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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: Against the Tide by G. D. Wright

Published June 18th, 2026 by Avon Books
Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Psychological Ficiton, Police Procedural, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

If the truth could destroy you, would you choose to know it?

DC Vinny Robson has spent his career seeking justice for others, but when an elderly couple are violently murdered in his hometown of Beachbrook, the investigation takes a devastating turn – one that cuts straight through his own family.

As Vinny dives deeper, the case becomes more than a pursuit of a killer – it’s a fight against the undertow of his own past. But in chasing the truth, will he finally find justice, or will he drown in the wreckage of everything he thought he knew?

Some truths should stay submerged. But once the tide turns, there’s no stopping what comes to light.

An emotional crime drama set on the south coast of England, perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian McAllister and Ann Cleeves.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

G. D. Wright never misses. He’s three for three on the tense and emotional thrillers that you can’t put down. And this is his best yet!

An elderly couple are brutally murdered in their home in Beachbrook and DC Vinny Robson is on the case. But the case soon takes an unexpected and devastating turn that could turn Vinny’s world upside down. Now, this is more than the hunt for a killer; it’s the pursuit of a truth and justice that he never knew he needed to find.

Suspenseful, gripping, twisty and totally unpredictable, this sensational thriller was impossible to put down. I’m a big fan of Gaz’s books so I was thrilled when I heard that the SquadPod had got his latest novel as one of their July reads. And he has knocked it out of the park once again. He lulls us into a false sense of security, starting slowly by introducing us to the characters and the story. But the pace soon picked up, and before long I was holding on tight for dear life with no idea what shocking revelation would hit next. Expertly written, cleverly choreographed and intricately interwoven, this is a complex thriller filled with twists you’ll never see coming and characters you’ll love. And that ending! I was not prepared and it will stay with me for a very long time.

Gaz is the King of the emotional thriller and this story had me fighting back tears quite a few times. Vinny’s mum has dementia in the story, something I know was inspired by a member of Gaz’s own family. And his experience of this terrible illness is evident in the care, sensitivity and honesty with which it was written. Another thing I love about Gaz’s books is the authenticity that shines through from his time as a Police Officer. Those small details really make a difference and allow you to have confidence in the accuracy of what you are reading.

A must-read for any thriller lover.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Avon for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From his website: Hi, and thanks so much for visiting my website. My name is Gary (pen name G.D. Wright) and I live in Kent with my wife and two young children.

I joined Kent Police at the age of 18, working on the front line in a variety of uniformed roles until the age of 29 when, completely out of the blue, I suffered two cardiac ‘events’, and was subsequently diagnosed with a hereditary and incurable disease of the heart (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy if you’re being fussy!). As a result, I had an internal defibrillator implanted in me, and I had to retire from the police aged 30.

One door closed, but another opened, and my wife and I bought a coffee shop in Ramsgate Harbour. We spent eight of the happiest years of our lives there but, when the kiddies came along, it just wasn’t sustainable. Family comes first, every single time (a theme in my books…), and the simple fact was that we knew our summers should be spent with the kids, not working seven days a week. In 2022, we sold our ‘third baby’ (the coffee shop, not an actual baby – although… what a plot line for the future… making a mental note…), and I took to writing full time.

Fast forward to now. I’ve signed a two book deal with Avon UK (part of the Harper Collins family), and my debut was released in August 2024. It’s called AFTER THE STORM, and it’s a police procedural with a twisty, emotional hook. My second novel, INTO THE FIRE, was released in June 2025.

As a screenwriter, my feature film BREATHE DEEP is scheduled to shoot in September 2025.

I’m always up for chatting, so find me on my socials (below) and I’ll happily answer any questions you might have!

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2025

BOOK REVIEW: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published June 3rd, 2025 by Hutchinson Heinman
Historical Fiction, Romance, LGBTQ Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

An epic novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

In the summer of 1980, astrophysics professor Joan Goodwin begins training to be an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond; mission specialists John Griffin and Lydia Danes; warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer. As the new astronauts prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined and begins to question everything she believes about her place in the observable universe.

Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.

Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, creating complex protagonists, and telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love – this time among the stars.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Atmosphere was my 100th read this year and it is certainly one I’ll not forget. It’s been a few weeks since I finished this magnificent book and I still haven’t recovered. Epic, illuminating, transporting, heart-stopping and emotional, this glorious love story is a must for your summer TBR. 

Joan Goodwin has always loved space. But as a girl she never dreamed of being an astronaut. After all, that’s something only boys could do. So when she hears that NASA is advertising for female scientists and astronauts she applies and is thrilled to be successful. So, in the summer of 1980, Joan begins her training as an astronaut at Houston’s Johnson Space Centre alongside a group of exceptional candidates. Joan expected to find adventure, but what she didn’t expect was to find a love, but that all changes as she and Vanessa, one of the other candidates get closer, leading to a passion she never thought was meant for her. Then, in December 1984, disaster strikes on mission  STS-LR9 and Joan must find a way to help get Vanessa and any other survivors home to safety.

Atmosphere is my third time reading a Taylor Jenkins Reid book and she just gets better and better. I’ll be honest, I didn’t think she could top The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for me, but this spectacular story soared into the top spot. Beautifully written, evocatively told and cleverly choreographed, TJR had me in a chokehold from her opening author’s note to the last sentence. I thought I knew what to expect from a TJR read, but I was totally unprepared for this book. At its heart this is a love story about breaking down barriers. Joan and Vanessa are strong, brilliant and determined women who were easy to root for at every step. The story explores topics including sexism, prejudice, inequality, vulnerability and resilience. It broke my heart, made me smile and enraged me – often all on the same page. 

The story is set against the backdrop of the American Space Race of the 1980s. As someone who has never been that into space I honestly didn’t expect to be that into the setting. But I loved it. The combination of the meticulous details, compelling characters and heart-pounding tension had me completely hooked. This was an era when men still ruled the Space Programme and it was rare for a woman to be accepted. This instantly makes Joan and Vanessa’s life at the Space Centre more difficult as they battle for equality in a misogynistic industry. Then there was the added complication of them being LGBTQ. Homophobia and stigmatisation was still rife and the couple knew their jobs would be at risk if anyone found out about them, so they are forced to keep their love a secret. 

A mesmerising and unputdownable love story, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

Rating: 🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the author of the New York Times Bestselling novels Atmosphere, Carrie Soto Is Back, Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones and The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as well as One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her books have been chosen by Reese’s Book Club, Read with Jenna, GMA Book Club, Indie Next, Best of Amazon, and Book of the Month. Her novel, Daisy Jones and The Six, is now a limited series on Amazon Prime. She lives in Los Angeles.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliiophiles xxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Colour of Home by Tammye Huf

Published July 2nd, 2026 by Bantam
Historical Fiction, Romance Novel, Southern Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A compelling and moving historical love story exploring the untold impact of segregation during WW2, for fans of The Women by Kristen Hannah and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

‘You want to risk everything – for a country that’s never cared if you live or die?’

1941: In a segregated Florida town, three young Black men enlist to fight for a freedom they’ve never known at home.

Before they leave, Cora marries in haste to secure her future – but her heart remains divided between the man she wed and the man she truly loves.

1945: As war finally ends, everything shifts. The boys Cora knew return as men she barely recognises, carrying scars no one can see – and truths that threaten to unravel everything Cora has fought to hold together.

Set against the backdrop of war where Black men and women weren’t allowed to be heroes, comes a powerful, deeply moving novel about love, sacrifice and the epic resilience of the human spirit.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Florida, 1941. In the segregated south, three Black men sign up to fight for their country, determined to fight for the freedom they have never enjoyed. With her brother, secret sweetheart and friend all going to war, Cora is terrified. And when her brother, Benny, comes up with a solution to secure her future, she goes against her heart and agrees. But when the men return they are unrecognisable and carrying invisible scars that haunt their days and nights. And Cora must finally confront the reality of the decision she made before they went to war. 

Powerful, immersive, affecting, tense and enthralling, I lost myself in this book. Magnificently written, wonderfully descriptive and exquisitely crafted, Tammye Huf held me in her thrall. A story that packs a strong emotional punch, it is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year. Steeped in meticulously researched historic detail that has inspired characters drawn from the real-life stories of her own family, this is a story woven with love, grief, longing and rage that will stay with me. 

One of my favourite eras to read about is WW2 and I admit I know little about the realities of life for Black men and women in America during that time. So I was excited to read this book and learn more. The novel thrums with the tempestuous atmosphere of war and segregation; the darkness of prejudice like a cloak over every page. And Huf spares the reader nothing in her vivid descriptions of the brutal horror of prejudice, bringing home the harrowing and raw truth of what Black men and women endured at the hands of racists.

The story is filled with charismatic and unforgettable characters who I loved reading. As hate festered, they refused to accept the helplessness that was being forced upon them to stand up, be counted and evoke change. But I admit, Cora was my favourite. She is an inspirational woman and I loved watching as she found her moxie and began to fight and make a real difference in the world. We need more people like her and I am so glad Ms. Huf allowed me to get to know her through this story.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to Insta Book Tours for the invitaiton to take part in this blog tour and to Bantam for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from the US, Tammye has lived in the UK with her husband and three kids for the last twenty years. Since earning her BA from Wellesly College, she has worked as a teacher, copywriter and translator. Her debut novel, A More Perfect Union, was published in 2020 and won the Diverse Book Award; it was also listed for The Times and The Sunday Times‘ Best Historical Fiction Novel, and selected as a BBC Radio 2 Book Club pick.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW: The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain

Published May 21st, 2026 by Pansy
Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction, LGBTQ Literature, Gay Fiction, Literary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Stories don’t always unfold the way you expect them to…

When 45-year-old Adam inherits a rundown farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he didn’t know existed, he quits his job in Manchester to renovate the property. He’s thrilled his boyfriend of two years, newly divorced and out-of-the-closet Theo, is joining him. But Theo’s ex-wife says she can’t take their children for the summer, so they come too. As the temperature rises, so does the tension. The kids are hostile to Adam, immune to the beauty of the rural location – and scared of the resident lizards.

As Adam explores the crumbling walls of the castle and sorts through his uncle’s possessions, he discovers some dark family secrets. But could they finally allow him to break free from the pain of the past, start building a new family and open a life of queer joy?

THE CASTLE OF STORIES is a moving, heartwarming and uplifting novel about modern family in all its forms, what it means to love, and the importance of understanding your own story.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

“Just because something has been your story for a long time doesn’t mean it had to be forever.”

Uplifting, witty, heartfelt and moving, I absolutely adored this glorious second-chance romance. Italy is my favourite place in the world and I am already a fan of Matt Cain’s storytelling, so I couldn’t wait to lose myself in this book. It was everything I’d hoped for and more. Brimming with love, laughter, tension and secrets, Matt held me in the palm of his hand from start to finish. A love story wrapped within a love story, this book will pull on your heart strings, make you laugh, make you angry and fill you with joy. And that ending was so beautiful.

The story follows Adam Webb, who is shocked to discover that he has inherited a run down farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he didn’t even know existed. After traveling to Italy with his boyfriend, Theo and falling in love with Castello Montemango, Adam quits his job and the couple make plans to spend the summer renovating the property. But the couple’s idyllic summer plans come crashing down when Theo’s ex-wife tells him she can’t take their three children this summer and he’ll have to take them to Italy. While the youngest child, Archie, gets on well with Adam, the two teenagers are openly hostile and unimpressed that they are being forced to spend the summer in a run-down house with no Wi-Fi. Further complications arise when Adam comes across some letters whilst sorting through his uncle’s possessions and discovers a dark family secret. Can Adam uncover the truth and finally deal with the heartache he’s tried to bury for decades?

This was the perfect escapist summer read. Evocatively written, it transported me from my back garden in Derbyshire to Tuscany so vividly I could feel the heat on my skin, see the cypress trees, smell the ripe tomatoes and taste the gelato. Also leaping from the pages were the charismatic, messy and compelling characters. Adam is a great protagonist. He’s flawed, riddled with insecurities, but he’s also kind and just wants a happy-ever-after with Theo. I loved him and Theo together and could relate to their problems trying to blend their family. Matt brings truth and relatability to this part of the story, perfectly capturing the heartache, joy and stress of trying to build a relationship with a partner’s children, especially when teenage hormones and spiteful exes are involved. But my favourite characters have to be Adam’s sisters (his trio of friends). These gals are a hoot and lit up any page they were on. I could have read an entire book about their exploits (idea for a spin off maybe?).

But while there is fun, the story also explores some serious topics, including grief, trauma, self-confidence, empathy and homophobia. Matt writes with honesty, compassion and pride, educating his reader about the harrowing things the LGBTQ+ community have been forced to endure while reminding us of the power of love and kindness.

A gorgeous and heartwarming summer read, this is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Pansy and Random Things Tours for my complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt Cain writes humorous, riveting and uplifting novels about self-discovery and self-love.

Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt was a gay child in the 1980s, a time when boys like him were widely hated. He also had a little-known health condition which meant his heart cut out several times a week. Feeling like a freak, he channelled a fierce desire to prove himself into his schoolwork, then a series of high-profile media jobs – as a documentary director for ITV, arts correspondent on Channel 4 News and editor of Attitude magazine – before pursuing his dream of writing fiction. But he had to battle through ten years of rejection and crowdfund his breakthrough novel, The Madonna of Bolton. He’s since become the author of several bestsellers, including The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted, One Love and Game On, a Quick Read and one of the official short novels of World Book Night 2024.

At the age of 37, doctors finally worked out what was wrong with Matt’s heart and installed a pacemaker to stop it cutting out. At the age of 44, he bucked decades of romantic failure when he went on a Tinder date and met Harry Glasstone, whom he married in 2022. Matt and Harry now present their own show on Virgin Radio Pride and live in London with their cat Nelly, possibly the best loved pet in the world.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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BOOK REVIEW: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

Published May 21st, 2026 by Fig Tree
Historical Fiction, Southern Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

“You give a girl a taste of fresh air and then you take it away―she’ll grow fierce and wild to get it back.”

Oxford, Mississippi, 1933.

Eleven-year-old Meg Lefleur has learned the hard way to rely on no one.

Ever since her beloved mother failed to come home last Christmas Eve, she’s been one of the ‘unadoptable’ girls at the town’s orphanage, where she fights each day to keep her wits sharp and her spirit unbowed.

When she meets Birdie, a young woman who has come to Oxford determined to remind her socialite sister of the impoverished family she left behind, for the first time in a long while it seems someone else might care about Meg’s future.

But as the Depression tightens its grip, Birdie begins to suspect her sister’s charmed life may be founded on a tapestry of lies. Then, Birdie encounters Charlie, a woman haunted by loss who has been pushed to the brink with nothing left to lose.

Drawn together by circumstance, they find unexpected kinship among a disreputable, determined band of women.

But in a town steeped in hypocrisy, even the smallest act of defiance can have dangerous consequences …

Bold, heartwarming, and riotously funny, The Calamity Club is an unforgettable story of resilience and friendship, and a sisterhood of underestimated women who risk everything to take back control of their fates.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

“All this noise inside us and we can’t make a sound.”

Atmospheric, immersive, witty, tender, heartbreaking and unforgettable, The Calamity Club is an absolute masterpiece. Oxford, Mississippi in 1933. Meg LeFleur spends her days shut up in the bleak office at Lafayette County Orphan Asylum for Young Girls but refuses to give in or give up. Birdie Calhoun has come to Oxford to ask her socialite sister for help for their impoverished family. While she waits for her decision, Bride joins her sister volunteering at the orphanage. When she meets Meg the two strike up a surprising bond that will change them both. This is one of those books where it’s best not to know too much about the plot and just enjoy it. So what I will tell you is that what follows is an ambitious story of found family, sisterhood, resilience, survival, sexism, prejudice and underestimated women that will break your heart and then piece it back together. 

Oh, my heart! I had heard great things about Kathryn Stockett’s writing but when I started reading this book I was totally unprepared for the complete emotional devastation she was about to wreak. This book totally destroyed me. Ms. Stockett is an exceptional storyteller who stitches emotion into every word she writes. Funny, wise, smart, joyful, devastating and maddening, the story deals with heavy topics but never feels weighed down by them. At times it is an ethical quagmire that has you torn between what you know is right and the things the women must do to survive. Stockett expertly portrays that moral ambiguity, making it easy to understand their actions and root for them instead of condemning them. A story that will make you laugh, cry, rage and rejoice, it held me by the heartstrings from the first pages and I knew early on that I had found my favourite book this year. 

“This slapped-together band of misfits made me feel, for the first time, that I truly belonged. How the hell, I wondered, did I ever get so lucky?” 

The book is filled with an eclectic but dynamic cast of characters who are richly drawn and memorable. Meg and Birdie are fantastic protagonists who give their chapters a unique voice that makes it easy to move between them. I loved Meg. She’s bright, spirited, perceptive and plucky, but also vulnerable. She longs to fit in and be loved and spends much of her time in the office daydreaming about her mother or how to get revenge on Mrs Garnett, the chairlady of the orphanage. I wanted to reach into the story and hug her so many times and was really hoping for a happy ending for this wonderful little girl. Birdie is fiercely intelligent and outspoken, which sometimes gets her in trouble, but she is also kind, loyal and a little naive. She has a strained relationship with her sister, Frances, who is selfish and frustrating. But the villain of this story is Garnett Pitman. I hated this woman and she seemed to not have any redeeming characters. It broke my heart how she treated Meg in particular and I was hoping she would get her comeuppance. And we can’t talk about the characters of this book without talking about the motley crew of fabulous and rowdy women who are part of the eponymous Calamity Club. I loved these women. They may not have been socially acceptable and a little rough around the edges, but they had so much heart and I loved the family and friendship that they found with each other and with Birdie.

Ambitious, magnificent and thought-provoking, this is an absolute must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Fig Tree for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a degree in English and creative writing, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for sixteen years. Her first novel, The Help, has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Mad Wife by Meagan Church

Published October 30th, 2025 by Sourcebooks
Historical Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Bildungsroman, Domestic Fiction

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen free for 45 days*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From bestselling author Meagan Church comes a haunting exploration of identity, motherhood, and the suffocating grip of societal expectations that will leave you questioning the lives we build―and the lies we live.

They called it hysteria. She called it survival.

Lulu Mayfield has spent the last five years molding herself into the perfect 1950s housewife. Despite the tragic memories that haunt her and the weight of exhausting expectations, she keeps her husband happy, her household running, and her gelatin salads the talk of the neighborhood. But after she gives birth to her second child, Lulu’s carefully crafted life begins to unravel.

When a new neighbor, Bitsy, moves in, Lulu suspects that something darker lurks behind the woman’s constant smile. As her fixation on Bitsy deepens, Lulu is drawn into a web of unsettling truths that threaten to expose the cracks in her own life. The more she uncovers about Bitsy, the more she questions everything she thought she knew―and soon, others begin questioning her sanity. But is Lulu truly losing her mind? Or is she on the verge of discovering a reality too terrifying to accept?

In the vein of The Bell Jar and The Hours, The Mad Wife weaves domestic drama with psychological suspense, so poignant and immersive, you won’t want to put it down.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Atmospheric, thought-provoking, moving and powerful, The Mad Wife is a haunting and mesmerising portrait of identity, motherhood, silenced voices and societal expectations. It follows Lulu, an ordinary suburban woman who has spent the last five years becoming the perfect 1950s housewife that everyone expects her to be. But she never quite feels like she fits in and it all seems so much easier for the other women on her street. Then, after the birth of her second child, her carefully curated life begins to unravel and she develops a fixation on her new neighbour, Bitsy, who she is sure is hiding something. People soon notice something isn’t right. The doctor diagnoses hysteria. Is Lulu really losing her mind? Or is there another explanation?

What an amazing read! An easy five stars from me. This was my first time reading a Meagan Church novel, but now I can’t wait to devour her backlist. Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed, intricately woven and meticulously researched, I felt like I’d stepped back in time when reading this book. 1950s America is brought to life in vivid technicolour and I could see the perfectly manicured lawns and smell the cigarette smoke. The characters are richly drawn and compelling while Lulu is a great protagonist who was likeable and easy to root for. I felt for her being trapped in a world where she has so many expectations on her while she’s in the trenches of motherhood. Men at the time were completely unhelpful so she was basically doing it all alone and it was expected that she do so with a smile on her face and without complaining. In terms of other characters, I really enjoyed Nora, her neighbour and friend, who seemed like a light in her life.

A haunting story with warm humanity at its heart, Meagan shines a light on some important issues including the silencing of women’s voices, medical misdiagnosis, and the dangerous consequences of doctors dismissing women, something that is sadly still all-too prevalent today. But I loved the dark humour that is woven into the story from the start and how such a complex story that explores some dark topics manages to remain enjoyable. And that twist! I did not see it coming and my heart broke in two as it was revealed, pulling the rug from under me and changing everything I thought I knew. Then there is the epilogue. I was fighting back tears and I swear, Meagan, that you were trying to break me. 

A riveting and surprising story that will have you hooked, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Meagan Church is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Mad Wife, The Girls We Sent Away, and The Last Carolina Girl. She writes emotionally-charged, thought-provoking, empathy-inducing stories that explore the complexity of human nature. Her historical fiction chronicles the plight and fight of unheard voices of the past. Meagan holds a B.A. in English from Indiana University and is an adjunct for Drexel University’s MFA in creative writing program. A Midwesterner by birth, she now lives in North Carolina with her high school sweetheart, three children, and a plethora of pets.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: Main Characters by Bobby Palmer

Published July 2nd, 2026 by Headline
Contemporary Romance, Literary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told by friends, flatmates, exes and strangers – everybody but the main characters.

‘A fresh and original take on the telling of a love story – but somehow timeless’ CLAIRE DAVERLEY

‘Destined to be on everyone’s sun loungers this summer’ STYLIST

‘If you love a smart, poignant, funny, gripping book, you will love this’ JOANNA CANNON

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Clara and Seb are about to fall in love.
They don’t know it yet.
But everybody else does.

When Clara and Seb meet in a quiet corner of London, it’s the start of something. She wants to be a director. He’s an actor, unsure what he wants from life.

Their connection is magnetic. Everyone can see that falling in love looks something like this. But when Clara casts Seb in the film that will make her name, what should be the happiest time of their lives ends with a gut-wrenching betrayal.

Some love stories are bigger than just two people. This one is told through the eyes of friends, flatmates, exes and strangers who see all the sides of Seb and Clara, from their first date to the moment they fell apart.

Everyone has their version of events. But only Clara and Seb can decide how their story ends…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

“There aren’t two sides to every story. There are sides, and there are sides, and there are sides.”

Like many people, I love people-watching. There’s just something fun about sitting back watching people go by and wondering about their life and who they are. Or when you overhear part of an interesting conversation and wonder about the story behind it or what will happen next. This makes Main Characters the perfect romcom for me. Because this is no ordinary love story. It’s a love story told from others’ perspectives, telling the story through the eyes of the family, friends, flatmates and strangers who interact with Clara and Seb throughout their relationship. 

Warning: this book will break you! Bobby Palmer is an author who can always be relied upon to write a gorgeous, original and clever story that makes you feel all the feelings. And this book might be a deviation from the magical realism of his first two books, but it has the same heart, warmth and emotion that you expect from a Bobby Palmer book. I laughed, cried, raged, cringed, my heart was broken and filled back up again with joy. Beautifully written, emotionally rich and deftly plotted, it has a cinematic feel and feels perfect for a movie adaptation. It’s fresh, funny, moving, and wise. And it might have the most unique and adorable meet-cute ever. A gorgeous story about love, grief and human connection, it is told in vignettes that capture various moments in Clara and Seb’s lives and relationship. It did take me a little bit of time to get used to the unusual perspective and to feel a connection to the main characters because of that, but I was soon completely enthralled and rooting for them at every step. 

Clara and Seb are messy, magnetic and painfully human. And I loved reading them. I always think it’s interesting to see a character from another person’s perspective so I loved that we only get that in this book. We get a well-rounded picture from a wide variety of people and I especially loved the parts narrated by strangers as they get such a brief and narrow glimpse into Seb and Clara’s lives that isn’t coloured by anything other than what is happening at that moment. I also liked that it felt so different to any other romance I’ve read. Most romcoms explore the build-up to a relationship and end at the honeymoon stage. But we all know real life isn’t that smooth and real relationships come with ups and downs, even for the happiest of couples. So I liked that Clara and Seb’s story followed them for many years and through an array of obstacles, highs and lows. It felt relatable, honest and deeply human, reminding us that even the best of relationships can be hard sometimes whilst always making you believe in the power of true love.

A sublime summer romance that you don’t want to miss, add this to your TBR now!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thanks to Headline for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bobby Palmer is a freelance journalist and has written extensively for household titles such as Time Out, GQ, Esquire, Men’s Health and Cosmopolitan.

His debut novel, ISAAC AND THE EGG, was published by Headline in 2022 and was an instant Saturday Times Bestseller. German, Spanish, Dutch, Czech, Lithuanian, Hebrew and Russian foreign language rights have also been sold. Bobby’s second novel, SMALL HOURS, was published in March 2024 and his third novel will be released in summer 2026.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BLOG TOUR: Bad Influence by Will Carver

Published June 18th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Crime Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Dark Comedy

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Two bored, obsessed teenagers break into and secretly live in influencers’ houses. But when they choose the wrong home, their twisted experiment turns deadly. A darkly funny, breathtakingly tense thriller from ‘one of the most original writers in Britain’ (Daily Express).

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Two bored teenagers.
One stupid game.
The wrong place to play…

Alyssa wants to be seen. Less wants to be someone. She takes two buses to class, posts pictures of her lunch, and pretends it’s all effortless. He hides his privilege beneath thrifted clothes and a sketchbook full of impossible designs. Together, they are inseparable – two outsiders constructing a version of themselves the world might finally applaud.

Then Alyssa stumbles upon the hidden world of phrogging – living unnoticed inside other people’s homes. She and Less slip through Los Angeles’ glossy veneer: influencers, producers, pop stars, all so busy performing their perfect lives they don’t notice the shadows in their attics, the scratching in their walls.

An act of rebellion. A harmless thrill. A social experiment.

Until they choose the wrong house.
Until the influencer they idolise catches them in the act.
Until the cameras, already rolling, capture everything.

What begins as a reckless adventure becomes a nightmare of lies, power … and murder…

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

All the stars for the latest, mind-blowing thriller from Will Carver! 

Alyssa and Less are two bored teenagers from opposite worlds. Alyssa’s family are poor, spends her spare time caring for her grandmother with dementia, and just wants to be seen. Less is from a rich family, is ignored by his parents and wants to make a name for himself. Despite their differences the pair are inseparable. And when Alyssa discovers phrogging – the act of secretly living in someone else’s home without their knowledge – she introduces it to Less and the pair embark on a dangerous game that spirals out of control…

Will Carver has done it again. Suspenseful, surprising, and totally unpredictable, this book blew me away. Exquisitely written, cleverly plotted and  intricately interwoven, Will had me in the palm of his hands from start to finish. He builds the story slowly, lulling you into a false sense of security before pulling the rug out from under you with a twist that will make your jaw hit the floor. I was literally sitting with my mouth hanging open wondering where on earth the story could go from here. I knew there was no chance of me sleeping now until I knew what happened and I devoured it in one sitting. It was a wild ride but I loved every second and it was totally worth losing sleep for.

I’ve been a proud member of the Carver Cult for many years and Will’s books are always a highlight in my reading year. He is one of the most unique voices in fiction today and I know I can always rely on him to deliver a story that is timely, entertaining, full of scathing social commentary and great characters. Bad Influence lives up to that reputation, taking us behind the curtain of the world of influencing. Everyone in this book is flawed and they commit some terrible acts, but some are more likeable than others. I liked Alyssa and Less and found them easy to root for despite their illegal deeds. Paige was likeable at first but when the twist hit at the end of chapter one it changed everything and she unsettled me from that moment on. 

A must-read for any thriller lover. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour and to Orenda Books for sending me a proof copy in exchage for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Will Carver is the international bestselling author of the January David series and the critically acclaimed, mind-blowingly original Detective Pace series, which includes Good Samaritans (2018), Nothing Important Happened Today (2019) and Hinton Hollow Death Trip (2020), all of which were ebook bestsellers and selected as books of the year in the mainstream international press. Nothing Important Happened Today was longlisted for both the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2020 and the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. Hinton Hollow Death Trip was longlisted for the Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize, and was followed by the literary thrillers, The Beresford, Psychopaths Anonymous, The Daves Next Door, Suicide Thursday and Upstairs at the Beresford. Will spent his early years in Germany, but returned to the UK at age eleven, when his sporting career took off. He and his partner run their own fitness and nutrition company, and live in Reading with five children and a tortoise.

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Thank you for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers taking part in the blog tour.

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Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Published July 10th, 2025 by Mantle
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical Mystery, Suspense, Historical Romance

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen free for 45 days*

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

One of The Telegraph‘s greatest books of 2025

London, 1749

Hannah Cole’s world shatters following her husband’s brutal murder. Her confectionary shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple, teeters on the brink of ruin. Just as she uncovers a hidden fortune―money her husband secretly possessed―a new nightmare begins.

Magistrate Henry Fielding, the renowned author, suspects illicit gains. To save her inheritance, her shop, and her very reputation, Hannah must delve into her late husband’s secret life. But as she unearths a labyrinth of lies and deceit, she finds herself entangled in a battle of wits far more dangerous than she could ever have imagined.

From Sunday Times bestselling author Laura Shepherd-Robinson comes a twisty, immersive thriller where the truth is a luxury Hannah Cole can’t afford, and every secret is a step closer to her own undoing.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

London, 1749. Following her husband’s brutal murder, Hannah Cole is left to run their confectionery  shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple, alone but she is teetering on the brink of ruin. Then she discovers her husband, Jonas, had a secret hidden fortune and she thinks that finally her problems could be over. But they are in fact just beginning. Magistrate Henry Fielding has questions about how Jonas died and suspects the fortune was gained by illicit means forcing Hannah to delve into her husband’s secret life and step into a dangerous world in order to save her shop, her inheritance and her reputation. 

Darkly atmospheric, mysterious, seductive, tense and addictive, The Art of a Lie is a mesmerising tale you’ll not be able to put down. Set to a backdrop of the blazing summer sun, this labyrinthine tale of skullduggery, deception, lies and murder will have you glued to the pages. Exquisitely written, cleverly choreographed and full of shocking twists, it showcases why Laura Shepherd-Robinson is one of my auto-buy authors. She gets better with each book and this one is without a doubt her best yet. Laura’s meticulous research is evident on every page, taking me back to her event about the book last year when she talked about all the research she’d done for the book, including the Georgian art of ice-cream making as Hannah introduces the British public to this tasty dessert. Just be prepared to crave some yourself when reading. 

And though this is a Georgian murder-mystery, it is also much more nuanced and complex. We learn the truth about Jonas’ murder early on and you will find yourself rooting for the crime not to be solved. It has some elements of an unhealthy love story but most of all this is a story about the art of telling lies; lies for survival, lies for profit and lies for love. The characters are flawed but likeable and compelling, and you will root for them despite all their schemes and deception. I didn’t want them to be brought to justice and behind them every step of the way.

A must-read for anyone who loves historical mysteries. Just make sure you’ve got some ice-cream in the freezer!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thanks to Bookbeat and Mantle for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Shepherd-Robinson is the award-winning, Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of four historical novels. Her books have been featured on BBC 2’s Between the Covers and Radio 4’s Front Row and Open Book. Her fourth novel, The Art of a Lie, will be published in Summer 2025.

Laura was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in Politics from the University of Bristol and an MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics. She worked in politics for nearly twenty years before re-entering normal life to complete an MA in Creative Writing at City University. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Five by Ilona Bannister

Published May 5th, 2026 by Juniper
Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Mystery, Literary Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Five passengers. Five minutes until the next train … five minutes until someone dies.

‘Will have you glued to the page … guaranteed to shock and entertain’The Times

‘Ridiculously good … darkly thrilling and unforgettable’ Chris Whitaker

* * * *

Someone will die here this morning, at this suburban train station. It will happen in the next five minutes when the 7:06 to London Victoria arrives.

Take note of their positions. The child, the mother, the businessman, the old woman and the gambler.

One of them will die despite your attachment to them. There is probably one you want to get rid of. You don’t have to admit who. But perhaps you should ask yourself why.

The train has stopped.

Someone is dead.

Was it who you chose?

It wasn’t your fault …

So why, dear reader, do you feel so guilty?

Five stories. Five minutes until a life ends. Unfolding in real time, FIVE doesn’t just tell a story; it provokes, unsettles, and lingers. By weaving together the stories of those complex, flawed lives, Bannister creates a tapestry of human struggle, resilience, and hope. FIVE offers no easy answers, but rather a nuanced exploration of the human condition in all its messy complexity.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Five passengers are waiting for a train. Five minutes until it arrives…five minutes until one of them dies.

Atmospheric, intense, propulsive and gripping, this heart-stopping debut asks you to become the detective and try to predict which passenger will die. Most books will give you time to get to know the characters and grow attached to them before ticking down the clock to one’s impending doom. But in this book Ilona Bannister does things differently and starts the countdown on the first page. It means the tension is sky high and the reader is kept on the edge of their seat from the first page. And as the clock ticks down, we get to know the five passengers: mother Emma and her son, Gideon, businessman Liam, old Mrs Worth and gambler Sonny. Interspersed with events at the station are the character’s stories that allow us to learn their histories and what brought them to the station today. Skillfully written, razor-sharp, deftly plotted and fizzing with tension I was in Ilona’s thrall from start to finish. And as the jaw-dropping revelations kept coming I still couldn’t predict who would live and who would die.

The five passengers are an eclectic cast of characters who are all broken in some way. Each of them have said and done horrible or even despicable things and their histories are filled with tragedies that make every character a candidate for death. None of them are particularly likeable, but some are more unlikeable than the others. – Liam, I’m looking at you. To be honest, I felt like they all deserved to die in some way and it was more a case of ranking whose death felt most justified than wishing any of them would survive. Yes, even the child. But while I didn’t particularly like them, I was still very invested in them and their stories; each of them kept me glued to the pages of their chapters. This is a testament to the excellence of Ilona’s writing which was acutely observed, achingly human and emotionally resonant.

A jaw-dropping, darkly funny and urgent ticking-clock of tension, this is a must for all thriller lovers.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Juniper for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ilona Bannister was a dual qualified US attorney and UK immigration solicitor before she started writing fiction. Her first novel, When I Ran Away, was developed on Faber Academy’s Work in Progress course. Ilona’s experiences as a mother, lawyer, and an American transplant in Britain are reflected in her novels. Although she will always be a New Yorker at heart, Ilona’s home is in London with her husband and young sons.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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