Another brilliant debut!

I found the book a little difficult to get into but by the third chapter or so, I was well and truly in the story. It is told from three perspectives: Ryan's mother, Moira; Ishbel, the mother of Abigail, the first victim; and DI Helen Birch. The subject matter is hard, dark, and thought provoking, as is how the media and social media respond to such a catastrophe. I really enjoyed the conflicting narration, and felt for all the characters in the hopeless and heartbraking situation. Not to mention the finale is devastating.
 
I hope this is the first installment of a DI Birch series.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 

I was very keen to read French Exit. I loved DeWitt's The Sisters Brothers (about to be released as a film starring John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix as the eponymous brothers).
 
Noun. French exit (plural French exits) (offensive) A hasty exit made without saying farewells to anybody.
 
DeWitt has a perfect turn of phrase. And the story is pure farce, it was a joy to read. However, it's quite possible I didn't actually like any of the characters, as the story shines a light on human behaviour at its most honest, but that didn't stop me enjoying the page-turner.  The ending was the perfect embodiment of the title - a French Exit.
 
A refreshing and enjoyable read.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 

Jess has made a new life in London, putting the tragedy of her youth behind her until her brother calls – their mother has passed away unexpectedly and Jess is forced to confront her past. Ten years earlier, Jess alleged something awful happened to her, which caused a teacher to go to prison.

The story is told from three perspectives: Jess, the teacher's wife Karen Winter, intertwined with transcripts from Jess' counseling sessions.
 
The book should be called Lying to Red Herrings. The twists and turns, together with the breadcrumbs, left you wanting to find out more. It's made up of quite short chapters so it's quick to get through.  The ending felt a little rushed with how the story unfolded. But how it ended was an unexpected surprise.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.

2018 IS THE YEAR FOR DEBUT NOVELISTS!
 
The story starts slap bang in the middle of drama and then you go back to the beginning where there is a very slow build. By the time that Erin and Mark reach their honeymoon it feels like they are family and you know everything you need to know, you are left in a complete (false) sense of security.
 
Erin and Mark find something in the water, which may or may not be illegal, and may or may not be illegal for them to keep. The conundrum is – what should they do? Its very careful and clever plotting keeps you in suspense until the very end.
 
A stupendous debut!
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review. 

I started to read this at the beginning of a 200km journey from Kampala to Hoima squished between two locals on a matatu taxibus. Unfortunately early on a sentence caught the eye of my new travel neighbour: 'Can men just Uber at – I looked at my phone – 2.54a.m. after a blow job, having not returned the favour and think it's acceptable?'  Although I couldn't be sure my fellow passenger had read the sentence, it was enough to make my cheeks blush and read something less risqué for the rest of the journey.
 
This is the third book I've read this summer concerning weddings, and in particular the impromptu engagements of best friends, so there was a presumptive here-we-go-again… but I was very pleasantly surprised.
 
Jasper "Jaz" Marquess of Milton, is a cad, but when he turns on the charm and gives more than just a hint of vulnerability one can't help falling for the charismatic rogue. What possibly could go wrong? Everything it seems!
 
The will-they won't-they romance merry-go-round was kept grounded by the news that Polly's mother has breast cancer. Polly tries to juggle a new love life, her mother's health, her maid of honour duties, and her insufferable place of work.
 
The writing was fresh and the story was absorbing. The dialogue was contemporary and the descriptive narrative was engaging –when Polly goes to interview Jasper in the country, I felt like a fly-on-the-wall at the family dinner. The modern dating was realistic as were the sex scenes to the point of awkward and yet not a truism in sight.
 
I happily say I Do to The Plus One.
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.