennedy also loves cooking and baking all types of food, which is almost as much fun as eating it.

Find out more about on her Facebook Author page: facebook.com/kennedykerrauthor; she is also on Twitter as @KennedyKerr5.

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My Review for The Couple of Maple Drive, by Sam Carrington, read by Georgia Maguire,

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was my first experience of Sam Carrington’s books, and I loved this one. I listened to The Couple on Maple Drive as an audiobook and simply sped through it. 

Is there such a thing as an easygoing thriller? If there was, then this was it! Set in Torbay, on the Devon coast, there were lots of laid-back moments when Isla was attempting to discover the truth about what had happened to her, but equally, lots and lots of edge-of-the-seat moments when I just needed to find out what was going to happen next, and to who.

Isla’s fascination with ‘real crime’ podcasts sets the scene for ‘The Couple on Maple Drive’ and why she asks for the help of the podcasters of Christie’s Crime Addicts. Are the people who are close to her really who they seem, and who exactly can she trust?

Carrington hasn’t made many of the characters loveable. Some are just downright evil, but each brings their own story and reasons as to what has made them become the people they are. 

As an Audiobook, we get an additional podcast episode, especially for listeners, and, not wanting to give anything away to you, this could be the beginning of another book, featuring the same characters. Just saying, Sam...😉

I absolutely loved the ending of each podcast episode, as Doug, in his dulcet tone, says, “Christie’s Crime Addicts wish you a safe day, in the bay”.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK Audio, and Avon for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The Couple on Maple Drive by Sam Carrington.

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My Review for #Rejected Goddesses by Natalie Watson and Nina Holmes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I didn’t know what to expect when the authors approached me and asked if I’d read and review their book, #Rejected Goddesses. From what I can gather, they are relatively unknown authors and therefore I was somewhat surprised when Cat and Robyn, the two protagonists, tugged at my heartstrings from the outset. 

I loved this novella. From beginning to end, I was dragged into Cat and Robyn’s worlds, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! Each of them is looking for love, even if they try to pretend that they’re not in the slightest bit bothered! Cat is a Personal Assistant to a seemingly tyrant of a business manager and Robyn has taken over the reins of her grandmother’s bakery, left to her when she passed away. 

We journey along with them both, as they each edge forwards in their work and personal lives, meeting new, many lovable characters along the way. I was particularly taken with Darcy, Robyn’s rescue dog, who won’t let anyone hurt her new owner.

I laughed, cringed, and swore as I read on, sometimes not believing the actions of some characters and how they dealt with things. There was a very definite element of humour, which only added to my enjoyment of the book.

If you enjoy a contemporary romance novel, put this on your Christmas list. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I hope Natalie and Nina continue their writings. There is definitely up-and-coming talent there.

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My Review for A Mother's Secret: The Battersea Tavern Series (Book 1) by Kitty Neale, Read by Annie Aldington

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Wow! This was such an awesome listen. Those of you who are regular readers of my reviews will know that I love a good Audiobook and often lose myself in someone else’s world for hours at a time! A Mother’s Secret was no exception, and I quickly fell in love with the characters (well, most of them)!

Winnie is running The Battersea Tavern at the onset of the Second World War, and alongside her faithful barmaid, Rachel, they welcome their regulars in with pleasant conversation and the promise of a pint. Winnie’s lazy husband, Brian, spends most of his time in his armchair, whilst their son, David, doesn’t have an honest bone in his body.

Kitty Neale introduces a wide variety of characters into the book, each with their own story to tell, many of which are sad and which will definitely tug at your heartstrings. Dealing with alcoholism and domestic abuse, these subjects are managed delicately and in keeping with the era in which the book is set. We need to remember that back in the 1930s and 40s, subjects were not discussed as openly as they are now and what we would see as simply not right would have been normal and expected during those years.

Annie Aldington reads A Mother’s Secret with enthusiasm, compassion, and love. She immersed herself in the characters’ lives as the book continued and seemingly wanted to share her passion for the Battersea Tavern with her listeners.

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My Review for The Red Button by Keith Eldred

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A prequel to Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol, The Red Button is a delightful, Regency romance novel by Keith Eldred. Beautifully written, with familiar characters, Eldred provides us with a differing side to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge, showing us he hasn’t always been the grumpy old miser that we are accustomed to. Indeed, he used to be in love with a young lady named Belle and they were all set to spend the rest of their lives together until business got in the way.

Belle works alongside her father, in the family business, making buttons, hence the title of the book. Parts of the story are actually told from the Red Button’s perspective - weird I know, but strangely, it works!

The Red Button isn’t my usual genre, and, as expected, is written in the style of Dickens. It is far from fast-paced but gives us insight into Ebenezer’s life, and business dealings from a young age. How he came to know Jacob Marley and how money changed his life and his priorities. The author delicately deals with the sad subject of dementia and how it not only affects the person suffering but also their family and friends.

To conclude, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Red Button, and whether or not you have read A Christmas Carol, I’m sure you will know the story and, therefore, the characters. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a Regency-era story and is intrigued to find out why Scrooge became the man he did.

Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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