My Review for Second Chances for the Lifeboat Sisters by Tilly Tennant

I read the first two books in the new Lifeboat Sisters series, back-to-back, and thoroughly enjoyed them both. This one, Second Chances for the Lifeboat Sisters, is primarily about Clara, the middle sister of three, and how she is dealing with loads of uncertainty in her life. Will she get married? Will she stay in Port Promise? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

I didn’t find Clara quite as endearing as Ava, and at times I wanted to tell her to ‘grow a pair’ and stand up for herself! Logan, her fiance, is just a pain in the ass in my opinion. If you want to fit in, then make an effort, you clown! The Lifeboat Sisters series is very family orientated and shows what life can be like in a cliquey village - difficult if you’re not willing to make an effort as an outsider, to be included.

It would make much more sense to read these books in order, otherwise everything will be out of sequence, however I think you’d enjoy the stories, however you read them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read Second Chances for the Lifeboat Sisters by Tilly Tennant.

Author Bio

From a young age, Tilly Tennant was convinced that she was destined for the stage.  Once she realised she wasn’t actually very good at anything that would put her on the stage, she started to write stories instead. There were lots of terrible ones, like The Pet Rescue Gang (aged eight), which definitely should not see the light of day ever again. Thankfully, her debut novel, Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was not one of those, and since it hit the Amazon best seller lists she hasn’t looked back. Born in Dorset, she currently lives in Staffordshire with her husband, two daughters, three guitars, four ukuleles, two violins and a kazoo.

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My Review for The Lifeboat Sisters by Tilly Tennant

I loved this new series by Tilly Tennant and devoured the first two books in a couple of days. The first in the series is The Lifeboat Sisters and is Ava's story. Ava is the youngest Morrow sister and is determined to follow in her late father's footsteps and volunteer for the local lifeboat service. However other members of her family have reservations. Does Ava stand up for her beliefs, or does she go along with others' wishes?

I cried at this book - a lot - and I rarely cry at anything I read, but for some reason, this one just kept hitting that spot and the tears flowed. I think my husband thought that something serious had happened! I loved Ava and I loved Harry, I just needed to love them together. When I was a kid, we used to go to a place called Mumbles in South Wales for our holidays every single year and I used to love watching the lifeboat go out. Reading The Lifeboat Sisters reminded me of these lovely family holidays and the way in which the sea can turn from a millpond into a raging torrent, just because of a wind change!

If you want a beautiful story, set in Cornwall, to read whilst you're on your holidays this summer then I cannot recommend this enough. If you're anything like me then you'll fly through it and want to read the next one straight away.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review The Lifeboat Sisters by Tilly Tennant.

Author Bio

From a young age, Tilly Tennant was convinced that she was destined for the stage.  Once she realised she wasn’t actually very good at anything that would put her on the stage, she started to write stories instead. There were lots of terrible ones, like The Pet Rescue Gang (aged eight), which definitely should not see the light of day ever again. Thankfully, her debut novel, Hopelessly Devoted to Holden Finn was not one of those, and since it hit the Amazon best seller lists she hasn’t looked back. Born in Dorset, she currently lives in Staffordshire with her husband, two daughters, three guitars, four ukuleles, two violins and a kazoo.

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My Review for Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Role Playing is a lovely read that pulled me in right from the beginning. I’m sure that I could be Maggie without the gaming, and Bogwitch is such a great online name. Who wouldn’t want to get to know her? I spent some of the beginning of the book, wondering whether I should actually give gaming a go. Then when I realised that yes, the majority of players probably are teenage lads, then I decided it maybe wasn’t the best idea!

I loved that both Maggie and Aiden (Otter) escaped the real world by running into a fantasy one. If they found themselves getting angry or annoyed with those around them, they’d disappear to fight the online baddies!

Aiden’s Mum is a narrow-minded bigot, and she didn’t deserve the help he was giving her, never mind that his life was on hold because he was trying to be such a kind and caring son. Still, she got her comeuppance and, to be honest, I wanted to just slap her across the face many times! 

Cathy Yardley raised some good issues surrounding sex and sexuality and I actually wasn’t aware what demisexual was, so that was a lesson learnt. I also didn’t know what ‘cinnamon roll’ was, and I wonder if that’s just me?! It's only recently (within the last hundred years) that asexual and demisexual have been recognised and accepted.

Overall, this is a book I’d recommend. Just check out the trigger words and subject before you delve in to make sure it’s for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake and Cathy Yardley for the opportunity to read and review Role Playing.

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My Review for The Silence by Katerina Diamond

The Silence was a real slow-burner for me. After the first attack, nothing seemed to happen for ages and then bam! It got darker and more twisted, as only a well-written thriller can. Gail was one of the main characters and a victim and I really didn’t warm to her at all. Yes, she had it tough and rough, but an evil streak ran close to the surface. DS Shona White was more likeable, all she wants to do is help the victims of crimes, without being hindered by her superiors. 

I worked out who the perpetrator was about three-quarters of the way in and from then on; I was just getting frustrated that no one else was getting it! I reckon I must have some sort of screw loose, as these days, the more messed up the thriller, the more I enjoy it!

There are loads of trigger warnings for The Silence, so make sure you read the description before you commit. If you’re happy with them all, then dive right into it. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review The Silence by Katerina Diamond.

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My Review for The Cassandra Complex by Holly Smale

'My theory is that my brain is like a lazy IT department, and every time there's a problem with the electrics it just panics and pulls the plug out at the wall. Switch her off, switch her back on again: see if that helps'.

I loved, loved, loved this! A contender for my favourite book of 2023. There were definitely hints of Sally Diamond and Eleanor Oliphant in this book, and perhaps that is why I enjoyed it so much.

Who on earth can lose their boyfriend, their job and their home in the same morning? Cassandra can! Bad luck or self-inflicted? Maybe a bit of both, but when Cassandra realises she can manipulate time to change the past, she sets out to do just that, not necessarily with the outcome she wants, so she tries again and again!

Such an amazing character. Cassandra stayed with me for many days after I’d finished the book. She resonated with me a lot, her quirky ways, her routines, just many things about her and I so want to be her best friend - even if she wouldn’t want to be mine! 

I’m glad Holly wrote a beautiful story about neurodivergence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review The Cassandra Complex by Holly Smale.

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My Review for The Magic of Sea Glass by Jenny Hale

The title for this book grabbed me, simply because I moved to the coast last summer and decided I wanted to see if I could find sea glass (unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be much on the east coast of England but I’ll keep searching)!

Lauren has moved to the coast after she lost her fiance. She takes on a new job as a housekeeper in an inn on the Outer Banks in North Carolina and tries to forget about the life she’s left behind. Very quickly, though, she becomes immersed once again in planning a wedding and even begins to enjoy herself.

I’m a sucker for these sorts of stories, where the main character runs off to the seaside to get over a failed romance, a death or a career flop. Even better if they make a new life for themselves along the way. Lauren and Brody tugged at my heartstrings from the outset, and Mary was just like everyone’s favourite granny. 

Sea glass is there, as a story in the background and how magical it can be. I just hope, in time, I find some too.

Thank you to Jenny Hale and Harpeth Press for the opportunity to read and review The Magic of Sea Glass.

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My Review for Lovestruck by Laura Jane Williams

I loved this so much! An easy and fun read for summer days (or any day really)! I grew up in Birmingham and the book is set in Kings Heath, a suburb just a few miles from the city centre, so as the author writes about places in and around Birmingham I felt I was back there for a few days, it was warm and comforting.

The book is set in two parallel timelines, one where Becca replies to a text from her ex and the other where she blocks and deletes his number. Each takes its own path and we find out just what happens in separate dimensions.

I loved all of the characters, but Becca and Carlos were my favourites. The story was funny, warm, romantic and cosy and it made me feel warm inside from beginning to end. 

If you want something fun and uplifting to read, then I recommend a copy of Lovestruck to take on your holidays with you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the opportunity to read and review Lovestruck by Laura Jane Williams.

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