Gemma

I am a big fan of historical fiction novels especially when they are set in England. From the very beginning your heart goes out to Hannah who finds herself an orphan at the age of ten. Until that moment her world has been of a privileged one where she has been educated, learning to read and write. She suddenly finds herself in a poorhouse and then finds work as a housemaid in the Buttermere household. As Mrs Buttermere moves to York, Hannah finds herself working for a new family, the Chalkes. The house is very run down and not a patch on the Buttermere's house. Peg, a thin, dirty and crippled woman is the only other hired help in the house. Hannah makes it her mission to care for Peg and nourish her back to better health. The Chalkes are cruel and secretive and although Hannah has been warned by others to leave she is determined to unravel the strange goings-on in the house.

You immediately feel for Hannah, a child having the responsibility of serving two loathsome individuals. As you turn the pages Hannah's fate worsens and you wonder how she is going to survive. The twists in this book are shocking and heartbreaking all at the same time. Maggie Richell-Davies paints a very clear and bleak picture of the poorest, deprived areas of London during the Georgian period. She captures the hardships, harshness and feelings of powerless beautifully throughout her novel, provoking emotions making it utterly heartbreaking in places.

I adored Peg, Hannah and Nellie. These powerful women through grit, determination and hard work are survivors. Although all alone in the world they reach out to one another, put their trust in each other, displaying both kindness and loyalty. Their friendship truly uplifted and balanced the novel as did the romantic element that weaved through.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

This is a fast-paced page-turner which I couldn't get enough of. I loved how the book was divided into Episodes rather than chapters and how it was featured like a diary with the date and time added to each section.

Charlie is a likeable character but there were times when I though she may be exaggerating or was overly paranoid. As the story unfolds I could feel the tension and danger ramping up keeping me on the edge of my seat. There are definitely times within the novel where you don't know what or who to believe. I was desperately trying to piece together all the clues and although I did make some correct predictions I was still shocked to discover that I had some things completely wrong.

The Strangers We Know is a chilling psychological thriller, with lots of twists and turns.

This was such an addictive read. The Chalet weaves between two timelines; 1998 and 2020, both set in the atmospheric ski resort of La Madiere, France. In 1998, two brothers go on a skiing holiday with their girlfriends. The brothers haven't got the best relationship and in an competitive manner the pair decide to go off-piste, with their ski instructor in order to out-do other another. However, due to a heavy snowstorm they both lose contact with the instructor and disappear. Only one of them is found. Forward twenty years, a group of four go to the same resort which now has luxurious chalets to spend a few days hoping to make business deals. However, the characters all seem to be hiding something and things aren't as they first seem.

I loved the way The Chalet alternates between the two timelines and the different characters. It was fascinating to read from the different characters points of view as you got a real sense of who they were, their own struggles and insecurities as well as delving into their secrets as the story progressed. This feature definitely added to my overall enjoyment of the novel as well as the snippets of the newspaper reports that would appear within the novel. The fast pace made this quite the page-turner I was hoping for.

I was eager to find out what happened to the two brothers on that fateful day and how the two timelines were linked. The tension was so palpable as you turned the page I was gripped from the very beginning. This intense thriller was extremely chilling with the added mystery surrounding the characters and the events from 1998, which I loved.

Samuel, a man who has lived a long and challenging life, takes on a job as a lighthouse keeper on a secluded island. Having been in prison for 25 years due to fighting for independence for his country Samuel is content living the rural and simple life, caring for his chickens and battling with nature to upkeep his small cottage and grounds surrounding his home. However, his solitude comes to an abrupt end when a man washes up on the sand. Samuel carries/drags this rather tall man back to his cottage in the hopes that he will pass away peacefully and can then be buried with the other humans who have been washed up on the island over the past years. Unfortunately for Samuel this man does make a full recovery and Samuel finds himself not only nursing him back to health but also sharing his cottage and supplies with him. Although, a language barrier stands between the two men, they communicate through gestures and actions.

The story is set over four days and weaves seamlessly between the past and present day. As the pages turn you hear about Samuel's early life; his struggles, his incarceration, the violence he has faced and his now complete isolation from humanity. The only contact Samuel has with the mainland is through his provisions being sent. After everything that Samuel has been through you can totally understand why he would chose to live the simple life away from others and why he reacts the way he does when he suddenly finds himself in the company of the young man.

Jennings writes a heart wrenching story about the effects of colonialism, dictatorship and political change. The setting of the island was atmospheric and the perfect backdrop for Samuel's solitude life. I loved how the island had a life of its own and couldn't be tamed no matter how hard Samuel worked at it. I guess a bit like Samuel himself. Although a short novel, An Island is an intense, powerful read where you can feel the tension build as you turn each page. And let me just mention that front cover - just fabulous!!!

Penelope and Charlie first meet at University but lose contact immediately after leaving. During a serendipitous moment on a delayed train, the two find each other again, reactivating their budding friendship. Having decided to move in together as housemates they discover that the landlady has already promised one of the rooms to Zara, a young women having just moved to London. With nowhere else to go the three decide they will live together and look for one other housemate to take the last of the bedrooms.

The story follows the lives of these three individuals; their struggles and anxieties along with their moments of success and joy. Although on the face of it, Penelope is successful and confident you see her hidden anxieties of being in her late twenties and still searching for Mr Right. I loved the way she would look to her best friend, George for reassurance when it came to dating etiquette. The nights when they would stay home and dissect dates gone wrong or drunken mistakes provided a lot of humour in the book which I think a lot of readers will relate to.

Zara's journey throughout this book is immense. From being a foreigner in London, naive and lonely she finds herself becoming a regular Londoner immersed in the travelling to and from work and socialising at the weekend. Her self esteem grows throughout the book and it is wonderful to bear witness to this. I loved how the book jumped from one character to the next seamlessly. It was so refreshing not to have to wait for the next chapter to hear about one of the other characters.

One? is an enjoyable read of friendship, the throes of life and the search for finding the One! I loved the setting as I too spent my youth, twenties and early thirties living in and around London. Cahill balances the themes of romance, hope and humour beautifully. There were no soppy love scenes, which I was pleased about, just plenty of romantic gestures, the ideology of love and hope of finding a person to spend the rest of your life with. If you enjoy chic-lit and contemporary fiction then this book is definitely for you. One? has a light hearted, easy read feel about it which acts as a great escapism.

This was one of the most intriguing books I have read this year. Although I had read the blurb nothing prepared me for what lay inside. On first glance it seemed like a whimsical novel about childhood dreams and coming of age, to an extent it is this but oh so much more. There is a real dark and sinister side of this novel which at times can be frightening and saddening.

I loved Romilly and felt so connected to her. Although very much loved by her father she was the abandoned child, one that I wanted to reach out, hug and look after. At times throughout the novel I held my breath in anticipation as to what would happen next, whilst during other times I felt that Romilly's fate was changing for the better, that there was hope. As the story progresses it seems to get darker and lonelier for Romilly and I found it difficult to contain my anger of her situation and for the people around her. I was definitely emotionally invested in the novel which shows how powerful the writing style is; much praise to Crosby.

The warmth I felt towards the series of picture books that Romilly's father was writing and illustrating was profound. I really wanted the books to be real so I could reach out, physically touch them and see the illustrations and the hidden words for myself. The treasure hunt that was evoked from these books was touching but as the attention and fame increased Romilly's quality of life decreased making her become more and more isolated and a prisoner in her own home. I really enjoyed it when Romilly pieced together the clues of the treasure hunt and ultimately found the real treasure.

This touching but haunting debut novel will stay with me for a long time, it was fascinating, disturbing and very thought-provoking. Many thanks to Crosby and HQ Stories for gifting me a copy of The Illustrated Child.

This was such an emotional read which pulled on my heartstrings repeatedly. I do love historical novels and The Exiles was based on a part of history I knew very little about: the transporting of British convicts to various penal colonies in Australia.

The book focuses on the lives of two young women who are exiled to Australia, accused of petty crimes and an Aboriginal girl, Mathinna, sent to live with Governor John Franklin and his wife Lady Jane for their own amusement. The harsh conditions that these women had to endure and the unrighteousness of it all was heart wrenching. I wept for Evangeline, one of the woman falsely accused of stealing. In the blink of an eye her world was turned upside down and she was powerless to do anything about it. Hazel, in her teens, was another strong female character who was caught stealing in order to keep her mother happy and for her own survival. All three characters removed from the life they knew and sent to an unjust world where they were treated appallingly.

Kline weaves a story based on true events which was both memorising and fascinating. Her powerful writing and brilliant storytelling captivated me, transporting me to a time and place where there was so much injustice in the world and heartache. Although there was a lot of sadness in the book there was always hope: hope that their fate would change, hope for a brighter future and hope that they would be reunited with their love ones. The endearing relationships the women made with one another, especially those of Olive and Dr. Dunne was a beautiful, important and powerful part of the novel which I thoroughly enjoyed.

This well researched novel left me thinking about the book and characters long after I had turned the final page. Thank you Kline for educating me and taking me on one hell of a journey; I laughed, I cried and I cried some more. A must read.

My thanks also goes to Random Things Tours and Allison and Busby for inviting me on the blog tour. This is a book that will stay with me forever, highly recommend.

When this beautiful hardback arrived through my door I was overcome with delight. Not only had the synopsis won me over but when I saw the physical book I was blown away; such a Gothic, chilling cover, I knew I was in for a thrilling read.

The novel alternates between Aurelia (then) and Lexi (now) which I loved. There was a real sense of mystery surrounding Aurelia which I found very intriguing and was compelled to find out the truth behind her death. All the main characters in the book are flawed which humanised them and allowed me to sympathise with them all at different points throughout the novel. I didn't always agree with their methods or choices but understood that each character was dealing with their own hidden demons or trauma and their actions were from grief or survival and not from malice.

I absolutely adored the supernatural feel to the novel and the mysterious goings-on that occurred. For me, there is something so chilling and addictive about ghost stories and I just loved this element of the novel, especially with the addition of the Norwegian fairy-tales that weaved their way throughout the book. This brought an authenticity to the novel as well as adding to the overall mood and bringing the setting alive.

Cooke paints such a vivid picture of Norway; the house Granhus and it's setting becomes a character in it's own right. I loved this hostile yet cosy setting that Lexi finds herself in and the strong importance of nature that runs through the book. The superstitions that the Norwegian builders had, with regards to the land, struck a cord with me and the important message portrayed: don't mess with nature.

There was so much to love about The Nesting, it was such an enjoyable, haunting read which I highly recommend.

When I first saw this book and noticed who the author was I knew this would be a witty and well written novel and I wasn't disappointed. Osman's skill of storytelling shone through in this novel and I particularly loved how Joyce narrated parts of the novel through her diary entries.

The rich, vibrant characters drew me in to this cosy mystery and I have to say it was very addictive reading. I loved how Osman's key characters are a group of 70 year olds who are dedicated in helping the police solve the death of Tony Curran but in their own unconventional ways. Their determination and quest to find the killer before the police was both humorous and entertaining. I was routing for the members of the Thursday murder club and it definitely had a air of Jessica Fletcher meets Chief Inspector Barnaby which I adored.

On the face of it this book appears to be a quick, easy read but it actually has quite a complex plot with lots of different characters, red herrings and twists. The characters take on a life of their own in this novel and it was really interesting to find out more about them as the story evolved. Although charming and humorous there are also some sadder moments in the novel which strengthened the emotional connection I had with the book and the characters.

I am so thrilled that this is the first book in the series as I cannot wait to see what Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim get up to next time in their murder investigations. A truly wonderful read. Many thanks to Ellie Hudson at Viking Books Uk, Penguin for inviting me to join the blog tour.

What a stunning and intriguing front cover. This is book three in the Emily Knight series and although I haven't read the previous books this did not affect my overall enjoyment of the book. From the very beginning you are given lots of information about events that have taken place in the previous books so I always felt completely up-to-date on what was happening and the impact these events had had on the characters.

This book is full of adventure and action which will appeal to its readers. The pace is fast which helps capture ones imagination especially during the battle scenes. There is a real magical and fantasy element to the book which was not only intriguing but kept you guessing about what might happen next. Emily Knight is such a strong female protagonist and it was lovely to read a book rich in diversity and championing a female led.

Emily's family dramas and her unconventional family were definitely at the forefront of this novel and I loved how the book touched on the complexities of this family unit and on the themes of love and friendship. I loved the classroom questions that were added to the back pages which will promote lots of discussions about the book after reading.

Ben and the Bug is written in a poetic style with rhyming couplets. It demonstrates really clearly to children just how fast germs and bugs can spread and how to prevent them through regular washing of hands. The bug in this story is spreading the Coronavirus and as children are very aware of this virus at the moment it was lovely to see it featured in a picture book. Not only does it allow them to relate to something that they know about but it also reiterates the message of how to stay safe and stop the spread. As well as a story this book also provides information with a Did You Know? box on most pages. This is such a lovely added feature and something you can read alongside the story or afterwards. I know my daughter and class enjoyed spotting the information boxes on the pages as well as finding the little bug that was hidden on each page. The final pages are packed with more factual information on COVID19 which is great in providing children with further helpful information about the virus.

I loved this book. It had a Dickensian feel to it with a mixture of culture, religion and a strong female protagonist.

Sahira Clive, born of an English father and an Indian mother, travelling to London with a pair of Tigers finds herself an orphan after her parents contract a deadly illness. With nowhere to go Sahira finds herself placed in an orphanage and separated from her tigers. The way Sahira is treated due to her mixed raced heritage was powerfully portrayed in this novel and would be a great opportunity to discuss inequalities and prejudices in society.

I adored hearing about Sahira's culture, through her stories of India, the vocabulary used (see glossary at the back of the book) and her amazing assortment of clothing. I loved how there were nods to different religions slipped into the novel too, from the tigers' names - Rama and Sita, to her mother's and father's different religions.

There is also a huge historical pull to the novel and I was fascinated to learn about the Tower Menagerie (The Tower of London), the Zoological Gardens (London Zoo) and society in London at the time. I found myself researching these aspects after I had finished reading, becoming absorbed in London's rich history.

This book definitely appealed to me as an adult and I found it both fascinating and engaging. I really feel this book would be a great class read to share with Year 5/6 as there are so many discussion opportunities and a whole unit of work could be built around this book. For independent readers this book would also provide a rich reading experience as it is beautifully written, is packed with adventure and is character driven.

The Rangoli patterns in the corners of each chapter was a nice touch to the book as too were the glossary and Menagerie poster at the front. I have so much love for this book, highly recommend.

Jeff is struggling after the death of his beloved sister. His parents are indifferent to his feelings and leave him with a friend during the summer. It is hard not to form a deep sympathy towards Jeff as his pain is so raw. As he searches for the truth of his sister's death, through her journals, he acknowledges that this will be an emotional and painful journey that he will have to embark alone.

I loved the way the book alternated between Jeff and Emma. Both voices were filled with such raw emotion of their personal struggles in life. Emma's fight and determination to make it in the world of rock was admirable especially when in reality what she experienced was more of a power struggle and was submerged into a deep underworld of drugs and depression.

The musical references that were mentioned throughout the book were fun, adding not only a feeling of nostalgia in me but a deeper insight into the era that Jeff and Emma were living in. I found the characters very compelling as too were the contrasting settings of Camden Town and The Isle of Wight. I loved the references to the sea which contradicted Jeff's inner turmoil and harmonised his loneliness and feeling of isolation perfectly.

Many thanks to Guy Mankowski for sending me a copy of Dead Rock Stars. This is a powerful coming of age novel, deeply moving and utterly heartbreaking.

The opening of the story takes you straight into the action: Hattie being pulled through her own fridge by an elephant and taken to a magical far-away land, Somewhere-Nowhere. This book is action-packed with lots of colourful, interesting characters that will keep children entertained and engrossed. Hattie's adventure in the world of Somewhere-Nowhere had an Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz feel about it as she meets a host of strange characters in a seemingly crazy world ruled by Lord Mortimer. As Hattie tries to find her way home she makes special friendships along the way and realises that she must put the hundredth children first by attempting to rescue them rather than escaping herself. Hattie, who is normally quite reserved discovers a new found confidence in herself along with other qualities such as determination, perseverance and bravery, which surprises but motivates her further.

This book was a pleasure to read and I can really visualise children becoming absorbed in the magical world of Somewhere-Nowhere. The descriptions and imagery were vivid, the chapters short and punchy with a good mixture of dialogue, characterisation, setting and action. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series and finding out more about Hattie's adventures in the realm of Somewhere-Nowhere.

This was such a unique read written in a poetic and reflective way. I could really empathise with Lucy who was struggling to find the right balance between home life, work life and finding time for herself. Her mental health and self-worth take a huge hit after finding out her husband has had an affair. This vulnerable, raw side we see of Lucy felt really intimate, like a conversation you would have with a close friend.

The three revenge acts that Lucy embarks on are quite shocking and brings a darkness to the novel. The mythical creature, the Harpy, was cleverly woven through the novel and something that I was anticipating. A quirky, interesting read about love, marriage, power, revenge and renewal.

I loved this book, there is something so fascinating about a courtroom drama combined with a chilling thriller. From the opening pages you are there with Eddie Flynn awaiting the verdicts from the Jury as to how they find the defendants. The book then goes back three months earlier to the 911 call transcript. There is something so unsettling reading these transcripts.

Throughout the whole novel I kept trying to work out which sister was responsible for the death of her father, the chapters titled SHE added to the overall confusion as to which sister's voice we were hearing. I loved these extracts, although sometimes disturbing in content.

Fifty Fifty kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the hidden twists, the courtroom proceedings, how the evidence was sourced and presented in court and how two opposing lawyers came together to identify the real killer.

Wow what an action-packed thriller this was. The beginning starts with a bang, or should I say a dramatic plane crash which had my heart pumping. I loved how the novel alternated between the two decades and how the stories were completely different but both terrifying. The characters were dark, complex and mysterious which intrigued me; they are definitely not your stereotypical cast. There were plenty of twists and turns which kept me guessing the whole time and the ending!!! What a psychological thriller!

This book is not for the faint hearted as the content can be extremely gory but it was such a fascinating read, taking me back to my days of watching Lost. A corker of a dark, twisted tale which I loved and would highly recommend. I cannot wait for Jeremy Costello's next novel.
#HuntingAbigail is out tomorrow - 25th August. Many thanks to @jeremycostellobooks for the ARC, a truly thrilling read.

This was a very quirky novel and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the format of the book and how there were seven different short murder mystery stories within the overall novel. This made it quite the page-turner I was anticipating. I loved the narrative between the editor and author and was intrigued to hear about the inconsistencies that she stumbled upon in each of the stories. I completely missed these each time and found myself overtly trying to find them in the next story. I failed every time!

This book was very unique and written in such a clever way. I was hooked from the beginning and loved how there was a running thread which linked the stories. For me, the ending was shocking and one I didn't see coming. I adored the twists that just kept coming. What an exhausting, invigorating read! Highly recommend.

Sarah Sutherland is a mother to a teenage daughter who is travelling the world, a daughter to her elderly father who is becoming more and more in need of support and is holding down two very different jobs: a manager at a local supermarket and running witch tours around the local area. She finds herself struggling to cope with all the demands made of her and is drawn to the mysteries surrounding Alie Gowdie, a woman who was accused and then killed of being a witch.

I loved the historic connection of witchcraft that the book explored and too got caught up in Sutherland's research into the truth. I also enjoyed reading her father's narrative and felt great sympathy towards him especially with regards to how frustrated he felt at times with his current situation. His story is very touching and I was fascinated by Charles Bonnet Syndrome, something I had never heard of before and am so glad Sandra Ireland included this particular condition in her novel to help raise awareness and understanding of this condition.

There are several story lines that weave through this novel and I was fascinated to see how they all came together at the end. The book is left open-ended and I am convinced there is an unfinished story surrounding her daughter; for me something doesn't feel right about her current situation. I am intrigued to see where Sandra Ireland will take the next book in the Sutherland series and hope we hear much more from her father and perhaps Hannah's narrative too. Either way I will definitely be purchasing book two as I feel very much invested in the characters and enjoyed Ireland's style of writing.

Many thanks to Polygon books and Love Book Tours Group for my gifted copy of Sight Unseen and the invite to the blog tour.

This was such a quirky and humorous book. A bank robber who isn't really a bank robber who then finds themself in a hostage situation with a group of unwilling participants, makes this quite the witty novel. The two police men are also a bit of a liability which adds to the general disarray and deliberate confusion of the plot.

Fredrik Backman is a natural born storyteller, for those that have read any of his previous novels will know that his stories are character led. Anxious People has a whole host of colourful characters, each with their own flaws, insecurities and problems, which makes them easy to identify with and feel compassionate towards. I love the way the characters are linked and come together. These heartwarming moments beautifully balance the darker themes of loneliness and suicide that run through the book. I also loved hearing all the character's backstories, especially those of the police men.

There was definitely a lot of surprise elements in this book which kept me on my toes and at times made me go back to find hidden clues that I missed on the first read. I loved how the events and characters came together and thought it was a very satisfying ending. This book highlights the beauty of humankind and how a little act of kindness can go a long way.

What an absolutely delightful book this is, don't get me wrong sometimes the subject matter is disturbing and hard to read at times but ultimately this is a story of hope, resilience and of never giving up.

The story alternates between Elspeth, a teacher at Chefoo School and Nancy, a pupil boarding at the school. It was so interesting to hear the story through both of these characters and their own perspective of the events taking place. The year 1941, Nancy has just been told she won't be reunited with her parents over the Christmas period and will need to remain at the school. Heartbroken that she won't see her parents for another year she tries to remain upbeat knowing that her brother and best friend will also be there at the school during Christmas. Then war breaks out! Japan declare war on the British Empire and the United States of America. And then the soldiers arrive. I so desperately felt for both Elspeth and Nancy, what an impossible situation to find yourself in.

As the chapters flow we hear of the brutality of war and the abuse from some of the soldiers; their fight for survival as they are uprooted several times and the challenges they face each day. What was so lovely was the relationships between the children and their teachers. You also hear of Elspeth's own backstory and the personal struggles she faces on a day to day basis.

Throughout the book years pass and it is heartbreaking to hear how the children's childhood changes drastically in that time. Once innocent and care-free now cautious to the potential dangers around them and having to grow up quickly whilst depriving their developing bodies of the nutrients they so desperately need. Through the support of the adults around them the children manage to remain optimistic, develop lasting friendships and share moments of laughter and joy.

This was definitely the emotional read I was expecting, the story line and characters constantly tugging on my heartstrings. This was such a beautifully written novel that I couldn't help getting caught up in the events taking place, from the cruelty dished out by the soldiers to the defining moments of survival. The ending was very touching and simply perfect. I loved how we meet Nancy 30 years later and discover what happened to her and some of the others after the war ended. This book will stay with me for a long time having made such an imprint on my heart.

Many thanks to Random Things Tours and Harper Collins for inviting me to join the blog tour. A truly wonderful, touching book which I will treasure and highly recommend.

This was a magical children's book and something I would have loved to have read as a child.

Rosemary knows her mum is a witch and has witches that pop by that only her mum and sister can see. One day Rosemary hears that Phyllis has disappeared and notices that mum and some of her witch friends go off to search for her, through the wall. Intrigued Rosemary asks her friend Adi to help her enter the wall and find Phyllis. With the addition of her little sister Lois, the threesome step into the magical world, through the mirror, to help bring Phyllis back and stop the the mayhem that is happening around them.

This book really captured my imagination and had a ‘Narnia' feel to it when the children stepped through the mirror. The characters were interesting and brought a uniqueness to the novel. I could picture each character in turn and especially loved the names given to them. The different rooms that the children found themselves in added to the magical feel and gave the book an air of mystery as you never knew where they would end up next.

I particularly loved Rosemary's gift of being able to see a coloured aura around people which beautifully helped illustrate the depression her dad was going through. I thought this was very cleverly explained and would help with children's own understanding surrounding depression. Despite the serious issues that are explored there is also a lot of humour which will definitely appeal to the reader. At the heart of this story is the concept of love, friendship and trust. There were some poignant moments in the novel where these themes shined through provoking moments of reflection and thought which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Overall a great fantasy adventure story with some fantastic characters. I can see this being the start to a great sequel and would love to read more about Rosemary and her magical journeys. Many thanks to Agora books for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

This was such a lovely read in so many ways.

I adored the setting which was romantic and comforting. Having been to South Africa a few times and having stayed in Johannesburg, I recognised a few of the places and food that was mentioned so this brought back some nostalgic memories for me which added to my overall enjoyment of the novel.

The book was character driven which I loved; I truly got swept away with Rachel's character and was routing for her to ditch her boyfriend Will and find a man who would devote his time to her. I adored the addition of Mr Lemon and his backstory and loved reading about how this evolved throughout the novel.

Although I don't read many romance novels I found I was completely captivated by the premise of this book. The concept behind the letters was heartwarming and the fact that the love between all the characters, whether friendship, family or romantic grew slowly, over time, was invigorating to read.

Even though I found this novel uplifting and moving it also had a darker theme running through it; that of abuse, violation and rape. I think Leigh highlighted the story of survival in a sensitive and thoughtful way, showing the courage and bravery of the victim through her portrayal of Rachel.

A beautiful story with a stunning front cover which I read in one day. Many thanks to Taryn Leigh for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review. Such an enjoyable, moving read.

This book starts with a bang; Beth is talking to Kathleen in the garden during a house warming party. Kathleen very much on edge confides in her friend telling her that she is terrified of one of the guests at the party who had been threatening her. Interrupted, Kathleen agrees to meet up with Beth the next day to reveal all. Unfortunately, Kathleen never gets the chance as she falls and dies the following morning.

Suspecting the fall to be suicide or accidental death, the police start their investigation. However, Beth is not convinced and is troubled by their discussion the previous evening. She sets out to find who was threatening Kathleen and in turn find out the truth behind her death.

This was a really interesting read and one where you feel you are piecing all the parts of the puzzle alongside Beth. There are so many red-herrings along the way and everyone appears guilty. It is only when you get right towards the end of the book does the ‘real culprit' become apparent.

I loved the setting of the book and the fact that I had no clue who was to blame; everyone was a plausible suspect and had a motive. What was particularly intriguing was that it was someone in their inner circle of friends who was threatening Kathleen, someone they all knew and trusted. It was very interesting to see how the dynamics of the group changed once a seed of doubt had been planted. I know everyone has secrets, even between married couples, so the whole concept of the story line felt very realistic and plausible. I did feel Beth was a bit too trusting in revealing her thoughts to individuals but I appreciate these were her friends and her husband. I just feared for her as she got herself into quite a few potential predicaments, which made for a thrilling read.

I love, love, loved this book! There is something so captivating about Joyce's writing; her novels are character driven providing you with not only realistic, relatable and humble characters but plots that are about ordinary people, with ordinary lives embarking on their own journey of self discovery. Along the way the kindness of humankind shines through and you are immersed into a fictional world which is both comforting and uplifting.

As the opening chapter begins you meet a young Margery and discover her fascination for beetles. The book then jumps 30 years later where Margery is working as a teacher and has become quite lost. Never having married or had children, she is forty and leading a mundane life, one in which she doesn't particularly enjoy. Suddenly, through a unexpected predicament, Margery decides to follow her passion and find the golden beetle that her father first showed her in a book. It has never been proven to exist but Margery is determined to find it and bring back a specimen for The National History Museum's archives. So in search of an assistant Margery begins her mission.

This book was very humorous in places and I completely feel in love with not only Margery but her travelling companion Enid. No two characters could be more polar opposites. Margery, old fashioned in both her viewpoints and dress code; Enid vibrant, colourful and flippant. I loved how both characters came together and formed such a touching, loving friendship.

The journey both women encountered, both physically and mentally was a testament to their inner strength, determination and supportiveness towards one another. It was such a heartwarming story and one I was sadden by once it was over. I could have continued reading about Margery and Enid forever. Much praise to Rachel Joyce who has once again filled my heart with two delightful characters and thrown me into a world of discovery, love and friendship.

A truly wonderful book which I will treasure and highly recommend.