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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this cosy crime novel.
We were in a cottage for half term in Cornwall so apt.
A cosy crime with lots of twists and turns aparently this is book 10 and aptly named Nosey Parker series- why am I late to the table? if you are new to the table - I quite happily read as a standalone but will be reading from book 1 in the long summer school holidays.
We meet Jodie and Nathan (dectective) who are at a luxury resort off the coast of Cornwall. This is aparently their honeymoon but as I gather they have been married already. As you read on this is an undercover investigation requested by the owner. A huge storm is on the way and then a tragedy occurs.
Relatable characters and although a crime novel there is humour thrown into the mix
Due for publication June 26th 2026 so will make a great summer read
What is not to like with Kiley Dunbar - I loved her Borrow a Bookshop series and her Highland series is just as good. We meet again at book number 3 but as with all of her books this can be reads as a standalone.
We meet Euan who has moved in with his grandfather and his wish is to have his own electrician business. Then there is Peaches a fashion student ready to present her project collections for her Masters. This appears to be quite an unlikely couple.
What I love of her stories is things neer go to plan there is a twist in the tale, with a community to die for, wonderful scenery and great characters
Recommended and was published May 1st 2026. This will be a lovely summer read over the long holidays.
Loved this wow a really modern take on writing - well written book about love and the complexitity of realtionships.
I really felt this was real and on a day to day basis getting all the info.
The author writes so well and her characters were real a really good story.
Due for publication in time for the long summer holidays on 16 July 2026.
Having watched the dramatisation of the shocking Post Office one New Years Day during the long school Christmas break. and was so shocked by this.
When I had the oppertunity to read and review this story I was interested
This is a beautifully written story of a Sikh gentleman who comes from India to the UK. Sadly he becomes involved in the shocking Post Office scandal. Like the dramatisation of this subject the author explores in detail the terrible problems and such injustices those sub post masters ultimatately suffered.
There is also the experience of imigrants who came to the UK, keeping their cultures but also the sadness of leaving loved ones back in the country they came from. What expectations first genreations and later would expect from living in the UK.
This is well written, well researched with extreme under standing of the plights sub post masters went through and sadly are still going through.
I was really pleased to be asked by NetGalley to review this book
What a beautifully written story, secrets, mystery and emotion. We are taken to Norway during war time. The author describes the landscapes evocatively and the reader is transported there. Great characters, with love and loss at this time. Emotional so have a box of tissues at hand there will be tears.
Really recommended read which will be up there in the top ten this summer and due for publication June 18th 2026.
I love Great Expectations and work in a school so this is widely read. I was pleased when NetGalley asked me to review.
Miss Haversham is a character who I always thought it would be good to know this lady before the jiting at the alter, the bereavement of this by being surrounded by the decaying wedding breakfast in the wedding dress she was to be married in.
Ellie Machray has interpreted this bitter and twisted lady as we know (and who could blame her at this time) into an ambious lady with desire but living in a mans world during the victorian era. The story highlights the deep betrayal of Compeyson. This is a woman who has to conform to society or she could end up on the streets. Yet she is jilted.
I was worried this story would seem false and out of kiter with Dickens classic but this is a trully atmospheric gothic story that could have been told by the man himself.
A really thought provoking story and on a different slant and good interpretation
Really recommended and due for publication on May 7th 2026.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this well researched and well written book.
This is the story of two young girls growing up in rural Kenya living in a rural area their lives are perfect until the Mau Mau revolution .This is a remarkable friendship but this all changes and these two girls are forced apart.
The author writes about this time with honesty, brutality, emotion and above all friendship.
Beautifully written and recommended read
Due for publication Jun 18th 2026
I was asked by NetGalley to review this well written book.
I had not read any works by this author so I was intrigued, each chapter is named after a hotel and begins with a man who is to inteview an author. He clumsily drops his mobile phone in a sink so therefore he was unable to record the interview.
This is about not relying on technology but the old fashioned pen and paper and what it means to record a life.
Expertly written and recommended read
Due for publication April 9th 2026
I was really pleased when the publishers and NetGalley sent me this book to review.
The story is set in the village of Foxford
A mix of characters - including Peter a Reaper who has a big heart. Then there is Faye Parker an acomplished baker in an unhsppy marriage, but she can gain some hasppiness in the kitchen. Then she makes friends with Peter and things move forward and love begins. But and there is always a but will sacrificing his soul save Faye?
This is the first time I have read an adult paranormal romance.
A great read and due next month in time for the 2 week Easter break to enjoy this.
Recommended.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this really funny adult fairy story I loved this.
The star of the show is a busy but lonely working princess- she snucks off from being a working royal to look round a lovely bookshop. She is cursed and had to stay there ( I can't think of anything worse - lol) and taking over this wonderful bookshop unable to leave.
So similar to Sleeping Beauty her parents send in princes to break the curse with true love, kisses and a lot of chaos thrown into the mix.
A really fun story that will take you the reader from what is going on in the outside world.
Recommended read loved it.
Due for publication April 23 2026.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this story by an author I love to read.
Quite emotional story of two families and how they deal with a tragedy. Mimi a famous interior designer who is approaching the end of her fabulous career and is preparing to auction her possessions. A private person but this will bring her back into the limelight and her new assistant Jo who is hiding secrets also.
Dual timelines, glamourous settings and secrets- a beautiful story
I loved this
Due for publication May 28th 2026 and will be up there in te top ten for the summer.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this lovely summery read
A lovely romance in Cornwall. Trev and Zennor wedding was perfect - Trev being 10 years older than Zennor, but then and old boyfriend called Matt of Zennors comes on the scene and accusations start on Trev.
Fast forward and five years on the Zennor and Trev marriage has ended and Zennor returns to Cornwall to start a business with a friend, Nothing is peaceful when Matt returns to the village as their landlord and Trev has bought the hotel they had had their wedding in. Fireworks!!
Both Mat and Trev want something from Zennor and this then makes Zennor look to secrets and the past
A good summer read and is due to be published just before the long summer holidays
Recommended lovely read.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this really emotional story recommend a box of tissues when you read this.
Blythe with her sister Rae are helping to run a family owned hotel. Blythe would love to inherit her grandfathe's estate and run thefamily business wheras her sister is not interested in this. Set in rual Ireland, there is family issues, controlling what happens so there is no dreams to follow. This story is emotionally charged with such sadness, betrayal and love thrown into the mix, with twists along the way ensuring the reader reads to the end.
Recomended read from Faith Hogan and due fdor publication June 4th 2026.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this book, I cannot belive Greenham Common protests were 43 years ago I rember this well admiring thw women of the peace camp . This story is about Bridget, she is fed up of her families secrets and the facade of perfection her mother is trying to protray. Bridget is 15 and during the winter of 82 she runs away to join the Greenham Common protests.
What Bridget does not know is the effect on her family this will have - secrets of her father, things her mother does not want to face. This is a bit of a nuclear fall out or tsumani for Bridget's family and can they move forward from this.
Political, family secrets, coming of age and really now an event in history we can all learn from.
Readers do not have long to wait due for publication April 21st 2026 - recommended read on lots of levels.
What a well researched story, I am particularly interested in this part of history, not just jews artists but Nazi looted works of art, having seen Woman in Gold film 2015, read woman on fire Lsa Barr and who has not watched The Monument Men 2014 film.
Hannah and her family, shows 1930s with jewish artists, actors, and eminent accademia through to the fear of the Nazi regieme.
This story tells of jewish women creating art which was stolen from them and at times changed to suit the german nationalists objects - used as proganda for Nazi gain. Jewish artists murdered and then thier work attibuted to Germans (some fictious)
We will never know just how much was destroyed, and if any did survive we will never know who the artist was as they went into collections hidden.
It is a a really sad part of history but also fascinating also as we have seen on BBC Fake or Fortune.
Well written, well researched and a really good read.
Sadly not due for publication unitl July 9th 2026.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this interesting story which follows on from a Place called winter but this can also be read as a standalone story.
Set in the 50s Harry Cane had emigrated to Canada and had not seen his daughter since, but had since recieved a letter from her, he travels to Liverpool to see her. There is a bit of a cloud between them, as her father seemed to have left and she has unresoleved issues about this.
The author handles issues such as 1050s homosexuallity well Interesting in the way Harry feels he has been left out since leaving but that nothing would have essentially changed had Harry not emigrated.
Interesting well written story.
Due for publication March 26th 2026.
This children's book is due to be published Thursday 26th February 2026.
I recieved this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, this a lovely read of modern day family life, bullying, children trying to understand a grown up world, with change that not everyone wants or likes, relationships between humans and animals and history of a time where pit workers relied on animals and the pits were a dangerous place for both workers and the pit ponies.
The history element was really interesting along with a grandfather and grandson relationship.
Beautifully illustrated by David Litchfield.
I found the way bi polar and dementia was tackled really well.
A really well written and good read for 9-12 year old.
I was asked to review this book by NetGalley
I could not put this down and read over a very wet February afternoon.
Imogen has been left a house in a will from someone she has not seen in about 16 years. This person was Dorothea and their had been somewhat of an impact on her lfe at the time. Imogen moves into Dorothea house with Josh her boyfriend. Too good to be true, well Imogen begins to wonder if there was a reason why she inherited this house and is there a connection with Dorothea's death. It may not be quite the fresh start Imogen and Josh were hoping for.
There are so many twists and turns in this story, so many different angles and emotions wrapped up here.
So well written, keeps the reader guessing to its thundering end. Due for publication March 12 2026 so not long now to wait.
I was asked by NetGalley to review ths quite sad, eccentric but beautifully written story.
Agatha just wants to paint, but when she meets Alice things change. Alice has dementia. Agatha for some will hate her, she is arrogant and a tough old bird. She cares really deeply for Alice and this is what makes this story so endering.
Well the ending was not what I expected one bit.
What a great debut novel. So recommended.
Due for publication April 2nd 2026
I was asked by NetGalley to review this really interesting story.
I read this in one sitting, this was such a beautifully written story. I would recommend this to teenagers as I could resonate with this and growing up with happiness, as well as total confusion and pain all wrapped up in one.
This is a comimg of age book with connections to classical music and music exams
Totally honest and such a good read recommended and due for publication July 23 2026.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this book
This is a beautiful story of love, loss and heartbreak.
This is science fiction and concerns a couple and just what lengths they are prepared to do to heal. They are at the end of such a lot but yet they are on the verge of discovery. Wow what a reflective experience and so well researched too. Recommended - but there is a wait the publication date is September 1st 2026
I was asked to review by NetGalley wow this was dark accademia.
I was hooked form page 1 I really could not put this down and there were so many twists in this story.
The story is set in the present day iwithin the a Catholic girls boarding school in Yorkshire. The school is facing uncertainty of a merger with a boys school or closure. There is a dual timeline set in the 1990s. This is the setting for easily biuulied pupils and essentially how they coped in the school. This sound like two stories but there is connections and it is shocking, addictive and a great story..
There is a bit to wait for publication July 9th 2026. Recommended read.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this really intriguing story with a dual timeline set in the 1930/40s and in the present.
This was such an intriguinly beautifully written story.
Set in the days of Colonial Singapore where Dorothy is with her parents - father working for a rubber company. life is good and privilaged - with socialising and the lavish Raffles hotel. Everyone thinks Singapore will be safe as the war continues at home - Singapore will not fall. Evacuations take place will the family be safe?
Annabel - her grandmother passes away - she has no idea she had been in Singapore.
Then a trip to Singapore to uncover the truth and why her Grandmother never spoke of this or that she had ever been anywhere apart from England.
Well researched and due for publication February 26th 2026
I was asked to review this by NetGalley
I read this today on a "snow day"
Wow this is so well written and took me on this journey through time and space - to show how stories shape our lives- from religion to what media we consume. This seemed to me before reading that this would be super high brow but no this was so readable, thought provoking- I was mesmorised.
I learnt this book was the sequel to Into the Woods - so I will be ordering this today.
Such a recommended book and not long to wait due for publication 29 January 2026.
I was asked to review this beautifully written book by the publishers via NetGalley
Jiwon is grieving the death of her mother- she is given a chance the mystery Memory Bookshop and it is to relive the past but the there is a cavat and not without scarifice.
This is such a beautiful heartwarmimng story- it is also heartbreaking too.
We all try to hold onto the past and stuggle to move on but move on we have to despite grief.
Such a recommended read, due for publication 12 March 2026.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this book.
I am late to the table for Cathy Kelly but so glad I have now been introduced to this author.
The story begins with six people being invited to a retreat in Corfu Greece, run by a television therapist called Rose.
Rose has been out of TV for about 5 years so this is a big thing for Rose and her future - she needs to help the six by facing secrets and move forward positively, but Rose secrets could be exposed as she helps the six. The reader can feel for these six and Rose as the face their problems, move on with their lives. There is hope, the ability to move forward and second chances in life too
Beautifully written and a really lovely read. Due for publication 26 February - this will be a great sunbed read this summer.
I was asked to review this book by NetGalley - oh my goodness this has to be the authors most disturbing book yet. Haunting, disturbing and really unsettling gave me nightmares.
Jane twenty five years ago - had a terrible scary happening in a house which she fled. Fast forward twnty five years and in her now back garden she spots a white dog and needs to return it to its owners -shockingly she is standing in front of the very house she fled somw twenty five years ago!!
Jane and her stepson then try to unravel the truth - the young girl and white dog and look at what would have happened to Jane had she stayed in the said house!!
A scary story
Not due for publication until 2 July 2026- just in time for the summer holidays.
I could not put this book down and read to the terrifying end.
I was asked by NetGalley to review this children's book, which I did over Twixmas.
A really interesting story - told from Stanley and Martha perspective.
It is the aftermath of World War 1, the village has lost so many boys and men in the trenches, whilst those who came back are damaged.
1918- a terrible time with men not returning, women struggling, and then to cap it off - the Spanish flu which infected around one-third of the global population and causing an estimated 50 to 100 million deaths. What did not help was men returning from the front had been subjected to terrible conditions, people at home could not afford medical attention ( years before the NHS would be born). The flu essentially had a high mortality rate for young people.
Stanley and Martha social standing is poles apart but the flu brings them together - Martha from a well to do background and Stanley from the village. Martha's Grandfather was concerned for the church stain glass windows and if the Germans would bomb the church, so he did the panes, he is dead and the village males who helped to take the panes down and hide these are lying on the western front. So no one knows where they are.
Stanley is convinced that the stain glass will save his mother - who has the deadly flu and save the village. Then Stanley comes down with the flu also.
The quest is on for Martha to try to locate the panes and bring the village together.
Martha learns valuable lessons, but will she find the stain glass that the village so badly needs.
A really well written story that keeps the reader guessing, showing just how wrong people can be with social standing and prejudices.
Thank you NetGalley and Firefly Press for letting me read before publication.
Recommended read and due for publication February 5 2026.
