Published August 3rd, 2023 by Manilla Press Historical Ficiton, Romance Novel, Retelling
Welcome to my review for this dark and irresistable retelling. Thank you to Manilla Press for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
One of the most anticipated novels of the year – the captivating and powerful untelling of Romeo & Juliet . . .
The first time Romeo Montague sees young Rosaline Capulet he falls instantly in love. Rosaline, headstrong and independent, is unsure of Romeo’s attentions but with her father determined that she join a convent, this handsome and charming stranger offers her the chance of a different life.
Soon though, Rosaline begins to doubt all that Romeo has told her. She breaks off the match, only for Romeo’s gaze to turn towards her cousin, thirteen-year-old Juliet. Gradually Rosaline realises that it is not only Juliet’s reputation at stake, but her life.
With only hours remaining before she will be banished behind the nunnery walls, will Rosaline save Juliet from her Romeo? Or can this story only ever end one way?
A subversive, powerful untelling of Shakespeare’s best-known tale, narrated by a fierce, forgotten voice: this is Rosaline’s story.
Hamnet meets My Dark Vanessa in this fierce, feminist, intensely gripping novel; captivating and chillingly relevant, FAIR ROSALINE takes everything you thought you knew about Romeo and Juliet and turns it on its head . . .
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MY REVIEW:
We all know the story of Romeo and Juliet. Or, at least we think we do.
Spellbinding, poignant, dark and irresistible, Fair Rosaline is a feminist ‘untelling’ of the famous love story. And once you’ve read it you will never look at the much-loved classic the same way again. Told from the perspective of Rosaline, Juliet’s cousin and the girl who Romeo romanced before her, this version is a story of love, sex and coercion.
Beautifully written, Natasha Solomon’s poetic prose is filled with emotion whilst also setting the scene vividly. The streets of Italy come alive, the characters leap from the pages and you can feel the heartache of forbidden love on every page. Rosaline isn’t a character I’d given a lot of thought to before this book, but I loved hearing what Solomons imagined to be her story and connected with her quickly. Meanwhile, we meet a very different Romeo in this book to the one we’ve seen before. This Romeo is not a hero, but a predator, who love-bombs, gaslights and controls, while Rosaline and Juliet are his naive prey. It’s powerful and thought-provoking, making me question everything I thought I knew about a story I’d long loved.
Fierce, bold, complex and compelling, this powerful retelling is a must-read.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen for 60 days free using my affiliate link*
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
From Natasha’s Amazon Author Page: I’ve always worked as a writer more or less. After University I completed an MPhil in Eighteenth century literature at the University of Glasgow and then began a doctorate researching Women’s Romantic Poetry and the Domestic Muse.
Unfortunately, I became un-stuck on a chapter on Verse Letters and so began writing my first novel as way of avoiding correcting the footnotes. My entire career to date has been an extremely elaborate form of avoiding that tricky chapter…
I still love research and writing immersive fiction and hate footnotes. I live in Dorset, in a thatched cottage with my husband — the award winning children’s writer David Solomons – and our children and Labrador, Mr Bingley. Sometimes David and I write screenplays together. Then we argue about them.
Published August 31st, 2023 by Simon & Schuster UK Romantic Comedy, Literary Fiction
Today I’m finally sharing my review for this heartwarming and beautiful story. Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK for offering the Squadpod the chance to read the book and sending me a copy of the book.
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SYNOPSIS:
The brilliant and incisive new novel from the author of Lives Like Mine…
A deeply affecting novel, In Bloom tells of strength, survival, forgiveness, resilience and determination, and the fierce love and unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.
Delph has kept herself small and quiet as a form of self-protection, ever since the love of her life Sol’s untimely death left her pregnant and alone at the age of twenty-four. Theirs was such a once-in-a-lifetime love, that the loss of her soulmate broke her heart ‒ and almost broke her, too.
Years on, Delph’s protective bubble bursts when her daughter Roche moves out of the flat Delph shares with her partner Itsy and in with her estranged nan, Moon. Now that it’s just the two of them, the cracks in Delph and Itsy’s relationship begin to grow. Feeling on the outside of the bond between her fierce-yet-flaky tarot-reading mother and volatile martial-arts-champion daughter, Delph begins questioning her own freedom.
Is her life with Itsy all it seems? And has keeping small and safe truly been her choice all these years…?
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MY REVIEW:
In Bloom is a beautiful and affecting story about mothers and daughters that follows three generations of women from one family on a journey of self-discovery, forgiveness and freedom. Filled with courage, resilience, strength and hope, it is a multilayered story about ordinary women trying to navigate their dysfunctional relationships and survive the cards that life has dealt them.
This is a slow-burn novel that took me a bit of time to get into. But I found that once I did I was hooked and didn’t want to put the book down. Eva Verde is an extraordinary writer and her prose is poetic, insightful, raw and emotive, tugging at your heartstrings one moment and then making you laugh out loud the next. Difficult topics such as toxic relationships, grief and generational trauma are explored with sensitivity while also being written in an honest, authentic and relatable way. And that ending! I was not prepared for how beautiful and heartrending that would be.
Roche, Delph and Moon each narrate this multiple timeline novel, slowly taking us through their past and present to slowly reveal the secrets they are hiding even from themselves. While they are very different people they also have many similarities and each woman is fierce, strong, determined, flawed and scathing, with Roche being particularly fiery. And while I liked them all, it was Delph I found myself connecting with most of all because we had many similar struggles.
Heartwarming, insightful, funny, bittersweet and raw, In Bloom is a remarkable and deeply human story that I highly recommend.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Eva Verde is a writer from East London. Identity, class and female rage are recurring themes throughout her work and her debut novel Lives Like Mine, is published by Simon and Schuster.
Eva’s love song to libraries, I Am Not Your Tituba forms part of Kit De Waal’s Common People: An Anthology of Working-Class Writers. Her words have featured in Marie Claire, Grazia, Elle and The Big Issue, also penning the new foreword for the international bestselling author Jackie Collins Goddess of Vengeance.
Eva lives in Essex with her husband, children and dog.
Published August 3rd, 2023 by Aria Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Today I’m sharing my review for this uplifting book. Thank you Aria for my proof.
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SYNOPSIS:
‘These two feisty and funny women stole my heart… Perfect for bookclubs.’ Faith Hogan
Two women. A community under threat. Can they save their home?
In the peaceful Worcestershire village of Stonecastle, Matilda Reynolds lives a quiet, contented life with her animals for company. Then a fall lands her in hospital, and she must rely on her strange young neighbour, Connie, for help looking after her home.
Connie is coming to terms with her own trauma, and she doesn’t trust easily. But just as the two women embark on an unlikely friendship, the community that brought them together comes under threat.
As they fight to save their beloved estate from a greedy developer, Connie and Matilda discover they have more in common than they thought…
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MY REVIEW:
The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave is uplit at its finest. Full of heart, hope, and humour, it is a remarkable tale about the power of human connection and community, and the resilience of thehuman spirit.
The story follows two very different women – Connie and Matilda – as they fight to save their homes in a small, peaceful Worcester village. Matilda lives a secluded but contented life with only her menagerie of animals for company. Connie is living back at home with her mum as she tries to recover from trauma. The two are reluctantly thrown together when Connie is asked to care for Matilda’s animals while she recovers in hospital from a fall, and though reluctant at first, she soon discovers they help her to heal.When Matilda returns home the two women develop an unlikely friendship which they use to bring their entire community together in order to try and save their homes from greedy developers.
I became an instant fan of Victoria Scott after reading her debut novel, Patience, and had high hopes for this book. She exceeded them all. The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave is a beautifully written story that I got lost in. The characters and community felt authentic and were a joy to read, and the plot kept me hooked with its elements of mystery that left me desperate to know what secrets Connie and Matilda were hiding. I was addicted and devoured it quickly, reading it in under a day.
One of the things I love most about Victoria’s books is that she always includes a character with some kind of health condition – whether it is physical or mental health. In this book she explores themes of trauma, anxiety and depression, all things I’ve personally dealt with and I appreciate the way she writes them with such sensitivity while also making them achingly real. She also takes you on an emotional rollercoaster as she fills the books with very real human emotion and experiences, which in this book include love, loss, loneliness, anxiety, regret and fear. But overall, it will lift your spirits, warm your heart, and restore your faith in community.
Narrators Matilda and Connie seem very different at first glance, but have more in common than they care to admit. These fractured and flawed women have put up a wall around themselves to try and protect themselves from further pain. They are both stubborn, spiky, solitary, and untrusting, fearing what will happen if they let people in. But I loved these characters, jagged edges and all, but there was a special place in my heart for Matilda. I loved their relationship, their banter, and how they helped each other to live a fuller life once again. There were also some great background characters though and I have to give a shout-out to Connie’s mum, Ellen, who was such a kind, caring and sweet character who perfectly balanced the spikier narrators.
Warm, witty, moving, and intriguing, The Women Who Wouldn’t Leave is one of those books that warms you from the inside out.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Victoria’s first novel, Patience, was the Booksellers’ Association Book of the Month and LoveReading Debut of the Month. Both Patience and her second novel, Grace, are Amazon bestsellers.
She started her career as a broadcast journalist at the BBC, before moving into the freelance world, working for outlets like the Telegraph and Al Jazeera. When she’s not writing novels, she lectures in Journalism at Kingston University and writes scripts for popular podcasts.
Victoria lives on a Thames island with her husband and two children and a cat called Alice.
Published July 20th, 2023 by Michael Joseph Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, RomanceFiction
Welcome to my review of the stylish, soulful and compelling, 73 Dove Street. This was our Squadpod Book Club pick for July. Thank you to Michael Joseph for the gifted proof.
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SYNOPSIS:
The page-turning and evocative new novel set in 1950s London from the author of That Green Eyed Girl
‘An incredibly vivid rendering of post-war London and the complicated lives of three woman whose fates intersect at a boarding house . . . emotional, immersive and utterly absorbing’ JENNIFER SAINT ‘The sense of time and place is beautifully evocative. It’s about pride and shame and love and loss and ultimately hope’ LAURA SHEPHERD-ROBINSON ‘Once again, Julie Owen Moylan has created a world that feels completely real and vivid’ JODIE CHAPMAN ‘From the Rivoli Ballroom to the seedy nightlife of Soho, the characters leap off the page in this compelling mystery’ WOMAN & HOME ___________ When Edie Budd arrives at a shabby West London boarding house in October 1958, carrying nothing except a broken suitcase and an envelope full of cash, it’s clear she’s hiding a terrible secret. And she’s not the only one; the other women of 73 Dove Street have secrets of their own . . . Tommie, who lives on the second floor, waits on the eccentric Mrs Vee by day. After dark, she harbours an addiction to seedy Soho nightlife – and a man she can’t quit. Phyllis, 73 Dove Street’s formidable landlady, has set fire to her husband’s belongings after discovering a heart-breaking betrayal – yet her fierce bravado hides a past she doesn’t want to talk about. At first, the three women keep to themselves. But as Edie’s past catches up with her, Tommie becomes caught in her web of lies – forcing her to make a decision that will change everything . . .
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MY REVIEW:
73 Dove Street is a story of secrets, lies, heartbreak, trauma, and fear told through the eyes of three women: Edie, Tommie, and Phyllis. To keep their secrets, the women keep to themselves, leaving them feeling isolated, lonely, and without anyone to turn to or confide in. But when Tommie gets tangled in Edie’s web of lies the women are forced to make decisions that will alter the course of their lives forever…
My love for Julie Owen Moyan’s writing is sealed after reading this book, which was the Squadpod Book Club pick for July (yes, I’m a bit behind). Beautifully written and compelling, she knows how to captivate her audience, drawing you into the story and the lives of her characters. She transports you to 1950s London with descriptions that are so vivid you can not only see it in front of you, but you can hear and smell it, too. A tense, claustrophobic atmosphere leapt from the pages, and there’s a quiet intensity to it that tells you something is simmering beneath the surface just waiting to boil over. I lived every moment alongside the characters as I read this heartbreaking and hopeful story.
The characters are key to this story, giving it its beating heart. Edie, Tommie and Phyllis live in a time where women are subservient to men, often abused, and have few options for an independent life. The story seamlessly shifts between dual timelines to tell their stories, illuminating the lives of these ordinary women who were ignored by a misogynistic society. They spend their lives swimming in guilt, trauma, and fear, but it was powerful to watch as they discovered their own strength and resilience, refusing to be cowed by society and finding the courage to live life on their own terms. I loved these strong, inspirational women and was rooting for them every step of the way.
Stylish, soulful, and deeply human, 73 Dove Street is a gripping novel from a rising star in literary fiction and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Julie Owen Moylan is a writer whose short stories and articles have appeared in New Welsh Review, The Independent, Sunday Express, and My Weekly.
She has also written and directed several short films as part of her MA in Film. Her graduation short film called ‘BabyCakes’ scooped Best Film awards at the Swansea Film Festival, Ffresh, and the Celtic Media Awards. She also has an MA in Creative Writing, and is an alumna of the Faber Academy’s Writing a Novel course.
Julie has written two novels, THAT GREEN EYED GIRL ( May 2022) and 73 DOVE STREET ( July 2023 ) Both novels are published by Penguin Michael Joseph.
Published August 3rd, 2023 by Headline Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Literary Fiction
Thank you Headline for my proof copy of this book.
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SYNOPSIS:
‘Laugh-out-loud hilarious, moving and life affirming. How can one book be so many things? I couldn’t put this fabulous, first class, five star read down.’ JANICE HALLETT ‘Thoroughly wicked, compulsively page-turning, and funny as hell.’ S J BENNETT ‘Warm, wacky and witty. I loved it!’ SALLY PAGE
Hello? Can you hear me? Probably not. I’m Dr Miriam Price . . . and I’m dead. The local police, who couldn’t investigate their own nostrils, think I drank myself into an early grave. The nerve! I was murdered. I was just too plastered to know whodunnit, that’s all.
Unless I prove to my inquest this week that my death was no ‘misadventure’, I’m condemned to 50 years in Limbo. I have to find my killer – but I can’t communicate with any living human. Well, there’s one, but she barely qualifies . . . Winnie – my neighbour and nemesis. It seems the dying can interact with the dead, which is helpful news for me, if not stellar for Winnie. Oh well. She’ll live. Maybe.
Suspects? How long have you got? My saintly husband, who’d reached his limit? My best friend, who was anything but? My secret lover, or his wife? My disgruntled colleague? The mother who wrongly holds me responsible for her child’s death? Professor Plum? Your guess is as good as mine.
So Winnie – slap on your deerstalker and strap on your granny pants. Let’s catch a killer! Assuming we don’t kill each other first . . .
‘Sometimes a book comes along that reminds you why you fell in love with reading. Imaginative, witty and original…an absolute joy!’ WOMAN & HOME ‘Clever, wise and properly funny. An absolute triumph.’ LUCY MANGAN ‘Hilarious…a fab whodunnit with brilliant characters. A gleeful read!’ TINA BAKER
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MY REVIEW:
Dr. Miriam Price is dead. Murdered, to be precise. But her killer staged the scene so her death looks set to be ruled an overdose, leaving her just a few days to expose her killer so she isn’t left in Limbo for the next fifty years. Unfortunately, Miriam was too wasted to remember her killer’s identity, so she’s forced to beg for help from her arch-enemy and neighbour, Winnie. Can they put their rivalry aside and find her killer in time?
Over My Dead Body is the funniest book I’ve read in a long time. Laugh-out-loud funny, sassy, and unputdownable, reading this was like a big, warm hug. I picked it up for a rare mood read after it was highly recommended to me and it was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. It’s one of those books that you know you’re going to love from the first page and I devoured it, reading most of it in one sitting into the early hours. I’m thankful my husband is such a deep sleeper as there were many times I was worried my laughter would wake him.
Miriam is the anti-hero you’re going to love. Spunky, sarcastic, and scathing, she’s a trainwreck who would be a nightmare to know in real life, but was so much fun to read. I loved how she spoke directly to the reader throughout the book, drawing me in and making me feel like part of the story. Her curmudgeonly nemesis, Winnie, is feisty, caustic and outrageous. And she was a joy to read. I loved the tales of their long-standing feud, their witty banter, and how they found a way around the loathing they had for one another to try and find Miriam’s killer. Winnie stole many scenes and wouldn’t have been out of place in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. She’s the kind of old lady I’d love to be one day – if only I could have her energy.
Maz Evans is a master storyteller. This is a story that could have easily descended into the ridiculous but instead Evans has crafted a story that is comedy gold and full of heart. She makes you believe the most outlandish parts and had me rooting for the characters every step of the way. She pulled me in from the first page and I was on tenterhooks as I tried to solve the clues and predict the many twists and turns along the way.
Original, uplifting, and freaking hilarious, this Over My Dead Body is one of my favourite books this year. Everyone needs to read this book ASAP.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Still unsure how it happened, Maz Evans is apparently the author of the bestselling WHO LET THE GODS OUT?, VI SPY and SCARLETT FIFE series, which have collectively sold over half a million copies to 22 countries worldwide. They have received over 30 award nominations, including the Carnegie Medal, Branford Boase, Books Are My Bag, Waterstone’s Children’s Book of the Year, Indie Children’s Book of the Year and CrimeFest Best Children’s Book.
She narrates the audiobooks for the series and her acclaimed live events have featured at Hay, Imagine, Edinburgh, Bath, Cheltenham, Bestival, Wilderness, CarFest and countless literary festivals and primary schools around the UK.
As an author, she has won the hearts of thousands of children. As a nuclear physicist, she has frankly been completely rubbish.
Published August 17th, 2023 by Tor Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for this cryptic and bizarre fantasy. Thank you to Stephen at Tor for the invitation to take part, and to Bookouture and Tor for the gifted ARC.
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SYNOPSIS:
From the internationally bestselling author of The Atlas Six, Masters of Death by Olivie Blake is a gripping, page-turning fantasy.
‘Olivie Blake is a mind-blowing talent’ – Chloe Gong, author of These Violent Delights
This book is about an estate agent. Only she’s a vampire, the house on sale is haunted, and its ghost was murdered.
When Viola Marek hires Fox D’Mora to deal with her ghost-infested mansion, she expects a competent medium. But unbeknownst to Viola, Fox is a fraud – despite being the godson of Death.
As the mystery unfolds, Viola and Fox are drawn into a quest that neither wants nor expects. And they’ll need the help of a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel and a love-stricken reaper. And it transpires that the difference between a mysterious lost love and a dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as you’d hope.
This edition features beautiful interior illustrations from Little Chmura.
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MY REVIEW:
When you play the immortal game there is only one rule: don’t lose.
Masters of Death is a brilliantly bizarre and cryptic caper that had me spellbound. It begins as a simple story of a haunted mansion and an estate agent who hires a medium to get rid of the ghost, and then morphs into an epic quest to save humanity from a demon king.
Despite the fact I have all of her books on my shelves, this was my first time actually reading a book by Olivie Blake. And I’m kicking myself for waiting for so long. Blake has artfully crafted a multifaceted and complex story that is told like a riddle. Blake combines mystery, humour, folklore, and mythology with lyrical prose and engaging dialogue to create something truly remarkable and memorable that was nothing like I expected. I loved the beautiful artwork and small details such as naming the chapters that added to the overall experience of reading this book. The plot of the book, particularly the immortal game, is a unique concept that is partly deliberately enigmatic to add to the intrigue, but there is also a philosophical element that I didn’t quite understand and I had no idea what was going on in the scenes where the game was being played. But I loved the concept and could feel the draw of the game that the immortals did and the tension that came with its high stakes.
The book features an array of mythical creatures including vampires, ghosts, demons, reapers, angels, gods, and demigods, as well as some mortals for good measure. The characters are richly drawn, sassy, witty, and compelling. They had depth and felt real despite the fact that most of them were not human. I had a particular soft spot for Viola and loved her banter with Tom. And while the archangels Gabriel and Raphael only made a relatively brief appearance in the story, they were hilarious and stole every scene. I’d have loved more of them and would definitely buy a book with them at the centre (hint, hint). Another aspect I really enjoyed was the narration from Death that opens the book. It gave things a sinister, forbidding vibe that captured my imagination and I would have liked to have seen more of this, too.
Darkly funny, offbeat, moving, and addictive, Masters of Death is an entertaining and ambitious fantasy from a true storyteller.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Alexene Farol Follmuth, also known under the pen name Olivie Blake, is a lover and writer of stories, many of which involve the fantastic, the paranormal, or the supernatural, but not always. More often, her works revolve around the collective experience, what it means to be human (or not), and the endlessly interesting complexities of life and love.
Alexene tripped and fell into writing after abandoning her long-premeditated track for Optimum Life Achievement while attending law school, and now focuses primarily on the craft and occasional headache of creating fiction. Under her Olivie byline, New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling The Atlas Six released 2022 from Tor Books, followed by its sequel The Atlas Paradox and the re-release of her viral literary romance Alone With You in the Ether. She has also been published as well as the writer for the graphic series Clara and the Devil and a variety of other books. As Alexene, her debut YA novel My Mechanical Romance released May 2022 from Holiday House (US) and Macmillan Children’s (UK).
Alexene lives and works in Los Angeles with her husband and goblin prince/toddler, where she is generally tolerated by her rescue pit bull.
Published August 3rd, 2023 by Michael Joseph Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Thriller
Today I’m sharing my review for this tense and mesmerising thriller, which was our Squadpod Book Club Pick for August. Thank you to Michael Joseph for the gifted copy of the book.
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SYNOPSIS:
DISCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT THE GOOD DAUGHTER IN THIS UNPUTDOWNABLE THRILLER . . .
‘A stark, stunning and deeply affecting thriller. The Good Daughter takes a tender, chilling look at family and fear, the illusion of safety and the power of inner-resolve. I loved it’ CHRIS WHITAKER
‘A powerful Southern Gothic thriller about the dangers of blind faith, the strength of women, and the deceptive nature of memory’ ANNA BAILEY
‘Laure Van Rensurg has established herself as a master of the literary thriller. An eerie, chilling, gorgeously written novel that is unafraid to challenge and question its subject matter’ LAURIE ELIZABETH FLYNN
Abigail is a proud member of the New America Baptist Church. Living miles away from the nearest town in South Carolina, she is safe from the depraved modern world.
She is a good daughter. A valued member of the community.
So when she is the sole survivor of a fire that burns her family’s home to the ground, it seems like a tragic accident.
Until a surprising discovery is made: before the fire, Abigail let a stranger in.
Who was the stranger? What started the fire? And was the outside world always the threat – or did danger lurk within the community’s walls?
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MY REVIEW:
The good daughter respects her father’s command. The good daughter dresses modestly. The good daughter must do as she’s told. But sometimes daughters must be bad to survive.
With a tagline like that, I had to read this book, and I was delighted when it was picked as the Squadpod Book Club book for August. We’d read Laure van Rensburg’s debut, Nobody But Us for our book club last year and I was a big fan, so I couldn’t wait to read this one.
Newhaven, South Carolina. Home to the controversial New America Baptist Church and a refuge from the immoral modern world for its members. Abigail is proud to be one of them. The 17-year-old is committed to being a good daughter and spreading the church’s teachings to lost souls. One night a fire ravages her family home and Abigail is the sole survivor. It seems like a tragic accident, but as Abigail’s memories of that night and the weeks leading up to it fail to return, members of the congregation become increasingly suspicious. Did an outsider break in and start the fire? Or was this good daughter involved in her parent’s death?
“They all keep staring at me, waiting for me to talk, but I ain’t got no words for them. No answers to their questions. The fire’s left me with nothing but charred memories, no shapes. It burned all my feelings and left me numb with questions of my own.”
Laure van Rensburg has lived up to the hype of her debut with The Good Daughter. There’s no ‘sophomore syndrome’ in sight as she once again delivers a darkly atmospheric, suspenseful and unputdownable thriller that I quickly devoured. A story of dark secrets, fractured people, indoctrination and trauma, it captures the many shades of evil that can be hidden behind a guise of love. Well-written, shrewdly choreographed, and told with empathy and sensitivity, the intricately woven plot contains a complex maze of twists and turns that keeps you guessing. I was in van Rensburg’s thrall, on the edge of my seat as she slowly untangled the knots to reveal the shocking truth, leading to a jaw-dropping finale I’m still not over.
Seamlessly moving between dual timelines, we follow the aftermath of the fire as Abigail desperately tries to remember what happened that night and in the weeks leading up to her parents’ death, but she is haunted by nightmares and distorted fragments of memory slowly return to her, ramping up the tension with each new revelation. Also included are audio files and other media that hint at something dark and sinister yet to come while also helping us slowly piece the story together. Van Rensburg’s evocative storytelling and richly drawn characters offer us a glimpse of life inside the cult that feels authentic. There are clear gender roles taken from their warped view of the bible and that we see in the coercive control, dominance and abusiveness of the men alongside the subjugation and compliance of the women. Abigail has been raised in this since she was a young child and sees nothing wrong with the rules she follows. She idolises her father, who, quite frankly, is an abusive asshole. I wanted to reach into the book and rescue her from the life she’s been brainwashed into accepting. But thankfully there was hope on the horizon. Summer comes into Abigail’s life when she agrees to secretly be interviewed for her podcast and the young woman becomes a catalyst for change as she opens her eyes to some of the lies she’s been told, creating an inner conflict and rage that leapt from the page. It is powerful stuff that really makes you feel for Abigail as her world is turned upside down and makes you wonder if she could have been involved in the fire after all…
“My head is full of screams, deafening echoes hitting the walls of a cave; they mingle with roars from the fire, but there’s something else underneath them, scratching to get out. But I can never see past that shattered mirror, the pieces only allowing me to catch a glimpse, a detail, never enough for a full picture, for anything to make much sense. Always a red fire. So much red. A red that burns.”
There’s a sinister cloud of mistrust that lingers over these pages, and never more so than when surrounding most of the cult’s members. Again, there is a clear divide between genders with the women seeming more mysterious and meek, while the men are controlling and violent. Abigail’s father is a real piece of work who made me so angry that I wanted to reach into the book and book and give him a taste of the abuse he dolled out. I was furious with her mother for not only standing idly by, but encouraging her daughter to accept the abuse as something she deserves. While it was obvious she had secrets that made her feel she owed him something, nothing excuses allowing your child to be abused and my heart broke for Abigail being so let down by both parents.
A first-rate thriller with Handmaid’s Tale vibes, The Good Daughter is a powerful, mesmerising and addictive read that would make a perfect series. READ IT NOW!
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Laure Van Rensburg is a French writer living in the UK and an Ink Academy alumna. Her stories have appeared in online magazines and anthologies such as Litro Magazine, Storgy Magazine, The Real Jazz Baby (2020 Best Anthology, Saboteur Awards 2020), and FIVE:2:ONE. She has also placed in competitions including 2018 & 2019 Bath Short Story Award.
Her debut novel, Nobody But Us, follows Ellie and Steven who take their first trip away together, but what starts as an idyllic weekend soon takes a darker turn, as it quickly becomes apparent that each of them harbour secrets – and that one of those secrets is deadly.
Nobody But Us (originally titled The Downfall) was shortlisted for the 2019 First Novel Prize, 2019 Novel London Competition and 2019 Flash 500 Novel Opening. It will be published by Michael Joseph in April 2022 and has sold in fourteen territories, including Germany, Italy, Norway and the United States.
Laure’s latest novel. The Good Daughter, was longlisted in 2019 Exeter Novel Prize and more recently shortlisted in the 2020 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. It publishes in August 2023.
Published April 14th, 2023 by Bookouture Thriller, Mystery, Suspemse, Crime Fiction, Police Procedural, Psychological Thriller, Noir Ficiton, Crime Series
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SYNOPSIS:
She shuts the door behind her, relieved to be in the safety of her own home. But tonight her house is the most dangerous place she could be. Someone has been waiting for her, and they know she’s home alone…
Sasha loves her job finding accommodation for homeless people, and she’s proud of the small but cosy apartment she rents on the good side of town. She’s worked hard to leave her dark past behind her and make amends for the accident that still haunts her memories. She knows she was innocent, though she’s still careful about who and what she tells of her old life. But not all secrets stay hidden forever…
When her phone rings loudly in the middle of the night, Sasha fears what she’ll hear when she picks up – a deathly silence. It’s happened every night for weeks. Is it a childish prank, or a chilling warning that someone has uncovered her secret?
But the news of a body found at a local shelter means her worst nightmare has come true. It can’t be a coincidence that evidence related to the victim has been found at the same location where the most devastating moment of Sasha’s life took place.
Days later, a second body is found and Sasha’s heart pounds wildly as she takes in the victim’s unforgettable green eyes. She hasn’t seen her in a long time, but she’d know her old friend anywhere. She was the only other person who knew Sasha’s secret, so how can Sasha prove her innocence now?
Sasha doesn’t know who’s coming for her, but she’s certain of one thing: she’s next on the list…
Fans of Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh will love Their Cold Hearts – a totally thrilling and addictive crime thriller that will have you up all night!
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MY REVIEW:
A homeless shelter should be a place of sanctuary for those in need. But one such place becomes a nightmare when one of the residents of a local shelter is found brutally murdered with what seems to be a cryptic coded message from the killer. A number of suspects soon emerge, but when a second body is found – this time a woman in her home – the mystery deepens. What is her connection to the first victim? What do the killer’s clues mean? And who is next on the killer’s list?
Sinister and suspenseful, Their Cold Hearts had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Complex, layered, and twisty, Carla Kovach has once again written an intricately woven thriller that took me on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s fast-paced, compelling and twisty with lots of red herrings. I thought I had the killer’s identity figured out, but Kovach blindsided me with the shocking big reveal.
This is the thirteenth book in the Gina Harte series, and it’s no secret that I’m a big fan. At this point Gina and her team feel like old friends and I’ve got a special place in my heart for Gina in particular. In this book, Gina is going through a lot in her personal life partly because of her dedication to her job, and it was a very emotional read in places. Then there’s that ending, which broke my heart into pieces. But I love the relationship that the team shares and how they are a family, something that Gina needs more than ever. But she’s still the feisty, determined woman who will do everything she can to bring a criminal to justice. And the person she’s facing this time made my blood run cold. We only get a few glimpses into their psyche, but they made a chilling impression.
Dark, tense and forbidding, Their Cold Hearts is a riveting thriller that I didn’t want to put down. I’m so glad to have the next book in the series waiting for me so I can find out what’s next for Gina.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Carla Kovach is a USA Today bestselling author from the UK and is published by Bookouture, Sphere and Boekerij. Her DI Gina Harte series has been translated into Dutch.
As well as novels, she has also written stage and screenplays.
Published August 17th, 2023 by Orenda Books Suspense, Saga, Psychological Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story, Religious Fiction
Today is my stop on the blog tour for this powerful, heartwrenching and inspirational novel. Thank you to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part, and to Karen for the gifted ARC.
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SYNOPSIS:
A young Pakistani woman is the victim of an unthinkable act of vengeance, when she defies convention for love, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges and danger as she attempts to rebuild her life.
‘Stunning, shocking, compulsive reading … A breathtaking masterpiece’ Hazel Prior
‘Pacy, gripping and fast-moving … I literally could not put it down!’ Edel Coffey
‘Rarely has a writer affected me so deeply. Someone Like Her is an epic story of love, power and extraordinary courage’ A.J. West
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Multan, Pakistan. A conservative city where an unmarried woman over the age of twenty-five is considered a curse by her family.
Ayesha is twenty-seven. Independent and happily single, she has evaded an arranged marriage because of her family’s reduced circumstances. When she catches the eye of powerful, wealthy Raza, it seems like the answer to her parents’ prayers. But Ayesha is in love with someone else, and when she refuses to give up on him, Raza resorts to unthinkable revenge…
Ayesha travels to London to rebuild her life and there she meets Kamil, an emotionally damaged man who has demons of his own. They embark on a friendship that could mean salvation for both of them, but danger stalks Ayesha in London, too. With her life thrown into turmoil, she is forced to make a decision that could change her and everyone she loves forever.
Exquisitely written, populated by unforgettable characters and rich with poignant, powerful themes, Someone Like Her is a story of love and family, of corruption and calamity, of courage and hope … and one woman’s determination to thwart convention and find peace, at whatever cost…
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MY REVIEW:
“Nowhere is safe for our girls in this country.”
Multan, Pakistan. A city steeped in violence. A conservative city where women are still subservient to men, considered old maids at twenty-five, and violence against women is rampant and often unpunished. Twenty-seven-year-old Ayesha is a modern Pakistani woman who is independent and in no hurry to marry. Then one day she catches the eye of Raza, the son of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Multan. It is the answer to her parents prayers but the start of a nightmare for Ayesha as Raza becomes increasingly obsessed and exacts unthinkable revenge on her for being in love with another man. In an attempt to stay safe and recover from her ordeal, Ayesha travels to London where she meets Kamil, a UK Pakistani who is recovering from his own trauma. The pair begin to get closer, but Raza can’t let go of Ayesha, not only herself, but everyone around her in danger. Can she find a way to escape Raza’s clutches?
Powerful, heartrending, and thought-provoking, Someone Like Her is an unforgettable story that went straight to my soul. Beautifully written and powerfully told, Awais Khan explores themes of love, family, equality, female empowerment, domestic violence, and justice in this captivating novel. There’s a sinister presence and all-consuming dread that leaps from the pages as Khan paints a vivid picture of the stark reality of life in Pakistan. It is a particularly bleak life for women filled with subservience, brutality and fear, where women face the threat of beatings, rape, acid attacks, knife attacks, and even death for any perceived slight against men. It enraged me that there are still societies that allow this kind of behaviour to be seen as acceptable and go unpunished. As the mother of sons I was disgusted that parents are raising men who see women as property they are entitled to abuse or even kill. As a domestic abuse survivor I was incensed that these women have real safe haven or way out. But it isn’t only women who are abused and I was happy that Khan also highlighted domestic abuse against men in this book. We need more visibility of this taboo topic so men feel more comfortable opening up about their experiences and asking for help.
“She was done being scared. It was time to take control of her life.”
Ayesha is an inspirational but very real character. She’s progressive, tenacious, courageous, and easy to root for. She goes through absolute hell and there were many times I wanted to reach into the book and help her escape this nightmare but I was also filled with admiration for the strength and fierce resolve she possessed even in the darkest and most terrifying of circumstances. I had a real soft spot for Kamil who was obviously going through a lot, and as his past trauma was slowly revealed my heart went out to him even more. I was also filled with admiration for how he worked to heal and overcome his pain, something that I’m sure will help a lot of people. And though it was predictable, I loved the blossoming relationship between him and Ayesha and was rooting for them to overcome the horrific obstacles put in their way to find happiness together. Then there’s Raza. Cruel, depraved, and merciless, he is one of the most terrifying monsters I’ve read. A true psychopath with no redeeming qualities, he made me shudder every time he was on the page and was a prime example of toxic masculinity, twisted love and obsession. The revenge he took on Ayesha for daring to say no to him is truly horrifying and I felt sick knowing that there are real men like him subjecting real women to these unspeakable acts.
Dark, hard-hitting, affecting, and inspirational, Someone Like Her is a difficult but important read that I highly recommend.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
✮✮✮✮.5
TW: Domestic violence, rape
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Awais Khan is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and Durham University. He has studied creative writing with Faber Academy. His debut novel, In the Company of Strangers, was published to much critical acclaim and he regularly appears on TV and Radio. Awais also teaches a popular online creative writing course to aspiring writers around the world. He is currently working on his third book. When not working, he has his nose buried in a book. He lives in Lahore.
Published August 3rd, 2023 by Bookouture Psychological Thriller
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SYNOPSIS:
I thought he took my secret to the grave. But the truth can’t stay buried forever…
In the wake of my darling husband’s death, I am so lucky to have my three beautiful, grown-up daughters by my side at our holiday home in Scotland. We need some time together, to recover from the shock. But I also need to set some things straight about their beloved father…
I’ve always known this house was the perfect place to bury secrets – remote, isolated, surrounded by nothing but miles of dense forest.
But this time I’m not here to hide more of my lies. I’m here to expose one.
I promise everything I’ve ever done has been to protect my daughters. I just hope they understand that too…
By the end of the trip, nothing will ever be the same again. I knew revealing the truth about the inheritance would have consequences, but I could never have imagined we wouldn’t all survive it.
And now the truth is out, am I in danger too…?
A totally gripping psychological thriller from an Amazon No1. bestseller that will have your head spinning and your jaw on the floor with every twist. Fans of The Housemaid, Gone Girl and The Family Upstairs won’t be able to put this down!
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MY REVIEW:
“How had their family holiday turned into this horror? How had none of them seen this coming? Like the storms that lurked behind the mountains – one moment cascades of sun lighting up the heathered moors, the next shards of lightning stabbing at the drenched hills – life had turned on a dime.”
Connie Hunter has been hiding a secret for forty years. One that she thought her husband, Ray, had taken to his grave. Instead he revealed all in his will, threatening to destroy the family he left behind when his three daughters discover the truth. What is Connie’s secret? And can her family survive the fallout after all is revealed?
Wow! What a crazy rollercoaster ride! Gripping, atmospheric, mysterious, and sizzling with suspense, this book had me holding on for dear life through its many twists and turns. Samantha Hayes is an author I can always rely on to write heart-pounding psychological thrillers. And that ending! It left my jaw on the floor and I’m still trying to pick it up.
It started out strong with a sinister and intriguing prologue before jumping back to a week earlier when the Hunter family are all coming together at their Scottish cabin for the first time since the death of patriarch, Ray. And with family drama, resentment, tension, suspicion, secrets, and lies all bubbling under the surface, it’s a question of when, not if, it all boils over. The story is told from multiple points of view, allowing us to really get inside the psyche of all the characters. This also ramped up the tension and allowed me to really get a feeling for who was a reliable narrator and who wasn’t. Although, as things became increasingly layered and complex I found myself not knowing who to trust, beginning to question everything I thought I knew and suspecting red herrings everywhere. I was on the edge of my seat and raced through the pages to get answers.
Well-written, cleverly plotted, fast-paced, and addictive, The Inheritance is an outstanding thriller you need on your TBR.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
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MEET THE AUTHOR:
Samantha Hayes grew up in a creative family where her love of writing began as a child. Samantha has written eight thrillers in total, including the bestselling Until You’re Mine. The Independent said “fantastically written and very tense” while Good Housekeeping said “Her believable psychological thrillers are completely gripping.” Samantha’s books are published in 22 languages at the last count.
When not writing, Samantha loves to cook, go to the gym, see friends and drink nice wine. She is also studying for a degree in psychotherapy. She has three grown-up children and lives in Warwickshire.
Emma's Biblio Treasures 