Tag: Domestic Fiction

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2023

BOOK REVIEW: The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Published June 22nd, 2023 by Mantle
Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Coming-of-Age Story

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Sunday Times Top Five Bestseller
A BBC Two Between the Covers Book Club Pick

‘A wonderfully inventive novel’ ― The Times and Sunday Times, Best Historical Fiction of 2023

Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s The Square of Sevens is an epic and sweeping novel set in Georgian high society, a dazzling story offering up mystery, intrigue, heartbreak, and audacious twists.

This is your story, Red. You must tell it well . . .

A girl known only as Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller, travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient method: the Square of Sevens. When her father suddenly dies, Red becomes the ward of a gentleman scholar.

Now raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendour of Bath, her fortune-telling is a delight to high society. But she cannot ignore the questions that gnaw at her soul: who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the mysterious enemies her father was always terrified would find him?

The pursuit of these mysteries takes her from Cornwall and Bath to London and Devon, from the rough ribaldry of the Bartholomew Fair to the grand houses of two of the most powerful families in England. And while Red’s quest brings her the possibility of great reward, it also leads her into grave danger . . .

********

MY REIVEW:

Look at that impressive tome! Isn’t it gorgeous? Who wouldn’t want to buy it for the cover and spredges alone? Okay, it looks a bit daunting, but fortunately this book was written by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, an author who I know I can rely on to deliver a heart-stopping mystery that is as captivating as it is rich in historic detail.

Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller, travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient method of the Square of Sevens. When her father dies suddenly she becomes the ward of Mr. Antrobus, a gentleman scholar. They go to Bath where Red is raised as a lady, but uses her fortune-telling to delight high society. All the while, there are questions that gnaw at her she can’t escape: who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the mysterious enemies that her father was always scared would find him? Are they searching for her? Red sets out on a quest for the truth. But that quest brings her great danger alongside the possibility of great reward.

Gothic, mythical, suspenseful and complex, The Square of Sevens is a mesmerising tale. Spanning Cornwall, Bath, London and Devon, and traversing the raucous Bartholomew Fair, the glamour of high society and England’s most powerful questions, it is an ambitious and audacious tale. Exquisitely written, skillfully choreographed, intricately interwoven, full of misdirection and bold twists, this had me hooked. It did feel a bit long at times, but every time I started to feel like my attention was waning there would be another exciting turn that piqued my interest. It’s like Laura knew where we’d need those moments in this chunky book. There is a distinctly Dickensian feel that I enjoyed while Laura’s meticulous research is evident on every page and I enjoyed the small details such as the information about different cards at the start of each chapter. There is a large motley crew of characters that I loved reading and Red was a clever and compelling protagonist. She lived an unusual life that I enjoyed reading about and I was rooting for her to find the answers to her questions.

I highly recommend this sweeping historical mystery.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you Mantle and Bookbreak for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

********

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.

********

BUY THE BOOK:

Bookshop.org* | Waterstones* | Amazon*
*These are affiliate links

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Uncategorised

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK: The Sisterhood Rules by Kathy Lette

Published April 9th, 2026 by Aria
Mystery, Humorous Fiction, Domestic Fiction

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The Sisterhood Rules:

1. Never let a man come between you
2. Share all your secrets
3. Live life to the fullest – girls just wanna have fun

For twin sisters Isabel and Verity, the sisterhood rules were shattered when Verity had an affair with Izzy’s husband. Unforgivable, right? Devastated by her sister’s betrayal, Izzy casts Verity into social Siberia.

But when their mother goes missing, Verity and Izzy are forced to come together again to find her. And then the estranged sisters’ problems only get bigger. Their mother has a new younger lover and where there’s a will. he’d clearly like to be in it.

Can they stop their mother making a dreadful mistake? And in doing so find a way to bury the pain of the past?

Full of laugh-out-loud humour and devastating pathos, Kathy Lette’s brilliant new novel takes us on a roller-coaster ride which proves that from pain comes healing, from honesty comes forgiveness, and that nothing is more important than your sisters.

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

Izzy hasn’t spoken to her twin sister Verity for five years. Not since she had an affair with her husband, breaking the cardinal Sisterhood Rule ‘Never Let A Penis Come Between Us’. But when Verity calls to say their mother, Nicole, is missing, Izzy reluctantly agrees to a ceasefire so they can work together to find her. And when they do find her things only get worse. Because their 69-year-old mother has a young, gold-digging lover and is giving up her job to go travelling with him. Can the sisters find a way to work together to stop their mother making a huge mistake? 

Hilarious, sassy, racy and outrageous, this was an absolute riot. I started laughing on the first page and didn’t stop until the last. There are so many memorable and quotable lines and I often stopped to read them out to my husband as they were just too good not to share. But this is so much more than a funny story. It is also a story that is full of heart, giving us scenes that had me all in my feelings as Kathy Lette explores themes of sisterhood, womanhood, complex family relationships, betrayal, forgiveness and healing. Lette has also added some jaw-dropping revelations and surprising twists that will keep you on your toes. It all comes together to create a propulsive novel that was impossible to put down once I’d started.

The book is filled with a cast of charismatic characters who were so much fun to read. I loved that Izzy and Verity may be twins but they were totally different people and even described themselves as ‘the classic odd couple’. Izzy is a pernickety single mum who has given up on life, whilst Verity is a glamorous bohemian who lives life to the full. And while their differences used to make them one perfect whole, they now solidify the chasm between them. I enjoyed watching them try to learn to work together as they searched for their mother and even began to hope they might find a way to reconcile. And speaking of their mother, Nicole is a fantastic character. She is an ebullient, vibrant and fabulous lady who is putting the sex into sextegenarian (I can’t take credit for that line, it’s in the book) and I was rooting for her as she rediscovered life and grabbed it with both hands. 

So if you’re looking for a book to lift your spirits and make you laugh out loud, this is for you. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathy Lette is a celebrated and outspoken comic writer who has an imitable take on serious current issues. She is one of the pioneering voices of contemporary feminism, paving the way for Caitlin Moran and Lena Dunham.

She first achieved succès de scandale as a teenager with the novel Puberty Blues, which was made into a major film and a TV mini-series.

After several years as a singer with the Salami Sisters, a newspaper columnist in Sydney and New York, and as a television sitcom writer for Columbia Pictures in Los Angeles, Kathy wrote numerous international bestsellers including Mad Cows (which was made into a film starring Joanna Lumley and Anna Friel), How to Kill Your Husband and Other Handy Household Hints (recently staged by the Victorian Opera, Australia), To Love, Honour and Betray and The Boy Who Fell To Earth.

Her twenty novels have been published in nineteen languages around the world, and she is also an ambassador for The National Autistic Society, Their World and Ambitious about Autism.

In 2004 she was the London Savoy Hotel’s Writer in Residence, where a cocktail named after her can still be ordered.

Kathy is an autodidact (a word she obviously taught herself), but has three honorary doctorates.

Kathy recently completed a tour of her one-woman show, “Girls Night Out“, and is pleased to report that she didn’t fall out with the cast. She cites her career highlights as once teaching Stephen Fry a word, Salman Rushdie the limbo, and scripting Julian Assange’s cameo in the Simpsons 500th episode.

Kathy has two children and divides her time between Sydney and London.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews Uncategorised

BOOK REVIEW: In the Family Way by Laney Katz Becker

Published June 3rd, 2025 by HQ
Historical Fiction, Domestic Ficiton, Coming-of-Age Story

*I listened to this on Bookbeat. Click here to listen free for 60 days*

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A warm, uplifting and empowering novel following a group of suburban housewives and the pregnant teenager they welcome into their fold as they find their place on the cusp of liberation. For fans of Lessons in Chemistry or The Help.

*****

Ohio, 1965. Every week a group of suburban housewives meet for their Tuesday card game, sharing gossip, advice and confidences.

Lily Berg has the perfect life. She’s married to a doctor, with an infant daughter and another on the way. She can’t let her husband know she’s struggling but she knows she can trust her friends.

Becca, Lily’s best friend and next-door neighbour, is everything Lily isn’t. She’s messy and brash and never on time for anything. When she falls pregnant with a fourth child she desperately can’t afford, she turns to Lily.

Although Lily’s little sister, Rose, got married last year, she’s not ready to give up her independence. Her modern marriage appears to be perfect, but behind closed doors things are very different.

And Betsy is fifteen, pregnant and frightened. When Lily takes her in, from the local home for unwed mothers, she has no idea how much it will shake up all of their lives.

Over six months, the group will be put to the test by secrets, forced to make impossible decisions and face up to a society that isn’t ready for women to have their own dreams and ambitions.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s America, In the Family Way is a timely novel that captures the experiences of women on the cusp of liberation as they grapple with timeless questions of womanhood and the role we play as wives, mothers, and people in our own right.

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

A poignant, powerful, uplifting and thought-provoking read, this consuming debut follows a group of suburban housewives and a pregnant unwed teenager they welcome into their fold. Set in 1965, this is an America where women were seen as wives and mothers with little thought given to who they were as people in their own right. They are still at the mercy of men, have no rights and no control over their bodies. On the cusp of those rights finally being made law, Lainey Katz Becker explores the harrowing reality of marriage, pregnancy and motherhood when the men make all the rules.

Beautifully written, Ms. Katz Becker expertly combines raw honesty, emotion and hope, creating a story that may be hard to read at times but also makes you laugh and lifts your spirits. I was enthralled from the start and couldn’t put the book down once I’d started, reading it in under a day. I was completely invested in the lives of these women and needed to know how things turned out for them.

The characters are charismatic and likeable, pulling me into their world and making me care about what happens to them. I loved the relationships between the women and how they made such a positive difference in each other’s lives, especially Lily and Betsy. 

It was devastating how little Betsy knew about her own body and pregnancy, and I was so thankful she had Lily there to support and educate her. 

Exploring sensitive topics such as pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, rape and domestic abuse, and the wider issues of women’s rights, body autonomy, misogyny and patriarchal society, the story serves as a reminder of why it is so vital to hold onto these rights and how dangerous life was for women without them. Without access to contraception or safe abortions women were dying. And without easy divorces women were trapped in abusive marriages and more likely to be murdered by their husbands. It is terrifying both how recently the book is set and how timely the story is in our current climate.

A touching and heartwarming read that will linger long after you turn that final page, this is a must-read.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

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

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laney Katz Becker is an award-winning author and writer. Her debut novel, Dear Stranger, Dearest Friend was a Literary Guild alternate selection, recommended by Library Journal and featured on CBS’ Saturday Early Show, among other media outlets.

Laney is also the author of the non-fiction anthology, Three Times Chai, a collection of rabbis favorite stories. Her writing career also includes working as an award-winning advertising copywriter, freelance journalist and, most recently, for more than a decade, as a literary agent.

When she’s not writing, Laney enjoys drawing, sewing, reading, playing tennis, long walks (while listening to podcasts or audio books) and playing canasta. A native Ohioan, Laney is a graduate of Northwestern University. Although she lived in Westchester County, NY for most of her adult life, she currently resides on the east coast of South Florida where she lives with her husband and their Havanese. She has two married children and two grandchildren.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures

BOOK REVIEW: Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor

Published June 19th, 2025 by Harper Fiction
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction

*I listened to this audiobook on Bookbeat. Click here to get a free 60 day trial*

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The greatest journey is the one you least expect…

______________________________________________

Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own unforgettable adventure much closer to home…

When news reaches Kansas that her beloved sister has tragically died, Emily Gale must become a mother overnight. Her sister’s orphaned child, Dorothy, desperately needs a home.

But Emily doubts her ability to fill her sister’s shoes; her life on the barren Kansas prairies is no place for a child.

On the unforgiving plains, Emily’s courage is endlessly tested. The prolonged drought and relentless dust storms threaten to destroy everything – including her home and her marriage.

Can Emily overcome her grief and let Dorothy heal her heart?

From the promise of Chicago in the 1920s to the harsh beauty of the Kansas prairie during the dust bowl of the 1930s, this is a story of family, duty and one woman’s journey of self-discovery.

BUY HERE

********

MY REIVEW:

“We wouldn’t have had the wonderful if we’d never had the wicked. It’s all part of the same story, Henry. All connected.”

We all know the story of Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz. But what came before that? How did Dorothy come to live with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry? And who were they? Hazel Gaynor’s Before Dorothy answers all those questions and more. Transporting us back to the 1920s and 30s to discover who Emily Gale really was and how young Dorothy came to live in her care. 

As a life-long Ozian whose favourite genre is historical fiction, the moment I heard about this book I knew it was one I was going to love. But it was also one I was a little scared to read. Would it live up to the hype in my heart? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ Imaginative, illuminating and utterly wonderful, this is a mesmerising tale. This book was an easy five stars for me and is my favourite book of the year so far. Exquisitely written, perfectly paced and meticulously researched, I love that not only was the historical detail intricate but Hazel has stitched Oz imagery into every facet of this story, making it read like a love letter to the original story. As someone who treasures the original so much, this was perfect. Her love for the story and characters is clear to see and I wasn’t surprised to read that Hazel is also an Ozian in the author’s note at the end of the book.

But this book is so much more than The Wizard of Oz. It stands strong as a story on its own merit, exploring topics such as motherhood and grief on its pages. Moving seamlessly between timelines we follow Emily Gale from her time in Chicago living with her sister, Annie to her collecting her young niece after her parents’ tragic death and then see her trying to learn how to be a mother. It’s a bumpy road filled with triumph and tragedy and Em’s emotions radiate from these pages, making it a very moving and emotional read at times. But most of all I loved getting to know this woman who has been a mystery to us for so long. Thank you Hazel for writing this story and bringing Auntie Em into the light after all this time. 

An absolute must-read for fans of historical fiction or Oz lovers. 

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author known for her deeply moving historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel of the Year award for her debut, The Girl Who Came Home, her work has since been shortlisted for multiple awards in the USA, UK, and Ireland, including the 2019 HWA Gold Crown for The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter. Her most recent novel, The Last Lifeboat, was selected as a Times of London historical novel of the month, was shortlisted for the 2023 Irish Book Awards, and won the 2024 Audie Award for Best Fiction Narrator. Hazel’s co-written novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, and have been shortlisted for several international awards. Hazel’s work has been translated into twenty languages and is published in twenty-seven territories to date. She lives in Ireland with her family.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
Audio Books Beat the Backlist book reviews

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The House We Grew Up In by Lisa Jewell

Published July 18th, 2013 by Cornerstone
Suspense, Domestic Fiction, Thriller, Psychological Thriller, Mystery

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An unforgettable story about a family with a terrible secret. From the #1 bestselling author of The Family Upstairs and None of This is True comes a new edition of The House We Grew Up In, with a brand new introduction from Lisa Jewell!

‘Unputdownable’ RED
‘Simply stunning’ Daily Mail
‘Fantastically gripping’ HELLO!
____________

When a tragedy breaks a family apart, what can bring it back together?

The Birds seem to be the perfect family: mother, father, four children, a charming cottage in the country.

But one Easter weekend, something happens – something so unexpected, so devastating, that no one can bring themselves to talk about it.

The family shatters, seemingly for good.

Until, years later, they are forced to return to the house they grew up in, and to confront what really broke the family apart . . .

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

One of my 2026 goals is to read more of my TBR. Specifically, the backlist books by authors that have languished on my shelves for far too long. Lisa Jewell is one of my favourite thriller authors, but I’m ashamed to say I didn’t start reading her books until 2019, which means I have her huge backlist of books still to enjoy. So, when I was looking for a mood read I decided it was time to dive into that backlist, and finally read The House We Grew Up In.

The Birds seem like the perfect family: mum, dad, four children and a charming country cottage. But all of that changes one Easter weekend when tragedy strikes. And instead of coming together, it fractures them completely; each family member retreating into their own, private grief and torment over what happened. Now, the family is being forced back together for the first time in years after the death of matriarch Lorelei, and must confront the tragedy that tore them apart.

My heart is totally destroyed after this book. Compelling, tense and twisty, I was not prepared for the heartrending emotion that is woven into this story. I expected a fast-paced thriller and heart-stopping twists, but instead Lisa delivers a steadily paced, moving story where the twists are teased out slowly. It is expertly written, cleverly plotted and perfectly paced, moving seamlessly between dual timelines with extracts  from emails from Lorelei and her online sweetheart, Jim, peppered throughout. I was on tenterhooks from start to finish, eager to discover whatever dark secrets this family held.

So, let’s talk about the Birds. This is a very character-driven story so having captivating and richly drawn characters is vital. Obviously, we know Lisa writes fantastic characters, but her talent for writing characters really shines in this book. We get to know each member of the Bird family in detail over the course of the book, all of their imperfections and fears exposed as we peel away the fractured layers of this family. They are all complex, flawed, real. Lorelei isn’t your typical matriarch. She loves her children and being a mother, but she’s also very quirky. And after the tragedy she spirals, her ‘quirks’ of keeping objects because she feels they have sentimental value becoming a full-blown hoarding disorder that ends up with her house being uninhabitable. Each member of the family deals with both the tragedy and Lorelei in their own way, but it is eldest daughter, Megan, who challenges it most and I really felt for her. She was probably my favourite character and my heart hurt for all that she went through. 

A must-read for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Jewell was born in London in 1968.

Her first novel, Ralph’s Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, The Family Remains and The Night She Disappeared, all of which were Richard & Judy Book Club picks.

Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over thirty languages. She lives in north London with her husband and two daughters.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026 Squadpod Squadpod Featured Books Squadpod Recommends Squadpod Reviews

SQUADPOD FEATURED BOOK REVIEW: The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

Published January 22nd, 2026 by Aria
Domestic Fiction, Romance Novel, Dark Romance, Gothic Romance

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

THE NEW ROMANCE NOVEL FROM TIKTOK SENSATION ASHLEY WINSTEAD.

‘The Future Saints is not to be missed.’ Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script

A band on the brink. A love worth playing for.

When record executive Theo meets the Future Saints, they’re bombing at a dive bar in their hometown. Since the tragic death of their manager, the band has been in a downward spiral and Theo has been dispatched to coax a new – and successful – album out of them, or else let them go.

Theo is struck right away by Hannah, the group’s impetuous lead singer, who has gone off script in debuting a new song-and, in fact, a whole new sound. Theo’s supposed to get the band back on track, but when their new music garners an even wider fan base than before, the plans begin to change-new tour, new record, new start.

But Hannah’s descent into grief has larger consequences for the group, and she’s not willing to let go yet. not for fame or love.

For fans of Daisy Jones and the Six and In Five Years, this is a love story – just not the one you’re expecting.

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

The Future Saints is a band in freefall. They have been struggling since the death of their manager almost a year earlier. The night that record executive Theo Ford meets them they are playing a gig at a dive bar in their hometown and bombing. The record label doesn’t hold out much hope and has sent Theo to ensure the band deliver their obligated next album and then cut them loose. Theo is immediately captivated by lead singer Hannah Cortland, the impetuous broken beauty who is falling apart both behind the scenes and on stage. But that brokenness turns out to be a secret weapon when the band goes off script and debuts not only a new song, but a whole new sound. It goes viral and suddenly the band are thrust into the spotlight. The pressure is on to cash in on their new fame and make that new album a runaway hit. Will Hannah’s grief derail their dreams? Or will she find a way to let go?

This book was nothing like I expected but it was also everything I didn’t know I wanted. Ashley Winstead is a magnificent storyteller who has crafted a mesmerising, raw and poignant story about grief, sisterhood, friendship and love that also gives us a glimpse into the crazy truth of the music industry.

There is a dynamic cast of characters who are fun to read and easy to root for. It didn’t matter that their lives were a million miles away from anything I know, they still felt familiar and deeply human. However, my greatest takeaway from this story is the emotions that bleed from every page. I went through all the feelings my heart has still not recovered. It’s moving, heartbreakingly raw, compassionate and messy. And I couldn’t get enough.

A glorious and stirring story that will linger long after reading, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashley Winstead is an academic turned bestselling novelist with a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature. She lives in Houston with her husband, three cats, and beloved wine fridge.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*this post contains affiliate links

Categories
Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

Book Review: Welcome to the Neighbourhood by Jane Fallon

Published January 15th, 2026 by Michael Joseph
Mystery, Domestic Fiction, Humorous Fiction

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The darkly comic, addictive new novel about friendship and envy from the bestselling author of JUST GOT REAL and GETTING RID OF MATTHEW

NO ONE’S SECRETS ARE SAFE…

Kitty thought moving to London would spice up her life. Unfortunately, she ended up on Ashdown Close, where the hottest topic of gossip is a missed bin collection.

That was before the arrival of Sian and Rich at number 8. They are cool and glamorous, and Kitty is perfectly willing to be dazzled by their company.

But when she spots a mysterious woman furtively leaving their house, she realises they might not be the magnetic couple she thought. Aided and abetted by best friend Grace, Kitty feels she needs to investigate.

Do Sian and Richard really have something to hide, or are Kitty and Grace just being nosy neighbours?

And if they are, perhaps they are not the only ones.

Because on this street’s nobody’s business might just turn out to be everybody’s business . . .

buy here

********

MY REVIEW:

Kitty is almost forty and in a stale relationship. She needs to make changes to her life and shake things up. So, she accepts a new job and moves to London, sure it will be the new start she needs. But Grace ends up on Ashdown Close, where nothing remotely interesting ever happens, and she only has one friend, Grace, who isn’t really someone she would choose to hang out with if she had other options. But Sian and Rich move to the neighbourhood. Glamorous and cool, they offer Kitty a glimpse of the exciting life she’d hoped for. However, when she sees a woman sneaking out of their house one day, it looks like Rich is having an affair. Kitty and Grace decide to investigate further. But as secrets come to light it begins to look like things aren’t quite what they seem…

Jane Fallon is known as the ‘queen of revenge comedy’ for good reason, so I knew that Welcome to the Neighbourhood would be the perfect book to help beat the January blues. And I was right. Funny, warm, light-hearted, chaotic and addictive, this was a joy to read from start to finish. And once I started reading I couldn’t stop. Told from multiple perspectives with extracts from the neighbourhood WhatsApp chat peppering the narrative, I was quickly caught up in the lives of the residents of Ashdown Close. 

As a woman of a similar age to Kitty I can relate to her feelings of struggling to make friends in middle age. It’s hard to meet people you can become friends with at this stage in life. I loved the burgeoning friendship between Kitty and Sian, but did feel bad for Grace, even if she could get a little much at times. All of the characters were charismatic, relatable and real, making it feel like I could be Kitty and this could be my neighbourhood. Jane Fallon’s skillful writing, expert plotting and clever twists had me immersed in the mayhem of Ashdown Close and I devoured the book in under a day.

Darkly funny, heartwarming and utterly captivating, this is a must for your TBR.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮

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

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jane Fallon is the multi-award-winning television producer behind shows such as This Life, Teachers and 20 Things to Do before You’re 30. Her debut novel “Getting Rid of Matthew’ was published in 2007 and became a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller as have her subsequent books ‘Got You Back’, ‘Foursome’, ‘The Ugly Sister’, ‘Skeletons’, ‘Strictly Between Us’,’My Sweet Revenge’, ‘Faking Friends’ and ‘Tell Me a Secret’

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Readalong

READALONG REVIEW: So, I Met This Guy… by Alexandra Potter

Published January 29th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Romance Novel, Contemporary Romance, Adventure Fiction, Domestic Fiction

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

So, I Met This Guy . . .

Well, isn’t that how every love story starts? But how does it end – a happily ever after? Or with the discovery that the supposed love-of-your-life has stolen your life savings and your home, trashed your heart and demolished your self-esteem?

Maggie is barely fifty years-old, and she’s not one to give up on herself. So when she meets Flick, a young reporter who realizes this story could be the big break she’s been looking for, they set off to catch him as he goes on the run across Europe. After all, she’s got nothing left to lose, right?

But as the pair embark on the road trip of their lives, unexpected twists, hidden secrets and hard truths are revealed. And as an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, they realize it’s not just about finding the guy, it’s about finding themselves . . .

From the author of the mega bestseller Confessions of a Fortysomething F##k Up comes another laugh-out-loud novel full of wit, wisdom . . . and women who have had ENOUGH.

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

‘So, I met this guy…’ The phrase that is the start of love stories. Of someone’s happily ever after or biggest regret. When Maggie met Theo C. Stratin she thought she’d found ‘the one’, but it soon became a nightmare when he wiped out her life savings, her home, her trust and self-esteem. When journalist Flick hears Maggie’s story she realises that this could be her big break and convinces a reluctant Maggie to speak about her experience and track down Theo, the pair embarking on a trip across Europe to catch the con man before he can find another victim. 

Warm, witty and full of heart, this was a joy to read from start to finish. A comfort read with action, emotion, comedy and drama thrown in. I’m ashamed to say that this is my first time reading one of Alexandra Potter’s books, but it certainly won’t be my last. Her writing enveloped me, the characters leapt from the pages and I was rooting for Maggie and Flick at every step. The locations come alive in vivid detail, making me feel like I was walking the streets of Rome, partying in Ibiza or hiking in Spain. Potter is also skilled at writing emotion that cuts like a knife and goes straight to your soul, making me feel everything alongside the characters. I was all-in and lost myself in this enthralling cat and mouse chase across the continent. And amongst all of that Ms. Potter has also woven important issues into the narrative, highlighting not only romance fraud, but topics such as coercive control and poverty.

I can’t write this review without mentioning the characters. Charismatic, relatable and real, they could be any one of us, which is part of this book’s charm and what makes it resonate so strongly. Maggie could be any one of us. When we meet her she’s lost everything and had her life and soul destroyed by Theo and I loved watching her rediscover not only her strength, but her self-belief. Something she might not have found again without Flick. I loved their friendship. I loved that it was mutli-genterational and how much they learned from one another. And I can’t talk about this book without mentioning Birdy, a wealthy older lady they meet on their travels. Birdy was my favourite character and I am going to need a book all about her. I am not going to spoil anything, but after reading this you’ll understand why.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

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

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alexandra Potter is the bestselling author of numerous bestselling novels, including CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY-SOMETHING F**K UP which is now the basis of a major TV series. These titles have sold in twenty-five territories and achieved worldwide sales of more than one million copies, making the bestseller charts across the world.

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Alexandra lived for several years in LA before settling back in the UK. She currently lives in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*this post contains affiliate links

Categories
Audio Books book reviews Emma's Anticipated Treasures Most Anticipated 2026

BOOK REVIEW: Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Published January 15th, 2026 by Pan Macmillan
Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Gay Fiction, Literary Fiction

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

You’ve seen the show. Now meet the woman behind the scenes . . .

From No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven, a novel about America’s favorite TV family, whose perfect façade starts to crack, for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Los Angeles, 1964.

For two decades, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have ruled television as America’s Favourite Family. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch them play flawless, black-and-white versions of themselves. But now the Sixties are in full swing, and the Newmans’ perfection suddenly feels woefully out of touch.

Ratings are in free fall, as are the Newmans themselves. Del is keeping an explosive secret from his wife, and Dinah is slowly going numb. Steady, stable Guy is hiding the truth about his love life, and rock ‘n’ roll idol Shep may finally be in real trouble.

When Del is in a mysterious car accident, Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires Juliet Dunne, an outspoken young reporter, to help her write the final episode. But Dinah and Juliet have wildly different perspectives about what it means to be a woman, and a family, in 1964 America.

Can Dinah Newman bring her family together to change television history?

Or will she be cancelled before she ever had the chance?

Maybe it’s time for perfection to fall out of style . . .

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

Los Angeles, 1964, a time when the States is still reeling from the death of JFK, in the midst of the fight for Civil Rights, and being gripped by Beatlemania, there is a family they can always rely on to be perfect and make the world feel right for half an hour each week. It’s time to Meet the Newmans.

Nostalgic, moving, powerful and addictive, I couldn’t get enough of this charming and stirring story. It follows the Newmans, a real family who have played idealised versions of themselves on TV for the last twelve years. They are America’s favourite family. But behind the perfect facade, cracks have appeared and not all is what it seems. When patriarch Del is in a car accident, his wife, Dinah, must take the reins to ensure that their season finale goes ahead. She hires journalist Juliet Dunn but the two soon clash over what it means to be a woman in 1960s America. Truths are slowly revealed and we wonder if the Newmans will survive the fallout and pull off one last show. 

Jennifer Niven’s writing is vibrant and achingly human, the story is cleverly choreographed and filled with an eclectic cast of dynamic and memorable characters. I loved the nostalgic vibe that permeates every page, making me feel like I’d been transported back to 1960s America. But while the story is a sheer delight, it is also a sobering reminder of how different life was in the 60s, exploring some heavy and emotional topics including the Civil Rights Movement, LGBTQ rights, sexism, female rage, female empowerment and reproductive rights. The world may be a mess right now, but at least in most of the world we have the right to love whoever we want and women have the right to simple things like a bank account and contraception. 

Told from different perspectives, the characters felt authentic and believable, immersing me in every facet of their lives as they slowly unraveled. But all that glitters isn’t gold, and through the Newmans Niven examines the darker side of fame, showing us that perfection isn’t real and reminding us that even those who seem to have it all are going through things behind closed doors. I particularly enjoyed reading Dinah, Juliet and Guy, and loved watching and Dinah and Juliet learned so much from one another.

A thought-provoking and affirming read that will simultaneously lift your spirits and outrage you, Meet The Newmans is a must-read. Perfect for anyone who enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5

Thank you to Bookbeat and llbro.fm for my early copies of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Niven is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe and Breathless. Her books have been translated in over 75 languages and have won literary awards around the world. An Emmy-award winning screenwriter, she co-wrote the script for the All the Bright Places movie— currently streaming on Netflix and starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. She is also the author of several narrative nonfiction titles and the Velva Jean historical fiction series. Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles with her husband and literary cats.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

*This post contains affiliate links

Categories
Blog Tours book reviews

BLOG TOUR: Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage by Kim Nash

Published October 31st, 2025 by Boldwood Books
Romance Novel, Domestic Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Nautical Fiction

********

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Set against the sparkling shores of Cornwall☀️, this BRAND NEW heartwarming, uplifting and gorgeously romantic tale of second chances is perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley. ✨

When life gives you heartbreak 💔, sometimes it also gives you a second chance… 💕

When Tom Sullivan returns to the quiet village of Sandpiper Shore, Emma can hardly believe her eyes. She hasn’t seen him since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play – a lifetime ago, before real heartbreak, and long before she ever imagined life as a widow.

The last thing she wants is to relive the past, especially with someone who once made her teenage heart flutter. But when Emma agrees to put on a charity pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance service that helped her late husband, she’s thrown firmly back into Tom’s path.

As rehearsals begin and the local community rallies around her, Emma finds unexpected joy in bringing people together – and a surprising connection with Tom that feels far too real to ignore. Maybe it’s time for Emma to become the leading lady in her own life, not just for the show, but for herself.

Full of warmth, humour and heart, this is a story about letting go and discovering that it’s never too late to take a chance on love.

While this novel is set in the same village as the other books in the Sandpiper Shore series, it can be read as a STANDALONE

BUY HERE

********

MY REVIEW:

Emma Montgomery is trying to move on with life following the sudden death of her husband, Ben. Along with her friends Jo and Michelle she runs the Lonely Hearts Club, a group for singles wanting to make friends, and has agreed to organise the local pantomime to raise money for the air ambulance. But Emma gets a huge shock when at a meeting about the pantomime who should appear but Tom Sullivan, Emma’s first love who she hasn’t seen since they played Romeo and Juliet in their school play. To Emma’s dismay, he still makes her heart flutter just like he did when they were teenagers. But Tom broke her heart and she’s not looking for a man, so Emma is determined they will just be friends. But can she resist what her heart seems to want?

There is nothing better at this time of year than an uplifting romcom. And this book certainly fits that bill. Charming, warm, and witty, this was a joyful festive read and exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Kim Nash writes with heart and humour, expertly immersing you in the lives of her charismatic characters. And while there was laughter from the start, this is also a lot of depth to this story as Kim explores difficult topics such as coercive control, particularly the complex emotions that accompany it, and delivers an an evocative and moving portrait of grief and self discovery that reminds us all to believe in ourselves and take the opportunities life brings our way. 

But what’s most important in a romcom is the romance. You need characters who seem destined for each other and make you root for their happy-ever-after. This is something Kim delivers perfectly. I loved Emma and Tom. Not only were they great characters in their own right, but they had a compelling and tragic history and an undeniable chemistry that is still there over three decades later. These are people who make you believe in soulmates and I was rooting for them to find happiness again with one another despite the obstacles in their path. 

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage is the perfect romcom to escape with this festive season. Highly recommended.

Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰

Thank you to Tracy at Compulsive Readers Tours, Anne at Random Things Tours, Rach at Random Resources and Zoe at Zooloos Book Tours for the invitation to take part in this tour and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

********

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Nash is the bestselling author of uplifting, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She has wanted to write books since she was a little girl. Her other dream, is to live in a home that has a view of a golden sandy beach and the sea sparkling in the sunlight. Until that dream comes true, she’ll continue to write second chance romances about women who live or move to the seaside on her behalf.

Life Begins at the Cornish Cottage, the second book set in Sandpiper Shores, is out on 31st October 2025 and is available to pre-order now.

One of her greatest writing achievements is to be nominated for the Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020, and she was delighted when Claudia Winkleman had read her book and said it was ‘Totally warm and absolutely lovely.’

She lives in Staffordshire with her son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Author Community Director for publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK) and, as an avid reader, started her career in the publishing industry as a book blogger.

When she’s not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading and binge-watching TV. She’s also quite partial to a spa day, lemon drizzle cake and a gin and tonic (not all at the same time!)

Kim also runs a book club in Staffordshire and organises local and national reader/author events.

********

Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxx

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

*This post constains an affiliate link