My Review for An Island Summer by Jenny Hale

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Awww, An Island Summer is such a lovely read. I’m a sucker for ‘a girl who leaves a busy life/boyfriend behind and moves to the coast’ sort of story. Usually, it’s set in the UK though, so to read one based in the US is a change for me. 

Meghan returns to Hatteras Island with her best friend, Tess, moving into her Pappy’s old cottage that he left to her when he passed away. Meghan is set on creating a new life for herself away from NYC, and Tess, well, Tess has come along to support Meghan and have a bit of fun at the same time. 

Jenny Hale deals delicately with dementia issues and how they can affect family and friends. I felt for Toby as he was trying to come to terms with his past and move ahead with his future. Tess is absolutely the best friend that anyone could wish for and absolutely always has Meghan’s back and only wants what is best for her. 

I loved all of it, from the descriptions of the Atlantic Ocean, the little fishing cottage that Meghan slowly brings back to life to the Hollywood-esque history of an old movie star. An Island Summer is an ideal book to disappear into the sunshine with and retreat into someone else’s life for a while. 

I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of An Island Summer by Jenny Hale.

About the Book

In the summer, everything feels possible… A heartwarming small-town romance about new beginnings, old secrets and how home is truly where the heart is. Fans of Susan Mallery, Pamela Kelley, and Mary Alice Monroe will fall head over heels for this romantic page-turner.

All that Meghan Gray has left of her beloved Pappy is his cottage on the edge of the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Longing to feel close to her grandfather, she returns to the golden sands of Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks for the summer, clutching the manilla envelope he gifted her tightly in her hand.

On her first night on the sun-drenched island, she meets brooding Toby Meyers, a local businessman. She might feel lost without Pappy, but looking into Toby’s sparkling blue eyes feels like coming home.

The beach house where she spent her childhood is just how she remembers: a shingled bungalow with two rocking chairs on the porch and shutters on the windows. As Meghan strolls along the sand with Toby, breathing in the salty air, she realizes she is making new memories…

When Meghan opens the envelope, she finds a black-and-white photograph of someone she doesn’t recognize. If she can find out its meaning, and why Pappy gave it to her, she’ll unlock a secret that has been hidden for decades. The truth has the power to change everything Meghan and Toby thought they knew about their lives—and it will either bring them together, or break their hearts…

Author Bio

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures—her favourite pastime.

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My Review for The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love Liz Fenwick, one of my favourite authors who writes about Cornwall, and The River Between Us didn’t disappoint. We are currently looking at houses in Devon and Cornwall, possibly a small renovation project, but nothing quite as big as the one Theo, our protagonist, took on in Boatman’s Cottage on the banks of the Tamar.

Theo is escaping from the breakdown of her marriage and, whilst looking around her new home, she discovers some love letters written during the First World War. The story is then told between the two time periods, 1914-1920 and 2019. We come to learn how and why the letters were written and how Theo and her family fit into the storyline. 

The author covers a variety of subjects in the wartime part of the novel, including same-sex relationships, marrying for money and titles, but not for love, and the control parents had over their children. I enjoyed both timelines equally, and it was interesting to see how each was going to play out.

The River Between Us is a title true to its name, as love flourished on either side of the Tamar. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading novels set in Cornwall, with lots of Cornish history throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick.

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My Review for Too Close by Gayle Curtis, Read by Imogen Church

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love Imogen Church as an Audiobook narrator, so when I was at a loss for a new book to listen to, I just had to choose Too Close by Gayle Curtis from the Borrowbox list I was perusing!

Slow to begin with but quickly picking up the pace, Too Close follows the lives of twins, Cecilia and Sebastian and the dark and troubled journey they both endure. The book is tense, troubling, violent and sometimes just plain weird, but I loved it. There is so much going on, and as we get towards the end of the story, it jumps backwards and forwards between characters and the plot so much that my head hurt - in a good way!

Gayle Curtis is a master at giving us only the snippets of detail we need, right at that moment, and bringing more explanations to the story when it’s necessary. This kept me intrigued throughout and often wondered what she was going to throw in next.

As I said before, Imogen Church is a brilliant narrator and once again, she doesn’t fail to bring the characters into your head. Whether they’re lovable or evil, she will reel you in.

For lovers of a dark, suspenseful thriller, check out Too Close as soon as you can.

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My Review for The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heartbreaking, shocking, unbelievable, and harrowing. These are just four words that only make a dent in how The Midwife of Auschwitz will make you feel. Inspiring, courageous, graphic and brilliant. Another four words that only make a dent in how Anna Stuart has written about and portrayed the events that occurred in Auschwitz-Birkenau between 1943 and 1944, from the point of view of the midwives that were imprisoned there but who helped to birth over 3000 babies during that time.

Ester and Ana, one Jewish and one Catholic, become friends and ultimately end up in the concentration camp. Ana is there because she has become part of the resistance and is captured as she tries to help others. We follow the journey of the two women and those they care for as World War II continues and they await liberation.

I’m finding it difficult to express how I feel about The Midwife of Auschwitz. I just love, love, love reading about events during both World War I and II and in particular, books that are inspired by true events. Yes, this was hard-going in parts, but a real page-turner too. All the time, I was completely appalled by the actions of the Nazis, but also astounded by how the women reacted to them and continued to fight for their lives. After all, what had they got to live for if not hope?

Anna Stuart is an incredible author and The Midwife of Auschwitz is an incredible story. Brilliantly researched and sympathetically written. I cannot imagine how difficult this was to research. It’s painful enough just reading it over a few days, but to research for months is just astounding.

As I’ve said before in my reviews, everyone should know the atrocities of the Second World War and fiction based on true events is a great way to learn.

I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart.

Book Description

Auschwitz, 1943: As I held the tiny baby in my arms, my fingers traced the black tattoo etched across her little thigh. And I prayed that one day this set of numbers, identical to her mother’s, would have the power to reunite a family torn apart by war…

Inspired by an incredible true story, this poignant novel tells of one woman’s fight for love, life and hope during a time of unimaginable darkness.

Ana Kaminski is pushed through the iron gates of Auschwitz beside her frightened young friend Ester Pasternak. As they reach the front of the line, Ana steps forward and quietly declares herself a midwife – and Ester her assistant. Their arms are tattooed and they’re ordered to the maternity hut. Holding an innocent new-born baby, Ana knows the fate of so many are in her hands, and vows to do everything she can to save them.

When two guards in their chilling SS uniforms march in and snatch a blond-haired baby from its mother it’s almost too much for Ana to bear. Consoling the distraught woman, Ana realises amidst the terrible heartache there is a glimmer of hope. The guards are taking the healthiest babies and placing them with German families, so they will survive. And there are whispers the war is nearly over… Ana and Ester begin to secretly tattoo little ones with their mother’s numbers, praying one day they might be reunited.

Then, early one morning, Ana notices the small bump under Ester’s thin striped clothing…

An absolutely heartbreaking and page-turning WW2 novel of one woman’s bravery and determination to bring life and hope into a broken world. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Alice Network and The Nightingale will be gripped.

Author Bio

Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge University, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on  Facebook or Twitter

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My Review for Going Greek by Sue Roberts

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love a book that is set anywhere sunny or romantic and I'm a sucker for a love story somewhere along the way, so I was always going to love Going Greek by Sue Roberts and she didn't disappoint. Sam was a high-flying television presenter who had great plans for the future until a misplaced one-night-stand sent all that flying off the edge of a cliff! Next stop, Rhodes, Greece, where her sister and her family live and where she tries to hide from the media and get her life back on track. 

Full of sunshine and laughter and lots of great Greek food and drink, Going Greek will keep you quiet for a few hours as you disappear into someone else's life. Perfect to read on the beach or by the pool with a cocktail in hand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Going Greek by Sue Roberts.

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My Review for Christmas with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker

⭐⭐⭐⭐ It’s the middle of the Second World War and life in Cornwall may not be as difficult as in the big cities, but it has its moments.

Lily, Eva and Rose are working in St Ives, in Cornwall, at Symmonds Hall Convalescent Home for injured officers, and preparing for Christmas. Lily is footloose and fancy-free. Eva has her heart set on an injured Flight Lieutenant who doesn’t; think he’s the man for her, and Rose is in love with her sister’s fiancee. What on earth could go wrong?

Fun and laughter, sorrow and heartache, Christmas with the Cornish Girls has it all and Betty Walker brings the characters to life as we prepare for a wartime Christmas with them all. The nurses are compassionate and caring, and the injured men are brave and determined. In the uncertain and challenging times of war, we discover just how everyone works together to make the best of what they have.

If you enjoy a wartime story with a bit of love and Cornwall thrown in, then you’ll enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Christmas with the Cornish girls by Betty Walker.

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My Review for the Hidden Village by Imogen Matthews

⭐⭐⭐⭐ I listened to The Hidden Village, by Imogen Matthews as an Audiobook which was narrated by Antonia Whillans. 

Set in Holland in 1943, The Hidden Village is a secret village that the Dutch people built to hide Jewish people and anyone else who needed protection from the Germans. We follow the variety of characters who are involved in the village, whether building it, living there or maintaining it and slowly we become immersed in their lives.

Although rather slow, it kept me hooked, as I was desperate to find out how things ended for Sofie and her friends. Based on true events, I was curious how an entire village could remain hidden from the Germans for so long, and it was interesting to research this further once I’d finished the book.

I have read many books set in World War II, and it’s eye-opening to read about it from another point of view, this time primarily from Dutch citizens. Everyone should know what happened in the war, and fiction books which are based on facts are an entertaining and insightful way to gain the knowledge.

Listening as an Audiobook, the narrator, Antonia Whillans, brought the characters to life and probably made the story more tense and foreboding than just reading alone might have done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen to and review an ARC of The Hidden Village by Imogen Matthews.

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