Tag: Domestic Fiction

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Book Club Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: The Trouble with Sister Francis by Matt Coyne

Published August 27th, 2026 by Wildfire
Humorous Fiction, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A heartwarming and hilarious new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author of FRANK AND RED

Sister Francis is an unlikely nun.

She’s sixty, sweary, drives like a lunatic and smokes like a stacked chimney . . . and she runs the Blessed Assumption Boys Club.

Richie, Bennett, Kenny and Stan are four best friends from the Whittle council estate with little to do but get up to no good. After a run-in with local bullies, they discover the crumbling, forgotten club and find themselves in the company of the most remarkable person they will ever meet.

Set against early 1980s Britain, THE TROUBLE WITH SISTER FRANCIS is a funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story of unlikely heroes, quiet rebellions, fierce loyalty and unexpected hope.

And at the centre of it all lies a long-forgotten journal that might just change everything.

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

There are some books you just know you are going to love before you’ve even started reading. The Trouble with Sister Francis is one of those books. Matt Coyne’s debut, Frank and Red, was my favourite book of 2024 and I’ve been eagerly awaiting his sophomore offering ever since. So when I learned it would be the SquadPod Book Club pick for August, I was thrilled. But when I received the book I didn’t want to pick it up, because I knew once I did I knew I’d never want it to end. 

Sister Francis is not your usual nun. She’s sixty, sweary, chain-smokes, reads the racing post and drives like a lunatic. But she also has a heart of gold and cares deeply about young people. Rich is a normal boy from a council estate in Sheffield. He lives with his mum and grandad and spends his free time hanging out with his mates Bennett, Stanley and Kenny at the local park or getting up to no good. When the group have a run-in with the local bullies, Rich’s mum gives him an ultimatum: Boy’s Club or spending the summer with his Auntie Carole. He chooses the Boy’s Club and takes his friends along with him to the dilapidated clubhouse. What follows is a heartwarming, hilarious and hopeful story that is impossible to put down.

This is a story that will break your heart and make it whole again, wrapping around you like a warm hug and splitting your sides with laughter. A story about friendship, loyalty, community and unlikely heroes, the book is filled with wonderful characters I absolutely adored. Sister Francis is now one of my favourite heroines and it was impossible not to have a soft spot for Rich, Bennet, Kenny and Stanley. One of my favourite things about this book is the portrayal of friendship, especially between these four young lads. I loved seeing how they were there for each other and the loyalty they had for each other. 

Overflowing in northern charm and 80s nostalgia, this book felt like home and transported me back to my own childhood at that time on a council estate in Sheffield. Matt has captured the era so perfectly; that time when summer meant hanging out with friends and the days felt endless. There is also a past timeline which is told through extracts from a journal written by a teenage boy from 1938-41 Reginald was one of the attendees of the original Boy’s Club (or The Dead Dad’s Club as it was then known). I loved these extracts. Matt expertly captures the vibe of an angst-filled teenager and all of the dilemmas that come at that stage of life whilst combining them with the brutal realities of war. 

One of the core themes of this book is that it is a story about the unfortunates; those people who are struggling in life. For example, Reginald is an evacuee, Rich lost his father when he was just six, and all of his friends have problems at home of some kind. It is even evident in the Boy’s Club, which was formed during World War II for the boys whose fathers were away and sometimes didn’t come home. And once again we see how friendship and community can help, offering us hope and restoring our faith in people. 

Warm, witty and absolutely wonderful, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you Wildfire for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my hoenst review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt was born and raised in Sheffield and, in his younger years, made himself a poster-boy for staying in full-time education, by doing a succession of genuinely crappy jobs. Variously, he has been a toilet roll packer, turnstile-operator, cardboard box folder and a sorter of coat-hangers for Burton Menswear. Matt has been sacked a lot.

After a couple of years of this he returned to education to obtain an English degree from Manchester University. From University, Matt drifted into the graphic arts. In 2007, he quit and set up his own print and design company.

In September 2015, Matt became a father for the first time, to Charlie. After three months of dealing with the missile of chaos that is a newborn, he posted his thoughts online. In January 2016, these thoughts went viral. The original post was shared over fifty thousand times and was featured in newspapers and on television across the world. Matt’s first book, Dummy, based on his experiences of being a first-time father, was published in 2017 by Headline. The follow-up, Man vs. Toddler, was published by Headline in 2019. Matt’s first children’s book, My Dad and the Toot that Shook the World, came out in 2024, the same year that his debut novel, Frank and Red, was also published.

Matt is also a singer/songwriter with the band ‘Terry and Dead’ and has appeared on compilation albums with Paul Heaton, Billy Bragg and Sleaford Mods. He lives in Sheffield with his son Charlie, his partner Lyndsay and a Jack Russell terrier with ‘issues’ called Eddie.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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Audio Books book reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Underwater by Tara Menon

Published March 12th, 20206 by Summit Books UK
Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Nautical Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

A stunning and deeply moving novel of grief, loss and female friendship, set against the backdrop of two cataclysmic natural events.

When six-year-old Marissa loses her mother, she is taken by her father to live on a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea. There, she forms a deep friendship with Arielle and together they explore the fragile wonders of its forests, reefs, and beaches. Holding their breath for minutes at a time, they learn to dive into the deep, as effortlessly synchronized as the manta rays they come to know by name. Then, on Boxing Day 2004, when the Indian Ocean tsunami makes landfall, they are swept up by the first wave and separated.

Eight years later, Marissa is living in New York. She spends her days wandering through the city and her nights seeking solace in the beds of strangers. As the city prepares for a devastating storm, Marissa reflects on her past and learns how to sustain herself in a precarious world.

Under Water is a story about friendship and grief, but also ecological change and natural disasters. It is a meditation on loss, a tribute to our dying oceans and forests, and a love letter to the disappearing coral reefs.

‘The horrors of 2004 are told with verve in this debut about a woman haunted by survivor guilt . . . there are stunning descriptions of island wildlife . . . Tara Menon tells the story with confidence and style’ Sunday Times

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

On Sunday, December 26th 2004 the Indian Ocean tsunami made landfall and killed an estimated 227. 898 people in fourteen countries. In this phenomenal debut, Tara Menon explores this tragedy through the eyes of one fictional character, Marissa, who lives on a small Thai island in the Andaman Sea but is in Thailand with her best friend, Arielle, on the day the tsunami strikes. 

This isn’t a book you simply read. It’s one you live. And you will never be the same again once you do. Atmospheric, heartbreaking, raw and utterly mesmerising, I finished this magnificent debut in just two sittings. A heart-wrenching story of family, friendship, loss and trauma, it had me on the verge of tears many times. The whole thing reads like a movie, and as we are transported back to the terrifying day when the sea roared and consumed thousands, I could see every moment like it was on the big screen in front of me and hear the orchestra kicking in with emotional music as the tears welled in my eyes. Tara Menon’s writing is beautiful, evocative, poignant and richly layered, holding me in a chokehold from the first page to the last. It is written with such skill and emotion that I could hardly breathe. Tara has a talent for storytelling and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next. 

We follow Marissa in two timelines: 2004 and 2012, when she is living in New York seeking solace in the beds of strangers. As New York prepares for a devastating storm, Marissa reflects on the events of that tragic day, and the loss of her mother when she was just six years old. After her mother’s death, she and her father move back to the small island they are from and it is here that she meets Arielle, the girl who becomes her best friend and the two are quickly inseparable. As the story builds up to the tsunami there is an undercurrent of tension and grief is woven into every facet of the story. I really related to Marissa’s grief for Arielle, especially when she talked about carrying Arielle with her everywhere and still talking to her in private. 

A truly remarkable debut that you won’t be able to forget.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tara Menon was born in India, grew up in Singapore, spent a decade in New York, and now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts where she is an assistant professor of English at Harvard University. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, the Nation and the Paris Review.

Under Water is her debut novel and it has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon

Published July 30th, 2026 by Faber & Faber
Domestic Ficiton, Science Fiction, Humorous Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

‘And that’s why I want to be called Scout’
‘It’s most unusual, said Clock.
‘She’s the one who listens and learns,’ Scout said. ‘She’s like me.’ She paused and set her voice to pensive. ‘You already have names. I’d like one too.’

In a self-running smart house, a young sentient hoover listens as her owner, Harold, reads aloud to his dying wife, Edie. Mesmerized by To Kill a Mockingbird and craving human connection, the little vacuum renames herself Scout and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

But when Edie passes away, Scout and her fellow appliances discover that the omnipresent Grid, which monitors every household in the City, wants to displace Harold from the home he’s lived in for fifty years. With the help of a neighbourhood boy, and Harold and Edie’s daughter, the humans and the appliances must come together to outwit the Grid before they lose everything they hold dear. . .

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Warning: this book will tug on your heartstrings. 

Set in the near future when everyone lives in smart houses, cars drive themselves and travel for pleasure is banned, we follow Scout, a precocious and inquisitive vacuum cleaner who lives in a house owned by elderly couple Harold and Edie. But Edie is sick, and as she lays dying avid bookworm Harold reads to her from To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout is transfixed by the book and begins to crave human interaction, which is prohibited unless initiated by humans. But Scout isn’t deterred. Then, after Edie’s death the appliances learn that the omnipresent Grid, which monitors every household, is planning to turf Harold out of his home of five decades, Scout is determined to take action. So she and the appliances team up with a neighbourhood boy and Harold’s daughter, Kate, to try and outsmart the Grid and save Harold’s home.

Heartwarming, moving, uplifting, quirky and imaginative, this is a charming story. A tearjerker filled with joy and kindness, this enthralling novel is a love letter to books and an exploration of grief and the power of connection. I love a quirky story so I knew this was right up my street. I have no idea how Glenn Powell came up with the idea of a story told by a sentient vacuum cleaner, but I’m glad he did because this was a delight from start to finish. Beautifully wrought, the story is woven with grief, longing and connection, reminding us of the joy and pain that comes with being human. It’s an emotional read but I adored every moment I was reading it.

I loved Scout. She pulled me in immediately and I could have read a hundred more stories from her point of view. I loved her eagerness to learn, to forge connections and her feisty character. The interactions between her and the other appliances were entertaining and I loved how vivid all of their personalities were. I love stories about elderly characters so I loved Harold and Edie, even if they did break my heart. The other characters were as richly drawn and I loved the mystery that Kate’s character added to the story.

Add this weird and wonderful book to your TBR now!

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Faber for the invitation to take part in the blog tour and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Glenn Dixon is an author, documentary film maker and musician.

His new book, The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances is out now in nine countries, from the U.K. and the U.S. to Canada as well as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Greece and China. It features Scout, a Roomba vacuum cleaner who, with the other sentient appliances in a house in the near future, must band together to save their humans from being evicted. His third book Juliet’s Answer was a National Best seller and has been published in twelve countries and translated into German, Spanish and Chinese. His fourth book Bootleg Stardust about a rock band in the 1970’s featured a soundtrack.

He has traveled through 75 countries and written for the New Yorker, National Geographic, the Walrus, the New York Post and the Globe and Mail. He is currently at work on a new novel.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Please check out the reviews from the other bloggers on the tour.

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Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Published July 9th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Thriller, Mystery, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Mad Mabel was an instant New York Times bestseller and a No. 1 bestseller in Australia. Discover why readers across the globe have fallen for this twisty, surprising and charming novel.

‘Funny, twisty and suspenseful’ – Harlan Coben

‘A twisty page-turning triumph, packed with wit, warmth, nuance and mystery. Brilliant’ – Jane Harper

YOU CAN CHANGE
YOUR NAME.
BUT YOU CAN’T
CHANGE YOUR PAST . . .

Eighty-one-year-old Elsie Fitzpatrick lives a quiet life in the suburbs. Few would guess that Elsie, aside from being a curmudgeon who minds everyone else’s business, harbours a secret she’s worked hard to bury.

Because when it comes to murder, no one ever suspects little girls or old ladies. And Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick – once a little girl and now an old lady – has a strange history of people in her life coming to a foul end.

When an elderly neighbour is found dead, no one suspects a thing – until they uncover Elsie’s true identity: Mad Mabel, the youngest Australian in history to be convicted of murder, more than sixty years ago.

The police are asking questions. The media is circling. Has the past finally caught up with Mad Mabel? Or is it time for her to set the record straight?

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

81-year-old Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is not someone who blends in with the crowd. At 6ft tall with broad shoulders, she’s used to standing out. And don’t mistake her for a sweet old lady. She’s more likely to call you ‘dipshit’ than ‘dear’. Elsie has lived on Kenny Lane for over sixty years. But she has a secret. As a child, Elsie was known as ‘Mad Mabel’ and became Australia’s most notorious child killer. And there were rumours it wasn’t the first time she’d killed. Now, after decades of keeping her dark past a secret, the truth threatens to be exposed after she finds her neighbour dead and is questioned by police. Maybe now is the time for Mabel to finally tell her side of the story. But is she mad? And is she guilty?

Two of my favourite tropes are anti-heroes and elderly protagonists, plus I’m a sucker for a story with black humour, so this book had my name written all over it. And it did not disappoint. Darkly funny, quirky, crazy, cryptic, tense and utterly compelling, I devoured it in two sittings. Expertly written, hilarious, cleverly plotted and filled with charismatic characters, this is the definition of an unputdownable page-turner. The story seems simple, but there is so much more to it. Layered, nuanced, warm and richly drawn, this is a twisty tale that will keep you guessing right up until the final page. Sally drips intrigue and foreboding like breadcrumbs for us to follow out of the woods and teases Mabel’s story, revealing pieces slowly in flashbacks to her childhood leading up to the murder. It is also more than a murder mystery. It’s a story about loneliness, identity, trauma, and the power of female friendship.

I love an unlikely heroine and an elderly protagonist, so I was excited to get to know Mabel. And this unforgettable woman is now one of my favourite characters of all time. Quirky, eccentric, feisty and secretive, she comes across as curmudgeonly at first but we soon learn there is more hiding beneath her spiky surface. Underneath her strong, no-nonsense veneer, there is a vulnerability from her past traumas that made me feel protective of this fabulous octogenarian. And it made me love her even more. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

Thank you to Bookbreak and Pan Macmillan for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, most recently Mad Mabel. Sally’s novels have been called “darkly charming” and praised by authors Emily Giffin and Liane Moriarty as “totally absorbing” and “fiction at its finest.”

Sally’s novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and been translated into over 30 languages.

Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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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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Blog Tours book reviews

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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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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Audio Books book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Tiny Magic Bookshop by August Bloom

Published June 4th, 2026 by HQ
Fantasy Fiction, Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism, Domestic Fiction

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

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

There’s magic in a book …

Max always felt too ordinary for the magical village of Lampton. No place more so than her mum’s bookshop, where the recommendations are more than just a matter of taste – they’re magic.

When Max’s mum dies suddenly, she leaves her daughter Lamplight Books and makes one last wish: that Max would spend a year working in the bookshop before she sells it.

Max has no desire to uproot her busy life in the city to return to a place that always made her feel inadequate, but she can’t ignore her mum’s last request. So she decides on a trial run of two weeks – if she can’t even last that long, then a year would be impossible…

buy here

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MY REVIEW:

Lamplight Books is a small bookshop in the magical village of Lampton. Max has come back to sort out the shop after her mother’s sudden death. She’s always felt too ordinary for this place and didn’t inherit her mum’s magical ability to recommend books that help people with their troubles. So she is shocked when she learns her mother wished her to spend a year living and working in the bookshop before she sells it. Max has no desire to uproot her life but also feels like she can’t refuse her mum’s last wish. So, she decides to have a two week trial run and then decide what to do. Can she find a place where she never managed to fit in?

Charming, cosy and comforting, reading this book was like being wrapped in a big, warm hug, which was exactly the vibe I was hoping for. It’s a love letter to bookshops, booksellers, books and the magic that is found in their pages. I loved hearing different books mentioned and how there was a quote from each of them at the end of the chapter. The different books also helped Max or other characters on their journey, showcasing the power of books to help us through some of our darkest times. They really are always there for us. As you can imagine, as  a book lover I adored these aspects of the story.

The characters are relatable and compelling as even the magical beings are given very human emotions and problems that make us able to relate to them. Max was a flawed, nuanced and likeable character who is going through the hardest time in her life. My  heart broke for her as she tried to deal with losing her mother and I had a lot of sympathy for all the other things she was dealing with, some of which she did bring upon herself. But the main character in this story is grief, which takes centre stage throughout. Max’s grief is palpable. It’s always with us in every room and at every movement, something that anyone who has grieved someone they love will understand. August Bloom takes us through all the different stages alongside Max as she tries to run the shop, make a decision about its future and find her place in Lampton. 

I highly recommend this heartwarming and bewitching story. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

August Bloom  writes magical novels from her cosy writing studio in Gloucestershire. She devours gentle fantasy stories alongside cinnamon buns and loves the cooler autumn months when she can curl up under a blanket with a good book. Her co-writer is a chronically clumsy Labrador who she explores the countryside with.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: The Midnight Train by Matt Haig

Published May 21st, 2026 by Canongate
Fantasy Fiction, Magical Realism, Time Travel Fiction, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

When your life flashes before your eyes, what will matter most?

For Wilbur it was his time with Maggie, the love of his life. Their honeymoon in Venice. Before he threw it all away.

Years later, on the brink of his own death, a train arrives. It can take Wilbur back in time. To relive his most important moments. Soon he realises just how much he would have changed.

An adventure through time, The Midnight Train is a story of love and second chances, from the world of The Midnight Library.

PRE-ORDER

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MY REVIEW:

A love letter to books, bookshops and the joy of reading, this is the perfect read for any bibliophile. And this highly anticipated follow-up to The Midnight Library is also full of a tsunami of emotions. Atmospheric, poignant, powerful and achingly human, this is a story about love, life, grief and second-chances A true gem of a book, I never wanted it to end. But when it did it left me with my heart full and the biggest smile on my face.

The story follows Wilbur, who after his death finds himself on a train platform. At a minute after midnight a train arrives: the Midnight Train. Wilbur gets on board and finds himself on a journey through his entire life: from his impoverished childhood where he found an escape in books to awkward first dates with the love of his life, Maggie, to their honeymoon in Venice and him throwing it all away. He relives all his most important moments and realises how much of his life he wished he could change. 

Matt Haig is one of my favourite authors. An exceptional storyteller, he has a style all his own and both are showcased in this book. Exquisitely told, skillfully crafted and full of evocative imagery that brings the whole book to life, I was in his thrall from start to finish. Matt is also skilled at writing about a wide range of difficult subjects with honesty, depth, nuance and sensitivity while also never feeling triggering and that combination of real life and magical realism lends the story a dreamlike vibe that I adored. 

I loved Wilbur. He’s likeable but also deeply flawed, and I think we can all relate to wishing we’d done something differently in our lives. I loved his love of books and the big role they play throughout his life. The other characters are as richly drawn, compelling and real and I particularly enjoyed reading Agnes, former bookshop owner and his guide on his journey. And I want to say a big thank you to Matt for all of the Sheffield representation in this book. As a life-long Sheffielder myself, this was so great to see. Thank you.

A truly mesmerising story that will linger long after you close that final page, this is a must-read.

Rating: 🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Matt Haig is the internationally bestselling author of the novels The Midnight Library, The Life Impossible,  How to Stop Time, The Humans and The Radleys. His work has been translated into over fifty languages.

The Midnight Library was an instant bestseller and winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction. It has become a worldwide phenomenon and sold over ten million copies worldwide spending 52 weeks in the New York Times bestseller list. The audiobook is read by Carey Mulligan. 

His memoir Reasons to Stay Alive was a number one bestseller, staying in the British top ten for 46 weeks. His award-winning children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hit and is translated in over 40 languages. It was made into a film starring Maggie Smith, Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent and The Guardian called it an ‘instant classic’. 

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxxx

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book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books

SQUADPOD BOOK CLUB: Kiss Marry Kill by Yemi Dipelou

Published April 23rd, 2026 by Faber & Faber
Psychological Thriller, Crime Ficiton, Suspense, Domestic Fiction

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

It’s Ife’s dream wedding – until her new husband Ade is arrested for murder.

His missing ex, Cynthia, has been found dead on the Dorset coast.

Case closed: it’s always the ex, right?

But did Ade kiss, marry – and kill? One person hopes the truth never comes out.

‘Fast-paced, wickedly witty, and brimming with Nollywood-level drama. An unforgettable story that pulls you in and refuses to let go.’ LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN
‘Rich in character, smart and pacy. Yemi Dipeolu brings a brilliant new voice to the thriller genre.’ L. V. MATTHEWS
‘A deliciously twisty debut thriller that adeptly explores the lethal margins of love, with compelling characters and a fiendish ending.’ ISABELLE GREY

A pulse-racing, bingeable thriller about love, marriage and obsessions that fans of Adele Parks and The List will LOVE

BUY HERE

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MY REVIEW:

Ife and Ade’s wedding day is the day she’s always dreamed of. Until her groom is arrested on suspicion of murder at the reception. Ade’s ex, Cynthia, has been missing for months and now her body has turned up on the Dorset coast. Ade is their prime suspect. But did Ade really kiss, marry and kill?

What a wild ride! I did not expect the crazy, messy and heart-stopping rollercoaster that this story took me on when I opened the book. Well written, cleverly plotted, witty and fast-paced, Yemi Dipeolu has crafted a debut that had me hooked from start to finish. It sizzles with tension and I suspected them all, though there were times my suspicions about certain characters was stronger and I did have a strong primary suspect at the end. But I was never sure who did it and Yemi Dipelou kept me guessing until that final page. And when the truth was revealed my jaw dropped! It was the kind of ending you don’t see coming and I am still reeling!

The characters are dynamic, relatable, chaotic and deeply flawed. The story is narrated by Ife and Cynthia, the two women in suspect Ade’s life. His new wife, Ife, narrates the current timeline while his deceased ex, Cynthia, tells her story leading up to her disappearance. Moving between these narrators and timelines kept the tension high and helped create suspicion on many of the characters. I loved how I could never be sure who had killed her or what really happened between her and Ade at the end of their relationship. From the start Ife reveals she has a secret, making her an unreliable narrator who we second-guess the whole time. I loved this as it increased the suspense and made her as much of a suspect as everyone else. The character I really couldn’t stand though was Mama, She is the mother-in-law from hell and a vile woman. I was raging every time she was on the page and she made their family one that is toxic, dysfunctional and full of drama.

Unpredictable, mysterious and totally bingeable, this is a debut you don’t want to miss.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Yemi Dipeolu is a British-Nigerian writer from South East London. She studied English Literature with Creative Writing at the University of Surrey and has an MFA from Kingston University. By day, Yemi works as a copywriter, using her passion for storytelling to help businesses connect with their customers.

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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

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