A Good Court Room Drama

 

I was pleased when NetGalley asked me to review this 

I was intrigued as I managed not to be a juror two years ago as I really could not go through with this. 

This is court room drama American style - we have Danny Scott who is one of the biggest film stars, being a celebity won't help him here as he is. He is on trial for attempted murder of his wife. Did he do this or was someone hired to do this?

Then there is the jury all with stories to tell, bith the defendant and the jury are the focus in this really interesting legal thriller. Readers you will not want to put this down, I read into the small hours as I was hooked. It is dark, intense and so interesting and no I still never want to be a juror.

Due for Publication November 3rd 2026.

Well Researched Interesting History

 

I was pleased to be asked to review this really interesting book via NetGalley.

As a lover of books, bookshops, history of books this was right up my street.

Divided up imto two distinct sections :-

Part one: ‘A New Age of Knowledge’ - which covers printing presses, industrial revolution, scrolls etc and gives the reader a well researched insight 

Part two: Expanding Horizons investigates the survival of bookshops throughout two World Wars, this agiain was interesting as I have enjoyed reading about the history of the Penguin book, the shortage of paper and more of the public either buying books or borrowing form lending libraries. He explores the advent of LGBTQ+ book shops, the internet and how we access books more and more digitally ( although I do like a physical book sometimes). This is so up to date as the author explore AI and the potential (not so good for authors and the dificulty of being able to essentially tell the difference).

For book lovers delve into the history you may well learn a lot as I did 

Published yesterday - October 13 2026 - will make someone happy this Christmas over the long holidays.

Beautiful Festive Read

 

I was so pleased when the publisher contacted me via NetGalley to review this lovely festive read and by an author who writes great stories.

It is getting to the season so this was great in the run up to a fabulous festive time. 

Erin decides to go to Como to get away from a lot of aspects of her life- mother reaction to Erin contract being canceled, but in other ways Como is somehere to recharge as she iherited a third share in an apartment.  She then is able to contact her newly found sister and thus begins the rechage and healing so so needs. Whilst there may be no love or a career at this time she has a new found family. 

Meanwhile Caleb has a physical injury from football and his football career may be over so he is now experiencing real life and where this may be going. 

Christmas is on its way and there is a wonderful festive feel to this heartwarming story. What happens to Erin and Caleb - well you need to read this story and find out. This is why I love talking all of December off - it is such a magical time of year.

So recommended and due for publication November 5 2026.

Festive 2026 starts now

 

I was so pleased when asked to review this beautiful festive cosy read.

Daisy come back to her home village of Mistingham to stay with her brother and wife as her flat had been flooded out. This is hard as both parents are dead and she has sad memories, despite this she loves village life.

She comes across the gorgeous Avery and something connects - will they get together? 

Well written and a must cosy festive read this Christmas so so recommended. This author can write.

Wow just Wow

 

Wow loved this what a great thriller, spicy, raunchy, secrets, fraud and so funny at times. This was so thrilling, then tense and I was unable to put this book down and read over the autumn weekend. This had everything from scandal to relationships. This author writes so well and can tell a good story. An author to look out for so so recommended.

An Interesting Festive Read

 

I was so pleased when the publishers contacted me via NetGalley to read and review this  fab festive  read.

 

Wow, family and drama, lies, secrets and rags to riches thrown into this mix.

Friends since school, Fliss and Tara ( daughter of Lord Oliver) who spend the long school holidays on the Oliver's country estate. This continues and they keep in touch spending Christmas together, but something happens that pushes them apar, so for years they have had no contact. Then Fliss is invited back for Christmas but Tara and her brother are out to make her visit unconfrtable with them being downright horrible to Fliss. Infact as the festive period moves closer the relationships of the family appear to have broken down also. 

We see truths and secrets coming out with some interesting characters.

A really recommended read this festive period, I so enjoyed this read. Carol Kirkwood packs a punch with this story.

Readers do not have long to wait for publication as this is set for October 22nd 2026 - in time for the half term holiday.

Wow

 

Wow what a story and a debut novel too. I was asked by NetGalley to review this gothic story encompasses the artic, Victorian era and some gay horror into the mix.

This story has so many twists and eerie turns with such interesting characters, well written and well researched.

Such a great layered scary and errie book.

Due for publication on half term so will make a good scary read over Halloween

So recommended

A great read

 

I was asked to review this beautiful book from the publishers via NetGalley.

This is yet another great story from Karen Sawn. 

There is a dual timeline weaving its way through this beautiful story. we have 1960s and present day. 

There is Lise's life as the young wife of a diplomat in Paris in 1961, alongside the present-day story of Dulcie, who is caring for her dying grandmother Lise near Lake Geneva. A mysterios visitor from Lise past arrives- we learn of secrets from the past. 

This book is full of secrets, glamorous Paris and Lake Geneva, tales of diplomacy, romance, and intrigue thrown into the mix.

I could not put this story down - I loved it.

Due for publication October 8th 2026.

Beautifully written

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this 

There are approximately 35 chapter so this makes this an easy read. 

This is essentially about story telling and what nature brings us and this is incorporated into a story the author has written. 

I loved the history of rituals associated with nature which added to the author story telling along with the illustrations which are beautiful.

Loved this and will seek this author's work out.

So recommended and due for publication on half term week.- October 29th 2026.

Beautiful

 

I was asked to review this beautiful story by NetGalley.

This story is set in a town called Solace. Jack has recently lost his wife. He finds tow casualties in the road a dog named Lola and Chris avoiding military service. Surprisingly both have similar injuries and Jack is needed to care for them with the help of a local Nurse Ellie and the local policeman's wife helps Chris.

This is a story about how connection can help us and help someone lonely have purpose and move on. This can be when we least expect it. What a beautiful story and an author I will now seek out.

This is so recommended and due for publication November 19th 2026.

Beautifully written

 

I was pleased when I was asked to review this novel.

The story is set in the 50s in Lisbon and Murtosa. Maria's marriage is in severe difficulties.  Benedicto comits a crime that he has to go into exile.  

his wife Maria Lucilia begins to get letters from another Maria and there is a connection with Benedicto. They write to each other and thus begins a bond between the two women.

There is thousands of miles between the Maria's, but there is something that brings them together, but there are secrets, fears and hopes that neither have said.

This was such an intriguing story 

I really enjoyed reading this.

Due for publication March 4th 2027, so will be ideal for the Easter holidays.

Beautifully written

 

I was pleased when NetGalley asked me to review this novel. I have read a great deal about World War 2 and Natzi occupied Poland. My dear friend Mitetek's parents fled Poland and so I always think of them and others during this dreadful time.

This was really well researched and the story told in both truth and non fiction.

Lena lives through this time and it is how she manages to cope with this shocking time and loss. Lena uses stories some she has made up and those stories she has heard.

This is about this shocking time, loss, love, family and so much more. As Lena moves from camp to camp she befriends a bear named Wojtek the extraordinary Syrian brown bear adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II. (true story) even more interesting but not part of this story Wojtek died in my home town in a zoo a year before I was born.

A novel that will have lasting memories long after this book is read.

Due for publication October 3rd 2026- so ideal read for October half term.

So recommended

Life watch

 

I was asked to review by NetGalley oh my goodness this was close to home and maybe for me suffering anxieties this was a difficult read.

I was impressed by the writing and there was happiness too but this essentially made me look at mt life

Due for publication March 30 2027

What a great read

 

I read this during the long hot summer in the shade and I really could not put this book down. This is four stories that connect to the painter Piero Della Francesca and The Resurection which is in the Italian town of Sansepocro. Three of her characters are real with some poetic license. All her characters have a strong connection with this famous painting.

There is the painting iteself, the artist and family, Mary Hutchinson member of the Bloomsbury set related to the author and an insight into this set and Virgina Woolf, to Clary a conservator and Tiego a journalist in 2014 - the background to a painting and paints used furthered my interest in art and the art world, From Africa and World War 2 a British Captain disobaying orders to bomb the Tuscan town which houses what he feels is the greatest paining ever painted risks everyting.

Really interesting how the author has woven the painting and characters so well together mixing fiction with fact but such a well researched story.
Not due for publication until the beginning of the new year and 2027. But I would say well worth pre odering this.

Fascinating

 

I was staying on the Craster Family Estate this summer and this book was part of Mary Craster's books. What a fascinating book. I learnt the demise was not juat due to the death duty taxes after the second world war. There was a number of factors and the first world war ( or as Sir Roy Strong describes as the hallocaust of 1914-1918. Heirs were dying on the fields of Flanders, Somme and Pascendale to name a few of the "bloody" battles.
Interesting also was the parts concerning the history of the country houses, 1934 and the National Trust. The Government felt it would be better to focus on the houses rather than the parklands.
The black and white photographs told the story well. Amazing this books is 50 odd years old now. Thankfully we as a nation now appreciate old buildings which is our heritage.
Really interesting and would love to read a follow up.
Well researched and execute book.

A great cosy fantasy

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review what I would say is a cosy fantasy with adventure, some darkness, and humour thrown into the mix what is not to love about this story.  There is romance, baddies chsing the heroes and moralistic that the heroes get the better of the baddies. 

Just loved this and in the heat of the summer this not only cheered me up and took me into this interesting and magical world.

Due for publication during half term - October 29 2026 and just before Halloween.

So recommended.

Heartwarming

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this beautiful story I had read The Secret Library previosly so was pleased to be asked to review this. 

This did not disappoint - this is another heart warming and the rebuiliding of a life ( a lot of us have done this in the past my 30 years are in reverese) 

I read this in one day - mixture of what can you dso in the heat and enjoying tthe long school holidays. 

30 years of work and then tp pack up and move to the coast Eve arrives and Ruth brings her a casserole with such friendship and kindness both with problems of their own. This is about a sense of belonging and in a village where everyone wants to know you to a secret at the bottom of her garden.

Well written and so looking forward to the next novel by Amanda James

Due for publication September 24th 2026 so will be an ideal story to read over half term holidays.

Beautiful

I was asked to review this by the publisher via NetGalley as I have read several of this author lovely stories.

This did not disapoint, I real this in the shade during the hottest weather we have had and this cooled me down. 

So Christmassy, full of magic, sparkle, love and promises. 

We meet Gwen who gets a knowck on her door form a social worker called Lara. Her late husband cousin little Will (Willow) is in need of a Foster home. Her life changes, she finds out so much of herself. Will is s gorgeous little boy. 

Such a beautiful story with the backdrop of a magical Christmas, emotional and lovely at the same time. 

So recommended and due for publication just at the right time for half term and the start of Christmassy reads.

Interesting

 

I was asked to review by NetGalley interesting book and author 

Found this to have a lot of spoilers - Yes I know some of the books are over 100 years old, but not everyone has read Agatha Christie. I can understand the author wanting to explore plots, storylines and the background to the crimes.

What I took from reading this book is to read Agatha Christies books in order, Poirot, Marple, Tommy and Tuppence and so forth. So a trip to Hay on Wye will be in order when it gets colder as I know they sell original paperbacks too. I will read over half term and the long Christmas holidays. 

The author writes well but since Agatha Christies death January 1976 there are good books out there such as Lucy Worsley's book -Agatha Christie which I feel is a ground breaking biography. 

I enjoyed the authors style of writing but this was not really for me. 

Readers this is due for publication September 10th so you can makes your own minds up.

Cosy read

 

Wow this is book 11 in the Nosey Parker series and I was asked by the publisher via NetGalley to review this.

I read this in the shade on an amber heat day, wishing it was October. Really cosy spooky Halloween. Well written took me away to a cooler Cornwall and kept me gripped on this really well written story.

Fiona writes well and has great characterisation 

An abandoned convent at St Ann’s is to be redeveloped The town is unsettled and then the discovery of scary voodoo‑dolls hidden in the walls adds to an eerie feeling. The Bonfire Parade and Halloween preparations are underway. Jodie Parker starts to get  pulled into to scary things such as the unsettling of the town, voodoo dolls, Halloween with witches and warlocks. Then the icing on the cake a builder is found dead. is there foul play or is the supernatural to blame?

Loved this and is due for publication next month September 24th 2026 just in time for autumn and Halloween. So recommended.

A Great Read

 

I was asked to review this book by NetGalley 

I really enjoyed this storywhich is set across three timelines. There is Saffie and Pearl who were friends and this disintegrated before Pearl went to Canada to live. Then their paths cross again when Saffie's Grandmother is rushed into hospital.

Then there is Nancy who in 1929 is a kitchen maid, but other duties were cleaning and whilst cleaning Master Albert's room, she come upon a draft of a novel. Whilst reading this she adds to it and then she helps him wirite his novel. 

It is about love, friendship, secrets, stories we tell to one and other with a sense of hope. A really uplifting story.

Readers will need to wait for this as will be published around February half Term and will be a cosy read.

Lovely Read

 

Came across this book in a charity shop so it has been ideal with the South West England heatwave.
Really interesting read of her upbringing in Liverpool and post war, her fantastic family, how she started in acting and her journey too. I was aware of Alison from and early time as recall Abigail's Party.
Alison is a beautiful lady through and through and for those readers who only know her from Fat Friends or Gavin and Stacey you are in for a treat
Recommended

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.

 

I love Rachel Hores books and was super pleased when I was asked to review this novel

So well researched and I have read a great deal around World War 2.

The story is set in London and France following Marie-Louise and Sarah. These women made huge sacrifices to ensure that the Nazis were not going to win the war. 

Marie-Louise is a leader of Alliance who essentially was gathering intelligence for MI6. Sarah on the other hand turned her house into a safe home for the resistence.

The story is harrowing at times as readers will understand but the author balances this with compassion and excellent research.

Well worth reading and will make a great summer read as published just in time for the fab long summer holidays

An Interesting read

 

I was intrigued and interested to read this 1990s novel. As a fan of Robert Harris I was not disapointed.

The Berlin wall fell on the 9th November 1989 and I remember watching the news at the time. The story is set just after the fall of the wall. and Michael Braun a freelance English journalist. He has been writing about hunting down Nazis who are now older and turning them in for the terrible war crimes they comitted. An editor asks Braun to investigate the Head of the Gestapo- Heinrich Muller. This man is still alive and shockingly working at a Jewish Organisation!!

The hunt is on for Braun to find him and as the hunt intensifires Braun learns that  there is more than just him looking and some of the people searching have a great deal to loose if Heinrich is uncovered.

The plot is fast paced and interesting in a time of post war and post Berlin wall fall.

Recommended read and due for publication October 1st 2026 - so will make a good Christmas present for someone

A MUST READ WE CANNOT FORGET

 

I was interested about this book as this is a lost manuscript and historically so significant and we all know this nuclear bomb ended the war in Japan and ultimately the  end of World War 2.

Growing up the feeling from relatives who had lived through the war was this was so necessary but was it ? apart from famous footage I knew very little of the lives of the people of Hiroshima on the 6th August 1945 - 81 years ago. This is not someome who has researched this, this is first hand and does make for uncomfortsble reading but this is their story and it needs to be told.

These were real people who were not part of Japanese cruelty, they did not personslly invade Singapore and Malya they were ordinary people who happened to be a target to end a world war.

There was the sheer helplessness of the people who did not know the long term effects we do now but why would they have known. Written by the author and understandably  is his way of writing in english so ignore the reviews about being stilited this is his personal account. I particularly aplaud his daughter for writing the forward and from a childs view as well.

This is such an importsnt historical account not just on the day but for remembrance, rebuilding a city looking beyone to peace and why these events should not happen. The human cost of war in this story is just so unforgivable.

This needs to be on school curiculums for history GCSE and A Level. There is so much to learn here.

A recommended read to understand this time in history where soon there will be no one left to tell this story.

Due for publication August 6th 2026

Thank you to NetGalley, Modern Library and the people of Hiroshima for letting me read this significant historical account.

Interesting Read

 

 A lovely read - young woman whose life is not really going anywhere, a forgotten bookshop that a load of cats are living in, a stranfe clock with a secret that may give her the nudge she needs to find her path in life. This story brings hope, love of books, mystery and secrets snd a feel of nostagia.

An interesting read and will resonate with cat lovers too.

Due for publication 27th August 2026

Good Witchy Read

 

I was really pleased when I was sent this book from the publisher 

In this unpresidented red heat what better than a cosy witch read with a Half term Halloween feel. This is romance, witchery, magic and a good laugh too.

Lucy and Benedict - who were childhood rivals- this is essentially a journey from rivalry as children with pranks and humour to love and this journey is so nice. 

The town of Foxford is full of magic, witches, and potions

A lovely read and looking forward to a cooler Halloween 

Already in publication so readers get reading this, this summer.

Thought Provoking

 

I was so pleased to be asked by NetGalley to review this book by the aclaimed historian Tracy Boorman.

 

We are all intrigued by the Anne Boleyn story and that she was probably executed on lies and Henry VIII obsession with a male heir. There is the family too and this novel explores the real and imagined lives of the Boleyn family, Hever Castle and the occupants that lived there in the turbulant.Tudor times.

Tracey explores the family from childhoods of the children of Thomas Boleyn. We paint a picture of a power hungry father with expectations for his children, Tracey has a more sympathetic take on this father as he really did not have any control over his life or family.

Well written by a historian who is always breaking the boundaries of historical fact and who puts her own stamp on arguements, historical information and makes the reader sit up and think about the subject we all think we know.

So recommended and due for publication 4th August 2026, just in time to nbe up there on the top ten shelf and the long school holidays.

A Modern Slant on a Classic

 

I was super excited when NetGalley asked me to review this.

I am aware of Cindy YouTube conent and videos she shares on her publishing and writing so she is an intereresting author. I liked that it is a take on the classic Sleeping Beauty and the authors experiences of depression and sucicidal thoughts.- a brave thing to tackle. It is a modern classice for YA and it worked well for me.

Good luck with publishing on June 4th 2026.

Lovely Read

 

I was pleased to review this book after being sent to me by NetGalley

This is about Corman and his father who are giants. They embark on a dangerous expedition from their underground home to the Upside. You would like to think giants would never be in danger but read on. 

In Fathach a strange city the walls are made up of the bones of giants! a young girl called Jaq Dyer is following in her parents footsteps - a giant hunter! 

Corman is separated fro his father, and needs to sorce his own way home, but find a young girl too separated from her father.- what will happen when both meet each other  and can these two change their lives and bring two world together?

A lovely story for children with a good feeling and good morale story. 

Due for publication next week-June 4th 2026 Recomended read.

Sci fi read

 

An interesting read via NetGalley thankyou for asking me to review 

This is the authors second novel - Fire Rush 2023. There was a great love of music and this continues in this novel. Written beautifully. 

We have moved on from the 70s and 80s and now in the 90s. Jaycees lanuage is very much sci fi - with cyborgs, and futuristic scenes. This shows a coming of age novel

Recommended and due to be published August 6th 2026

A Great Read

 

I was pleased to be asked by NetGalley to review this book.

I have been a fan of Elizabeth Jane Howard and read The Cazalet Chronicles a long time ago. What was surprising was that her Neice would be writing a sixth book The Golden Hours. 

This is set in the 60s and focuses on the younger generation and cousins. There is so much political and social change at this time and the author tackles this well in the novel.

Personally Louisa Young has done a great job here and highly recommend this 

Due for publication September 3rd 2026

Remarkable Debut Novel

Such a well researched book, this is the author's debut novel.  The main characters are Missy and Conrad at the outbreak of World War 2. Missy after her finishing school in the Swiss Alps is staying in Germany  for a time and falls in love with Conrad a german who seems to be aware of the rise of Natizism and the dangers rather than looking up to the madness of Hilter and his terrible regieme. ( I can hear the shouty Hitler on one of his speeches they would have heard on the wireless) 

They both contribute to the war in each other countries, Missy with the Refugees Childrens Unit and Bletchle. Whilst Conrad is with the German Paratroopers. 

This is a story of war from two sides, although I have read a great deal on the war there is something always to learn. 

Of course thequestion is will they meet again- readers you need to read this to find out.

Thank you to Lovereading for letting me review this remarkable story.

Well researched and well Written

 

I was asked to review this book by NetGalley please note this is the sequel to Sparrow

We find Sparrow again and as a slave in these brutal times, but there are times when the story has some lighter notes.

He has a priod of "teaching" and then sold on to another master, so he has to get used to the new order and the politics at this time are unpredictable. 

There has been a great deal of research for this story and so well written that the writings take the reader to this time.

Recommended read and due for publication next month - June 25th 2026.

Lovely Read

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this remarkable book. 

Lovely, humerous, and great adventure ni Vermont. A family - Miles, Kate and two children move to Vemont for Kate's job. Miles seems to have been studying for a PHD for a long time the subject being Russian Folk tales, never seems to get into this. Maybe a change will aid him to complete. 

Life seems to take over in the way of the woods, snowy winter Vermont weather, school plays and the people living in the area.

Beautifully written. Due for publication July 7th 2026.

Thought Provoking

 

I was really glad to be asked by NetGalley to review this thought provoking story.

Daphne is maried to Jonathan and he feels they are being followed. What transpires is that this is her step father not seen since she was 9 years old on an evening to change their lives and fast forward 44 years Daphne does not want to lose someone in her life.

This is a powerful saga of secrets, misuderstandings and highlight different realtionships and regret.

A box of tissues is advised- beautifully written and so recommended due to be published on Tuesday 2nd June 2026  so not long readers to wait.

A new slant on the novel Rebecca

 

I was intrigued when I was asked by NetGalley to review this interesting slant on Rebecca Daphne Du Maurier classic story. 

I was not sure what to expect and read without any misconceptions and so enjoyed this slant on a classic. reimaging Rebecca the gothic novel. Danni fled the Nazi and became a housekeeper in Cornwall.  After the death of her mistress Daphne Du Maurier meets up with her and a passionate affair begins. Danni is kept in the subservient role and is dumped by the author fearing terrible social scandal. Danni is futher disgraced by being protrayed as the terrible Mrs Danvers who was so obseed with the dead Rebecca and as you know from the novel Rebecca tries to destroy the new Mrs De Winter and her marriage.- it is an interesting view and slant.

This is also being made into a movie with an all star cast - which I will be interested to watch when this comes out at the Tivoli Cinema in Cheltenham with a cocktail.

Intruging

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this intriguing story. I have not come across Alex Hay before and will be seeking out the other books this long school summer holiday. 

The story starts 100 years ago in London's glamourous criminal world, based in a hotel called Artemis. Diana Gold who is behind this interesting London hotel. Diana has created the perfect backdrop to seek out powerful men.  Cleo Van Der Meer is trying to get away for a very over bearing mother and Lady Polly Fox Stanton ( wife of the Chancellor of the Exechequer) . These powerful women drive the story forward.

Arecommended read and due for publication September 10th 2026

Another fab masterpiece

 

I was so pleased to be asked by the publisher via NetGalley to review this book - I love Kate Morton and so enjoy reading on my many school holidays So read this at half term during the heat wave in the garden.

Alternating timelines woven really well together - during the Blitz and present day. This is about love, family and secrets which I love about this asuthor and her well written stories. Kate Morton keeps you gusessing till the end by drip feeding information juast enough to make the reader think they have cracked it but no there is always more to come.

The story concerns a young woman called Lauren who wants to get to the bottom of her mother's past. Lauren was witness to somethhing terrible when younger. Now her mother is dying and Lauren must find out what her mother did and why.

Kate Morton never disapoints and holidays are made for her books.

I loved this book- published 21 May 2026 and will be up in the top ten books this long summer holiday.

DI Stratton

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this - wow what a novel.

I read this on half term in garden- I read in one go - difficult topic but was written well and there were twists and turns throughou this story with DI Stratton at the helm

Recommended read due for publication July 9th 2026 in timefor the long school holidays 

Beautiful

 

I was asked to review this book by NetGalley

This story is a love that develops between two childhood friends. This is first of all. We can all relate to this - not just in childhood but a love for years and being there when one needs this.

It is love, family, mother and daughter relationships ( boy do I know about that!!

Iit is what we do for those  we love and what difference  it makes 

Beautiful recommended read and was published May 7th 2026.

Intruging

 

I was asked by NetGalley to review this book.

The setting is in the outskirts of Dublin and begins with a beach party. With the feel of Picnic at Hanging Rock - five go into the woods and only four return. A body is found, three families are devistated and it is difficult to xome to terms with the loss and what happened. 

Secrets are evident after this, a supernatural layer is hinted at who or what was the killer 

A really interesting and intruging story 

Readers will have to wait for publication date of February 11th 2027. A really recommended read.

Uplifting Summery Read

 

I was asked by the publishers via NetGalley to review this book as I have reviewed this author's work before so it was a pleasure to review this lovely story.

Reading in the garden it is hot today but if I close my eyes I can imagine a glass of van rouge and some local fromage. 

Juliet has had cancer and and has separated from her husband and makes the decision to start again in France and open a cafe. This does not start well sd the local Mayor says no to this! 

Juliet is strong and the community warms to her and she begins to start again.

 Beautiful french characters and a warm community with romance and friendship thrown into the mix.

Due for publication next week will make a great sunbed read this long summer holidays.