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30/6/2018 0 Comments

Review: Her Name Was Rose

Her Name Was Rose by Claire Allan

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Crime
Page Length: 352 Pages
Publication Date: 28 June 2018
Publisher: Avon
Source: ARC via NetGalley

Stars:  4 out of 5

Link: AMAZON (UK)

ABOUT HER NAME WAS ROSE:

Her name was Rose. You watched her die. And her death has created a vacancy.

When Emily lets a stranger step out in front of her, she never imagines that split second will change her life. But after Emily watches a car plough into the young mother – killing her instantly – she finds herself unable to move on.

And then she makes a decision she can never take back.

Because Rose had everything Emily had ever dreamed of. A beautiful, loving family, a great job and a stunning home. And now Rose’s husband misses his wife, and their son needs a mother. Why couldn’t Emily fill that space?

But as Emily is about to discover, no one’s life is perfect … and not everything is as it seems.
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My Review:

I remember reading the first chapter back in January 2018 on BleachHouseLibrary.ie and I couldn't wait to read the rest. Five months later I got my chance!
 
When Emily sees a horrific hit-and-run it opens psychological wounds. And a can of paranoid worms stemming from a dubious past. Emily wishes she has the life Rose had but when she gets close to Rose's loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Emily is not the only one who has a time working out what is the truth or not, the entire cast could be straight out of a modern day Agatha Christie with more than one red herring thrown in for good measure.
 
I read the second half in one sitting (with all the lights on!) and couldn't possibly have gone to bed until it was finished.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
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26/6/2018 0 Comments

Review: The Dead Ex

The Dead Ex by Jane Corry
 
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Crime Fiction
Page Length: 432 Pages
Publication Date: 21 June 2018
Publisher: Penguin
Source: ARC via NetGalley
 
Stars:  4.5 out of 5
 
Link: AMAZON (UK)
 
ABOUT THE DEAD EX:
 
HE CHEATED. HE LIED. HE DIED.
 
Vicki's husband David once promised to love her in sickness and in health. But after a brutal attack left her suffering with epilepsy, he ran away with his mistress.
 
So when Vicki gets a call one day to say that he's missing, her first thought is 'good riddance'. But then the police find evidence suggesting that David is dead. And they think Vicki had something to do with it.
 
What really happened on the night of David's disappearance?
And how can Vicki prove her innocence, when she's not even sure of it herself?
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My Review:

I was really looking forward to reading The Dead Ex (I'm a huge fan of Jane Corry and would recommend taking a look at her back catalogue - My Husband's Wife and Blood Sisters.)
 
My Dead Ex is told from the different perspectives of women and their life with David (the Dead Ex) and the stories are interwoven beautifully.
Scarlet - a young girl put in various care homes when her mother is sent to prison.
Vicki - an aromatherapist, David's first wife.
Tanya - David’s once PA and second wife.
Helen - an ambitious intern working for David’s company
 
The book is a who-dunnit, how-dunnit, and why-dunnit, the suspense and twists kept me riveted. As with her other books by Jane Corry it isn’t always clear the connection of the various narrators, but that’s also part of the pleasure of reading and wondering how they will meet later on. With the detailed description of children placed in care and prison governance are heart-breaking. Just when you think the story is resolved there is one final screw.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
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21/6/2018 0 Comments

Review: Sometimes I Lie (contains spoilers)

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
 
Genre: Psychological Thriller  
Page Length: 401 Pages
Publication Date: 25 March 2017
Publisher: HQ
 
Stars:  4 out of 5
 
Link: AMAZON (UK)


ABOUT SOMETIMES I LIE
 
My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me.
 
1. I’m in a coma
 
2. My husband doesn’t love me any more
 
3. Sometimes I lie
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My Review:

This book has been out since March 2017, and I even though the front page and tagline captured my attention I always had a gazillion books on the go, however, this time it didn't pass me by.
 
I don't like to do spoiler reviews but here I think it's needed. Once I had finished the book I was surprised how I missed the BIGGEST CLUE OF ALL!? I mean it was on THE FRONT OF THE BOOK.
 
SOMETIMES I LIE
It's the bloomin' title!
 
I had no idea that Amber was an unreliable narrator and I was Team Amber until it became obvious that perhaps I shouldn't be rooting for her.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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16/6/2018 0 Comments

Review: How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne

How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne
 
Genre: Literary Fiction/Romance
Page Length: 368 Pages
Publication Date: 31 May 2018
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Source: ARC via NetGalley
 
Stars:  5 out of 5
 
LINKS: AMAZON (UK)
 
ABOUT HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW:
 
'Turning thirty is like playing musical chairs. The music stops, and everyone just marries whoever they happen to be sitting on.'
 
Who the f*ck is Tori Bailey?
 
There's no doubt that Tori is winning the game of life. She's inspired millions of women to stick two fingers up at convention with her bestselling memoir, and she has the perfect relationship to boot.
 
But Tori Bailey has been living a lie.
 
Everyone around her is getting married and having babies, but her long-term boyfriend won't even talk about getting engaged. And when her best friend Dee - her plus one, the only person who understands the madness - falls in love, suddenly Tori's in terrifying danger of being left behind.
 
When the world tells you to be one thing and turning thirty brings with it a loud ticking clock, it takes courage to walk your own path.
 
It's time for Tori to practise what she's preached, but the question is: is she brave enough?
 
The debut adult novel by bestselling author Holly Bourne is a blisteringly funny, honest and moving exploration of love, friendship and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of your thirties.
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My Review:

This book is being raved about; it is THE book to read this year. When I received a copy I was thrilled and after just a few chapters it was easy to see why.
 
It did those first chapters to get into the Tori's story, mainly because it was too honest and raw, the uncomfortable neurosis of self-image on and off social media is detrimental and Tori's inner-thoughts showed the hate/hate association and obsession with getting 'likes' on Facebook et al.
 
Had I been in a bad relationship when reading this book, I would have packed by bags, and not looked back. It's that powerful.
 
It's an empowering and inspiring piece of literature and even though it's fiction and not a self-help book, I will buy a copy for any friend having a tough time in a relationship.
 
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 
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14/6/2018 0 Comments

Review: Anatomy of a Scandal

Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
​
Genre: Crime Fiction/Thriller/Legal
​Page Length: 400 Pages
Publication Date: 11 January 2018
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Stars:  4.5 out of 5

LINKS: Amazon (UK)


ABOUT ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL

​A high-profile marriage thrust into the spotlight. A wife, determined to keep her family safe, must face a prosecutor who believes justice has been a long time coming. A scandal that will rock Westminster. And the women caught at the heart of it. 

Anatomy of a Scandal centres on a high-profile marriage that begins to unravel when the husband is accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is sure her husband, James, is innocent and desperately hopes to protect her precious family from the lies which might ruin them. Kate is the barrister who will prosecute the case – she is equally certain that James is guilty and determined he will pay for his crimes.
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My Review:

An absolutely excellent read. The novel is less did-he-do-it and more about the judicial system that is in place (not at all boring or procedural), and the challenges a he said/she said legal process presents; how is a jury ever to know what to believe?

The story is told (mainly) from two perspectives the (was she long-suffering?) wife, and the prosecuting barrister with her own agenda. These two sides offer two strong and individual female stance on sexual assault.

Just as I thought it was over, the last few chapters threw more curve balls.  An enjoyable and riveting read.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

2018 is certainly shaping to be the year for exceptional debut writing!
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