Interesting Read

 

I was glad when NetGalley asked me to review this well researched novel set in Natzi occupied Paris in 1940.

This is the Ritz in Paris steeped in French history but Frank the bar man is having to serve a very different clientele - high ranking Nazis - there is a problem also as Frank is hiding the fact he is Jewish. 

Readers you would have though Frank would have tried to escape before France was occupied but he did not, without really being aware the Nazis help Frank discovers secret that in fact helps to keep him and his friends and loved ones - who are Jewish also.

Areally interesting read. 

Due for publication August 20th 2026.

Scary

 

Wow thank you NetGalley - it is super hot in this heat wave and I could not put this down sitting in the garden in the early hours to cool off.

Totally unable to put down, but reading in the darkness was a little scary and I will be reluctant to go out at sea. It had the feel of dont look round, dont go that way.

Totally gothic and scary.

Recommended and due for publication August 11th 2026.

Gothic

 

I was intrigued by this book and was super pleased when NetGalley asked me to review this was a good dark gothic story with a bit of humour thrown into the mix. 

Good charachterisation and the author writes  well and tells a good story. The story is set in Victorian 1880s and the secene is set, foggy kent marshes. This is an intriguing mystery and so recommended. I loved it.

Readers do not have long to wait for publication as this is set for April 13 2026

A romp of a read

 

Loved this book 

We have Henrietta who has secretly loved Lord Alrerton ( Arthur) since they were children. He is actually interested in her as most men at the time were only interested in fortunes. But there is a but not in the way Henrietta really wants.

Three years pass as Aruthur goes to war, he  returns to London, he is ruined finacially, London has changed and do has Herietta no longer the shy girl he left behind.

So she has one season in the summer to shine and will Arthur notice her 

Will there be love .....

Really well written, researched and a joy to read 

Great 2nd series

 

I had previously reviewed the Sea Stone Sisters and was so pleased when the publishers invited me to review this book 

I loved this, this is the second book in the series. This time we see Lily and the clever dual timelines. We see the french Riveria in the 1930s to the present day mystery surrounding the sisters. There is mystery, family secrets and more. I could not put this book down I was lucky as the school was closed so had 2 heat days off.

Recommended series but sadly reader will have to wait till January 14 2027 to read this. Looking forward to the next book.

Lovely Read

 

This book came at the same time as I had seen our local youth theatre The old Mill Theatre company in Tewkesbury who are fab - a plug on a book review.

Gill Piper is moving back to her family home in Leatherhead at the age of 48. She is embarking on a new venture at the Old Edith Evans Theatre. Like a lot of theatres these were once the go to place in town and Gill dreamed of a future on the stage.

Gill is tasked with bringing back the Outreach project called Young Lights but having to put on a play in 2 months in order to secure fundng for the theatre. As expected it  is a hard task to get young people to sign up for this and to make matters worse and aging star Carla Keswick is trying to ensure Gill and the theatre fails. So a bit of a tall order. 

The cast are a fab bunch of characters and it was in the red heat alert in the south west of englsnd when I read this yesterday this was a complete joy to read. 

Mel can write a good story. 

Recommended and due for publication during the fab long school summer holidays.

A lovely story

 

I was so pleased to review Sara Cox new novel and was interested to see if she can write as there is a lot of "celebrity" authors around.

My verdict yes Sara can write and she writes so well. This story is about friendship, coming of age and forbidden love.

Two friends Christy and Abi are friends who grew up next door to each other sharing everything that comes with growing up and their parents were close.

Christy an executive producer has to come back to Manchester as her father is ill but Abi who is now living next door due to an unhsppy marriage and following her mother death.

This story is told through the two girls and their timelines. As their friendship is now on the rocks will this be revived ?

A lovely well written story.

I will be seeking out other novels written by Sarah Cox

Due for publication just as the long school holidays start and will be up there in the top ten this summer.