Mallory Westerman is a full-figured, successful, young business woman living in Yorkshire. Though very career minded, she is extremely self-conscious about her ample curves and so her love life tends to pay the price. Concentrating solely on her business, she has almost given up on finding someone to love. That is until she literally trips… Read More »
I really enjoy drawing people’s attention to books you might otherwise miss or overlook. You know, those little gems that otherwise might miss your radar. But it is lovely sometimes to read a book by someone who has legions of fans, released for the Christmas market, that everyone who loves Christmas and loves her books… Read More »
Sinéad Moriarty’s breathtaking novel, This Child of Mine, is the story of two daughters, two mothers and the extraordinary bond of motherly love. It’s a unique blend of the storytelling genius of Jodi Picoult and the compassion and humour of Marian Keyes, in a complex and deeply involving story that will have readers arguing about the nature… Read More »
“One to look forward to” is now becoming an occasional series, largely because of my absence of self control – I have hundreds of books on my shelf and Kindle, but just can’t resist the lure of the new and exciting. When Alison Barrow at Transworld offered an advance reading copy of (and I quote)… Read More »
In 1910, no one believed there would ever be a war with Germany. Safe in her affluent middle-class life, the rumours held no significance for Victoria either. It was her father’s decision to enrol her at university that began to change all that. There she befriends the rebellious and outspoken Beryl Whittaker, an emergent suffragette,… Read More »
When Tamara Rix’s sister Lyddie is involved in a hit-and-run accident that leaves her in need of constant care, Tamara resolves to remain in the village she grew up in. Tamara would do anything for her sister, even sacrifice a long-term relationship. But when Lyddie’s teenage sweetheart Jed Cassius returns to Middledip, he brings news… Read More »
When Serena begins a new life working for the Hartreve family at 36 Marguerite Avenue she falls in love, not just with its eccentric and alluring inhabitants and their world, but with the house itself. Number 36 is a beautiful Victorian London mansion that has remained in the family for generations. Serena feels that by… Read More »
Arriving on the windswept Ile de Re off the coast of France, Tabby Dewhurst is heartbroken and penniless, unable even to afford a room for the night. Then she overhears a villager repeating aloud the access code to her front door and, hardly believing her own actions, Tabby waits for the villager to leave and… Read More »
When Gabby first met Elliott she knew he was the man for her. In twenty years of marriage she has never doubted her love for him – even when he refused to give her the one thing she still wants most of all. But now their two daughters are growing up Gabby feels that time… Read More »
JW Ironmonger was a new name to me. I like to think I keep aware of prize nominations – even if I then decide they’re not for me – but The Notable Brain of Maximilian Ponder went totally under my radar despite its Costa short-listing. I’m so pleased that the same didn’t happen with this… Read More »
Maud is forgetful. She makes a cup of tea and doesn’t remember to drink it. She goes to the shops and forgets why she went. Back home she finds the place horribly unrecognizable – just like she sometimes thinks her daughter Helen is a total stranger. But there’s one thing Maud is sure of: her… Read More »
I’ve noticed that quite a few of my blogging friends have been posting September reading round-ups in the last few days. I may still have a few reviews to catch up on (ok, I DO have a few reviews to catch up on…) but I liked the idea. So here goes… I reviewed: Instructions for… Read More »
Back in February I stumbled across a lovely quirky read by Theresa Weir –The Girl With The Cat Tattoo – about Max the matchmaking cat, and loved it. I also discovered that the author – who also writes as Anne Frasier – has quite a following and many awards across a whole range of genres.… Read More »
When Amy Carrell’s wealthy boyfriend ends their relationship just before Christmas, she’s left to nurse her broken heart alone. With nothing to lose, she replies to an advertisement requesting a companion for a mysterious ‘Manhattan adventure’. Whisked off to New York with eccentric British aristocrat Georgia Hamilton, Amy experiences a glamorous side of the city… Read More »
On a sultry summer’s day in 1980, five friends stumble upon an abandoned lakeside cottage hidden deep in the English countryside. For Kat and her housemates, it offers an escape, a chance to drop out for a while. But as the seasons change, tensions begin to rise and when an unexpected visitor appears at their… Read More »