My Review for The German Wife by Debbie Rix, Read by Tamsin Kennard

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My first Audiobook of 2022, The German Wife by Debbie Rix, enthralled me from the beginning. Brilliantly narrated by Tamsin Kennard, I plugged myself in at every given opportunity and just couldn’t get enough of Annaliese, Alexander and Hans. Largely set in Germany, during the Second World War, we live life amongst the Vogel family and Hans’ work at Dachau prisoner of war camp. Fast forward to the late 1980s in North America and we discover how their journey has continued.

Listening to The German Wife went some way to showing me more about the atrocities that went on inside the German concentration camps, and how some SS officers probably had little say in what their job roles involved if they wanted to stay alive themselves. We discover the lies that people told, and the in-depth deceit that occurred, all to seem to be, upstanding members of their community.

Debbie Rix has researched her book incredibly well, and before now I hadn’t really thought about how the Nazi regime affected the German people and the way of life which they were forced to endure. We have to remember that most of the people who lived in Germany, would have just wanted a peaceful life, but that they had to live knowing of many brutal acts that would have been carried out, which were beyond their control.

I would thoroughly recommend The German Wife for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and would like to read a book based on the war from a differing viewpoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The German Wife by Debbie Rix.

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My Review for Wahala by Nikki May

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow! Just wow! What an amazing book to start my reading in 2022. Wahala, by Nikki May, is outstanding and I simply loved it, staying up way past my bedtime to finish it! 

Wahala is set in London and centred around three, Anglo-Nigerian friends. Ronke, Boo and Simi have been inseparable since they met at University and are constantly in and out of each other's lives, godmothers to one another's children, and shoulders to cry on when necessary. Until Isobel appears on the scene, causing chaos wherever she goes and with whoever she meets. Everyone's lives are turned upside down and no one can understand what is happening.

I'm not giving too much of a synopsis to this book, it will spoil it for you but read it, read it, read it! It's a romance, a thriller, and a mystery all rolled into one.

I understand that they are making Wahala into a television series later this year, and I'm so excited to hear this. I'm sure it will be awesome.

I'm off to make some jollof rice for dinner!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Wahala by Nikki May.

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My Review for Diary of an Angry Young Man by Rishi Vohra

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have very little knowledge of life and events in India or Indian history, but after reading ‘Diary of an Angry Young Man’ by Rishi Vohra, I’d be interested in learning more.

At the beginning of the book, Raghav is a seven-year-old boy, but as the story progresses, he does indeed turn into ‘an angry young man’, for a very good reason.

Inspired by true events, the author has captured the characters and scenes vividly. With the descriptions of the shantytowns and the people begging on the streets, we are almost taken there to experience the sights, sounds, and smells for ourselves.

Raghav wants to make an impact on the country that he lives in and slowly but surely he discovers what he can do to help this happen.

Thank you to the author for contacting me and asking me to read his book in exchange for an honest review. I’m so pleased I accepted and I will definitely read more of his books.

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My Review for Seen and Not Heard by Deborah Jean White

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you fancy a psychological thriller, with an element of quirkiness, then check out ‘Seen and Not Heard’ by Deborah Jean White. 

 Told from two points of view and beginning with Molly. Still a teenager and fresh out of school, Molly falls into a job as a Classroom Assistant and settles in well until the children slowly become absent from her class.

The second point of view is ‘house’. It takes a bit of getting used to, but before long, I can guarantee that you will begin to see things as the house does. It loves children, but isn’t too sure about the adults!

The story had me gripped from the outset and I honestly could not put it down. Yes, it’s slightly strange because I’ve never read a book written as a house before, but weirdly it works. The author brings each character to life, even the house, and we are carried along by memories and present-day as different timelines are visited.

I found the ending surreal, but believable, and I loved the entire book from beginning to end. 

Thank you to Deborah for asking me to read and review ‘Seen and Not Heard. I can’t wait for her next book.

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My Review for Some Guys Can't Handle Vegas by Liam O'Neill

⭐⭐⭐⭐ How I came about reading and reviewing ‘Some Guys Can’t Handle Vegas’ by Liam O’Neill is rather random and involved me contacting the author initially. I’m so pleased that I did. This is a well-written book that is all about my most favourite place in the world and my go-to happy place, Las Vegas!

Anyone reading this delightful book, who is a Vegas lover, will discover many references to various locations and points of interest throughout this great city. The author brings Vegas to the reader, with mentions of the Bellagio fountains, the many Elvis impersonators up and down the strip, and the Statue of Liberty wearing a Golden Knights hockey shirt!

Think, ‘The Hangover’ with British characters. Three English male friends who have never been to Las Vegas before but one at least has read the rulebook for how to play the table games. Elliott, David, and Matt weave their way through their trip, which, for various reasons, turns into a longer vacation than initially planned. It’s funny, steamy, and definitely for adults only! 

Whether you love Vegas, or you’ve never been before, if you enjoy a story with a bit of everything, from comedy to violence and romance, then you’ll enjoy reading ‘Some Guys Can’t Handle Vegas’. I hope Liam O’Neill is working on his next Vegas-themed book!

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My Review for I'm Your Man, by Paige Onsen

⭐⭐⭐⭐ When Paige contacted me and asked me if I would like to read and review her new book, ‘I’m Your Man’, I jumped at the chance because there is nothing I love more than an author getting in touch! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I am so glad I agreed to read it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint? It wasn’t long enough!

Rhea and Jason, two very diverse characters. Rhea is complicated and troubled, whereas Jason is simple and easy-going. What you see is what you get and ultimately you can see they will complement each other. 

Jason calms Rhea’s anxieties and slowly but surely she begins to trust him and their relationship blossoms.

Steamy and passionate, I’m Your Man will appeal to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced, sizzling romance. Perhaps a sequel please Paige!

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My Review for From Shetland, With Love by Erin Green

⭐⭐⭐⭐  Dottie, Jemima and Melissa. Three different women, from differing backgrounds, but all come together for their love (or growing love) of gardening.

Friendship, rivalry, subterfuge, and perhaps a blossoming of romance can be found amongst the allotment plots and amongst the pages of this delightful book. 

I laughed, I cringed, and I shouted at many of the characters’ antics as they went about their business on their allotments, many trying to grow the biggest and the best.

I found the book fairly laid-back and slow-paced, but the characters were all loveable, even if many of them were downright rogues!

This was my first foray into Erin Green’s world, but I’ll definitely be searching for more of her books.

From Shetland, With Love would be a brilliant book to while away a few winter days, curled up in front of the fire and alternating between the chapters of this and the many seed catalogues that are coming through the post at the moment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of From Shetland, With Love by Erin Green.

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