Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Six

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

 I've been sharing one fab read a week over the course of the summer holidays. They haven't necessarily bene your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

As I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

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My friends think I'm insane, I'm stalking men all over town and I'm on a deadline.

Most people have heard of The Rules of Engagement, the book that promises to teaches to find the man of your dreams in ten easy steps. Cat has decided that, while a lot has changed since the eighties, it might be entertaining to follow it to the letter.

But when you're looking for love - actively chasing it down, actually - a lot can go wrong...

 

 

 

 

I Followed The Rules is a slightly older book (published in 2015) but I only read it earlier this year as I've been catching up on Joanna Bolouri's books after reading - and adoring - The Most Wonderful Time of The Year at the end of 2016. I love Joanna Bolouri's style of writing and her books - and her heroines - are laugh-out-loud funny. I know when I pick up one of her books I'm in for a good time and a chuckle. I Followed The Rules was no exception; it's funny, swear-tastic (I love a good dose of the swears) and uplifting.

 

Have you read I Followed The Rules? What did you think?

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Five

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

 I'm sharing one fab read a week over the course of the summer holidays. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

Stella Carey exists in a world of night. Married to an ex-soldier, she leaves the house every evening as Vincent locks himself away, along with the scars and the secrets he carries.

During her nursing shifts, Stella writes letters for her patients to their loved ones - some full of humour, love and practical advice, others steeped in regret or pain – and promises to post these messages after their deaths.

Until one night Stella writes the letter that could give her patient one last chance at redemption, if she delivers it in time…

 

 

 

 

I'd had We Are All Made of Stars on my TBR pile for quite a while, but I'm so glad I finally got round to reading it as it was a fantastic book full of heart. The concept is pretty heart breaking, with the letters being delivered after Stella's patients have died, and I feared it would leave me feeling quite dark and morose, but Rowan's writing is so warm and uplifting. Yes, it's poignant in parts, but I wasn't overwhelmed with sadness and I loved reading the letters left behind by for loved ones.

 

Have you read We Are All Made of Stars? What did you think?

Six Weeks of Summer Reads Week Four

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

 I'm sharing one fab read a week over the course of the summer holidays. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

Brighton Beach, 1993

Teenagers Nell and Jude find the body of a young woman and when no one comes to claim her, she becomes known as the Brighton Mermaid. Nell is still struggling to move on when, three weeks later, Jude disappears.

Twenty-five years on, Nell is forced to quit her job to find out who the Brighton Mermaid really was – and what happened to her best friend that summer.

But as Nell edges closer to the truth, dangerous things start to happen. Someone seems to be watching her every move, and soon she starts to wonder who in her life she can actually trust…

 

 

 

 

Dorothy Koomson is one of my favourite writers, so I couldn't wait to read her latest release, The Brighton Mermaid. Dorothy has a real knack of drawing me into her characters' lives, of keeping me hooked on their stories, and this book was no exception. I didn't want to stop reading, desperate to find out who the woman was Nell and Jude found on the beach and what happened to Nell afterwards (I made many silent accusations in my head as I read along, pointing the finger wildly!)

 

The Brighton Mermaid is a brilliant read, with Dorothy's usual engaging style and a mystery spanning twenty-five years.

 

Have you read The Brighton Mermaid? What did you think?

The Single Mums' Picnic Club: Fun Facts

Gather round for a quick peek behind the scenes of my latest book, The Single Mums' Picnic Club. I'll be sharing a few facts behind the setting, how characters were named and who didn't make the cut....

Katie thought she had the perfect family life by the sea – until her husband left her for another woman, abandoning her and their two children! She knows it’s finally time to move on but she’s unsure where to begin…

Frankie is shocked when gorgeous dog-walker Alex asks her on a date! As a single mum with her own business she struggles to put herself first, but maybe she’s ready to follow her heart?

George is used to raising her son on her own – but now he’s at nursery, her life feels empty. So when she meets Katie and Frankie at the beach, she realises that her talent for rustling up delicious picnics could be the perfect distraction!

But of course, life isn’t always a beach and as secrets begin to surface the three women’s lives are about to be turned upside-down…

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Kobo | iBooks

Six Weeks of Summer Reads: Week Three

 

I love shouting about books I've loved, and what better excuse is there to jump up and down waving a book you think everyone should read than the summer?

 

Over the course of the summer holidays, I'm going to be sharing one fab read a week. They won't necessarily be your typical beach reads, simply books I've adored recently and want to share with anyone who will listen.

 

And as I'm always on the look out for more books to add to the TBR pile, I'd love to hear your recommendations too! Share the book love either on my blog posts or get in touch on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #sixweeksofsummerreads :)

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon UK | Amazon US

 

Summer 1924: On the eve of a glittering Society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again.

Winter 1999: Grace Bradley, 98, one-time housemaid of Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet's suicide. Ghosts awaken and memories, long-consigned to the dark reaches of Grace's mind, begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge; something history has forgotten but Grace never could.

 

 

 

 

Although The House at Riverton was published back in 2007, I only read it a few weeks ago. It was my first Kate Morton book but it definitely won't be my last (I already have another - The Forgotten Garden - waiting on my TBR list).

 

The book is a duel timeline novel, taking place over the 1920s and the late 90s, which is a format I think works really well, especially when there is an old mystery to uncover. I loved Kate Morton's style and found myself really sinking into the story.

 

It's a descriptive book that draws you into the time period and I could picture the house and the family and staff vividly. I don't usually go for overly descriptive books as I find it slows the plot down, but I was happy to allow the writing to paint a full picture for me and I didn't feel as though the book suffered for it. It's quite a hefty book and I did take my time reading it, but I enjoyed every single page and was sad when it ended.

 

Have you read The House at Riverton? What did you think?